When Christmas Isn't All Nice and Neat

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham." -Hebrews 2:14-16

I got to church a little bit early this morning. While searching the hood for a parking spot that did not require I parallel park, I came across this...

If you're wondering what I took the picture of....stop looking, there really isn't much there. It's just a typical vacant lot littered with trash, a common sight in this part of the city. But, I got to thinking, Jesus was in heaven and then, he came down into this. He came down into the trash and emptiness of this world, both literally and metaphorically. That's radical. God in flesh. Perfection coming into the mess of a sin-stricken world. That's messed up. Can we celebrate that this Christmas!?! Let's not only rejoice, but also recognize how sorrowful this must have been for Christ to come as us. The reality of Christmas isn't all nice and neat and pretty at all. It's kind of twisted (if I'm allowed to say that), it was the start of a long trek to the cross. I think that's humbling for us in a society that treats it as a feel-good trip and economy booster.