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Bible Readings for Sunday, December 25th, 2012

– Christmas Day Isaiah 62:6-12

Psalm 97

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:1-20

The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” – Isaiah 62:11

Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. – Psalm 97:11

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5. he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. – Titus 3:4-511

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:10-11

The Lack-luster Savior

That Yeshua.

What a disappointment. What a let-down.

What kind of god just shows up without any fanfare, without pageantry or publicity?

Oh, yes, I know the gospels say that “a glorious host of angels appeared” and sang “Glory to God in the highest”, but let’s face it: the vast majority of that audience were sheep. No, not the spiritual-metaphor-kind, the wooly-animal kind. From any perceptive, this was not the announcement to the masses that one might expect for the arrival of the Savior of the Entire World!

Born in a cave, as his mother lay amongst the dirty hay and animals. His first smells would have been that of animal dung.

Does this seem like the way the Son of God should be born?

Does this make any sense?

No.

And that’s why I have always loved Yeshua: in terms of living up to the standard mythological archetype of a savior\hero figure, he really is lacking. He is no prince, gallant warrior, legendary hunter, or heroic demigod. He’s just this helpless baby. This weak, defenseless baby born to poverty stricken parent’s in an occupied land.

No rights.

No wealth.

No hope.

And yet it should never be any different. Of course the most famous person in all human history would be born a nobody. Of course the savior of all the world should need to be protected and saved right out of the womb. Of course he, that would bring the first real examples of radical equality, should be one of the oppressed.

It’s all so… perfectly imperfect.

So unexpectedly, surprisingly, and purposefully perfectly imperfect.

Amen, and Merry Christmas to all of you!