What a glorious day filled with the unexpected! No one thought a virgin could become pregnant. No one expected a little baby to turn the world upside down. No one thought that this young carpenter’s name would be revered centuries after his death. No one thought that this man, who stood against the rich and the religious elite, could possibly be the Messiah. They didn’t expect him to preach forgiveness, turning the other cheek, and loving one’s enemies. No one expected Jesus.
Jesus confounded the rich, and he aggravated the religious. He called the poor rich, and said that those who are blind could receive their sight (Luke 4:18). He said that the Messiah wasn’t born to lead the Israelites out of physical captivity but to lead sinners out of spiritual captivity so that they could love and serve God. Even today, it all sounds so radical and so foolish.
So let’s look at that baby in the manger. Let’s ask, “Why did God entrust his Son to human care? Why did Jesus accept death on a cross when he could have prevented it? Was he being foolish, or did he know exactly what he was doing? Why does the Spirit stay with us and persist, even when we can be so quick to turn away from him?”
Why? Because of love.
Love makes us fools. We can be pretty irrational when we are in love. And our God is in love with us. He does irrational things like sending his Son to save us and his Spirit to comfort and guide us. He does foolish things like forgiving us and giving us the Eucharist. Today, as we celebrate Christmas, Jesus wants us to put our trust in God’s foolish, perfect love. For those who consider themselves to be “fools” for Christ are on the right path (1 Corinthians 4:10; 1:18). Have a blessed and happy Christmas.
“All glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus, for your love! May all your children come to embrace you, and may the foolishness of your gospel prevail over the ‘wisdom’ of this world!”
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98:1-6; John 1:1-18