Where's The Cave?

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:6-7

It has been snowing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It appears they are getting lots of snow for Christmas. Will I be missing the white Christmas? No! I just had a cup of coffee in the Florida room and am wearing a sun dress. I do not miss the cold. What I do miss is some of the symbolism that is to be found in the older Lutheran Churches. I am especially missing the cave!

Christ Lutheran, Bunnell, FL is a relatively new congregation; a little more than ten years old. We have a lovely sanctuary not quite as old as the congregation is. It was designed to give more space as most of the new church spaces are created to provide space to move around in. But, I miss the cave. You know, the cave; the arched doorway that stands before the altar in many of the older churches. This arched entrance may have many meanings to many people. It may simply be beautiful architecture to some. But, for me this doorway has always been a symbol of how Jesus came into the world. As true man, it has been suggested that, he was born in a cave used as barn. It has also been a symbol of how Jesus left this world as true man. He was buried in a cave that was used as a tomb. His body was laid on a shelf. His sacrificial body was laid on that altar. Yet, he did not stay there. The cave could not hold him. He lives! That is Good News! I am missing those symbols that remind me of that Good News this Advent Season.

The Christmas tree is lovely. There are some awesome chrismons that remind us of who Christ was and what he did for us on the tree in Christ Lutheran's sanctuary. But, most trees in the community, are quite secular in nature and just don't have the essence of what Christmas really is celebrated for. There are blow-up Santas and reindeer in yards. They really don't add to the meaning of Christmas for me. I have to dig really hard to find any Christmas cards that even refer to Christ. Christmas is about Christ. It is not about us so much as it is about what Christ has done for us. God was willing to come into this world in humble fashion to live as one of us and then to die for us. Christmas is not about glitz and glitter, tinsel and toys. It is about the greatest gift given to humankind, Jesus the Christ. His mother did not have a private room in a private hospital. His mother had the floor of a barn. In humble fashion Jesus came into this world as true man and in even more humility he left it.

We have a beautiful sanctuary. But, I confess that every now and then I miss the comforting humility of the cave, knowing that the light of Christ shines brightly in that darkness. Where did the cave go and why is it gone?

God's Peace - Pr. J