Into the Chaos

Nº 336

January 7, 2025

Christ took upon himself this human form of ours. He became Man even as we are men. In his humanity and his lowliness we recognize our own form. He has become like a man so that men should be like him.- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

My most poignant reflection of Christmas 2024 is a ramshackle house on the outskirts of town. In the center of overgrown bushes, piles of debris, broken bicycles, stacks of flowerpots, tangled garden hose, and broken-down lawnmower, directly in front of the sagging porch stood an almost life-sized Christmas creche.

There in the middle of the chaos and confusion, at the center of disorder and despair were Mary, Joseph, a few sheep, and baby Jesus.

The Son of God did not come into a serene world of peace, order, and symmetry. He left all that behind to enter a context of turmoil and pain. He came to ransom the hopeless and helpless. He willingly left the throne room of heaven to live among us, to enter a world filled with piles of anxiety, poverty, disease, injustice, and war.

John tells us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Against the backdrop of the disorganized refuse piles that clutter this world, the image of Christmas shines in all its glory – full of grace and truth. Because of that, Happy New Year.

Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries