Liturgical year

Review: Christmas, The Season of Life and Light

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Christmas, The Season of Life and Light (Fullness of Time series), Emily Hunter McGowin. Downers Grove: IVP Formatio, 2023.

Summary: Spiritual and theological reflections to aid readers in their celebration and spiritual formation around the season of Christmas.

Through all my years as a Christ-follower I have sensed that something very singular occurred with the birth of Jesus, at once Lord of the universe and helpless babe, born in borrowed quarters, hunted by a ruthless king, and with his parents, a fugitive and refugee. At least, I try to ponder these things when not pre-occupied by shopping, decorating, and all the gatherings that surround this season.

One of the ways I carve out space to remember what we are celebrating is reading literature that reminds me of the wonder behind what can become familiar. For this year Emily Hunter McGowin’s little book, Christmas, has offered rich reflections on Christmas and the One we celebrate during this season. The book is one of the Fullness of Time series published by IVP Formatio, edited by New Testament theologian Esau McCaulley. The website for the series states: “The Fullness of Time series invites readers to explore the riches of the church year, guided by some of our finest church theologians. Each volume introduces the traditions, prayers, Scriptures, and rituals of a season of the church—not as an academic exercise, but as an reflections on the theological and spiritual treasures of the church calendar.”

This volume certainly accomplishes that purpose. McGowin begins by discussing the origins of Christmas. While McGowin admits that we do not know the date of Jesus’ birth, she also refutes the myth that Christmas originated as a pagan celebration. She contends that it arises from the church’s belief that the annunciation to Mary and crucifixion of Jesus, both occurred on 14 Nisan, or March 25. December 25 is nine months later! There is evidence for this date going back to the fourth and fifth centuries, unconnected with any pagan celebration. McGowin contends that Christmas, like other dates and seasons in the liturgical year can be times of attending to the Triune God.

Having established the roots of this tradition within Christian liturgical practice, she turns in the remaining four chapters to consider the theological significance of Christmastide. She explores the idea of the Great Exchange, that in the Incarnation, The Son of God partakes in our humanity that we might partake in his divinity, that we might be restored and united with God. Our gift-giving can be a celebration of this great gift.

She explores how the birth of this man born to be king occurs under such poor circumstances. He is God who identifies with the poor. And in this, his birth challenges us to choose, not wealth, but to use our resources in service of the poor.

McGowin considers the mission to redeem creation. This is evident even in his circumcision on the eighth day, faithful in all things to reconcile all through his blood, inaugurating the new creation, one day to be brought to fulfillment. Hence we set up trees and decorate, celebrating both creation and re-creation.

Christmas is a season of light…and life. But many suffer under oppression or bear griefs. The light shines amid darkness. McGowin explores how the Nine Lessons and Carols inb the Anglican tradition, how the remembrance of the holy innocents and the martyrdom of St. Stephen in this season hold “space for grief and lament while looking forward with hope.” And so we light candles and strings of lights. We believe Christ’s coming “brings light and life–even if we can’t see it yet.”

McGowin concludes the book with a reflection on Orthodox nativity icons and the intersection of creche and cross. We’re reminded to see Christmas in context with the whole church year and to set the birth in context with Christ’s Passion. In this conclusion, as throughout the book, ths story of Christmas also serves as a lens through which we see the stories in our news–the conflicts, the tragedies, the existential challenges that resist human solutions.

As you may discern, this isn’t a book of precious thoughts and saccharine sentimentality. These are reflections of theological substance and spiritual depth in language expressive of the lived experience of contemporary Western Christians within a larger global community. And they are reflections that bring deeper significance to our giving of gifts, charitable efforts, and all the decorating and lighting of the season. She shows how these all point to the One who is life and light for the world.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.

Review: Sundays on the Go Year B

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Sundays on the Go Year B, Albert Haase, OFM. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2023.

Summary: Taking the lectionary readings for each Sunday in liturgical year B, offers a brief reflection, prayer, and question to ponder, also including readings for solemnities and special feasts.

Year B in the liturgical cycle begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which is December 3 in 2023. Paraclete has released this timely little devotional just in time for the beginning of the new litirgical year. Teacher and spiritual director Albert Haase, OFM has authored this pithy collection subtitled “90 Seconds with the Weekly Gospel.”

This is one instance in which there is truth in advertising. Father Haase makes few words do the work of many. In his introduction, he says he sets himself a limit of 170-180 words, which if one includes the gospel text should easily be readable by the average reader in under 90 seconds. Here is an example from the First Sunday in Advent for which the Gospel reading is Mark 13:33-37:

Be Faithful and Awake

Jesus tells a parable about the master of a household leaving his servants with specific work while he travels abroad. The servants are to do their tasks while keeping watch for their master’s return. Like the servants, each one of us has been given a specific responsibility to help foster the reign of God. It’s so easy to become weary or even bored as we fulfill our duties as a spouse, parent, grandparent, godparent, office clerk, salesperson, writer, or web designer. We faithfully carry out our work right now, right here, knowing full well the master could return at any given moment. A popular bumper sticker gets it partially correct as it proclaims, “Jesus is coming soon. Look busy!”

Pray

Lord Jesus, We have been blessed with the responsibility to help prepare for your Second Coming. May we remain faithful and vigilant in fulfilling our duties. May our hearts be on fire with the joyful anticipation of your return. Amen.

Ponder

With what specific duties and responsibilities has God blessed me?

[Copied from online excerpt, pages 11-12]

As you can see from this example, the reflection makes one simple point and the prayer is brief, three short sentences. Then Haase gives a question to ponder that one may carry in meditation throughout the weekend.

I especially loved these questions, which gently probe into our lives. Considering Mary’s “yes” to God, Haase asks, “What do I selfishly cling to and refuse to give to God?” Considering the lowly animals of the stable, he asks, “Why do I think I am unworthy to be in the presence of the Christ Child?” After a reflection on the extravagant anointing of Jesus by an unnamed woman (Mark 14:1f), he asks, “When have my gestures of love been lavish and extravagant.”

These short reflections are best read before Sunday Eucharist as preparation. Both the prayer and the question to ponder might be used throughout the week to carry God’s gospel word throughout the week.

There are also readings for the solemnities and special feasts on the church calendar. Sundays on the Go Year A has also been published and I suspect a volume for Year C is in the works.

This is a wonderful aid for those whose churches follow the liturgical year. My church does not but many of us from such backgrounds find ourselves longing for a richer rhythm through the year than just Christmas and Easter. This book is a wonderful introduction into a rhythm many of our fellow saints have followed for centuries, one that allows us to read, pray, and reflect with much of the global church.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.