Bonhoeffer is up in my advent/christmas devotional readings (Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas--I highly recommend). And what a powerful reminder of why this is my favorite season--it is not all sugar and nice, but terror, honesty, and real hope.
Why terror? Bonhoeffer: "We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us. The coming of God is not only glad tidings but first of all frightening news to everyone who has a conscience. Only when we have felt the terror of the matter, can we recognize the incomparable kindness. God comes into the very midst of evil and death, and judges the evil in us and in the world."
Only a god who judges and condemns can also love truly and save.
Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus. Make of this earth your new creation.
Anon and peace,
Chris
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