What is the true meaning of Christmas? In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith shares about growing up in the Methodist Church and the influence John Wesley had on his life. Interestingly enough, Richard Foster was the one who pointed Jim to Wesley’s writings and sermons. If he were alive today, Jim would ask John Wesley, “What does the incarnation mean for you and, consequently, for all of us?” Jim believes Wesley would say that, first and foremost, the coming of the Christ child means our transformation. In other words, we can be changed. But how? We no longer stand guilty before God. Jesus broke the power of original sin, which allows us to experience peace and freedom.
For Wesley, Christmas was about God’s triumph over sin and death. Because of the incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, we can now be people of love, joy, peace and hope. Jim’s favorite movie (not just Christmas movie) is “It’s A Wonderful Life,” which begins in heaven. In that scene, God sends Clarence the angel help George Bailey realize what a wonderful life he has. The movie ends with everyone gathered at George’s house singing, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” – a song written by John’s brother, Charles Wesley. Read the third stanza of the song:
Hail! The heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail! The Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”
Christ was born to give us second birth. The first birth leads to the second. That, for the Wesley’s, is the true meaning of Christmas.
Related episodes:
1. Shame
2. Be Mindful
3. The Last Word
4. God’s Beloved
5. Greater Than Our Sins
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