Christmas 2012 Reflection: What are we to make of this Gentle Gift?

Its no secret there has been a lot of heart-ache in this past week. Tragedy of unimaginable horror hit too many families in Newtown, Connecticut, and hit many of us as a result; fresh conflict in the Middle East renewed heart-breaking deadly clashes; too many close to home also lost loved ones all right now, right before the festivities and joy of the Christmas season is supposed to begin. What should be a time of rejoicing, celebration, excitement and joyous anticipation has been turned askew. For many, the juxtaposition of joy and tragedy can be too much to handle. So what are we supposed to do about Christmas Hope, Peace, Joy and Love? How are we supposed to see the Light shining in the darkness? Where is the promised Peace? What are we to make of this gentle gift of the Christ Child? The juxtaposition of two polar opposites in our case tragedy and joy is not new. The parallel to Biblical times is clear, when the prophet Isaiah pronounced that the Messiah was coming (Isaiah 9:6). Hold on, suffering people, for God will fulfill his promise of sending the One who will save us. Our time is coming. Expectation of the fulfillment of that promise led to excruciating anticipation of something massive a reversal of political fortunes, of smiting the enemy, of a sustained victory at long last. Even amid the details of the prophecy itself lies the contrast the people heard the Might, the Everlasting, the

government upon his shoulders; but did they also hear a child is born, he will be a wonderful counselor, and a prince of peace. The juxtaposition of the everlasting might
with the peaceful child might have been incomprehensible too much to bear with a promise of long-anticipated victory (much like the entry of Jesus later in his life as he enters the throngs amid cheers of Hosanna! But was that a happy hosanna? Or was this the bitter disappointment of a people who saw their Savior entering the political arena on a donkey, not on the back of a mighty war-horse?). So what are we to make of these opposites? How do we reconcile the tragedy and the joy? What are we to do with this gentle gift in the manger? For that, we need Matthews retelling of another prophecy of Isaiah:

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Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
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He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

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till he has brought justice through to victory.

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In his name the nations will put their hope. (Matthew 12:18-21)

This is the gift God has given out of his profound love for us - the gift of the baby in the manger. Look at the love that God professes for this child the one he loves, in whom he delights. And even then he passes on this treasured child to us. The gift of this servant-king living among us is a precious one, a gentle one, indeed so loving and protective, that he will not break the bruised reed nor snuff out the smoldering wick. He will protect even these. So when we are maxed out with heart-break from tragedy bruised, with our Spiritual, emotional, physical energies weakly smoldering - he will protect and cherish even these. In his name, we can put our hope. In his care, we can entrust even our deepest anguish; for in his love, he will renew us, heal us, restore us. And for that, we truly can rejoice! Even amid the tragedies, he can touch our hearts anew. We have to remember that the Lord is near that is the hope of advent, the manifestation of the Christmas promise. With humility, we can accept this tremendous, gracious Christmas gift; and in return, we can release the anxiety, the tragedy, the heartbreaking loss, and accept in their stead the Christmas Hope, Joy, Love, and the Peace that transcends all understanding; for our hearts and minds will be guarded by the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Thanks be to God for that! (This reflection is part of an expanded blog entry. Please visit http://ryersonancasterchurch.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/the-gentle-gift/ to get the full picture. Review the other blog entries that have explored the advent season. Start a

dialogue with your responses. Subscribe if you wish by email to receive each new weekly entry.) Scriptural References: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Matthew 12:18-21
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Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
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He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

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till he has brought justice through to victory.

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In his name the nations will put their hope.

Philippians 4:4-7
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident

to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.