There are some that would say our faith, the Christian Faith, is built on doctrine, truths and principles that define who we are and what we believe. Certainly, there are doctrines or beliefs that are important to our faith. However, I would say that our faith is built on stories. After all, look at the Bible. It is one story after another – it’s God’s story of God seeking to connect with and redeem humanity and all creation. The majority of Jesus’ teaching to his followers was through stories. Just reading through the Gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) one can easily see that Jesus was a master storyteller.
We are currently in a season in which we are preparing for the retelling of the greatest story, the story of God coming into our world as an infant…as a human being…as one of us!!! There are many ways that we tell this story in our homes, in our churches, in our communities, and even in our lives. Last weekend we held the Festival of the Nativity. Over 100 nativity scenes were on display in our church facility in the chapel, the nursery, and scattered throughout the Gathering Area. It was wonderful to see all the displays and hear many stories of what made each nativity scene special or unique. But of course, each nativity scene was basically telling the same story and pointing to a moment in which God entered our world and our reality.
Of course, this earthshaking story is also told through song. There’s the traditional Christmas Carols that we sing in worship that are so dearly loved. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, O Come, All Ye Faithful, What Child is This, Joy to the World, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and so many more. This doesn’t even include some of the more contemporary songs that have been written, such as, Mary Did You Know, the Manger, etc. Then of course there’s the classic Hallelujah Chorus, performed in many communities each Christmas. Music has always been a powerful means of storytelling.
Every year lights go up on our homes, additional lights from what are usually there. We call them Christmas or Holiday Lights and they give a festive look to the inside and outside of our homes. These shining, colorful, bright, twinkling lights are telling the story of Christmas according to what is written in the Gospel of John. John doesn’t give us the traditional Christmas story that speaks of a manger, a baby, angels and the like. No, John simply says, “The Light shines in the dark and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.” John 1:5 CEB. Elsewhere, in John’s story of Jesus’ life, Jesus refers to himself as “the Light of the World.” So, John’s Christmas story is all about Light!
Even the Christmas presents that we exchange each year tell the story of that first Christmas. As John 3:16 puts it, “God so loved the world that he gave his only son that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but have eternal life.” The very first Christmas gift…was Jesus. Of course, the Christmas story will also be read multiple times over the next few weeks.
Yes, I believe our faith is built on stories, and this incredible story can be summed up in one word, Immanuel, which means “God with us!” Indeed, this is a great story!! Oh, I almost forgot. The most important way this great story is told in our world is through our very lives. How we live, how we love, how we reflect Jesus in our lives tells the story. Yes, it is a personal story…but it is also a community story of God being with us. God’s Kingdom is about letting God’s story touch more and more of our lives and world. So, in the coming weeks may we be storytellers, telling forth the great story of God in our midst!! It is a story worthy of retelling!!
Pastor Keith