The Prince Caspian movie really botched its ending. Well, it botched more than just the ending, but for our purposes in discussing Christmas, I’d like to focus on how the great war between Miraz and Old Narnia concludes. In the film, everything ends like a standard blockbuster: with a giant battle. In the the book, everything ends as it truly will in God’s story: with a giant party. As Peter prepares for one-on-one combat with Miraz, Aslan wakes Lucy and Susan with four surprising words: “We will make holiday.” They then proceed to ride through town, and the procession is more ridiculous than one could even imagine. Lewis describes the scene as full of laughing, instruments, laughing, splashing in water, laughing, and somersaults. There is also singing, dancing, food, wine, and of course more laughter. I mention laughter here only as many times as Lewis himself does in these few short pages. This frolic band of adults, children, mythical creatures, talking animals, and gods (most notably, Bacchus the god of wine), led by their great King Aslan, frighten the Telmarine army into submission. The great war between Narnians and Telmarines is won by a party.
Christianity is many things. In one sense it is a war. We war against sin and against the principalities and powers of the devil. Repentance and humbling ourselves before God are essential aspects of our faith. Indeed, we are to see even our best deeds as “filthy rags”. But at its heart, Christianity is a party. It is full of mirth and laughter. It is a religion of joy. And at no other time of year is this more true than at Christmas, for here we find the source of all good things. Our King has come. Let us meet Him with shouts of acclamation.
There is no reason for Christians to act like Ebeneezer Scrooge during the month of December. Yes, yes, we can insert the standard caveats about greed and capitalism and lack of contentment, blah blah blah. For everything there is a time and a season. Let us fill our pulpits with warnings about those sins during the other eleven months of the year, but Christmas is the time for overflow. Mary does not rebuke the wisemen for being too generous with their extravagant gifts, nor do the wisemen bring with them cards that say, “Try not to let these riches go to your head. Be content.” This was not the time for such things. When welcoming a King, we welcome Him with extravagance.
I am not suggesting that those who refrain from celebrating Christmas are sinning. Conscience plays a role here, and nowhere are we explicitly commanded to celebrate Christ’s birth in a special way at this particular time of each year. However, I am suggesting that it seems rather silly not to welcome an opportunity to celebrate the great miracle of the incarnation. Why wouldn’t you take up the chance to remind yourself, your family, your coworkers, and the world of what this life is really all about? Furthermore, where are Christians commanded to be gloomy? We serve a great and glorious God, who is full of mercy and grace and justice and truth. We serve the God who is Love. This very God chose to become human so that He might die a death that I deserved, and invite me into His family. And somehow there are Christians who think an attitude of sadness and anger is what God desires? For everything there is a time and a season, but the seasons of sadness should pale in comparison to the seasons of joy. For even in the midst of deep pain, the Lord is good to us and His promises hold true. As Chesterton says, “Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial. Melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul. Pessimism is at best an emotional half-holiday; joy is the uproarious labour by which all things live.” By Chesterton’s logic, then, man is most himself, man is most human, during Christmas, so long as man does not act like the Grinch.
If you do not shout with praise for your King, the very stones will do it for you. Despite how far our nation has fallen away from Christ, like the stones, it cannot help but feel that something special is happening this time of year. The universe buzzes with excitement as it remembers Christ’s first advent, and longs for His second. Let’s not allow the pagans and the stones to outdo God’s own people during December. This Christmas season, take seriously the truths you’ll sing in Christmas carols. Most of them are bursting at the seems with mirth. Here are just a few examples:
“Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love…
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and Heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise…
Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began”
“Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains…
Shepherds why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?”
“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold him, born the King of Angels…
O sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation….
O come let us adore Him”
“Hark! The herald angels sing
‘Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled’
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’”
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing…
Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns
Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy”
Do not keep this great joy inside, but let it flow out into everything you do. Christians should be giving the biggest, best, and most expensive gifts. What kind of husband, who has the resources to give his wife a beautiful anniversary present, can rightly say he loves his wife deeply if he only gets her some chocolate? A physical gift cannot replace love, but gifts are certainly a natural outpouring of true love. If you can’t afford expensive gifts, then bake some delicious treats. If you cannot bake, then make a card. If you cannot make a card, then sing loudly with shouts of praise. If you cannot sing, then raise your hands in worship for the newborn King. If you cannot raise your hands, or even stand, then smile. And if you cannot even smile, then let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, for God is with us, Christ has come, and indeed our Savior is coming again. There is only one way to rightly defeat our enemies and welcome our Lord’s return. Put up a flamboyant light display, break your diet, fill your home with colorful decor, buy expensive gifts, sing, dance, play, drink, and maybe even somersault. Most of all, laugh. Our story does not end in a battle, but in a celebration.
Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash