Christmas Catechesis
“Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus…” ~Acts 18:24-25
Christians are catechetical people (catechesis coming from the Greek word meaning “to instruct”). Catechesis sometimes takes the form of easy-to-remember statements, such as we find in 1 Corinthians 15:3: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures…” The New Testament is full of these kinds of catechetical statements (1 Tim. 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11; Titus 3:8). Other times catechisms are given in question and answer form, such as we find in the Westminster or Heidelberg Catechisms. A benefit of this method is that it engages the mind of the catechumen (the learner). He or she needs to think on the question and provide the appropriate answer. This is one reason I highly recommend using the historic, Reformed catechisms with your covenant children.
One cherished Christmas hymn, “What Child Is This,” serves this catechetical purpose. The first verse asks the question: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” In other words, who is the baby to whom we are singing this song of worship? The hymn goes on to develop the question even further: “Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?” Angels greet the birth of this little child with heavenly anthems, and their announcement comes to the listening ears of humble shepherds watching a flock in the field. The answer is astounding, especially if you can imagine having never heard of the birth of Christ. “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.” Can you picture it? A little baby born in a manger and sleeping on his young mother’s lap is the King of the universe, the Christ of God! And with just one simple verse we commit to memory two marvelous truths about Jesus: He is truly man — born of a woman and in need of the same rest all little babies need. And He is truly God — Christ, the King of heaven whom angels worship! What wonderful realities coalesce in the incarnation we celebrate each Christmas.
The song goes on to ask us: “Why lies He in such mean (humble) estate, where ox and ass are feeding?” The grace-filled answer is this: “for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.” Christ was born and laid in a feeding trough because one day “nails, spear, shall pierce Him through; the cross be borne for me, for you.” Jesus came down from heaven and became “the babe, the son of Mary” so that you and I might find salvation in Him.
How, then, should we respond this Christmas? “Bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh: come, peasant, king, to own Him… let loving hearts enthrone Him… Raise, raise the song on high.. for Christ is born.” Who is the Child born on Christmas? He is Christ the King — truly God and truly man — who came in humility to save sinners and now calls us to worship Him with our whole lives.
Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor