This Christmas Eve, I thought it would be useful to share a simple thought: that God trusts us.
Orthodox Christianity is very explicit about this – God became incarnate and accessible to us through the birth of an infant human child.
Newborns can do nothing for themselves: they are vulnerable and rely totally upon those who love them for protection, for sustenance, and for life itself.
Jesus and the entire plan and hope represented by the Virgin Birth would never have come to fruition if his parents had not cared for him, fed him, educated him and loved him. If they had failed to do so, nothing else would have saved him, or us.
So, God became vulnerable to us through the birth of Christ. God trusted us to take care of the babe and so ensure the fulfillment of God’s plan.
In other words, God trusts humanity – for all its flaws and failings – to do the right thing, and to accomplish the mission. Even more importantly, God believes that you are ultimately good – because a creature that is inherently evil would never be entrusted with God’s child.
Therefore, God knows you are lovable. God values you. God believes in you, and is willing to risk everything based on that belief.
God trusts you…
Have a Blessed Christmas.
… And as my fellow North Central College Alum, Bruce Nesmith, said in response to these thoughts: “Maybe in 2015 we can trust our best selves more.”
Copyright (c) 2014, Allen Vander Meulen III, all rights reserved. I’m happy to share my writings with you, as long as proper credit for my authorship is given. (e.g., via a credit that gives my full name and/or provides a link back to this site – or just email me and ask!)
The Here and the Hereafter 
Allen Vander Meulen, Jr. tells me, after reading this, that he admires you and finds this a very good and moving statement. Good theology behind it! I liked it, too!
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It is an extraordinary piece for the season. It goes to the very heart of God unfolding in human history to be part of all of creation. It is a very pastoral statement of God’s true relationship with man and woman. It is also a reflection of Mary and Joseph carry for God in love as he cares for us. WOW……RJC
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