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Christmas 2008

It is truly stunning that God became flesh.

Who would have thought, the one who set the universe in motion, shaped it, selected planet earth in the milky way, filled it with glorious flora and fauna, placed his image bearers on it, granted them dominion, worked for their salvation despite their failings, would become flesh? Not just, a body (soma), but sarx, one with the creation.

He, the Creator of all things, became a part of his creation, to save it. He did not despise matter or the human body. He entwined himself completely with humanity, his DNA forged into Mary's ovum, and became a zygote, a foetus, an embryo and then the child Jesus.

And he did not enter the world as one might expect as a king, a man of power and glory, but as a powerless child of controversial circumstances in a humble Jewish home. What a story!

And who was it that recognised him? Not Caesar, or Herod. The Angels of course did, as they heralded his entry into his world. It was the humble shepherds, ironically for he would become the shepherd king. Anna, an elderly widow; and Simeon, an old man; at the temple. No Pharisees, Scribes or Sadducees were there. Yet there were also those from the east, magi, wise men, perhaps rulers, who came to bow down and lavish him with gifts. They were a foretaste of kings and the wise who would fall at his feet for the next 2000 years. What a story! It is glorious, breathtaking and inspiring.

And who would have imagined that this boy would grow in obscurity, burst onto the scene, not with political force and power, but as a healing preacher. He would touch the outcast, befriend the wicked, hang with unlovable. He wasn't interested in usurping Herod or Caesar, he was interested in serving. Who would have thought that he would be crucified, yet still be the king of the universe? Who would have thought he would rise from the dead? Who would have thought that he would divide history and become the centre of all thought. Who would have thought? What a story?

Who would have thought that a white guy, a decendent of Gaelics, English and Germans, a sixth generation Kiwi Europen, would believe in him? What is it that could cause a lost soul, drunken bum, sports-obsessed, fame-pursuing twit to turn to this Jewish carpenter of the small town of Nazareth, absolutely confident that in doing so, he would live forever with the God of the universe! Such things are beyond me. Happy Christmas everyone, and follow the incarnate King.

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