Stranger Than Fiction

One of the delightful traditions the Crabtree family has enjoyed down through the years is the re-enactment of the Christmas story as the entire clan gathers at our house for a time of feasting and fun. Using a "harmony" of the gospels (a chronological retelling of the life of Christ that borrows from all four gospel writers), I recite the story of the events surrounding the birth of Christ while the grandchildren, selecting their favorite character from our kid-friendly nativity set, role-play each person (or creature) in the story. In years past, a climactic scene was the sudden appearance of Baby Jesus from beneath the skirt of a paper-machete mother Mary! A much-coveted role each year is that of the arch angel announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, especially when the "glory of the Lord shone 'round about them" (complete with special effects created by wildly waving a pen light above sheep made of cotton balls). Between narrations (that rival the baritone recitations of Alexander Scourby :-) we join in singing Christmas carols appropriate to that segment of the story, assisted by a sing-along video displayed on the TV above the creche scene. Over the years the presentation has become quite a production which the entire family thoroughly enjoys.

I have to admit, however, that we do take some liberties in retelling the story. For example, we compress the time between Jesus' birth and the visit of the Magi (which was likely at least two years after His birth and probably not at the stable in which He was born). We also edit out those parts of the story that are disturbing to us -- routinely eliminating the narrative about king Herod's slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem under age 2. (Matt 2:16)

The full story of the incarnation of God in the form of a human embryo, then as the babe in a manger and ultimately as the willing human sacrifice to redeem a lost generation is magnificent and awe-inspiring... but also terrifying. Terrifying as it exposes the awful cost of my sin, the inescapable reality of my responsibility and accountability before a holy God, and the terrible consequences of ignoring His overtures of love and forgiveness. Parallel to the story of God's mercy and grace is the story of evil as an active force in the world that we must not underestimate.

The tension between the ideal and the real is nowhere more palpable to me than in this ongoing battle with malignant melanoma. In recent weeks I have seen the progression of the cancer in a number of ways (visible, palpable and painful metastases, progressive fatigue and muscle weakness, worsening headaches, persistent episodes of scintillating scotoma, etc.), in spite of ongoing radiation and chemotherapy. In the midst of this battle, I am not overwhelmed or overcome, nor am I naive to the very real possibility of my imminent physical demise.

But because of God's intervention in human history 2000 years ago when He took on the frail frame of a man and showed us how to live an overcoming life in the midst of a sinful and imperfect world, I have every confidence in the ultimate victory and in His provision for those I love. Stranger than fiction, the story of Jesus points out both the reality and ultimate solution for the problem of evil in the world.

May you, too, know that victory --
Dr Dan