On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, just before the Great Christmas, the readings take a heady turn. The commentaries I’ve read say that this is a fine time to discuss the Virgin Birth, or at least the sign of the Pregnant Young Woman. Or the fans of St. Paul could debate whether “all the Gentiles” means the whole world or just the Elect. The socially concerned may engage in conversation about the kindness of Joseph when he found his bride-to-be Great With Child. But most of us in the pews — and the pulpit — are on this day in a more sensory frame of worship! Candles and choirs lead us beyond conjecture and ancient nuance to a warm rumor of angels and a preparation for Immanuel, “God With Us”.
When Isaiah met doubtful King Ahaz and told him of God’s continued favor to Judah, he did mention a baby: “…the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” [“God With Us”, remember] (7:14) Matthew will later claim this baby as the Messiah, which is his way of selling Judaism on Jesus. To Ahaz, his choice is laid out: believe in God or continue to pursue a political strategy which would prove to be tragic. What does he really want?
Paul begins the Letter to the Roman Congregations by introducing his credentials as a bonafide Apostle to the Gentiles, breathlessly calling down the Gospel, the resurrection and the work of the Holy Spirit in a six-verse long sentence! [Readers, it’s OK to pause at the commas] But look at verse 7: “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints (!): Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now that’s what I want for Christmas, Grace and Peace! This is the message needed for the saints and the not-so-saintly, Those who rest beside the weary road to hear the angels sing crave to know more Grace and Peace.
Matthew wrote to the Jewish segment of the early Church, attempting to make sense of the ancient Messianic oracles which his audience knew so well. And so he was compelled to introduce the Virgin Birth as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s ancient political promise. This holy conception is important to later creed-builders who insisted upon the Son as “very God of very God, very man of very man”. It also solidifies the sacredness of mother/nurturer and father/protector, recognizing that even the ChristChild needs a supportive family during the formative years… What did Mary and Joseph want for Christmas?
It’s good to gather with a few friends to debate the finer points of the Incarnation — during the bleakness of January or February, with the winds of Winter whistling around our torch-lit towers. But in the hope of late Advent, still waiting by the empty manger, I need to bask in the warm promise of Unlimited Grace and Invincible Peace, really all I need or want for Christmas! Let Christians all, with joyful mirth, both young and old, both great and small,
Now think upon our Saviour’s birth, who brought salvation to us all. –medieval canto
God Bless Us, Every One! Horace Brown King
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