Christmas is a time of year that largely has Canada’s attention. What should we as Christians and churches be communicating about it?
As diverse as we are religiously and ethnically as a country, we still have a public holiday on December 25th. It has become, in broader Canadian culture, a holiday celebrating family, leisure, gift-giving, and the winter season. Most people ironically consider it stressful. Depending on the level of faith commitment[1] of families, organizations, and communities, celebrations also still have a level of symbolism associated with the story of the birth of Jesus. The whole holiday in Canada is an incredible opportunity to be witnesses to people and to culture generally.
But what is the core story that we are sharing, and what is the most meaningful way to share it? I don’t think I need to state the obvious: Faithfully telling the story of Jesus’ birth and including traditional songs and symbols that lovingly bring people from knowledge towards discipleship is crucial and basic. We can engage this way with family members, friends, and probably the 21% or so of our neighbours who Angus Reid would label “privately faithful.” It is still a great idea to invite people to church, go caroling, visit the marginalized, and give gifts to the poor. We witness well when our Christmas is less commercial, more restful and worshipful, and makes room for new people. These things are still the basics.
But what about the rest of Canada? How about the 20% of Canadians who identify as non-believers, or the (staggering) 46% of Canadians who are categorized as “spiritually curious?” If they are not interested enough in the story of Jesus to come to church for a presentation of the Christmas story (think of how interested you’d need to be in Eid to visit a Mosque, for example), what are they looking for, and how do we engage with them?
Statistically, some of the largest concerns of Canadians in 2024 are general financial insecurity (85%), and global economic and geopolitical risks (70%).[2] I’m sure that isn’t a surprise to you. Canadians are increasingly worried about their safety, stability, and comfort. They are increasingly discontented and less hopeful with the state of their country and the world. I wonder how people in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria felt around the year of Jesus’ birth?
The Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke both open with strong political overtones. Herod, the ruler of the Jewish world as installed by the Romans, is disturbed by the question of the Magi, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). Luke’s Gospel opens with the words, “in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree.” They are intentionally reminding the reader of the political conditions into which Jesus was born. The story of Jesus’ birth is the story of the advent of the good, rival king.
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright reflects on Augustus’ decisive victory over Marc Antony and the announcement of the Pax Romana and the consolidation of his reign: “Starting with Octavian (Augustus), the Roman emperors regularly used the words good news to describe what they had already achieved and what life would now be like as a consequence. When the early Christians used this language, they used it in a similar way. Something had happened because of which everything was now different. Something would happen that would complete this initial victory.”[3]
Mark’s gospel is not used much in the Christmas season, but I love the echoes of Christmas in his opening verse, “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” Because of Jesus’ birth, everything is now different. Because of his life, death and resurrection, we can be assured of the consummation of his victory. The Christmas story is just the beginning of the good news of His reign that changes everything, every day, and especially in the lives of believers.
Does the reign of Christ change our lives in substantial, visible ways? According to a 2024 study in Canada, “there is a palpable sense of increased spiritual curiosity and openness among Canadians.”[4] I had a conversation with my dental hygienist last week. She’s a newcomer to NL from a visible minority. She told me that it’s really hard to make friends here, that it was rare to talk to a person who seemed genuinely interested in her story. Imagine if she found this Christmas a whole group of Newfoundlanders living hopeful, outwardly focused lives that make room in our homes for newcomers (Luke 2:7)? Maybe what Canadians need to hear from the church this Christmas is just simply good news.
References
[1] https://angusreid.org/canada-religion-interfaith-holy-week/
[2] https://abacusdata.ca/building-a-better-future-for-canadians-policy-imperatives/
[3] N. T. Wright, Simply Good News: Why the Gospel Is News and What Makes It Good (New York: HarperOne, 2015), [12-13]. Print.
[4] https://flourishingcongregations.org/reigniting-hope-sharing-the-good-news-in-canada/
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