The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. Isaiah 11:6-7
Peace is the theme of the second week of Advent. The mood at our home is facilitated by some 40 miniature crèches that my wife has collected from countries around the world. Without exception each crèche represents a particular memory, and a point in time of her medical mission trips. Originating from Ecuador to Kenya, the dress and costumes differ from each other but there is no mistaking a gentle Mary and Joseph fawning over Jesus as a baby lying in a manger accompanied by a few animals, perhaps some dutiful kneeling shepherds and/or three Wisemen to complete the narrative.
For added inspiration at the time of this writing, snow is gently falling outside. On our big screen TV, an artificial fire is emitting crackling sounds of wood burning. A Balsam Fir candle provides the necessary woodsy scent. Okay the weatherman may have just announced a frostbite warning for tonight at -35c but tonight, we will sleep in comfort of our heated home.
All is Calm
All is Bright, until it is not, and you are living in Ukraine, and it is dark, cold, and terrifying.
But surely this is Advent, the theme is peace, everyone needs a break from time to time when we can pause, and pretend life is not so complicated. Think hallmark and simple proverbs. “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it,” “Are you part of the Inn crowd, or are you part of the Stable few,” “ A handwritten note is a hug you get to keep,” Of course none of these are helpful if you live in Ukraine, or if you are any one of 27.1 million refugees around the world or if you are latest victim of domestic violence, or if your loved one is in ICU on a ventilator.
Peace on Earth, Good will to Men (and women)
Yesterday’s news headline read, “Canadian-made parts found in Iranian attack drones used by Russia in Ukraine.” This should not come as a surprise. In a global world, war not peace is big business. And for the makers of war there is little appetite to make it go away. Politically, there is no rush to envision a day when the leopard and a lamb shall lie together in peace. In the meanwhile, we can only fantasize about such imagery in some kind of eschaton, a blessed hope. Until then, we hang on. Unfortunately, “hanging on” is such disportionate comfort. My “hanging on” will end this evening with a warm shower and a nice bed.
In 2008 I wrote a piece for my denominational periodical The Testimony, asking if there is such a thing as a “Just War.” It seemed appropriate at the time. We were in the middle of the longest war of the 20th century. I pointed out with perhaps irony, in 1939 the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada issued the following resolution.
Whereas, We have accepted the Word of God as our rule of conduct and purpose to be governed by its Divine principles, and as our Assemblies for the past twelve years or more have always accepted and interpreted the New Testament teaching and principles as prohibiting Christians from shedding blood or taking human life.
RESOLVED, That in time of persecution or ill-treatment at the hands of the enemy, we should not "avenge ourselves," but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Rom, 12:19; Deut 32.35) Neither shall (we) take up any weapon of destruction to slay another, whether in our own defense or in defense of others, for it is written, "Do no violence to no man." (See Luke 3:14; Matt. 26:52; John 18:36; 15-18,19). We should rather suffer wrong than do wrong.
Ironically of course, I suspected few in my denomination today would support such a commitment to this mild-mannered version of pacifism..
I finished the editorial by rhetorically asking, “in practical terms in a world complicated by globalization, the proliferation of rogue states, a radically disportionate imbalance of military power, a growing disparity between wealthy and poor nations, and an inability to access reliable information free from political interests, can anyone really talk of a "Just War"? “
I further mused, “do we believe our Pentecostal distinctive makes a difference? Can the Spirit of God enable us to live as agents of change capable of being a peculiar people (1 Pet. 2:9) that actively pursues peace in imaginative ways even during hostilities without engaging last Resort measures? How much creativity do we accord God's Spirit? War always involves two sides, While the question of instigation may be hotly debated, in the end all sides are responsible. I guess when I reach that state of being where I can justly throw the first stone I will enthusiastically support "Just War." Until then with my fistful of questions I am left searching for the alternative way.”
Never one to shirk controversy, as it turned out I suspect my editorial was perhaps the most controversial piece that I wrote over a ten plus year span. I was informed copies were returned to the editor and at least one pastor I know would not let his staff read said article. And in light of the current war in Ukraine, I am not unsympathetic to such anger even if I think it is displaced. We can talk about peace but few, including the church are ready to sign up for it. We are for peace, just not yet, if it might change our status in the world, or if there are a few things we want to take care of first. I suspect we fear peace as much as we fear war. What would we have to give up? Just ask either Russia or Ukraine. Growing up as brothers we settled our disputes by "crying uncle." As adults we build armaments, pack guns, and devise new ways of killing the unrighteous other. Oh, the depths of our illusions.
Round Yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Truth be told, the historical story of Christmas shouldn’t be isolated from its political background. Innocent children in this story will die by the sword because Jesus is born. That is not in any pageant I remember. Herod who went by the moniker "The Great One" earned that reputation because like tyrannical leaders he knew how to read the signs of the times. Herod could woo the masses with his architectural prowess, his outward religious sympathies and when necessary, strike fear in dissenting voices with the sword. Jesus was identified as a rival King. Herod was not going to put up with that. “and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under…A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children: she refused to be consoled, because they are no more. (Matthew 2:16-18).
Like Herod we might want to ask, are we prepared for a Messiah who does not "regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied himself" taking the form of a child? Can we support a leader whose agenda is not predicated on building material monuments or catering to economic and national self-interests? Can we accept the decisions of someone who has a reputation of welcoming and eating with sinners and others with no voice? “who embraces a transnational community of reconciliation, forgiveness and hospitality, which shall not be founded by sectarian oaths or accidental geographical boundaries.”[1] Can we follow a savior who cannot talk about justice without including mercy in the same breath?
Christmas tells the story of what happened when lights in the sky directed magi (perhaps refugees) to the newborn light in the world - a light that continues to blind those who think they can see and gives sight to those who know they are blind. Christmas is a story that exposes the illusions of human wisdom and political shrewdness. Christmas is a story that questions human confidence in its ability to know where God is going to show up and with whom he will appear. Christmas is a story that embraces strangers from alien countries. Christmas opens a Faith without Borders. And Christmas is a story that invites the church to rise up and speak to all who have ears to hear, "today in the city of David a child is born and his name shall be called Emmanuel."
May the peace of Christ go with you.
[1] Lee Camp, Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians (Eerdmans, 2020): 54. Camp a professor of theology and ethics at Lipscomb University, goes on to write, “Christianity shall not go to the White House to offer blessings before missile strikes. It shall not celebrate making the United States “great again” when such greatness connotes the very exercise of authority Jesus denounced as that of the ‘gentiles and sinners.’ No, because Christianity has pledged allegiance to a proleptic life…it shall be a citizen who speaks the truth persistently in love because it knows that lies and deceit are an act which destroys the bonds of community...It will be neither prostitute nor chaplain but a witness, a voice crying in the wilderness to let justice roll down like waters…embodying an alternative politic in the world…radically conservative and outrageously liberal; a servant, helping all, even, when possible, the principalities and powers to fulfill their created purpose of serving, not enslaving, not slaughtering humankind.” 55.
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