DDDela`s Musings

  Christmas is more than just carols, lights, and presents. For John and Charles Wesley ; the dynamic duo behind the Methodist movement ; it was a powerful, practical, and deeply spiritual call to action. They didn't just celebrate a birthday; they embraced an entire spiritual revolution rooted in humility, compassion, and community.   Their approach to Christmas combined deep theological insight with a commitment to living out Christ’s love in the real world. Think of them as the original advocates for “keeping Christ in Christmas,” but with a focus on service above all else.   The Heart of the Matter: Why Jesus' Birth Was Everything For John Wesley , the founder of Methodism , Christmas was the lynchpin of the Christian story. He saw the Incarnation; God becoming human in Jesus Christ; as the ultimate act of love and humility.   John Wesley’s Insight: Christmas wasn’t just about a baby in a manger; it was God saying, “I want to be close to you.” It’s...

  When you think of a traditional Christmas , you probably picture twinkling lights, festive carols, and community warmth. But for John Calvin , the great Reformation thinker, Christmas was a far more serious, profound, and beautifully sober affair.   Calvin, known for his relentless focus on the Sovereignty of God and commitment to biblical purity ; didn’t throw out the Christmas story . Instead, he stripped away all the non-biblical customs and demanded a deep, intellectual, and worshipful engagement with the ultimate mystery: God becoming human .   The Theological Anchor: God is in Charge At the heart of Calvin’s theology is the idea that God governs absolutely everything . For him, the Incarnation ; the birth of Jesus ; was not a sentimental surprise, but the climax of God's sovereign plan for redemption. He considered Christmas as the ultimate proof that salvation is completely God’s initiative. It wasn't about a sweet moment in Bethlehem ; it was the di...

  Christmas, for the 16th-century reformer Martin Luther , transcended mere festivity; it was a profound theological and personal event; the ultimate demonstration of divine humility and unmerited grace. Luther’s perspective and practice of Christmas, deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasized simplicity, joy, and an unwavering focus on the Incarnation as the central act of salvation history . His approach provided a stark contrast to the extravagance of his time, laying a foundational legacy for how many Christians today understand and observe the holiday.   Theological Foundation: Grace and Humility Luther viewed the Incarnation ; God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ; as the pinnacle of God’s love. The fact that the omnipotent God chose to enter the world as a vulnerable, helpless baby, born not in a palace but in a humble manger, captivated Luther. This reality served as the bedrock of his Christmas theology.   He emphasized that Christ’s birth...