Steven A. Bush - December 12, 2021
Christmas vs Christ-less Mess
John 1:14 portrays the Incarnation like this: "So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." (NLT) Galatians 3:4-5 echoes: "But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children." (NLT) Augustine of Hippo summed it up like this: "He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute." If the Incarnation--the birth of Jesus--means all that, shouldn't we want to be a little jealous and fiercely committed to preserving its astonishing reality, beauty, and majesty?! And can't we do that without being prudish or judgmental or legalistic?! Can't we extract the inherent wonder and joy and spread it around generously?! And can't we marvel like Shepherds, worship like Magi, and sing like angels in celebrating Jesus' humble yet glorious birth?! A thousand times, YES!