The Glocal Church

As we enter the final days leading to Christmas day, I have asked myself, over and over…Why did He do it? Why did Jesus leave a perfect Heaven and surrender his majesty to be born of a poor virgin girl, and a man of simple means. Born in, of all places, a cold cave, filled with the filthy smell of farm animals and laid in a feeding trough to sleep…I cannot keep asking myself “why.”

Don’t get me wrong, I know why, in my mind and in my heart. I am a seminary trained and an ordained minister of the Gospel…I know why…However, as I explore the deepest expanse of my heart that one word question “Why” still resonates within me.

As I have been reading the various cards from those who love me and my family and who send wonderful tidings of joy, I still ask find myself asking “Why.”

I believe I found the answer best expressed in the words of author John Piper. Piper captured the essence of the answer to my one word question in the title, and in the the pages of his book Looking for the Consolation of Israel. The one word question “Why?” can be answered with a one word answer, “Consolation.” I know when most of us hear the word consolation, we think of a parting game show gift. That, however, is a poor and skewed understanding of this powerful word, and its answer to my one word question.

Piper wrote: “Jesus was born, the voice of God became flesh and dwelt among us. And what the voice said was, ‘Console, console my people.’ The consolation that God’s anger is past…the consolation that our heavenly Father has a tender affection for us in our weakness…the consolation that our sins are pardoned and ’cast into the depths of the sea’ (Micah 7:19)”

What an incredible God we serve!

Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the “consolation” of our wonderful God and savior Jesus!