Tribulation Christmas!

I am currently reading a very interesting and helpful book Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear by Scott Bader-Saye. Early in the book, he discusses how our current social climate, spurred on by marketing and media creates a culture of fear. He talks about the fear that some churches create, encouraging the members to be fearful of the world, opting only to engage with Christian believers, Bader-Saye writies "some people would rather retreat to a Christian subculture (labelling anything outside that as unsafe) than live in a complex gray-shaded world." I was reminded of my son complaining about the music at a church where he recently worshiped with his girlfriend, where current rock songs tunes were put to "Christianish" words. It kind of weakens both....I understand what he was talking about, not sure I described it here well. I was reminded of what my son said when I read this in the book, "We pretend to risk engagement with the world by mimicking the culture's trends in music, fashion and technology, when all we are really doing is covering the rough edges of real life with a smooth coat of Jesus>" (p. 21).

I have been seeing advertisement for the Sheffield Family Life Center's presentation of Tribulation Christmas. I thought I knew what it must be about, and unfortunately I was right when I checked out the website. I found a blog by a member of the cast which states:

This is the 25th year for Tribulation Christmas.Experience the Christmas story in a way that you have never before seen. This is one of the most powerful dramas you will ever see. It depicts the last days with the Christmas story actually woven thru it. The production is on par with a professional Las Vegas show. Experience the rapture, angels flying above the audience, the pits of hell, those who have been left behind, and Jesus Christ arriving as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Busloads come from as far away as Nebraska and Arkansas to see this annual event.

Where have I been all these years not to know about this? Now, I believe with all my soul that Jesus will come again in a glory that we cannot even imagine. I do not know what that will look like, which Biblical account is closer to what will actually happen. I also know that when I go making fun of things like Tribulation Christmas I feel really creepy because the truth is, who really knows what will happen? But I do know that on Christmas Day the Prince of Peace, the very Lamb of God came to life and to each of us. I know that "Peace be with you" was one of Jesus's favorite things to say. I don't think I will be going to see Tribulation Christmas this year, or any year. My God who brought to life Jesus his son in a stable who later invited us to take up our crosses, and told us that the last will be first, who did not fight back when the soldiers came to arrest him, who listened to outsiders and cuddled children is the one I will see this Christmas, not in a conflict and war, but in a God come to earth to save and serve. Not a mamby pamby Jesus though, but a man of strength and certain of his mission. Someone who inspired fishermen to become disciples and a tax collector his profits. My Jesus is triumphant, but only through a dark and excruciating death. My Jesus has risen, his spirit surrounds me now, and I really don't have to go to see a play that tries to scare religion into me. I believe, not cheap grace, but grace born of pain, grace that finds its deepest resonance in us when we realize how much we need it, how sinful we can be. That's my Jesus and I am stickin' to him.