What is your viewpoint?

Baby; manger; gifts; angels; faith; peace; joy; hope. Culmination. Beginning.

He has passed through the heavens…

“Let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14b) – amidst what? So called tolerance? Which if we’re honest is really a mask for belligerent intolerance. In this pluralistic and relativistic “West Coast” mindset there seems to be enough room for any and all religious and/or philosophical confessions. But mention your confession is of Christ and his life, death, resurrection; suddenly there is no room in the inn. Sound like a Bethlehem scenario? A miracle waiting to happen and people are too busy, too preoccupied and maybe too blind to the reality it brings. And before I sound too pretentious I probably would have responded the same way those townsfolk did, if it were not for the grace of God.

Christ empathizes and sympathizes with human weakness. Never excuses it or allows us to use it as a crutch. In fact, holds us accountable for it. But none the less totally understands our weaknesses and temptations. Don’t people seek out that kind of person for counseling? We want someone who understands and who will be empathetic and sympathetic. Maybe we want someone to excuse ourselves and our behavior because we are weak and frail. “Please give us more self-help steps towards earthly perfection!” Or at least some sort of balance. Of course we would never admit it. Maybe that’s why.

Baby, manger, gifts, faith, peace, joy, hope. All are safe. All are comforting. None hold us accountable. For me, one thing that stands out is the “beginning” aspect. The Son of God (the second person of the Eternal Trinity) coming to Earth to dawn human flesh. The Son coming to earth as the one who will become the one who stands before the throne of God and defends me. And it all had to start in a dirty manger surrounded by domesticated animals, dirty shepherds, fresh newlyweds and angels.