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WAR IS OVER!

In Christmas 1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono bought billboard space in 12 cities throughout the world, filling them with large posters declaring in huge capitals:

WAR IS OVER!

And then in smaller text underneath:

If you want it.  
Happy Christmas from John & Yoko

This was in protest at the war in Vietnam.  I used to have a t shirt with this slogan; complete strangers used to comment when I wore it.  I bought it in the early 2000s just before the war started in Iraq. Someone once shouted: "that's not very appropriate in the circumstances!"   Had they read the small print, or understood the irony, they would have realised it was completely appropriate.

By declaring 'WAR IS OVER!', John and Yoko made a distant future possibility, something so wonderful and yet seemingly so unattainable, a joyful statement of fact.  "It's now!" they declared, "it's here!"  Although the wonderful statement wasn't yet true, they exhorted people to look towards a golden future possibility and to desire it now, and work towards it.  A brilliant campaign.

Christian hope is both now and not yet; it's here, but it's not yet here; Christ has come, but Christ is coming.  During advent we wait for this glorious coming of Christ.  On Christmas Day we declare that he is here.  Yes he is here, but he is also coming.  

THE LORD IS HERE!

The Lord is coming.


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