Sign Posts on the Way

As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of the audacious message we have embraced as followers of Christ that the all-powerful God precisely because of that limitless power, became incarnate as a human infant: “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:10-12).

Science tells us that the human infant is the most vulnerable creature on earth. What an outrageous conviction that the most powerful Being should choose to become the most vulnerable creature! It gives stunning content to Philippians 2:6-8: “…Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, coming in human likeness; and…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”

Scripture states that God did this because “…God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In my brief time on earth, I have come to see that nothing creates a stronger bond of love between two beings than an unforced act of vulnerability, especially when one has the courage to take that step of vulnerability first. I’ve come to understand the incarnation as God’s first step of vulnerability toward humanity, unforced because it is motivated only by love. My wish for you this Christmas is that as you celebrate this most improbable gift of the Incarnation, you may fall in love with God all over again.

Wayne Cavalier, OP