Birthday thoughts

As a child I had great antecipations for my birthday. The week leading up to the event was spent in daydreams, of awesome presents, of who´d come and what great games we´d play. Inevitably, the reality was less, not due to my parents not being generous for their means or my friends not being kind and funny. It had more to do with the fact that I was a spoiled young brat. But I was also aware that one was supposed to be grateful, and that a decent show of gratitude was called for when opening the presents. Now even though I (sometimes) liked the gifts, it was still hard to display the “proper” set of emotions: surprise, joy and captivation.

It happened more than once that I got a double copy of a book I already had. Any sane and healthy child would simply display the disappointment one invariably feels at such an occasion and explain it: “I already have that book!” No one would think much of it. I however, attempted to hide that disappointment and act grateful. Being a lousy actor, it must have looked very silly and strange, producing a general feeling of unease. Nowadays I´d like to think I´m slightly less neurotic about these things.

Another birthday coming up is of course that of Jesus Christ (I used to think it insolent of him to be born so close to my own birthday, as his celebration then competed with mine...). It´s the current custom among christians to complain how Christmas has become X-mas, or even worse “the winter holidays”. And it is sad to watch how the Gospel has taken a second seat to Coca-Cola´s winter advertising campaign, and commercialism rather than kindness and community is the driving force forming our celebrations. That it is a popular tradition to go to church at least once this time of year is not something to be scoffed at. There should always be a welcoming hand for people outside the church to come inside, if only once per year. “So where were you the rest of year?” is not the question to be asked, lest God should ask something similar from us, and we´d find ourselves short of an answer.

Still it´s fair to say, that a little holiday spirituality in between cakes, candy and carols has yet to save a single soul. Which is why we need Christ, God born as child of Mary and Joseph, so that we may become children of God.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:9-14

In the church calendar the year begins with the advent of Christmas. It is good to remember that it is God who reaches out his “red right hand” to us, first, so that we then by grace and sheer obstinacy may grab hold of it and never ever let go. We´re not required to do anything at Christmas but adore Him, as the shepherds in the field or the magi from the east did. Brains or brawn, whatever your walk of life, adoration or bust! This is the liturgy of the season; God has arrived, and we gratefully acknowledge and praise it, as a gift that is much more than we ever expected. Or deserved.

Christmas is before Easter, but Christmas is not complete without Easter. And Easter demands something of us, as when Jesus commands us to take up our cross and follow him.
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
“...and whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:25,27
It´s not acceptable to stand on the sidewalk of the road to Golgotha and pity Jesus, rather pity our very own souls.
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
But Jesus turning unto them said, “ Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children” Luke 23:27-28
For as God was born as man so that we could become sons and daughters of God, he died as man so that we finally could die as gods in and to ourselves, sharing in the cross of Christ, which is communion with the Living God. And death of Man as god.