A child has been born for us, to us a son is given. My theology is often focused on how human beings ought to engage God-how we act, how we serve, how we worship, what we believe. This is because I think the most important question that human beings need to answer is ‘what shall I do’ in relationship to the world around us. Also, I usually feel like the attempt to fill the ineffable mystery of our creator with specific content is a dangerous practice, one that leads to creating God in our own image.
However, it is worth remembering that the heart of the Christmas story is not us doing things for God, but God doing things for us. A child is born for us. A son is given to us. This is at its heart a story of God at work, caring for the world, working out our salvation in partnership with humanity, with concern and tender mercy. This does not mean that we don't have to work at it-sometimes gifts can be a lot of work-take a new puppy on Christmas morning. Christmas asks us to become disciples of this child born for us, Jesus of Nazareth. But this is a story of God at work. God has broken the yoke of the oppressor, God has increased the nation’s joy, it is the zeal of the Lord of hosts that will do this, not our zeal.
It is in this context that we get what is my favorite list of Jesus’ titles (written before his birth of course, in the same way that the Queen of England was crowned with a list of titles that predated her.)*
The poetry is my favorite part of this list-I think it flows off the tongue nicely, and I’ve always been a fan of these sorts of dramatic lists. (This pattern of poetry translates fairly well in the Hebrew if you’re curious) but I also think the roles here are significant. In particular, thinking about Jesus’ role as counselor, as guide for life and practice, and as prince of peace, the one who points to a new way of solving conflicts and engaging reality seem most pertinent. This vision from Isaiah is one where warfare is no longer a useful mechanism to solve conflict, because people experience God’s justice and righteousness, and follow the prince of peace. I know that is too much to ask for Christmas, but I’m glad for the gift that is the chance to follow the ways of peace set out by a wonderful counselor, and mighty God.
*Her list at coronation: Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith, Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich, Duke of Lancaster, Lord of Mann, Duke of Normandy, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Garter, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order, Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Sovereign of the Order of British India, Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Burma, Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII, Sovereign of the Order of Mercy, Sovereign of the Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, Sovereign of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. (according to Wikipedia)
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