Phil Ridden - Faith around the Barbecue

Christmas is loved by people all over the world. Its a season of excesses: over-spending, over-worrying, over-eating, over-indulging, and eventually over it! Some shops display nativity tableaux among the Christmas bargains. Images of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men and various farm animals pop up on Christmas cards, competing with snow and reindeer, or the jolly, white-bearded, fat man Santa, of course, not great-grand-dad! What is the relevance of such things to Christmas?

If the Christmas story has a God connection, then what was God thinking? Its simple really.

Let me show you.

As a group of friends, we are very comfortable with each other. Even Ani and Nathans two big black Labradors and Russian Blue cat are relaxed around us, mostly ignoring us, unless there is a tummy rub or cuddle on offer.

As we sat around the big wooden table, we chatted about all sorts of things. Somehow the conversation drifted to magicians. Well, to be fair, it didnt really drift. Ellie had seen a magician in the city and videoed him with her phone. She was keen to show it to others, beginning with Ani and Mei who were seated either side of her.

Nathan was curious about why they were huddled over the small screen. What are you looking at?

Ellie spoke without taking her eyes off her phone. I saw an illusionist in the city the other day, and he was amazing, so I filmed him.

You have to see this. Ani leaned in for a better view of the small screen, while Jo moved to stand behind Ellie and look over her shoulder. Im always fascinated by the way they somehow trick us into believing the impossible is possible.

Mei leaned in from the other side of Ellie. I know what you mean. In our logical, explainable world, we have a fascination for things we cant explain.

I guess we just like mysteries, dont we? said Alex.

True like science fiction or the paranormal, Nathan added.

Or why turning a cars ignition off and on again fixes a computer glitch. I am experienced mechanic who can diagnose and repair mechanical faults, but the workings of the cars computer are a mystery to me.

Or Christmas. James off-hand comment surprised everyone.

Eh? Ellie looked up. Nothing mysterious about Christmas. Same decorations put up in the same way every year. Same bottle of perfume from Pete every year

Burnt roast dinner, I interjected. Then, seeing Ellies glare, I quickly added, Just joking. I love the treats you like to cook for Christmas.

James persisted fortunately. Christmas is a fantastic mystery. He pulled at his ear. I dont know why. He just does that sort of thing a lot.

How so? Nathan tilted back his head to drop some peanuts into his mouth.

Christmas shows how well God knows us.

Youve lost me.

Ah, said James.

What mysteries? How fat Santa fits down a narrow chimney? Alex used his hands to help him ask the question. He tends to do that. Fortunately, he doesnt say much, but when he does, its risky to be too near his waving arms.

Or how he breaks into homes that dont have chimneys. Ellie handed the phone to Alex to watch. Thats a bit spooky.

James laughed, but continued unfazed. Mystery one is that God became human and lived on earth as Jesus.

Ani screwed up her face. I struggle to comprehend the notion of God living on earth as a man, like an undercover cop. Even setting aside the practicalities, why would God want to be one of us?

I agree, said Nathan. If you believe in God, then, by definition, God is above humanity. He reigns, he rules, he oversees, he monitors. He sets the expectations and watches while people struggle to achieve them. He doesnt get intimately involved.

Just zaps them when they get it wrong and lets them win Lotto when they get it right. Alex grinned. Although he doesnt say much, hes proud of himself when he does. He handed the phone back to Ellie.

Or so we tend to think. Ellie wriggled as she pushed her phone into the pocket of her jeans.

Am I wrong? asked Nathan.

James took a sip from his can. Well, God shows himself throughout history as a God who is involved with his creation. There are stories from the Bible and stories from people today that tell how God spoke directly to them. Sensible, sceptical, mentally healthy, normal people saw God, heard him, felt him, experienced him so strongly that they had no doubt whatsoever that it was God, and no doubt whatsoever that they must reshape their lives and their futures to do what he told them.

If you believe the Bible, said Ani. And thats not the same as coming to earth.

Jo had returned to her seat. Why are we surprised that God should decide to drop in? Nanna enjoys receiving texts, emails, phone calls, even video calls, but they are no substitute for a personal visit. Being with us lets her share our experience of life in a way that no other communication can. Perhaps God felt the same.

I liked that image.

Alex was apparently less appreciative. But Jesus was a fictional character.

Although I was finding all this to be moving a bit fast for my brain, I thought it was time I showed that I was still in touch and was confident to rebuff this. No, I said, perhaps a little too pompously. The historical existence of Jesus has been proven by contemporary documents other than the Bible.

So he was a good man. That doesnt make him God. Nathan took some pretzels from the bowl which Ani offered him, and passed it along. Youre a good bloke, but God? I dont think so.

We could debate that further, I grinned, pleased to be included.

Or you could just zap him and prove him wrong, Pete, suggested Alex.

If Im God, I dont need to prove my power. I lifted my chin to look down my nose at people, but that made me cough, which rather spoilt the impact.

James scratched his head before continuing. To Christians, what matters is that Jesus was not just a good man; not just an insightful teacher; not just a clever illusionist: he was God on earth.

Later on, the one who is the true Light arrived to shine on everyone coming into the world.

But although he made the world, the world didnt recognise him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn! not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan but from the will of God.

And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us and was full of loving forgiveness and truth. And some of us have seen his glory the glory of the only Son of the heavenly Father! (John 1: 914, TLB)

Hmmm. Nathan was sceptical. Frankly, Nathan is always sceptical not just about God, but about anything that isnt consistent with his thinking. We skipped over something here. All this may be very well, if you believe in God. There was silence, which surprised me. I thought someone would leap in. What? Youre not going to answer that? I thought someone should, but it was a bit beyond me.

James clearly wasnt troubled by Nathans challenge. Well, we could debate the existence of God for a week, and still not convince the other. I cant prove to you that God exists any more than you can prove to me that God doesnt exist. He took another unhurried sip from his can. What is interesting, though, is that there seems to be a God-created need in the hearts of people throughout history and in most cultures. It seems significant that people on every continent have been trying to connect with God, or some power beyond this earth, since the beginning of time. So it comes down to faith. I choose to believe in God.