Former Yale chaplain and seminary president John W. Vannorsdall writes that for him “one of the meanings of Christmas is that God does not want to hurt me, or you.”
In spite of the fact that “God must watch his whales die, and our submarines increase,” God comes to us with the message of love, not wrath. “That’s why it seems so remarkable to me that when God comes to speak God’s Word to us, that Word becomes a child.
A child announced by singing, not by thunder. A child born by lamplight in silent night, rather than a Word which shakes the mountains, pouring rivers of unstoppable fire down every side. The Word becomes a child, which can be received and cannot hurt us: a Word which does not make us afraid.
I am prepared for the anger of God, and believe that God has a right to wrath. What is so amazing is that when God comes among us, whatever God’s hurt and indignation, God comes not with violence but with love, even as a child vulnerable to our further hurt.”
I hope that you enjoy this very meaningful and beautiful meditation as much as I do.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year