Christmas is that bright spot in the depth of the year when we dare affirm that the surrounding dark has only limited power over our spirits. Granted, there are several more weeks of chill to come–yet having visited the manger we find direction home even though the road be gloomy. Bishop Reuben P. Job reminds us, “But the enormous truth of Christmas rests in the revelation of God’s self to humankind. At last we can talk about God in terms we understand, human terms. Because of Jesus,, we can make sense of our lives and understand more fully who we are and where we are going.” (A GUIDE TO PRAYER…, P.47)
We begin with a shout-out from Isaiah, bringing vital hope within the acknowledgement that there’s a sense of God’s alone-ness in the quest for justice and righteousness (63:7-9). This is not done long-distance: “it was no messenger or angel but [GOD’S] PRESENCE that saved them.” This is a welcome reminder that even in our secular despair of shredded wrapping paper comes a call back to remember that God continues to enter our daily endeavors. Christmas is our annual reminder that there is a purpose and plan in an ongoing Creation.
Hebrews 2:10-18 seems quite heavily into suffering, relating Jesus’ earthly life to being in the atonement role of the high priest. The author is affirming the unity of God with the People who go from one persecution to another. Tevye, in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, says something to the effect that Jewish tribes are always running somewhere, that’s why we wear these funny little hats… “For it is clear that [Jesus] did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect….” Christmas then means that evidently we must count a lot!
Matthew 2:13-23 includes the sad story of the Massacre of the Innocents, Herod’s out-of-control response to the perceived threat to his dynasty. I suppose that even at Christmas it’s important to recognize that pain still spreads it’s deadly terror. Contrast Joseph, who continues to be the hero by listening to the angel of his dreams and taking the family to refuge in Egypt, later in Nazareth. Would the adult Jesus later have survivor guilt? Or is this account included as one more instance of solidarity with humanity and all of our foibles…..An “old” story tells of the dying King Herod, eaten away with jealousy and cruelty, opening the curtain of his bed-chamber just after he had ordered the slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem: “I want to see the Star go out!” But it hasn’t.
We don’t sing enough, “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as those of old have sung….It came, a flow’ret bright amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.”
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My reception of scripture lessons for the upcoming weekend can be found USUALLY on Tuesday at this space on Facebook or at horacebrownking.com
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