"Magic Eye"

Meditation preached at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on Hanging of the Greens Sunday, December 3, 2006 by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. Meditation based on Matthew 5:8.

Perhaps, some of you are familiar with the puzzles that became popular in the early 90's called, Magic Eye. These puzzles were designed to test your ability to see a three-dimensional image that has been camouflaged, if you will, by various patterns, shapes and colors all of which are two-dimensional. Now, some people are really good at diverging their eyes and finding the 3-D image with little effort, while others find this exercise to be very difficult, not to mention time consuming. In many ways, this is also the test we find ourselves faced with during the Advent and Christmas season. Do we allow all of the hype and commercialism, all of the hustle and bustle, all of the secular influences of this season to camouflage the true message of Christmas? Do we have trouble seeing Christ in Christmas?
Perhaps you can relate to the man who walked into a grocery store in search of a product with which he thought he was familiar with. He went to the appropriate section of the supermarket, searched high and low, but could not find the desired item. Finally, he gave up his search and asked a clerk for assistance, to his surprise the clerk immediately located the item from the very shelf where the man had been searching. I think we can all relate to that situation. Sometimes, we have trouble finding that which we are looking for because there are so many distractions around us. And certainly this can be true of Christmas.
I love Jesus’ beatitude found in verse 8 of the 5th chapter of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus said; "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." Sometimes we have trouble seeing God, don’t we? Now obviously, I am not talking physically; but spiritually! And for that matter, sometimes we have trouble spiritually hearing God, as well. Oh, it’s easy for this to happen with all of life’s distractions. But Jesus said; "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."
The Greek word for "pure" is katharoi, which describes a person who is wholehearted and committed, in this case to God - being purely motivated, purely focused, purely dedicated and devoted to God. These words echo those of Psalm 24:4 and 5, which emphasizes truthfulness and integrity as defining characteristics of purity. The Psalmist wrote; "He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from God his Savior."
We, as Christians must have a pure heart - kardia. The heart often stands for the "center and source of the whole inner life, with its thinking, feeling, and motives." The heart makes it possible to see God and experience a relationship with Christ. The Psalmist declared; "My heart says to you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, O Lord, I will seek" (Psalm 27:8). And the Apostle Paul wrote; "...[for] Christ... dwells in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:17). Having a "pure heart" means that your thoughts, emotions, and will are solely and entirely devoted to and focused on God. For when this is true, we shall see God. For Jesus reminds us, "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."
This is what John describes as the destiny of God’s faithful in the final revelation of the Book of Revelation, John writes; "They will see his face" (Revelation 22:4). That is the blessed hope of those who have a pure heart. We, as Christians, have a foretaste of Christ’s presence now, we see God’s face, spiritually. But we shall see God and enjoy his presence completely in the life to come. "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."
Benjamin P. Browne suggests that the millions who have no concept of the spiritual significance and meaning of Christmas are "Christmas Christians." He explains in this way; "Christmas Christians are limited Christians. It might seem safe to try to keep Christ wrapped as a baby and restricted to Bethlehem’s stable, but by doing this, too much is lost. Rather," he said, "it is in the context of his life and ministry, death and resurrection that Bethlehem has meaning." Those who properly celebrate Christmas should want to shout with Paul; "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift" (II Corinthians 9:15), and that gift is Jesus Christ. And if I may barrow the words of Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; "That’s the gift that keeps on giving." You see, friends, Christmas isn’t just an isolated event that is over in one day. Rather, it is one in a series of glorious events that all involve God’s redemptive plan and purpose.
And so, let us prepare our hearts for this celebration of Advent. By focusing on the lessons of the Advent and Christmas decorations. Many of the beautiful traditions and customs of Advent and Christmas came to us from as early as the 4th century, where the Church thought of unique and interesting ways to honor Christ and reflect upon his birth, his life, his death and his resurrection. The origin of many of these customs came to us from paganism. December the 25th was originally a pagan festival to honor the sun - it was, in a sense, the sun’s birthday. But the Christian, December the 25th is the birthday of the SON - Jesus Christ. And the Church seeking to put an end to such festivals and practices took many of these once, pagan customs, traditions and practices, and transformed them into rich, beautiful and meaningful symbols and practices for Christians. As in all things, so it is in Advent and Christmas, we are called to see Christ’s presence, and so may we do so as we focus on the decorations and traditions of this season. Let us, this day and throughout this season, prepare him room in our hearts, our lives, our church and our homes that he might be born anew and afresh in us. "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God" - that isn’t having a Magic Eye, but a spiritual eye!