Trouble at Village Voice

Nat Hentoff has written for The Village Voice since 1958–three years after its founding. No more. Cost-cutting managers imagined the best way to save money was by laying off its greatest asset.

Happy Birthday, Simon Wiesenthal

Today’s the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal. The Jerusalem Post reports that in honor of the occasion, Yad Vashem has published a guide on antisemitism.  I can’t find the link yet, however. Meanwhile, check out the webpage of the center that bears his name.

GYC

Janice Becca blogged from GYC at AdventistYA.com.

Audio from presentations available here.

Our Houston Area Police in the News. Again.

Bellaire cop sees car pull into driveway. Two people get out and proceed toward the front door. Cop thinks car is stolen and starts screaming at them, ends up shooting one.

Problem is, the car wasn’t stolen. The owner was driving it. When the cop started acting crazy, the owner was in his own driveway, going into his own house.

Only crime committed? Driving while black in a ritzy neighborhood.

Houston Chronicle; Fox; NBC.

“What Would You Do?”

Thoughts from Rabbi Amy Weiss.

What would you do if a stalker had been threatening you and your family, you had a restraining order and in the middle of the night you heard a rustling outside the window.

Could we for a moment suspend the knowledge that we are in Texas and it is legal for someone to pull out a gun?  I can’t go there–so let’s say you grab a baseball bat as you hear the noise coming closer, down the hall where your family is sleeping.

When you come around the corner with the bat, confronting the person who has invaded your home, do you only hit him a couple of times because you aren’t exactly sure if he needed to use the phone, was going to just scare you or maim you and your family?

Some Palestinians Cheering on Israel

From the Catholic News Service:

“The situation is very bad. Hamas is all over the place and it is very dangerous,” said a source whose teenage son had remained alone in Gaza with cousins. He said Hamas institutions and installations were scattered throughout Gaza among residential and business areas.

He said he hopes Israel “kills” Hamas.

“I want to live in peace and Hamas is always causing problems. I want the borders to open and for things to be normal,” he said, noting that he was finally feeling the freedom of peace in the West Bank.

“I think 100 percent of the people in Gaza feel the same way but they are just afraid to say it. Hamas doesn’t like their fellow Muslims so you can imagine what it is like for Christians. Now I am worried about my family in Gaza but at the same time I am happy here,” he said.

He said Muslims harassed Christian men who visibly wore gold chains with crosses around their neck, calling them “women.”

And this from another direction, noting that some in the Palestinian Fatah faction are also hoping that Hamas gets destroyed.

“Anti-Semites and Israel’s assault on Gaza”

Brad A. Greenberg writes in The Jewish Journal.

There and Back Again

We got home last night after a weeklong trip to visit my parents in Florida for Christmas. Some things along the way …

• On Christmas Day, went canoeing with my father and son in the mangrove tunnels of the Terra Ceia Preserve. As we were turning sharply into a tunnel, I grabbed at some branches in my face and in the process managed to tip the canoe over. My father and I took it philosophically–my son, however, was stunned. I told him he should be glad it was in two feet of water one foot two feet from shore–and that the alligator we had seen was not there.
• Went with my parents to Ringling Museum in Sarasota.
• Visited the Palmetto Seventh-day Adventist Church–the oldest in Florida.
• Bummed around New Orleans on the way.
• My wife and I took off for a day and a night by ourselves at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg (thanks to a very good deal on Hotwire).
• Had lunch with my Great-Uncle Jack.
• Hiked around the Florida Panther NWR.

RIP Sam Bacchiocchi

While I was away, I received word of the passing of Samuele Bacchiocchi. It appears his webpage will remain on-line.

Fire at Upper Columbia Conference

A friend sent this link.

The Right of Self Defense

The usual liberal groups are protesting Israel’s military action in Gaza. “Hundreds” marched in Houston’s Galleria area yesterday, according to the Houston Chronicle. The World Council of Churches demands that “the violence against Gaza” must stop.

They conveniently fail to note something important. This “violence” is Israel’s reaction to Hamas’ breaking of the peace. Hamas started lobbing rockets and missles into civilian areas of Israel. The ADL is correct: Israel had no choice in the face of the breaking of the peace by Hamas. It had to react.  It is also correct to note the hypocrisy of the UN, which attempts to equate Arab terrorism with the legitimate response of a government to terrorism.

But the defenders of terrorism are one-sided, blinded by antisemitism. They simply want Israel to disappear, commit suicide (as Rod Dreher notes), or be destroyed. The defenders of the terrorists say they simply want peace, and an equitable solution to the plight of the Palestinians, but their consistently one-sided condemnation of Israel reveals the truth. Read the Arab media, and the antisemitic agenda is clear (including publishing and dramatizing such historic anti-Jewish garbage as The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion).

Speak up for truth. Don’t let antisemitic lies go unchallenged. Don’t let the purveyors of hate think that they can continue to spread the lies that led to the murder of 6,000,000 Jews in the Holocaust. As Hanukkah ends, do your part to ensure that the light continues to shine.

As a Hanukkah gift to my Jewish friends and my relatives of Jewish descent, I have joined the Simon Wiesenthal Center and have given a gift to the Anti-Defamation League. I invite you to do the same.

Guyland

Alan Reifman looks at Michael Kimmel’s  Guyland, about young men from 16-26.

Happy Holidays from Hamas

Kesher Talk reports Hamas legislature approves crucifixion and hand amputation in Gaza.

From Jerusalem Post:

Such punishments include whipping, severing hands, crucifixion and hanging. The bill reserves death sentences to people who negotiate with a foreign government “against Palestinian interests” and engage in any activity that can “hurt Palestinian morale.”

According to the report, any Palestinian caught drinking or selling wine would suffer 40 lashes at the whipping post if the bill passes. Thieves caught red-handed would lose their right hand.

Fourth Week of Advent

Prayer from the Lutheran Book of Worship:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Readings:

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house (2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16).

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. … Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king (Psalm 89:1-4, 14-18).

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen (Romans 16:25-27).

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:26-38).

Hymns:

Oh Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From ev’ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow’r to save;
Bring them in vict’ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Hark, the Glad Sound!

Hark, the glad sound! the Savior comes,
The Savior promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.

On Him the Spirit, largely poured,
Exerts His sacred fire;
Wisdom and might, and zeal and love,
His holy breast inspire.

He comes the prisoners to release,
In Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before Him burst,
The iron fetters yield.

He comes, from thickest films of vice
To clear the mental ray,
And on the eyes oppressed with night
To pour celestial day.

He comes the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure;
And with the treasures of His grace
To enrich the humble poor.

His silver trumpets publish loud
The jub’lee of the Lord
Our debts are all remitted now
Our heritage restored.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And Heav’n’s eternal arches ring
With Thy belovèd Name.

Savior of the Nations, Come

Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in heaven enthroned.

From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its light divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.

Books Pulled from Library

Students at a Catholic school can learn about every president but the one who will be inauguarated a month from now–books about him have been yanked from the school library.

When Will They Get It?

Will the Catholic Church ever comprehend the evil that it has done?

Case in point: closing remarks by a lawyer for the Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, in a case involving (surprise) sexual abuse by a priest, Fr. Edward Paquette. Paquette had a long history of abuse in other dioceses that was disclosed to church officials in Vermont when he was transferred.

From the Rutland Herald:

“An 11-year-old boy should never be molested, particularly by a priest,” church counsel Thomas McCormick said in his closing arguments. “But when the decision was made to take Father Paquette in 1972 — that was 36 years ago — psychologists and psychiatrists thought it could be cured.”

McCormick questioned how a jury could assess the diocese’s actions of the 1970s when its leader at the time, Vermont Catholic Bishop John Marshall, died in 1994.

“Paquette’s not here, Bishop Marshall is dead,” the church lawyer said. “Documents don’t tell you the whole story. We can look back and say (the diocese) made a mistake, but there’s no evidence they acted with bad motive or bad spirit or wrong intention.”

McCormick, saying “I don’t mean to minimize what he went through,” had asked the jury to limit any damages to the plaintiff to no more than $15,000 for a year of therapy.

“Numbers can get huge,” the church lawyer said. “Compensate him fairly if you choose, but not wildly. Don’t punish the diocese today for the decisions made yesterday.”

The jury didn’t buy it. The plaintiff, David Navari, was awarded $192,500 in compensatory damages and $3.4 million in punitive damages.

Bishop Salvatore Matano’s excuse?

“I don’t in any way want to imply that we are above the law, but still, the relationship the bishop has with that priest is a bond created by the sacrament. So how you effectively deal with it is very complex.”

Despite his long rap sheet, Paquette, though stripped of faculties, has never been laicized (and of course, has not been excommunicated).

KJV Only?

Some folks are quite convinced that the King James Version is the only Bible we should be using. James White has been dealing with some of these folks. Shawn Brace now enters the fray, responding to someone enamored of Walter Veith’s conspiratorial DVDs.

“You can’t talk to young people about salvation.”

“You can’t talk to young people about salvation,” said UK Catholic Bishop Kieran Conroy. Amy notes another Catholic bishop disagrees.

The Theology of the Cross

The cross is the apex of the Christian faith. Thus Paul told Corinth, “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Here’s a little something from an article I published on this in 1989, looking at the role the theology of the cross played in the thought of Martin Luther.

Luther first referred to a “theology of the cross” (theologia crucis) at the Heidelberg Disputation of 1518, in a series of theses on the nature of revelation:

Thesis #19: “That person does not deserve to be called a theologian who looks upon the invisible things of God as though they were clearly perceptible in those things which have actually happened.”

Thesis #20: “He deserves to be called a theologian, however, who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the cross.”1

Revelation is necessary for Luther because speculation on the basis of what is visible will not lead one to a knowledge of God. Yet what God reveals of himself is, at the same time, concealed. God shows only his “back side.” This revelation of the posteriora Dei takes place in suffering and the cross, not in common human morality or in the design and order of creation. And it demands faith–for only faith recognizes that the One on the cross is, in fact, God.2

Luther’s emphasis on the cross as the primary locus of God’s self-disclosure is not unique to him, but goes back at least as far as the renewal of devotion to the humanity of Christ at the time of Francis (about which Ewert Cousins has written much3). What is unique to Luther is his sharp distinction between the theology of the cross and the theology of glory, which he sees as mutually exclusive.4 As he says in Bondage of the Will (1525):

Faith has to do with things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Hence in order that there may be room for faith, it is necessary that everything which is believed should be hidden. It cannot, however, be more deeply hidden than under an object, perception, or experience which is contrary to it.5

Thus, on this point, at least, the early Luther and the later Luther are in perfect harmony: “God can be found only in suffering and the cross.”6 And the converse is also true: where there is not pain and the cross, but pride, wealth, and ostentatious display, one must doubt whether God is, in fact, present.

Luther’s theology of the cross was the basis for his critique of the triumphalism of the medieval Church and the papacy.7 He “was convinced,” says Eric Gritsch, “that the church may have to suffer the loss of its status in order to become a better instrument of the Gospel.”8 Luther called the Church to embrace Christ’s humility–he called it to the cross. There the Church sees its true vocation to be that of suffering servant.9 It is to be called by the world “Afflicted one, as well as storm-tossed, and not comforted, ‘Miss Hopeless.’”10 Luther’s theology of the cross demanded that the Church, like its Lord, be hidden under suffering. By this he did not mean the self-chosen discomfort of pious deprivation, but that genuine suffering which inevitably follows the faithful proclamation of the Word of God.11

The Church, then, like the individual, is justified by faith alone. And, Luther argues, one can be reduced to such a faithful clinging to Christ only through humiliation. It is through a direct, intense encounter with the wrath of God, experienced as suffering and Anfechtungen, that the sinner comes to know “that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone.”12 This point receives its greatest elaboration in Bondage of the Will (1525), just cited, and Luther’s 1521 Commentary on the Magnificat. Humility is said in the latter to be a necessity for justification–not in the sense of a “work,” but in the sense of an utter repudiation of trust in works. Thus Luther distinguishes between “true” and “artificial humility.” The latter he regards as an affectation which seeks reward through outward appearance. True humility seeks no reward. It is “nothing else than a disregarded, despised, and lowly estate, such as that of men who are poor, sick, hungry, thirsty, in prison, suffering, and dying.”13 Those in such a state know they have nothing. Therefore they cling in faith to the promise of the Crucified One.

I’m grateful to Pr. Jan McKenzie for drawing our attention to the Theology of the Cross in a recent series of posts (now numbering 95, he notes). This is his primary criterion for criticizing conspiracy theorist Walter Veith–Veith has hours and hours of secret information on conspiracies, but does not uplift Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Adventism in its early days sometimes forgot the centrality of the cross, as is evident in a contrast between two engravings published in the 19th century. In the one, the cross is but one thing among many, standing in the shadow of a tree bearing the ten commandments; in the other, the cross is central, all else gives way before it.  The latter is Biblical Christianity.

Georgia Judges in Contempt

George Judges should be held in contempt of the Constitution, for their belligerence toward Muslim women. CAIR report. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Judge Keith Rollins is the latest culprit. Care to let the court know what you think? Here’s their contact info.

Commentary at Volokh.

Christmas Myths

I don’t understand Focus on the Family’s war on those who don’t want to entangle Christmas in commercialism. Why should secular businesses, many of which may well be run by non-Christians, be judged on the basis of whether or not they pay lip service to “Christmas”? FOTF speaks of “this historic Christian observance in our culture.” I think it would be more accurate to speak of historic Christian non-observance in our culture … it didn’t catch on in New England until the 19th century–in the colonial period it was banned in New England.

Catholics Closing up Shop on Galveston Island

Galveston is the mother church of Texas Catholicism. The entire state was once included within the Diocese of Galveston, erected in 1847 by Pope Pius IX. The Great Storm was devastating to the island, but it remained an important city until the ship channel diverted port traffic to Houston. The diocese moved its chancery to Houston, and in 1959 it became the Diocese of Galveston-Houston (it was elevated to an archdiocese in 2004). Other institutions followed, with the closure of the Catholic orphanage, then the hospital, then the high school. Now, in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike, there will be more closures. The Archdiocese has announced that all island parishes may be merged, with St. Patrick’s the sole parish on the island.

Unrepentant to the End

My wife’s cousin Dick can’t admit he was wrong. Still says “We don’t torture” and “waterboarding is kewl” (water torture not being torture in his tortured reasoning). Says he would have still argued for invading Iraq even knowing what we know now (despite Karl Rove’s statements on the matter).

Excommunicated

Msgr. Dale Fushek, former pastor of St. Timothy Catholic church in Mesa, AZ, founder of the LifeTeen program, accused of sexual abuse of minors, has been excommunicated by the Catholic Church. Not for his abuse of minors, but because he founded an independent Praise and Worship Center.

Also excommunicated, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, MM, for advocating the ordination of women.

Very telling as to the priorities of the Catholic Church.

Episcopalians in the News

The real question is, why are Episcopalians so often in the news, when they are such a small denomination? That’s the question asked by E. E. Evans at GetReligion, echoing what Terry Mattingly wrote in 1994. There are only about 2.4 million Episcopalians. Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Mormons, Presbyterians, Church of God in Christ, Assemblies of God, Jews, Muslims all outnumber them. So why do Episcopalians get so much more coverage and respect?

Tragedy at Wal-Mart

The LA Times has a full report on the Wal-Mart mob stampede on Long Island that killed a security guard.

Kudos to Harris County Sheriff-Elect

I voted for the right man for sheriff. Adrian Garcia hasn’t taken office yet, but he’s showing that he is indeed bringing the right sort of change to the office of Harris County Sheriff.

The day before Thanksgiving, deputies reportedly terrorized a family of Sikhs when they responded to the call that their home had been burglarized. Current Sheriff Tommy Thomas has said nothing. He has not named those involved. He has not met with the family or the outraged Sikh community.

Sheriff-elect Adrian Garcia has met with the family, however. He has visited the Gurdwara. He promises a full investigation. He promises that the Sheriff’s Department will get diversity training–something HPD gets but the Sheriff’s Department doesn’t.

On Preaching to Young Adults

Fr. Gus DiNoia, OP, on preaching to young adults (ht Alan). How do we “clear away the barriers” that keep young adults from Christ?

Clearing away the barriers-whatever the audience we have in view-demands a robust sort of apologetics. No one in his or her right mind will be interested in a faith about which its exponents seem too embarrassed to communicate forthrightly. We have to be convinced that the fullness of the truth and beauty of the message about Jesus Christ is powerfully attractive when it is communicated without apologies or compromise. …

I shall focus this evening on three barriers or misunderstandings that need to be cleared away in order to help young people encounter the living God. I believe that they constitute the three biggest barriers to be overcome in preaching, catechesis and evangelization directed to young people today. They are powerful and well-entrenched, and it will not be easy to dispel them. They concern what it means to call Christ the Savior, what it means to be authentically human, and what it means to be moral. I want to offer you some understanding of the nature of these barriers and some ideas on how to approach the task of clearing them away.

SF Mayor Lambastes Catholics, Mormons, at Interfaith Event

Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco chose an interfaith prayer breakfast to lash out at those who believe in the sanctity of marriage, in a rambling, extemporaneous diatribe.

What Child Is This?

It’s an old carol set to an older tune that asks an ancient question that we face anew each year at this time:

What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

The baby in the manger remains an icon of the Christmas season even in our secularized age—the difference is that now he is but one symbol of many. In lawn and store displays he is increasingly obscured by trees and Santas, reindeer and snowmen. In a new twist this year, displays in some state capitals have included a sign next to the manger—a sign sponsored by the Freedom From Religion Foundation—an atheist organization:

At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

But why should we be surprised by this lack of recognition? He was unrecognized by the world of his day. He was born in a stable, because there was no room in the inn. No one paid any attention. No bells were rung, no parades marched, no bands played, no carols were sung on the streets of the little town of Bethlehem. The world went on its way—pushing aside an insignificant couple who were frantically searching for a place to spend the night.

Martin Luther, the 16^th century German reformer, said,

They were, of all, the lowest and the most despised, and must make way for everyone until they were shoved into a stable to make a common lodging and table with the cattle, while many cutthroats lounged like lords in the inn. They did not recognize what God was doing in the stable. With all their eating, drinking, and finery, God left them empty, and this comfort and treasure was hidden from them. Oh, what a dark night it was in Bethlehem that this light should not have been seen. Thus God shows that he has no regard for what the world is and has and does. And the world shows that it does not know or consider what God is and has and does.

Joseph had to do his best, and it may well be that he asked some maid to fetch water or something else, but we do not read that anyone came to help. They heard that a young wife was lying in a cow stall and no one gave heed. Shame on you, wretched Bethlehem! The inn ought to have been burned with brimstone, for even though Mary had been a beggar maid or unwed, anybody at such a time should have been glad to give her a hand.

There are many of you in this congregation who think to yourselves: “If only I had been there! How quick I would have been to help the Baby! I would have washed his diapers. How happy I would have been to go with the shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger!” Yes, you would! You say that because you know how great Christ is, but if you had been there at that time you would have done no better than the people of Bethlehem!

Let us do now what the world failed to do then and fails to do even now—let us pause and consider this child, lying in the manger. Forget all other images but this. Tune out all other noises for the time being but the sound of his whimpering.

What child is this?

Two gospels tell the story of his birth—only two of the four. Matthew emphasizes the magi and Joseph’s dreams, while Luke emphasizes shepherds and the songs of angels, but John and Mark say nothing at all of his birth.

But John tells us something even more important. He answers the question. He tells us who this child really is. He tells us what we need to know, and what the world is blind to.

John 1, beginning with the first verse:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

The message of Christmas is not just that a baby was born—it is that this baby was born, a baby who was like no other, because he was no ordinary baby.

He was the Son of God made flesh.

We read here in the first chapter of John that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He is the Word spoken by the Father in the beginning; he is the Son who was in the bosom of the Father before the creation of the world.

We can’t unravel the mystery of God. We can’t explain all there is to know about his nature, or what God was doing before he began to create. But we can say with no doubt that the Son was never without his Father, and the Father was never without his Son. These aren’t just masks God wore to play a game with us. These aren’t just labels describing what he did here on earth—John says this relationship between Father and Son is eternal.

Jesus speaks of this in John 17:5, when he prays, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

John’s gospel isn’t the only place in the Bible that tells of Jesus’ preexistence. Consider Colossians 1:15-17—He “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

What a mind-boggling idea confronts us. The Word spoken by the Father became flesh, and dwelt among us. He became one of us. The Creator of all became a baby in a manger; the one who hung the stars in the night sky looked up at them from his crib. The one who made all things lay helpless, nursed by a mother who changed his diapers.

He took on our flesh without giving up being the Word. He became one of his creatures without giving up being the Creator. He dwelt in our darkness, but he remained the light. He made himself weak, but he remained the life.

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

Light and Life: these become the great themes of John’s gospel.

John 3:15-16: God gave his only-begotten Son, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

John 5:26: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

And on and on go the images. He is the bread of life; he is the water of life, his word is life.

John 8:25: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

And he demonstrated that by making the blind to see—and more.

We read in John 11 of the death of a friend of his, Lazarus. Verse 25: “Jesus said unto [Martha], I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” And having said that he steps up to the tomb, weeps for his dead friend, and then calls out, “Lazarus, come forth.” And Lazarus comes out. For the one who spoke that word to him was the same word that in the beginning said, “Let there be” and it was.

That is a powerful word. That is a word that cannot but create what it says. It cannot be turned into a lie. It is truth itself, because he is the source of truth; “grace and truth” come from him, John 1. And John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

This is what is most galling to our world. This claim to Truth. This is why all those alternate symbols surround the crèche. Our postmodern world doesn’t mind if Jesus has something to say—just so long as it doesn’t interfere with what it wants to say. A recent book about postmodern young adults says, They Like Jesus, but Not the Church. I’m wondering, though, if they really understand this Jesus they say they like. The Jesus the world likes is one who doesn’t judge, doesn’t rebuke, doesn’t interfere, doesn’t contradict, whose one word could have been said by John Lennon, “All you need is love.”

The postmodern world is one of relativism and inoffensiveness—and this offends English teacher and poet Taylor Mali; he argues it holds even our language captive. We’ve become tongue tied over truth. We have become unable to make definite statements. He puts his complaint in poetic form:

In case you hadn’t noticed,
it has somehow become uncool
to sound like you know what you’re talking about?
Or believe strongly in what you’re saying?
Invisible question marks and parenthetical (you know?)’s
have been attaching themselves to the ends of our sentences?
Even when those sentences aren’t, like, questions? You know?

Declarative sentences – so-called
because they used to, like, DECLARE things to be true
as opposed to other things which were, like, not -
have been infected by a totally hip
and tragically cool interrogative tone? You know?
Like, don’t think I’m uncool just because I’ve noticed this;
this is just like the word on the street, you know?
It’s like what I’ve heard?
I have nothing personally invested in my own opinions, okay?
I’m just inviting you to join me in my uncertainty?

What has happened to our conviction?
Where are the limbs out on which we once walked?
Have they been, like, chopped down
with the rest of the rain forest?
Or do we have, like, nothing to say?
Has society become so, like, totally . . .
I mean absolutely . . . You know?
That we’ve just gotten to the point where it’s just, like . . .
whatever!

And so actually our disarticulation . . . ness
is just a clever sort of . . . thing
to disguise the fact that we’ve become
the most aggressively inarticulate generation
to come along since . . .
you know, a long, long time ago!

I entreat you, I implore you, I exhort you,
I challenge you: To speak with conviction.
To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks
the determination with which you believe it.
Because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker,
it is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY.
You have to speak with it, too.

And that baby did.

That baby spoke with authority.

He grew up to become a child who asked questions that caused the teachers to shut up and listen to what he had to say.

He grew up to be a man who called things by their true names.

He dared to say not only that he had a truth but that he was the Truth, and that his truth would judge all.

And he judged. He said not guilty to the penitent, the poor, the frightened, the weak, the blind, the lame. But he condemned the righteous, the hypocrites, the Pharisees, the self-satisfied; He made a whip and drove the buyers and sellers from his Father’s house.

And that’s nothing compared to what he will do one day.

Rev. 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

This is what you must see when you look on that baby in the manger. He is the eternal word of the father, the word that spoke the world into being, the word that spoke truth, the word that gives life, the word by which we shall be judged, the word that shall destroy—and renew—the world in a breath.

“And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”

Now we grasp the miracle.

Now we can stand in awe.

Now we comprehend the truly stupendous reality lying before us.

Philippians 2:5-8

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

It wasn’t enough that the Son was eternally in the bosom of the Father. It wasn’t enough that the Son was the Word through which the Father spoke the world into existence. It wasn’t enough for him to be the “original, unborrowed and underived” source of life. It wasn’t enough for him to speak a word of Truth.

He emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

He humbled himself.

He was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Paul says in Gal. 4:4-5 “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Not a special woman. Not a sinless woman. Not an immaculately conceived woman. But a woman like us, a woman under the law, a woman who needed him as much as we all do.

Paul also says in Rom 8:3 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh”

This was the problem. Man had sinned. We were under condemnation. We tried to keep the law but couldn’t, because of the weakness of the flesh we had inherited from Adam. And so what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did—he sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and there, in him, in that weak flesh, he condemned sin, in that he, sharing our flesh, did not share our sin.

Heb 2:14-18 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

He took our flesh so that he could die like so—so that he could die for us.

But he also took our flesh so that he could live for us—so that he could live a perfect life of obedience, and be our substitute.

And He took our flesh so that he could know what it is to wrestle and struggle with the flesh from day to day; so that he could feel the agony of temptation and the ordinariness of exhaustion and pain and hunger and thirst. And having experienced it all—without ever yielding to sin—he is not only able to be our substitute, but is able to be our High Priest. We can go to him, and pour out our heart, and plead our case and he can say, “I know what you’re talking about. I’ve been there.” And he reaches out those nail-scarred hands, and wraps his arms around us.

If we think about all those things I said at the beginning: the awesomeness of Christ, his eternal Sonship, his creative power, the life that pours from him, the future prospect of meeting him as judge—we might become intimidated.

But the Bible turns us back to the manger. To the approachable baby. To the Word made flesh, who comforted sinners and embraced outcasts and welcomed children.

God in his glory is unapproachable light, that must consume us with its brightness. But he has emptied himself. He has humbled himself. He has clad himself in human flesh. He has robed himself in a diaper. He has made himself approachable.

Heb 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

The world likes Jesus because it sees him as someone who is welcoming, inviting, approachable, real. They just fail to see that he is everything else, too.

What child is this?

He is a baby—but he is the eternal King.

He is a lamb—but he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

He is a consuming fire—but he is that helpless baby.

He is the final judge—but he bore our punishment on the cross.

He is the one who wrote the law with his finger—but he is the high priest standing before the Father pleading his blood.

What child is this?

This, this, is Christ the king,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring him praise
The babe, the Son of Mary.