Christmas as Paradox

Christmas is just a few days away, and I think I'd decided that Christmas is, in its heart a paradox. A baby is born to us, a child given to us, who is poor and helpless and at the same time unimaginably powerful. From "We Three Kings:"

Glorious now, behold him arise,
King and God and sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Worship him, God most high.

The paradox, too, lies in the time of year chosen for Christmas. It's a story about hope, and about beginnings, but we retell it at the darkest time of the year:

Star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Christmas is paradoxically a time of both generosity and greed. It's a time when a limitless God becomes a limited human. When the distant and untouchable becomes human and specific. When we celebrate with joy, but remember that the world is not as it should be. When we sing for peace, but remember war.

Finally, a verse from one of my new favorite Christmas hymns:

Who would think that what was needed to redeem and save the earth
Might not be a plan or army, proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think despite derision, that a child would lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven, come to earth on Christmas day.

May the many blessings of Christmas be yours.

Amy