“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1, 14a

Who would imagine the Creator of humanity clothing Himself with humanity because He wants to be as close as possible to you and me. An old song asks, “What if God was one of us?” Didn’t He already answer that?

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

Who would imagine God humbling Himself for the purpose of saving us from ourselves and adopting us into a new humanity – a higher humanity, that’s more closely knit together because we all recognize each other as His children?

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:10-11

Who would imagine so many rejecting such an offer?

“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.” Luke 1:51-53

Who would imagine Him subverting this world’s systems by encapsulating all that power in the womb of a yet-to-be-wed young mother?

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.’” Luke 2:8-10

Who would imagine angels bypassing all the religious, political, business, and military leaders to make such a momentous announcement to a lowly group of shepherds in the countryside?

“And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS. . . they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. . . and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” Luke 2:21-24

Who would imagine that the King of kings and Lord of lords would entrust Himself to a couple who could only afford the sacrificial offering of the poor at his dedication?

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

Who would imagine religious outsiders being moved by the spiritual importance of a star pointing the way to Jerusalem, while the city’s inhabitants merely turned over in their sleep?

“And when he [Herod] had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet. . . For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Matthew 2:4-6

Who would imagine religious scholars identifying where the Messiah would be born and having a sign confirm the time has come, yet lacking enthusiasm for the main event they’ve been studying and preaching?

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.” Matthew 2:16

Who would imagine a grown man in such a powerful position could be so insecure as to order the wholesale slaughter of babies to fend off the possibility of a future threat?

“And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.    His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.” Revelation 12:3-4

Who would imagine a heavenly angel becoming such a delusional adversary of God that he would use earthly empires to war against God and motivate Herod to kill the Christ child? Who would have imagined that Christians would later align themselves with empire and morph into this thing called Christendom?

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. . . and His name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:11-13

Who would imagine not wanting to be on Jesus’ side in the end?

By Carl McRoy