Ever notice the dire warnings concerning a promised visit from Ole' Saint Nick? "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake" and if that wasn't enough, he's aware of good and bad behaviour and rewards both accordingly. By refusing to maintain a passing grade of exemplary deeds throughout the preceding 12 months, chances of the jolly gentleman emptying his sack into your stocking are next to nil. Now lest you fear I've lost my theological sanity, I am aware of the true meaning of Christmas.
This week my thoughts have been directed to Mary and Joseph and their roles in the heavenly narrative. Consider this: Joseph not only received messages from God via angelic visitations, he was willing to pay the price of obeying them. Although so often seen as a passive player, he was a man of incredible moral uprightness, willing to temporarily forego his nuptial rights to allow the plan of God to be worked through his bride.
Then there was Mary. As a mother, I can only imagine the times she might have craved Joseph's affection and yet, like him, was willing to wait on the timeline of God's plan. What I can't imagine is that approximately one-week trip to Bethlehem, astride a donkey while heavily pregnant, or the thought of wrapping her precious child and putting him in a wooden trough used to feed barnyard animals.
What's all that got to do with a rotund figure attempting to slither down a chimney? Nothing, really, and yet I marvel at how He knows if I've been bad or good and loves me just the same. Because Mary obeyed, because Joseph yielded his legitimate desires to his God and because Jesus left heaven's glory to be born to die, God's grace covers my sin.
"Behold what manner of love....!"
