Peace in Bethlehem?
Third Sunday of Advent Reading
by Paul Johnson
On this third Sunday of advent we will focus our attention on “peace.” We have so far looked at Hope as seen in the Garden and Faith as exercised by the nation of Israel at the Temple in Jerusalem. We now change our setting from the Temple to the town of Bethlehem. It seems most fitting to us that our Lord and Savior should be born in a small town on a peaceful night—a humble beginning for a teacher of humility. This setting has a tendency to become somewhat idyllic in our imaginations, but if we take a closer look at the actual account of our Lord's birth, we find that the town of Bethlehem was not exactly what we would call “peaceful.”
The town was brimming with visitors; so many, in fact, that a man and his pregnant wife were turned away from a night’s lodging. We can imagine that this was not only a chaotic time in Bethlehem but also an unsettling time for Joseph and Mary. There were so many people in town at that time that there was not a place left for them to rent a room. It is difficult to imagine that any place filled with so many people should deserve to be labeled “peaceful.”
So what exactly were the angels proclaiming to the lowly shepherds that night when they sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men?” First of all, they recognized that ascribing all glory to God is a necessary preliminary to peace. The peace to which the angels refer is a product only of what God has done; it is through, and for His glory alone. It is better not to think of this peace as merely stillness or quietness, although those things come along with it. Rather, we should think of the tidings the angels brought as news that a great war has ended.
The hope and faith that we have explored the past two Sundays of Advent lead to this moment where the longing of all creation for a covenant of peace between God and man is inaugurated. At Christ's birth, God reaches into history and extends to the people of His own choosing a hand of reconciliation and peace. This is not because of what we have done—our works or worthiness are not God’s motivation. Rather, God chose Mary and Joseph as He in turn chooses each of His followers; He turns our rebellious nature around and begins healing the estrangement caused by our sin. This peace between God and man is what the army of angels proclaimed that night and this is why we celebrate.
by Paul Johnson
On this third Sunday of advent we will focus our attention on “peace.” We have so far looked at Hope as seen in the Garden and Faith as exercised by the nation of Israel at the Temple in Jerusalem. We now change our setting from the Temple to the town of Bethlehem. It seems most fitting to us that our Lord and Savior should be born in a small town on a peaceful night—a humble beginning for a teacher of humility. This setting has a tendency to become somewhat idyllic in our imaginations, but if we take a closer look at the actual account of our Lord's birth, we find that the town of Bethlehem was not exactly what we would call “peaceful.”
The town was brimming with visitors; so many, in fact, that a man and his pregnant wife were turned away from a night’s lodging. We can imagine that this was not only a chaotic time in Bethlehem but also an unsettling time for Joseph and Mary. There were so many people in town at that time that there was not a place left for them to rent a room. It is difficult to imagine that any place filled with so many people should deserve to be labeled “peaceful.”
So what exactly were the angels proclaiming to the lowly shepherds that night when they sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men?” First of all, they recognized that ascribing all glory to God is a necessary preliminary to peace. The peace to which the angels refer is a product only of what God has done; it is through, and for His glory alone. It is better not to think of this peace as merely stillness or quietness, although those things come along with it. Rather, we should think of the tidings the angels brought as news that a great war has ended.
The hope and faith that we have explored the past two Sundays of Advent lead to this moment where the longing of all creation for a covenant of peace between God and man is inaugurated. At Christ's birth, God reaches into history and extends to the people of His own choosing a hand of reconciliation and peace. This is not because of what we have done—our works or worthiness are not God’s motivation. Rather, God chose Mary and Joseph as He in turn chooses each of His followers; He turns our rebellious nature around and begins healing the estrangement caused by our sin. This peace between God and man is what the army of angels proclaimed that night and this is why we celebrate.
posted by DrewDog at 10:06 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home