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And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11, ESV).
In anticipation of Christmas, I’m sharing thoughts from a series of devotionals that Detrich Bonhoeffer wrote while imprisoned for his faith in Nazi Germany. Obviously in a horrible situation and yet he has joy; let’s read his thoughts and gain insights for joy in our trials …
“The coming of God is truly not only a joyous message, but is, first, frightful news for anyone who has a conscience. And only when we have felt the frightfulness of the matter can we know the incomparable favor. God comes in the midst of evil, in the midst of death, and judges the evil in us and in the world. And in judging it, he loves us, he purifies us, he sanctifies us, he comes to us with his grace and love. He makes us happy as only children can be happy.
“Who among us can celebrate Christmas correctly? The answer: whoever lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism in front of the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in His lowliness.”
After reading the above two paragraphs consider these questions: Why can’t we find joy in pride, power, or possessions but in humility? How can we humble ourselves today? Now let’s consider how we find victory and eternal joy. The following thoughts from Bonhoeffer …
“In our lives we don’t speak readily of victory. It is too big a word for us. We have suffered too many defeats in our lives; victory has been thwarted again and again by our weaknesses, too many gross sins. But isn’t it true that the spirit within us yearns for this word, for the final victory over the sin and anxious fear of death in our lives?
“God’s word also says nothing about total victory on earth; it doesn’t promise us that we will be completely victorious over sin and death; rather, it says with all its might that someone has won this victory, and that this person, if we have him as Lord, will also win the victory over us. It is not we who are victorious, but Jesus.”
Okay, read the above two paragraphs again and then consider, “Do I have peace knowing that I don’t have to be victorious and that Jesus has already won the victory?”
The mystery of Christmas is the incarnate birth — or God in flesh — eternality in a body that died, almightiness reduced to flesh, and glory dimmed by servanthood. We can’t understand this birth; it’s beyond our comprehension, but even without complete knowledge, we can still experience a joy that only a child born of a virgin can give. Like Detrich Bonhoeffer in his prison, knowing this child brings joy despite impossible situations on earth.
Amen. Peace out!