You are seeing it in the news everywhere at this time of the year.  This year, it’s  terrorist brutality at a Berlin Christmas market, a diplomat assassinated in Turkey, and shootings in Zurich, Switzerland outside a mosque.  Don’t forget the 2009 Christmas “underwear bomber” as well as numerous showings of domestic pressure to cancel Nativity displays and any language that has “Christ” or something religious in it.

Christmas continues to be under attack.  How does the gospel address this post-Christian darkness?

We need to see that it’s not the “season” surrounding this holiday that offends people.  It’s the person embodying the season that is under attack.  That’s why I choose to spell the season CHRISTmas to emphasize an important truth.  Most religious people (all faiths and practices), even atheists, like some of the festivities of this season–the gifts, the lights, the spirit of good will, etc.  What many don’t like is the portrayal of the Incarnation–the coming of God the Son into the world–to save us from our sins and to give us healing and hope.  Consider how the CHRIST of “CHRISTmas” confronts this post-Christian cultural rejection:

Christ addresses this darkness: “I am the light of the world.”

Christ addresses this hate and confusion: “I am the Prince of Peace.”

Christ addresses this skepticism and fear: “I am the hope of glory.”

Christ addresses this madness: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

The only answer for a world that is mad and going out of control is the person and work of Jesus.  He is the reason for this season.  He is the focal point of time, and the centerpiece of history.  And at Advent, we remember that in the fullness of time, God sent his Son into this dark and confused post-Christian culture to be our Savior, our light, our restorer, and our hope.

This season, remember that Advent is all about CHRISTmas.