A Christmas story, can’t remember
where I heard it, but I tell it to you as you begin your own celebration of
Christmastide.
There was a time when all the
angels where gathered about the heavenly throne for a discussion. Things were
in a mess down on earth. (What else is new?) The Creator had become concerned
about the state of the Creation – wars, fighting, famine, bloodshed all over.
“I’ve tried everything,” God
complained. “I have spoken to them some of the most beautiful words they could
ever hope to hear. Think of the glorious Psalms, the hymns, the poetic passages
of Isaiah. They love to read about peace and goodwill, but they don’t like to live
it!”
God continued, “Then I sent them
the prophets. They love Isaiah, the promises of release from their sufferings,
freedom from their exile. But do they follow the precepts of the prophets about
justice and righteousness rolling down like waters? Never!”
There was widespread discussion
of the sad state of affairs on earth. Many of the angels – Gabriel, Michael,
and others had been on earth on many an occasion. They had seen for themselves
the sources of God’s lament and shared God’s concern.
“I think the only thing left is
for one of you, a member of the heavenly court, to go down to earth. Live with
them, not just for a moment, but every day. Get to know them, become one of
them, live with them, let them get to know you. Only then will heaven’s intent
be truly communicated to them. Only then will they take notice of the great gap
between the way they have been living and the way they were created. Only then
will we be able to reveal to them who I created them to be.”
The angels stood in awkward
silence. They had been to earth before, to deliver messages from God or to
effect some momentary intervention in human affairs. They weren’t about to
volunteer for long term duty in such a murderous, difficult place.
The silence lasted for an
eternity. Finally, God broke the silence. Quietly, determinedly, but without
resignation and no bitterness, God said, “Then I will go.”
This is a parable of Incarnation.
This is a parable of Incarnation.
Will Willimon
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