The Spirit of Christmas Future

I must have been 10 years old when the anxiety hit me. I sat amidst the crumpled paper when it dawned on me, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” As I surveyed my gifts, however, I knew—the descent had already begun. Like a subtle heresy, clothes began to creep into the mix. There were plenty of toys, new diversions I was eager to get to. The joy of anticipation, however, was tempered by the clothes and the realization that next year there would be more clothes. Perhaps even, God help me, underwear. The spirit of Christmas future was haunting me.

I had adopted the creed of Sally Brown, Charlie’s younger sister. Surveying her lengthy and demanding wish list to Santa, Charlie Brown, the round headed sage, chastised his sister for her greed. Her response? “All I want is what’s coming to me. All I want is my fair share.” Lucy van Pelt complained she never got what she wanted, real estate. I wanted children’s things, and I wanted to stay a child.

While I suffered from greed, my understanding of Christmas wasn’t exclusively materialistic. I understood we were celebrating an event, that center stage of the Christmas Pageant was not the North Pole but the little town of Bethlehem. It was an awe inspiring thing to see how the world changed each Christmas season. The universe of a ten year old, home, school, television was a swirling Christmas display. All because of what happened in a small town halfway across the world two thousand years ago.

When that event happened, however, the world did not change. Those in the know were very few. The world, in fact, was busy tending to the business of keeping Caesar happy through the census. The shepherds were tending their flocks with care when they heard the Good News. The magi sought the child, following the star. It’s the ultimate in dramatic irony- all Israel awaiting a mighty king to restore their glory and throw off the shackles of Rome, receiving a baby, long promised but unnoticed. That Christmas they received not a toy soldier but clothes, swaddling clothes enshrouding a tiny newborn.

We, the audience of the future, know what happened, what became of the baby. At Advent we look backward to that time before Christ that we might experience looking forward to His birth, recreating the joy of anticipation.

The Spirit of Christmas Future haunted Ebenezer Scrooge with the ultimate burden, giving him a glimpse of what was to come. That spirit was a false prophet. Because of Christmas past, Christmas future points no bony hand down to his grave but a living hand up to His grace. The Advent is coming again.

Christmas future is not about clothes or toys, not about secrets or subtle portents in the stars. It is not about a darling, sweet baby. Christmas to come won’t be heralded by angels singing in an out of the way pasture. Like the shepherds, we will all look heavenward and will be sore afraid. All the world will know as He comes in judgment. The mightiest of warriors, He will bear the sword and not in vain.

But we, who are His sheep, who know His voice, look to that great day with great anticipation. We will be as children again, His children. He will remove all our burdens, wiping away every tear. And we will receive no new clothes. For when He comes we no longer need to stand clothed in His righteousness. When He comes in glory we will be glorified, our sanctification complete. Like Adam before us, we will stand before Him, naked and unashamed. We will see Him as He is and be like Him.

Never again will we look backward with anticipation. We will look forward, moving further up and further in. Each day we will be astounded that it does indeed get better than this, every day perfect yet every day better than the last, on into eternity.

On that glorious day, wisdom is given to all. Not just three wise men but all men everywhere, sheep and goats, will bow the knee and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I was a foolish 10 year old, for there is every reason to look forward to Christmas. When we look to Christmas future our joy outshines the reborn Scrooge. God bless us, one and all.