Christmas is often portrayed as a time of peace, joy, and merriment. And certainly it can be and should be this. But we must not forget what was required to make it so. Jesus was born to die. And through his death, burial, and resurrection he rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into his very own. And, in this way, Christmas can be seen as a type of invasion – God’s rescue mission through Christ to overthrow the powers of darkness for our sakes.
To be sure, Christmas is a time of celebration. And we’re free to enjoy all the lights, festive meals, gift giving, and the like. It’s also a good time to slow down to enjoy our time with family and friends, and to reflect on our life as another year comes to a close. But Christmas is much more than another holiday when we consider its theological significance.
To celebrate the Incarnation of Christ calls for us to also remember why he took on flesh and dwelt among us to begin with. And as Simeon prophesied after the child Jesus was presented in the Temple: this child was born destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise, and to be a sign that many will oppose, though the deepest thoughts of their hearts will be revealed. Christ came to deal with the problem of sin and he had to shed his blood to do so.
And we start to lose the meaning of Christmas when it becomes disconnected from the rest of the story. Christmas as an invasion is not merely a time of sentimental celebration. It’s also a call for us to participate with Christ in his work of redemption – to join him in overthrowing the kingdom of darkness.
In the end, Christ was born to die and live again, that we too in him might do the same. And it’s through this newness of life that we join his invasion and overcome the darkness of this world.
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