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One evening as I drove through my neighborhood, I was surprised by what I saw. Every giant Frosty the Snowman, Santa and Wiseman was lying flat on its back or looking very dejected. Someone wielding a sharp instrument had slashed and deflated the decorations. A neighborhood scandal was afoot. Other scandals that I notice is how “Merry Christmas” is viewed as culturally insensitive, and has been replaced by “Happy Holidays;” and nativity scenes are outlawed while our tax dollars are sometimes used for immoral purposes. The backstory to Christmas is no less scandalous nor is God who brings his love story to us.

Consider the Christmas story, Mary an unmarried virgin, is pregnant and miraculously is carrying the Son of God. She is the focus of gossip, misunderstanding and public disgrace and would certainly be on the cover of today’s tabloids. God comes to the vulnerable and shamed. Jesus is born in a stable, next to livestock and manure. We would consider that appalling by today’s standards. As he matures, Jesus associates with the lowlifes, breaks cultural convention and makes paradoxical statements that leave his disciples shaking their heads in disbelief--“to find your life, you must lose it.” Eventually, he dies as a criminal for crimes he never committed on a crucifix between two common thieves. Jesus serves the sentence for us, a people whose lives are an undeserving mess. He blots out our crimes and allows us to go free. Jesus is buried in an unmarked tomb and is raised from the dead. He brings His message of love, hope and forgiveness, telling His disciples that an eternity awaits where every desire is sated, every disease healed and the past is reconciled for those who realize the state of their hearts and believe in the scandalous gospel. In our chaotic and anxiety filled world, a foretaste of heaven is now available. To our regrets, guilt and anxiety the gospel speaks:

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1);

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full (John 15:11);

I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give (John 14:27).

Do not be afraid, the angel tells the trembling shepherds. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

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