O Little Verse

"...[He] gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager—energized—to do what is good."—Titus 2:14

This little verse probably won't show up in most Christmas pageants and candlelight services, but maybe it should. It's the Bethlehem story in all of its fullness: God with us, because He is for us, wants to dwell in us, so He can flow through us.

We need still-life creches and Nativity scenes as a reminder to slow down in the chaos of the season and ponder the wonder of something so miraculous and history-making. But at the same time, this little verse is a reminder that the story is so active and timeless, it almost shouts at everything but the Babe in your still-life creche or Nativity scene: “You have no idea how awfully-triumphantly wonderful this scene is going to play out for millions upon millions upon millions.”

Wait, Easter? Most people don't like to rush through one season to get to the next, unless it's a New England winter. But A Very Titus Christmas isn't trying to do that. Instead, here is the fantastic tension of the now of Bethlehem and the not yet of the glories to come. It's an explosive reminder that on a silent night also came the dramatic downbeat of full-on Redemption. It is the best good news ever given, and probably explains the volume of the multitude of angels as they hovered over shepherds in a field: God fully committed to regaining possession of His kids in a very troubled world, in exchange for the payment of His only Son’s life willingly given, clearing a debt none of us could possibly pay on our own.

But the Titus Christmas account is one more thing: a reminder that just as the Bible is full of good and powerful surprises in sometimes unlikely places, it's good whenever we can this season to find the gold that's in the third, fourth, and sometimes sixth verses of some of our favorite Christmas carols:

• "O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things, far and nigh; To us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her ways to go." (O Come, O Come Emmanuel, verse 3)
• "No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found." (Joy to the World, verse 3)
• "Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word that should set Thy people free; but with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn, they bore Thee to Calvary...O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee!" (Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, verse 4)
• "Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild, He lays His glory by; born that man no more may die; born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth." (Hark the Herald, verse 3)
• "Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord that hath made heaven and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought." (The First Noel, verse 6)

And for many, perhaps this littlest of verses resounds the most right about now, and is worth singing like never before...

"And ye beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low; who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow; Look now! For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing." (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, verse 3)...

...That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang, “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.” (Luke 2: 8-14, Living)

"Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. It is love, God’s limitless love enfleshing that love into the form of a human being, Jesus, the Christ, fully human and fully divine. Was there a moment, known only to God, when all the stars held their breath, when the galaxies paused in their dance for a fraction of a second, and the Word, who had called it all into being, went with all His love into the womb of a young girl, and the universe started to breathe again, and the ancient harmonies resumed their song, and the angels clapped their hands for joy?"—Madeleine L'Engle