12/25/2025
Some of the great paradoxes of Christmas:
1. That One who possessed so much power and authority didn't abuse it. If He had been "just another man" we can certainly expect that He would abuse it. But of course, He was more than man.
2. Having a place with the Father (as Phil. 2 tells us :equal to Him"), He voluntarily humbled Himself and became human so that God could dwell among us (Emmanuel). I'm so glad The Father went to this extent so that I could catch a glimpse of Who He is. In my entire life, I have never once had a politician or multi-millionaire say to me, "I want to come live with you so that I can identify with the struggles you have each day and be close to you."
3. That God would even bother with coming to redeem us. After all, we were the betrayers. We were the tresspassers. We were the insurectionists and rebellious lot that left Him. But then again, love is a powerdul motivator and scripture clearly states His passionate love for you and I was the motivation for His life here on earth (John 3:16).
4. That one born into such humble beginnings (in a stable, to a relatively unremarkable caprenter and his wife, from a poor "mixed breed" region in a tiny country....hardly prime stock for a regent) to become the world-changer King of kings and Lord of lords. Like Him or not, the world has never been the same since He came.
5. That so many disconnected from Him recognized who he was. It wasn't like His grandparents thought He was a genius (If you are a grand, you get what I am saying). Shepherds, wise men from the east, Roman soldiers, His critics and enemies, fishermen, tax collectors, skeptics and politcally jaded, even a middle-eastern terrorist (by definition, that's what the Apostle Paul was before He met Jesus face to face)... True, one cousin called Him the "Lamb of God," but, seriously, I've never had one of my cousins call me that. And no stranger, great or small, has ever bowed down and worshipped me spontaneously.
6. I saved the best for last: that a virgin gave birth. I know. I know. That's not possible (biology 101). But consider this: If Mary and Joseph got it on one night before the wedding deal was sealed and Jesus just has an earthly father like you and I, then He isn't God. He's just another fallen sinful man. And if He has sinned, He is due for judgment for His own sins and can't pay the price for yours and mine. And if that be the case, then we are all doomed to hell forever because no savior ever came before and none has come since to offer forgiveness for our sins. He could only do that if He was sinless and He can only be sinless if He is God. And He can only be God if His Father was...you got it, God. By the way, when we talk about what is possible or not possible with regard to biology, it seems that the one who designed us, formed us in our mother's wombs, shaped our personhood and intricately wove us together can "re-engineer" whatever He wants. He's the creator and made the rules.
All of this to say: I'm thankful for the unusual story of Jesus. He is the perfect blend of enough power and authority to change what is not right in this world (as Isaiah put it in chapter 9, 600 or so years BC... _ to shine light in a dark world" "to reign with righteousness and justice" and to "break the yoke" that bound us). He had enough love, grace and mercy to cover our broken sinful lives; enough humility to come to us when we weren't exactly on His good side or even trying to seek Him; and enough humanity to understand our human struggle and have compassion for us. Merry Christmas, everyone. I believe.
