By Rebecca Stoltzfus, president
Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)
The wonder of Christmas is the wonder of God descending. God becoming personal. God meeting us here, on earth, in the flesh. Christmas is an intimate day.
Our Christmas text from the letter to the Hebrews explains that to bring us into glory, God had to be made like us, fully human in every way, in order that God might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Because God himself suffered when tempted, God is able to help those who are being tempted.
Teresa of Avila, who led a monastic movement in the 16th century, wrote, “What a marvelous thing, that God who would fill a thousand worlds and many more with grandeur, would enclose Godself in something so small! And God wanted to enclose Godself in the womb of a Mother . . . . Since God loves us God adapts Godself to our size.”*
On this Christmas day, I hope that each of us might feel the love of God intimately and personally. I hope that each of us might realize that every human moment of this day is sacred– even the awkward moments. Today, as we tell stories of stars and angels, let us remember that God was the baby, “fully human in every way.” Whatever our human experience this Christmas day, God is with us. God loves us, and is here to help us.
*The words of Teresa of Avila were edited for inclusive language.
Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV)
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” 13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”
14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.