Advent and Christmas

Throughout history, people have used signs and symbols time and again to communicate something to like-minded people, but to hide it from outsiders. An example from the 1. Century is the fish symbol (ichthys) used by Christians, with which they secretly indicated their connection to Christ. Since many of them were persecuted or even killed, they held their meetings in the catacombs and other secret locations. To mark the way there, fish signs were drawn on the walls. This did not arouse suspicion because Christians weren't the first to use the fish sign - pagans were already using it as a symbol for their gods and goddesses.

Many years after Moses instituted the law (including the Sabbath), God gave a new sign for all human beings - that of the birth of His incarnate Son, Jesus. The Gospel of Luke reports:

And that is a sign: you will find the child wrapped in diapers and lying in a crib. And immediately there was with the angel the multitude of the heavenly hosts, who praised God and said: Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to the people of his good will (Luke 2,12-14).

The birth of Jesus is a powerful, permanent sign for everything that the Christ event includes: his incarnation, his life, his death, his resurrection and ascension to the redemption of all humanity. Like all signs, it indicates the direction; it points back (and reminds us of the promises and deeds of God in the past) and forward (to show what else Jesus will fulfill through the Holy Spirit). Luke's account continues with a passage from the gospel story often told after Christmas, during the feast of Epiphany:

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon; and this man was righteous and righteous, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was with him. And a word had come to him from the Holy Spirit that he should not see death unless he had seen the Lord's Christ before. And he came to the temple at the suggestion of the Spirit. And when the parents brought the child Jesus into the temple to do with him, as is the custom according to the law, he took him in his arms and praised God and said, Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. as you said; for my eyes have seen your Savior, whom you prepared before all peoples, a light to illuminate the Gentiles and to praise your people Israel. And his father and mother wondered what was said of him. And Simeon blessed her and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this is set to cause many in Israel to fall and rise, and as a sign that is contradicted - and a sword will pierce through your soul too - so that the thoughts of many hearts will be given become evident (Luke 2,25-35).

As Christians, most of us do not need signs and symbols to keep our meeting places a secret. This is a great blessing and our prayers are with those who live in dire conditions. Whatever the circumstances, all Christians know that Jesus rose from the dead and our Heavenly Father draws all people in Jesus and through the Holy Spirit. That's why we have a lot to celebrate - and should do so in the coming Advent and Christmas season.

by Joseph Tkach


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