The central fact of Christmas is one of the most unique characteristics of Christianity that distinguishes it from virtually every other religion: the incarnation. God humbled Himself to become a man to live with us and die for us so that He could abide in us. The good news of Christianity is that God comes to us in a very personal way to save us and to live in us.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." - Matthew 1:20-23
The postmodern ethic has neatly disposed of any supernatural elements of Christmas by dumping them into the category of myth along with other primitive tribal superstitions. We need not consider the sensible scandal of an Incarnation when such suppositions are tucked alongside floating witch doctors and ascending Mohammeds. The challenge is to bring the paradox of an infinite Being subjecting Himself to need, dependence, and mortality to bear on a mind that will not even begin to consider its plausibility. Before they will consider the import of an Incarnation they do not believe, they have to apprehend its plausibility both as historic narrative and as personal authority. This takes a sincere messenger with a compelling message.
Posted by: Sage S. | December 22, 2009 at 05:52 PM