Here's a great version of one of my favorite Christmas hymns!
Lastly, in this scattered post, I have been reading an advent book called Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. It includes sections of Christmas sermons by a long list of pastors and theologians. Something from the Tim Keller section has lingered with me the entire month. He writes, "Christmas shows us that God is not just concerned about spiritual problems but physical problems too. So we can talk about redeeming people from guilt and unbelief, as well as creating safe streets and affordable housing for the poor, in the same breath. Because Jesus himself is not just a spirit but also has a body, the gift of Christmas is a passion for justice." I can honestly say I had never really thought about the Incarnation having those implications before! He went on to talk about the role of women in the birth, life, and death of Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth were the first "theological reflection group", as Keller calls it. Don't forget that thirty-three years later a woman was the first to see our Risen Lord. At the time, women were second class citizens. Their testimony was not even permissible in court. Keller points out that "God is deliberately working with people the world despises... Christmas is the end of snobbishness. Christmas is the end of thinking, Oh, that kind of person." We might not all be racists, etc. But there is someone who we each look down upon, whether or not it be those we consider lazy, unpolished, slutty... fill in the blank! What a candid reminder the manger is. Glory to God who loved me in the depth of my sin!
