For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(That's from Isaiah, chapter nine. If you read the whole thing without thinking of G.F. Handel, then you've clearly never been involved in a performance of his sacred oratorio in three parts.)
Christmas is one of those times when it's especially obvious how far from the ideal we are. Instead of glory to God and on earth peace toward men of good will, we have, well, what we have. And yet if this God fellow is omnipotent, he foresaw even our continuing, exasperating and abundant imperfection when coming into the world.
If you know anything about children, or remember being one, you'll recall that certain gifts are easily broken. Against all sensible counsel, parents will give a child a gift, knowing that it will likely be destroyed. I suppose God's a bit like that.
Very intriguing last paragraph.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I certainly DID think of G.F. Handel when I read that excerpt from Isaiah. A curse and a blessing both.