The Paradox of Christmas
Topic: Faith
G. K. Chesterton once quipped: “Paradox is truth standing on her head to attract attention.” Consider the many paradoxes bound up in the Christmas story…
“Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son. Oh, the wonder of Christmas.”
That was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He describes paradoxes much better than I do.
But actually it really doesn’t require poetic genius or piercing insight to detect the riddles of Christmas. Just consider the story again, taking care not to rush over its magnificent irony.
Like a star exploding, the glory of God bursts over a group of shepherds as a whole host of angels heralds the good news of the New Born King. But when the shepherds make their way to Bethlehem to see this awe–inspiring thing that has happened, they find that they have to push their way through a crowded stable to catch their first peek of the Fulfillment Of All The Promises Of God.
If the inn was packed by the time Joseph and Mary arrive, we can imagine that the stable was maxed out as well. Think of the stench and the humidity of all the barn animals and all the beasts of burden with out–of–state license plates.
Yes, this is the environment in which the Son of the Most High God makes his appearance. He’s wrapped in cloths and placed in the kind of box from which cows and donkeys eat their dinner.