Contrition

I feel such contrition, because it seems that I never thought that perhaps that was the reason that God entered time and space on this day Twenty Centuries ago…

Nativity (He Qi)

I have been reflecting on birthdays.  After all, today is the birthday of God Himself.

What a profound mystery that is!

How is it that a Being who is TIMELESS and ETERNAL made a decision to enter time and space (and enter it during such a difficult time and space).  After all, the Roman Empire was no lap of luxury – especially for a Jewish Man who was the Child of a craftsman…  There was no electricity, rudimentary running water, medicine was relatively primitive.  He could not even transport Himself around in a very efficient manner. 

Compare this to today…  If Christ were born today, we could have done so much and proved so much…  Firstly, we could have proved – scientifically – His paternity…  We would not merely have to believe His Word and the Word of the Angel and the Words of Scripture, we could have tested His DNA and PROVED that He had not Earthly father…  That in itself is surely something to marvel about in relation to the timing of the event…

But, that is not all.  Imagine a Christ who could jet around the world and share the Good News via the internet!  Imagine if Christ was able to “go viral” as they say.  Imagine, if He could “prove” His miracles with equipment like X-Ray machines and MRIs so that people could see these things in action rather than relying on reports from the healed.

But this is NOT what God chose.  Instead, God entered time and space twenty centuries ago.

And there must have been some reason for it…

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.’” (Matthew 1:18-23).And I have been reflecting on that with contrition.  Because it seems to me that Christ did not enter time and space now at this time when everything is so easy – relatively – because He allowed this easy part for a miserable soul like mine.  He entered when things were difficult so that He could work those wonders.  And He has left this easy bit for me.  I can travel quickly and tell people about Him.  I can spread the Word of God in a “viral” way by speaking about it and living it in my daily life.  And I can live my life for God.

And today – on Christmas – I feel such contrition, because it seems that I never thought that perhaps that was the reason that God entered time and space on this day Twenty Centuries ago…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.