And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
God became human.
God became human.
Yet God didn't just fashion a new body and then strut into town as a powerful and merciful conquerer, fixing all that was wrong.
God didn't choose to be born a prince or to a family of power.
God became weak and powerless...experienced the depths of humanity.
God became flesh as a baby born to unwed peasants far from home alongside animals.
Love became flesh: Jesus.
God did this for you, for me, for all who experience brokenness, for all who have experienced love or joy, for all who feel like the world is crazy, for all of humanity and all of creation...
And now we celebrate this unlikely birth.
Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ. All praise to God!
Have a very merry and joyful Christmas!
Grace and peace,
Ben
