Malthus' Twisted Logic and The Denial of Womanhood
Christmas, Suffering, and Mercy
Photo By: Flickr/Don McCullough
If you're hurting this Christmas, you have a God who gets it.
Some Christians labor under the misunderstanding that God is about making things “nice” for us. While God does desire our lasting happiness, his mercy is not about making things easy. Contrary to what proponents of the “prosperity Gospel” propose, "good people" face devastation and suffering in life. In his mercy, God has not promised us a rose garden; he has promised us Salvation.
As we look upon Nativity scenes in homes and front yards, we remember that the gentle creator of the universe has broken into history as a vulnerable, impoverished, baby boy. We recall that the Wise Men brought him gifts, including myrrh, a rather uncomfortable spiritual foreshadowing of his death. What is revealed here is that we can’t look upon Christ in the manger without also seeing Christ on the cross; without his passion, death and resurrection, his birth is no more significant than yours or mine.
Why did the all-powerful God leap into history?
To be a true, good king and bear witness to the truth (John 18:37)
To be a light in the darkness (John 12:46)
To give life in abundance (John 10:10)
To manifest God’s love (1 John 4:10)
To seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
To heal sinners (Mark 2:27)
To give his life as a ransom (Matthew 20:28)
To send us the Holy Spirit (John 14:6)
To save the world (John 3:16-18)
Ultimately, the most important thing that this helpless baby born in Bethlehem would do, would be to free us from the fear of one thing we fear most: death. You see, only the author of the universe can do the impossible. Only the one who ordered all things in love and created reality as we know it can cheat death by forgiving sins and restoring life.
If you're hurting this Christmas, you have a God who gets it. Know that you're not alone. The light that pierced the darkness has not yet been overcome by it. And neither shall you be overcome.
This is what Christmas is about.
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About the Author
Jennifer Edwards studied Biblical Theology at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Seton Hall University. She has developed and facilitated a number of programs and materials for the advancement of the New Evangelization, including Bible Studies, Retreats, Family Outreaches, and Children's, Teen and Adult Faith Formation curriculums. She has also managed Music, Liturgical, and Faith Formation programs at various parishes. She is currently a freelance writer, speaker, and pastoral consultant, who is blessed to be able to work from home in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York as she raises four children with her husband of 15 years. For information, please contact Jennifer at: mybroomtree@gmail.com.
