Ethan Maple is pastor of Mt. Comfort Church.
“It’s almost Christmas.” It’s a phrase that, for most, creates excitement as we journey through this
Advent season celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. “Almost,” however, means we aren’t quite there yet.
This year I’m reading through an Advent study titled “Almost Christmas,” published by Abingdon Press in 2019. It takes the John Wesley sermon “The Almost Christian” and applies this idea to the traditional Advent themes of peace, hope, joy and love.
In his sermon, Wesley contrasts “the almost Christian,” someone whose faith exists merely on the outside, to “the altogether Christian,” someone who experiences godliness on the inside. The admonishment to us in the Church is that we mostly represent the former.
Applying this to our Advent journey we realize that, while we seek after peace, hope, love and joy, we usually only experience them in an “almost” fashion. Often, we find ourselves trying to manufacture these precious elements of the holiday season, when in reality we are simply adorning a sheer veil. An “altogether” peace, an “altogether” hope, an “altogether” love and an “altogether” joy can never be achieved … they must be received. As our hearts desire an “altogether Christmas” we recognize they will only be realized through the love of
God and our seeking after Him. In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.” How often during the Christmas season have we tried to create peace? We believe “peace” is an external objective, that if we can simply curtail the chaos then all will be calm. But this is merely an “almost peace;” to experience an “altogether peace” one must allow the presence of Christ to bring a calmness to our spirits.
Similarly, an “altogether hope” is not something we passively pursue, hoping for hope. No, an “altogether hope” is experienced when we ignore the distractions of the world and allow the promises of God to seed themselves in the depths of our soul. As 1 Peter 1:3 reminds us, in God’s great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through Jesus.
An “almost love” is dangerous. We show affection and do the things of love, trying to will it into existence. Unfortunately, an “almost love” quickly dissipates and is replaced with animosity. An “altogether love” is not produced; it is birthed. Mary’s love for and devotion to
God, and her baby Jesus, were not highlighted by the things she did, but who she was and how
she pondered and treasured the life she was called to live.
And we cannot forget the fake-it-until-you-make-it “almost joy” that we put on to achieve a
merry and bright holiday season. We tend to do so more for the sake of others than for
ourselves. An “altogether joy” goes beyond our sense of happiness, and it’s more than
contentment, for it’s a contentment outside the bounds of life’s circumstance. We should not
have to produce joy by puppeteering a moment, but instead know that the God of creation
firmly holds us in His hands … and there’s no better place to be.
This Christmas season, as you journey through these traditional themes, I encourage you to
take the time to evaluate your spirit. There is no need for you to settle for an “almost
Christmas” based on the world’s definitions and expectations. My prayer is that you may
experience an “altogether Christmas,” one filled with an “altogether” peace, an “altogether”
hope, an “altogether” love and an “altogether” joy that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Yes, it’s almost Christmas, but it doesn’t have it be.
