Hagelin Christmas 2018 pg. 1
I. Intro
Brothers and Sisters, most Christmases my reflection begins with a classic Christmas film. We have covered A Christmas Carol, Elf twice, and last year I broke out the infamous leg lamp from A Christmas Story. This year, I begin with the most beloved of all Christmas films. No. I refer to neither It’s a Wonderful Life NOR Miracle on 34th Street, but Die Hard.
Now – so you know –whether or not Die Hard – the action blockbuster with a high body- count counts as a Christmas movie is hotly debated. The star of the film, Bruce Willis, says it is not a Christmas movie. I disagree for one simple reason: in its own way Die Hard is a retelling of the Christmas Story. Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it.
II. A Die Hard Christmas Special
Die Hard begins on Christmas Eve. New York Policeman John McClain flies into Los Angeles to reunite with his wife and children for Christmas. You see, McClain’s wife had taken a high-paying corporate job in Los Angeles, and moved with the kids to take it. It seems that their marriage was rocky even when they both lived in New York, but her taking a job across the country has further estranged them.
That’s the first point, Christmas is about estrangement – our being estranged from God and fleeing His presence, only to become unhappy and busy, insecure if not dysfunctional. Christmas is about the Eternal Son of God coming to us.
The film continues as McClain lands in L.A. and goes directly from the airport to his wife’s office, where her corporation is hosting a swanky Christmas Party. McClain is a simple man – a nobody, a clear outsider in this corporate culture.
The plot thickens when a gang of criminals with machine guns break into the party and take over the building.
McClain slips away, as the gang claims all the party-goers as hostages. This is McClain’s tactical advantage, he hides and waits until his time to strike.
That’s the second point. Today’s Gospel invokes Caesar Augustus to highlight tthe violent & powerful Roman Empire (currently occupying Israel – holding it “hostage”), in Hagelin Christmas 2018 pg. 2
sharp contrast to this unknown and hidden savior – “a nobody.” So much a “nobody” that the citizens of Bethlehem shun this woman in labor; and this “nobody” is born in a cave surrounded by animals, but is in fact the true King, not Caesar. Jesus comes gently, and slips behind enemy lines, hidden in Nazareth, until 30 years of age, when He makes His move and begins his public ministry.
The film continues: McClain is at a huge disadvantage in terms of numbers. But being on the “inside” he is actually in a better position than the LA Cops; whose SWAT team moved in from the outside but were totally routed because the terrorists’ were ready, and occupied higher, fortified positions, with powerful weapons.
But McClain – being inside the building – can stealthily neutralize the terrorists one by one.
That’s the third point. Jesus came to save us from sin and death. You cannot break sin and death with war, with power from the outside. Violence leads to more violence, carnage, and collateral damage. The marvelous mystery of this Babe in the Manger is actually meant to capture this “move” – the Divine Plan to enter behind enemy lines, draw close to us an fight for us, eventually defeating sin and death as one of us.
Die Hard concludes with McClain saving the day (ransoming them from their captors); and actually opts for mercy at the end. The villain rejects that mercy and it leads to his downfall.
That’s the final point: Christ wins. Ransoms us from our enemy. The Lord Jesus always opts for mercy, but we are free to respond to that offer of mercy or not.
III. Connection to Christmas
A few of you might take issue with my comparison of John McClain (who is a rough man, and uses violence) with Jesus Who is sinless and always chose peace; but I would much rather err on the side of overemphasizing the grittiness of Christ’s mission than sentimentalizing Jesus.
John McClain though fictional, nonetheless has a believable and even perhaps relatable personality. Paradoxically, (and here’s the point) we often sentimentalize Christ and Christmas to a fault; until it seems like fiction; when the Christmas story is anything but. Hagelin Christmas 2018 pg. 3
If we whitewash the gritty details of the story… we cover over the personality of Jesus. And if Jesus is not relatable; if He is merely a Christmas card figure; we remain estranged from Him – because you cannot have a relationship with a Christmas card figure.
Jesus was the most alive Person ever to walk this Earth. He was fascinating. So attractive that He drew thousands of people to Himself. He lived our life, broke bread with us, healed, forgave and performed miracles, but also experienced the whole spectrum of human experience (including being a baby and toddler!), and then died our death and rose again and ascended to the Father to open up the gates of paradise for us – not just in some distant future after our death; the gates are open now.
Now, the gates of paradise are none other than the arms of the Risen Jesus reaching out in friendship to embrace us, exactly as we are, with the gritty and not so pretty details of our own lives. He is not scared of that. After all, He was laid in an feeding trough on His first night on this Earth.
The Christmas story is about the mercy of God and restoration of relationship. Friendship, relationship cannot be forced; and so Jesus teaches, heals, and invites.
Why might we refuse this invitation?
There are two tendencies in us: “I’m good” or “I’m good.”
The first “I’m good” means being hesitant or afraid of Jesus, because He is just too real; and challenges us to similar authenticity.
The second “I’m good” (notably the Pharisees) is a refusal of relationship with Jesus because we might wish to be saved by our supposed moral uprightness. (I’m a good person, why do I need Jesus?).
Salvation, however, is a gift to those who accept that we are broken and cannot earn love, and thus choose the only relationship where love is completely unconditional. Unconditional means you cannot earn it; but also that it is freely offered to all.
“You ARE good” because God made you in His image and likeness, you are his beloved daughter or son. Hagelin Christmas 2018 pg. 4
Here: again, just our whitewashing Jesus into a Christmas Card is a problem, so too it is essential to also note that the Lord does not whitewash his daughters and sons. No: human flourishing is His goal, and the Lord takes seriously your individuality, identity and uniqueness. The Lord does not seek to quash your desires or dreams or make you boring. Jesus was the most interesting man in the world; the only thing He wants to take away is that which saps you of life. Jesus is alive, and wants you to be alive. That is what gives God glory. Glory to God in the highest.
Being Good won’t save me. Being nice won’t save me. My ideas of God or Jesus won’t save me. Only Christ can save me. Luckily, my people, the Lord desires your salvation and your friendship way more than you possibly do. Do you know, my people, that God desires your salvation more than you possibly do?
IV. Conclusion
Finally, dear friends in Christ, as we heard from the Prophet Isaiah:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing May we who walk in a world marked by darkness and gloom look up to see our savior Jesus Christ, who comes humbly, and may we walk into His embrace, the only embrace and friendship that brings abundant joy and great rejoicing.
And peace to all of you this holy day and to all who love the Lord in simplicity of heart. ~Saint Melito of Sardis