I found this book on a friend's book shelf, the title alone ministered to me. I'm calling it the Fire Within of Christmas.
For centuries faithful men and women have set their minds to meditate and their mouths to sing of the events of the life of Christ. The birth of Jesus was remembered during the season of advent (which means coming) and the death and resurrection of Jesus was remembered during the season of lent. These times, marked on the church’s calendar each year, were pivotal in keeping the mind and heart of the church constantly thinking upon the life and death of their Savior.
In many christian circles today, Christmas and Easter are celebrated but we don’t really know what to make of the longer seasons of advent and lent. This christmas season, I’ve made it a point to focus my reading, thinking, and prayers upon the birth of Jesus. I haven’t gone to the extent of buying an advent wreath and candles or discovered what wassail is all about and how one quaffs it, but I have spent some quality time looking at the birth of Jesus and I have to admit if this is what advent is all about than I’m a huge fan!
John Saward, in his book on the Christmas Mystery “The Cradle of Redeeming Love” speaks about the Christmas celebrations throughout church history:
In the middle ages the festivities of Christmas continued without interruption till Candlemas (Feburary 2nd feast that celebrated the presentation of Jesus at the temple). Throughout January, holly and ivy decked the halls, wassail was quaffed and carols rang out in praise of the successive mysteries of the infant God. ‘Make we myrth/ For Crystes byrth,/ And syng we Yole tyl Candelmas.’ Only on the second of Feburary, with an eye on the approaching rigors of Lent, did the medieval man dowse the Yuletide log. (p. 30 ignatius press. my parenthesis)
The Christmas season is a great time of year to intentionally set our minds upon the birth of Christ, and ponder the weightiness and beauty of God revealed in the face of Christ. Scripture calls the incarnation (God becoming a man) a great mystery (1 Timothy 3:16). The truths within this mystery were not hidden from us but rather hidden for us. Saints throughout history have born witness to depths of this mystery and to the wisdom of seeking it out. It was said of St. Francis of Assi that he could not even utter the name Bethlehem without stammering with emotion, like the bleating of sheep. Oh that this christmas, that tiny one in the manger would be to us a treasure of unspeakable worth.
Reading Suggestions:
If your looking for suggestions on what exactly to read and study over the advent season here are a few thoughts. You could read the gospel accounts that speak of Christ’s birth: Matthew 1 & 2, Luke 1 & 2, John 1. Take your time, ponder, and talk to the Lord about what your reading. You could also search out what the old testament prophets said about Jesus’ coming, passages like Isaiah 9 & 11 are great starting points. There are also some great reading plans available for the advent season. Here is one that I’ve been reading this year, it includes daily scripture readings that speak of Jesus’ first and second coming: http://venablefour.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/advent-bible-reading-plan/.
In addition to reading scripture, there are some great devotional books that can aid you gazing upon life and person of Christ. Here is a link to download a free copy of one of them it’s called “Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ” by John Piper: http://www.desiringgod.org/store/books/seeing-and-savoring-jesus-christ
enjoy!
