Christmas Impeachment

This holiday season continued on with an interesting moment in American history: President Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives, becoming the third U.S. President to be impeached. It got me thinking that nothing says, “let’s talk about Christmas” like impeachment, politics, and government. If you would allow me to indulge, I’m about to get very political but not in the way that you may expect.

So, I was FaceTiming some friends this morning. We talked about the impeachment but the conversation quickly turned to other issues in our society. We shared our frustrations over the never-ending story of the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer, and governments getting more and more broken, if not more and more corrupt. When I look at the world and government, I often get disheartened because it doesn’t seem like the way human society should operate. 

Now, before you write me off as being too far right or left or for being this or that, consider that I am not talking about only America, but about every nation on earth. Let’s not do the egocentric thing that we Americans do where we assume everything revolves around us. 

Problems and politics seems to go hand in hand. Name a society in all of human history that did not see power used poorly, resources distributed ineffectively, or general societal problems increased rampantly. I’ll wait… Virtually every government, every community, and every institution everywhere could identify with what I am talking about. Why is that? There has to be an answer, and I think there is, but it’s surprising. The answer to our problems in politics, and to every nation’s problems with government, is Christmas.  

When we think of Christmas we often think of God becoming human to deal with our individual sin and evil problem. This is true, but this is not the only story of Christmas. Christmas is also about God becoming human to deal with our collective sin and evil problem too. Corporate and collective sin and evil is often expressed most visibly in government, as the world is broken and we see it in our systems, institutions, policies, kingdoms, and governments. God doesn’t ignore it, God doesn’t burn it to the ground, God doesn’t whisk people away and out of it. Instead, God dives right into the middle of the governmental and political mess. Consider one of the most read Scriptures during the Advent season:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.

For you have shattered their oppressive yoke  and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian. For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.

He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it  with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.

-Isaiah 9

Most reflections on this passage typically center around a “Child being born” or the Child being the “Prince of Peace.” But have you noticed who this Child is and what He’s doing? This Child is the Son of a ruler. He’s a prince. He’s a conquering warrior here to establish a Kingdom.

Notice that this is all about government. It’s not just about individuals walking in darkness, but a people walking in darkness. It’s about a land in darkness. It’s about nation being enlarged. It’s about oppression and war, freedom and joy. It’s about a ruler coming to establish a Kingdom. 

Let’s think about some of the people involved in that first Christmas. There is a governor and political king, Herod, who worries about losing His power and kills in hopes of securing His throne. There are wise men, wealthy leading thinkers, from another nation who come to give honor to a new political king being born. There are shepherds, low people in society, who look to see if the stories about the baby king are true. There are even spiritual beings called angels (interestingly enough a the Lord’s heavenly army) who come and announce that a new conquering King was born. 

An oppressor king and governor, foreign leaders, thinkers, and dignitaries, lowly workers in society, animals, and even angels are all up in a fuss. Why? Well, because this is a new King, and this King is supposed to not only rule one nation but rule them all. The Apostle John tells the story of Christmas, saying, “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ ” Christmas is not just about God coming to save individuals from their sins, Christmas is about God coming to rescue and deliver whole societies and peoples and nations. He’s coming to rule and He’s coming as King. He won’t be voted on, and He can’t be impeached.  

Christmas claims that Jesus has come and will come again to rule all nations, peoples, governments, and kingdoms. The story of Christmas could not be more political. We must not flippantly or dismissively retort, “that’s nice” or “that’s your truth”.  This is a huge claim. It’s not subjective like, “I enjoy the weather today” or “Beyonce is the greatest entertainer of our day” (which I don’t think is subjective either if I’m being real). Jesus is claiming to be King of all kings and Ruler of all people. We must thoughtfully consider it, argue about it, and wrestle with it. It is either true or it is a lie, it’s either going to happen or not, it either changes everything or it changes nothing at all. I don’t know if there even is a third option. So where does that leave us?

Well, if the claim that Jesus is coming as King to rule all nations is a lie, then you can go on with your life. You hope for the best with whatever nation you live in. At the least you make sure you and your family and your tribe are taken care of. At the best you try to make society better for as many as you can. Either way, it’s in your hands, but in so many ways, it’s out of your hands. 

But what if the claim of Christmas is true and not a lie? What if it’s true that Jesus is coming as King of all nations? What if Jesus is coming to establish a Kingdom and government? What if Jesus is actually more political than we are comfortable with? When Jesus appeared 2,000 years ago as King of the nations He caused a ruckus for the powerful and the weak, for the animals and the angels, for the earth and for the heavens. His Kingship meant everything could change and everything would change. What if King Jesus is what the world really needs? What if Jesus is the best King and ruler imaginable and even then better? What if Jesus could rule all nations better than anyone else could rule one? 

Christmas claims that there is hope for me individually and, just as important, there is hope for all people collectively. If that’s true, Christmas may just be good news of great joy for all people.