A Star Wars Christmas? Really Now!

This coming Friday one of the most anticipated movies of all time will be released.  Lines have already been formed to get tickets. Nearly every commercial market has capitalized on this movie's characters in order to increase holiday sales.  Of course I am speaking of the new Star Wars movie titled, "The Force Awakens."  Many believe this movie will shatter all box office records and become an instant classic.  To be perfectly honest, I am not a Star Wars fan, so definitely will not be standing in any line on Friday.


But what grabbed my attention was an article published at the World Net Daily website.  I was intrigued by the title: "'Star Wars' nativity scenes? In churches?"  You can read the article, which was written by Joseph Farah, at www.wnd.com/2015/12/star-wars-nativity-scenes-in-churches.  Mary has been replaced by Princess Leia; Joseph by Hans Solo; the Magi are now Storm Troopers.  I guess R2D2 and C3PO have replaced the ox and the donkey.


At Liquid Church, in Morristown, NJ, it's being hailed as the "Cosmic Christmas" - a three-week series centering around Star Wars theme.  It comes complete with a Living Nativity featuring the Star Wars characters.  Tim Lucas, the lead pastor and founder of Liquid Church says, "There are no rules that says church needs to be dry and boring.  One of our core values at Liquid is that 'church is fun.'  It's OK to laugh and celebrate together while talking about Christmas.  If that means having 'Star Wars' characters in costume and dancing storm troopers, I'm all for it."


There you have it: Come to the manger and have your picture taken with Hans Solo or one of the Storm Troopers.  Star Wars will attract people to your church this Christmas.  Perhaps they will discover that the Force is truly with them. 


What is being communicated with these Star Wars nativities?  I believe it is that the real Christmas Story has become so old and boring that no one is attracted by it anymore.  What is there to get excited about?  People today want excitement.  People today want creativity.  People today want something that is different.  So, let's cast the Nativity Story in a different way.  People will then want to come and then we can share the message with them.


But what message is being shared?  Where is Jesus within this newly told story?  How does He fit in?  And, if Jesus is not present, then what story do we really have to tell?


Here is the danger, as I see it.  First, the world is trying very hard to eliminate the Nativity Story from the Christmas Season.  The public display of the Nativity is almost never seen any longer.  In many cases, even the name "Christmas" cannot be used in public spaces.  Second, the Church is trying to rewrite the Nativity Story in order to attract crowds.  But in doing so, the true message that the first Nativity Scene related is watered-down and becomes ineffective in seeing lives changed.


This Saturday and Sunday evening, our Church - Buffalo Covenant Church - will celebrating the Christmas Story with its annual Living Nativity.  No there won't be any light-sabers or Jedi.  But there will be some simple shepherds, along with their flocks.  There will be some wise men and even a camel or two.  And, center stage will be Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus.  That is as it should be.  Last year over a thousand people came and went through our recreation of Bethlehem.  You see, Christmas is not about "the Force being with us."  No, it is about God becoming man - the Incarnation. 


If you are in the vicinity of Buffalo, MN, I would invite you to stop by our Living Nativity.  The hours are 5:00-7:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.  After your trip through Bethlehem and you are filled with the awe and wonder that truly is Christmas, you are invited to share in some cookies and hot chocolate. 


For some people, excitement will come with "the Force being with them."  I don't know about you, but I am thrilled and blessed to know that "God is with us - Emmanuel!"