It's been far too long since
my last post on 99 Reasons for Faith. Nevertheless, I press on to list 99 reasons knowing that there are far more...today's reason: The Christmas Story.
The Christmas story is an
introduction to a fantastic epic story that is compelling in its content, unfolding
and implications. Think about it - all of humanity is imprisoned by a lethal
and nefarious infection that brings depravity, death and darkness. A compassionate and
wise supreme being condescends from infinite perfection to take on humanity as
an essential part of his identity. He subjects himself to all the tedium and
hardship of human life, fulfills all the ideals expected from mankind,
demonstrates his divinity through his life, miracles and teaching and
offers this common and unique life up in sacrifice, all as the final cure
for the destructive plague and all its effects. And then three days later, he
rises from death to eternal life as the prototype for a new humanity. Pretty
epic stuff.
And the introduction of the
story, the Christmas story, is intriguing just by itself – a visit by an angel,
a virgin with child, a birth in a barn, worship by an army of spiritual beings, a promise of a the Savior for all, a grand announcement to mere working class common people first
not last, a visit from foreign astrologer-nobles, a murderous king, a flight to
Egypt and so on… It certainly makes for good reading, countless Christmas
pageants and innumerable re-tellings throughout the past two millennia.
I think the gravity of this
story, both in its literary weight and its historical implications, is a
legitimate reason for faith. Yes, a good story isn’t necessarily a true story.
But true and epic stories are often good stories. Wouldn't it be likely that
the truest and most epic story be the best story?
Something to consider this
Christmas season. Merry Christmas!
