Broken World
I found myself getting frustrated again this morning. Several things in my life right now are not "right," slightly off-kilter or just broken. And I found myself frustrated because, well, it's Christmas, and everything's not right. Isn't life supposed to be picture-perfect for Christmas? That's the way all the Hallmark movies picture it, isn't it? Within two hours, everything can be put back together just in time for a gentle snowfall and a warm fire, hot cocoa and smiles all around.
That's our idea anyway. The world Jesus was born into was anything but perfect. We watched "The Nativity Story" again last night—and while I find myself quibbling with the "historical" details, the film is very good at reminding us that Jesus' birth was anything but easy, gentle or perfect. He was born into a violent world, a province ruled by a maniacal jealous king, a world of taxes, poverty and injustice. Into that world came the Prince of Peace.
Had he come into a world that was anything but broken (and when has the world not been broken?), he would have had nothing to offer. If we could get through without God's help, we wouldn't need God. But the world is broken, by our own doing, and we do need God. We need a savior. We need someone who comes into this broken world, who offers us hope and joy and life. Into our world—dark, violent, ready to come unglued—Jesus is born.
I think that's why I look forward so much to Candlelight services this time of year. It's my favorite worship moment of the year, when the candles are raised and we sing "Silent Night." The light shining in the darkness never ceases to inspire me. I used to get frustrated when things didn't go exactly so, when the order of service was disrupted by a mistake or a misfire (or a mis-plan!). I can't say that I don't entirely anymore, but I do prayerfully approach those moments as reminders that into this world, this broken world, Jesus is still born. Christmas still comes.
That's the good news. May your broken world be touched by the baby of Bethlehem this Christmas!
That's our idea anyway. The world Jesus was born into was anything but perfect. We watched "The Nativity Story" again last night—and while I find myself quibbling with the "historical" details, the film is very good at reminding us that Jesus' birth was anything but easy, gentle or perfect. He was born into a violent world, a province ruled by a maniacal jealous king, a world of taxes, poverty and injustice. Into that world came the Prince of Peace.
Had he come into a world that was anything but broken (and when has the world not been broken?), he would have had nothing to offer. If we could get through without God's help, we wouldn't need God. But the world is broken, by our own doing, and we do need God. We need a savior. We need someone who comes into this broken world, who offers us hope and joy and life. Into our world—dark, violent, ready to come unglued—Jesus is born.
I think that's why I look forward so much to Candlelight services this time of year. It's my favorite worship moment of the year, when the candles are raised and we sing "Silent Night." The light shining in the darkness never ceases to inspire me. I used to get frustrated when things didn't go exactly so, when the order of service was disrupted by a mistake or a misfire (or a mis-plan!). I can't say that I don't entirely anymore, but I do prayerfully approach those moments as reminders that into this world, this broken world, Jesus is still born. Christmas still comes.
That's the good news. May your broken world be touched by the baby of Bethlehem this Christmas!
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