CAMPUS MINISTRY

What does Christmas Look Like?

Dr. Craig Kraft / Wednesday, December 18, 2019

 

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

That familiar phrase keeps coming to my mind as I notice more and more lights, decorations, and Christmas music. This iconic phrase keeps drawing me back to the deep philosophical question of, “What does Christmas look like?”

An Ideal Christmas

I know the ideal Christmas looks different to each one of us.

I wonder if God has an ideal image of Christmas that he wants to develop in our minds.

For many, thoughts of Christmas involve family gatherings, festive decorations, and the smell of our favorite seasonal foods. For some, the look of Christmas is a decorated tree that is shadowed by heaping mounds of brightly wrapped presents. For others, the look of Christmas is more like a Norman Rockwell or Hallmark image, or the beautiful December page in our calendar.

In spite of the various ways our cultures decorate, some of us picture Christmas with a tiny baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, surrounded by livestock, shepherds, angels, and wise men.

The First Christmas

God wants the arrival of his son to be remembered with celebration, decorations, and gift-giving. As we go back to that first Christmas, we start to notice some of the intentional decorations that God provided for the party.

The creator of the universe didn’t need strings of lights. He used the stars, and he made one shine so bright that it was seen from the Far East.

God didn’t want the night to go unnoticed, so he decorated the starlit sky with a host of angels to provide a musical backdrop for the grand event.

Instead of festive cards and invitations, the heavenly host issued the welcome to special guests who brought the first living nativity scene to life.

In days of old when they didn’t have the speedy delivery of Canada Post, delivery was slow. It took about two years before the wise men arrived with their presents. That would have been quite a sight to behold, probably numbering close to 100, with camels, carts, and flowing robes as the entourage arrived bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

I don’t think God minds the decorations, music, and traditions that have become such a big part of Christmas. It is clear to see that He was busy trimming the tree in his special way that first Christmas. He wants his son’s arrival to be a celebrated event. He is blessed when we take the time to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas: The gift!

Christmas Questions to Ponder

How will your Christmas celebrations look?

  • Will you be surrounded by the warm embrace of festive decorations and Christmas music?
  • Will you be gathered with close friends and family?
  • Will your celebration include the recognition of Jesus, God’s priceless gift to a longing world?
  • Will your celebration focus on sharing with others?
  • Will you include hospitality toward a stranger or one less fortunate as part of your celebration?

As we plan our celebration, this year, let’s remember to take time to reflect upon The Gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ, who was born into this world to be our saviour!

 

Craig Kraft served as a pastor in BC and Alberta for 16 years before joining OC in the area of Church Health and revitalization. Craig and Heather, his wife, served with OC for three years in southern Africa before he became the Executive Director of Outreach Canada in 2008. If Craig had some free time, you'd probably find him watching sports, working in the yard or spending time in the woods.

 

 


print



The Human Rights Dilemma The Human Rights Dilemma

Human Rights is a pertinent issue these days around the globe. People's lives and livelihood depend...
Read More..

Empowering Climate Conversations Empowering Climate Conversations

A lecture from Katharine Hayhoe on "Empowering Climate Conversastions: From Anxiety and Misinformat...
Read More..

Zoomers & the Secret Power of Virtue Zoomers & the Secret Power of Virtue

What will help Generation Z become successful and more resilient? Dr. Gordon E. Carkner, author and...
Read More..

The Land Keeps the Score The Land Keeps the Score

Dr. Matthew Lynch, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Regent College, in Vancouver, BC speaks ...
Read More..

Foucault & Taylor in Dialogue on Identity Foucault & Taylor in Dialogue on Identity

Two of the world's most famous philosophers, Michel Foucault from College de France & Charles Taylo...
Read More..

Charles Taylor and the Modern Search for Identity Charles Taylor and the Modern Search for Identity

In the modern quest for identity, there is no better place to turn than premiere Canadian philosoph...
Read More..

A Rapprochement Between Faith & Reason A Rapprochement Between Faith & Reason

"What should we believe about faith and reason whatever our starting point or prejudgments? It is p...
Read More..

The Forum Lecture Series at UBC The Forum Lecture Series at UBC

The upcoming, online lecture series from UBC Graduate and Faculty Christian Forum for the 2022-2023...
Read More..

Engaging the University Engaging the University

An intro video to Graduate Christian Union at University of British Columbia.
Read More..

Rescuing the Lost Language of Meaning Rescuing the Lost Language of Meaning

Some elements in modern culture have worked to repress/restrict our language usage--in particular w...
Read More..

Sent & Sending: Gord & Ute Carkner Sent & Sending: Gord & Ute Carkner

A closer look at Gord & Ute's campus ministry at UBC. 
Read More..

Is there Rational Evidence for the Resurrection? Is there Rational Evidence for the Resurrection?

Some allege that the resurrection of Jesus was a hoax. We must decide whether there is a more plaus...
Read More..

Science & Scientism Science & Scientism

Dr. Ard Louis, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford, speaks on "Science and...
Read More..

Re-thinking our Myth of the Secular Re-thinking our Myth of the Secular

Many people seem to be hungry for fresh perspectives on the current Western cultural ethos. Dr. Gor...
Read More..

Transcendent Goodness & Human Hospitality  Transcendent Goodness & Human Hospitality 

What are the theological and philosophical roots or  drivers  of hospitality? From his research on ...
Read More..

The Perils of Radical Individualism The Perils of Radical Individualism

In this webinar, Dr. Gordon Carkner analyses what is at stake in a radical individualist stance. He...
Read More..

The Genius of Truth The Genius of Truth

Dr. Gordon E. Carkner, a Meta-Educator with postgraduate students at UBC Vancouver, examines some o...
Read More..

Incarnational Spirituality Series: A New Horizon Incarnational Spirituality Series: A New Horizon

Incarnational Spirituality Series: A New Horizon. Read part one, and find links to the rest of this...
Read More..

Freedom, Identity and the Good: the Theological Ethics of Christian Community Freedom, Identity and the Good: the Theological Ethics of Christian Community

Christian freedom flourishes within a trinitarian horizon. Trinitarian divine goodness proves to be...
Read More..

The Big Question: Why Do We Suffer? The Big Question: Why Do We Suffer?

Dr. Gordon E. Carkner leads an inspiring discussion on this key universal question. He claims that ...
Read More..

The Existential Identity Crisis of Millennials The Existential Identity Crisis of Millennials

Dr. Gordon E. Carkner opens this sensitive discussion of Millennial angst from a compassionate stan...
Read More..

Protecting Democracy from the Outside Protecting Democracy from the Outside

John Owen Lecture. Wednesday November 18, 2020 put on by the UBC Graduate & Faculty Christian Forum...
Read More..

Gnosticism vs. the Gospel of Incarnation Gnosticism vs. the Gospel of Incarnation

Gnosticism, both historically and presently, offers a starkly alternative religion to Christianity ...
Read More..

Sy Garte - UBC GFCF Lecture Sy Garte - UBC GFCF Lecture

For the benefit of you and your friends and family, here is the Sy Garte lecture from Thursday, Oct...
Read More..

Voices Around the World Voices Around the World

Gordon & Ute Carkner share snippets from letters they've received from past alumni at UBC.
Read More..

Reflections on UBC Comagape Conference Reflections on UBC Comagape Conference

Conversations with a Jewish Professor & UBC Students. These are Gord Carkner's reflections on the r...
Read More..

 Charles Taylor and the Modern Quest for Identity Charles Taylor and the Modern Quest for Identity

Pre-eminent McGill University Emeritus Philosopher Charles Taylor is an iconic international schola...
Read More..

...

Towards an Incarnational Spiritual Culture: A New Book Release
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Gordon E. Carkner is releasing a brand new book: Towards an Incarnational Spiritual Culture .  Towards an Incarnational Spiritual Culture: Grounding our Identity in Christ  w...
Read more...
The Forum Lecture Series at UBC (2023-2024)
The upcoming, online lecture series from UBC Graduate and Faculty Christian Forum for the 2023-2024 school year. 
Read more...
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity
John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. He is a bioethicist, philosopher, author, and Christian apologist.  In this online lecture, from the UBC Graduate and Faculty Christian Forum...
Read more...
The Human Rights Dilemma
Human Rights is a pertinent issue these days around the globe. People's lives and livelihood depend on the maintenance of a universal ethic of respect and benevolence. Dr. Gordon E. Carkner draws on the insightful work ...
Read more...
Empowering Climate Conversations
A lecture from Katharine Hayhoe on "Empowering Climate Conversastions: From Anxiety and Misinformation to Inspired Action"  This event was co-sponsered by UBC Graduate & Faculty Christian Forum, as well as Regent C...
Read more...
Zoomers & the Secret Power of Virtue
What will help Generation Z become successful and more resilient? Dr. Gordon E. Carkner, author and meta-educator, suggests that the secret is to follow the narrative strength of virtue. Zoomers will be well-served if m...
Read more...