Posted on: Saturday, December 22, 2007
Christmas reveals the nature of God
By Blake Watanabe
The story of Christmas is a story of:
The courage of a young woman, Mary, probably no more than 12 or 13, betrothed, by Jewish custom, who willingly accepts the task from an angel to be the mother of a child who is to be Messiah, the savior promised by prophesy. Who would believe her if she said she was pregnant by God's spirit? Yet, she accepts this, knowing full well that the outward appearance was to be pregnant out of wedlock, and to be accused of adultery. By Jewish law, she faces punishment by death.
The noble act of a soon-to-be husband: Joseph, by Jewish law, had the right to refuse marriage or to even pronounce death to a woman who had obviously committed adultery. Instead, he accepts the dishonor to himself and his family, and quietly takes the young woman as his bride and to care for her and her soon-to be born child.
A longtime promise fulfilled: Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, prophets were proclaiming the coming of a savior who would restore God's relationship to his people. Hundreds of attributes in written prophesy would verify him as being the one who would bring peace and freedom to all men. Virgin birth, being from the family line of David, born of lowly social status — all fulfilled in the birth of a child of a young virgin and a carpenter.
A universal message of hope: This is the paradox in all this. The message is not proclaimed to the powerful or the influential, but to the common man. The birth of the savior was not proclaimed to the religious leaders of Israel. It was given to the Magi, men from the East (Persia or Asia) who were not Jews, and to shepherds, poor working men, showing that this was a message for all.
Just a story? These are the historical facts: There was a King Herod, there was a child named Jesus born of Joseph and Mary who grew up and ministered in the Mideast. There were the 12 disciples. All the towns mentioned in the Bible still exist or have been archeologically verified. There still is the nation of Israel.
In the story of Christmas, the nature of God is revealed: God's choosing of Mary to be Jesus' mother shows that his purpose, strength and promise are fulfilled though those the world will have nothing to do with. God's mercy, compassion and grace are shown through Joseph's kindness to Mary.
God's love for all, especially the common and the unwanted, is demonstrated by the proclamation of the good news to the shepherds and to the gentiles.
Blake Watanabe attends Light and Life Christian Fellowship, which meets at Kaleiopu'u Elementary School in Waipahu. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
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