This year Lent begins on February 6th. It hardly seems right to be talking about Lent on Christmas day, but it's not only the early occurrence of Lent that has the season on my mind. I've been thinking a lot about the fullness of the theme that has guided us through our Advent journey to Christmas this year. The theme "Jesus Born for Us" not only assures us that Jesus was born for our benefit, but it brings to mind how He showed us that He was born for us through His life, death, and resurrection. Yes, it's Christmas, but Lent is right around the corner — and it should be on our hearts and minds.
How can we separate Christmas and Lent? Many people do because they have romanticized the birth of Jesus. It is enough for them that Jesus was born and in their minds He is forever a precious, little child. The thought of Him growing up to be a man and then offering up His life in the violence of the Cross does not work for them. They have no use for a suffering Savior. But who can dislike a baby? If Jesus is going to force His way into their Christmases, He will have to stay a little child.
But we know that He wasn't born into our world to remain a child. He was born for a purpose. Ultimately, that purpose was to die for us. It was the only way to free us from our sins and God's demonstration of His love for us. The Cradle and the Cross are inextricably entwined. Christmas and Lent are bound together.
We sing of these realities in the Christmas hymn "What Child Is This?". Far from avoiding Lent looming over us this Christmas morning, this hymn embraces it. In answering its own question, the carol proclaims that this child is the child born to die for us. This child would release us from the captivity of our sins. This child would be pierce with nail and spear so that we could celebrate His birth with real joy. This child is born for you this day in the city of Bethlehem that you would find favor with God and enjoy His peace and good will. What child is this? This child is the Word made flesh who joins together Christmas and Lent. Alleluia!
