Fourth Monday of Advent 2025: Romans

 Romans 1:1-7 

Paul's greeting to the church at Rome 

1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 

1:2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 

1:3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 

1:4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 

1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name, 

1:6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 

1:7 To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This is the week we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Anointed One. The mystery of mysteries, the Incarnation, God become flesh to live among us. Well, that’s what we’re supposed to celebrate, in church. Truth is, even the descendants of the Puritans who wanted to keep Xmas out of the New World, were overwhelmed in the South by the Anglicans who got there first and left a deep mark. Despisers of “Romish” idolatry and graven images who prefer an empty cross and stained glass, if any, to be just pretty colors, will be the first to reach for the robes and sandals and usher in the live animals for a “living” nativity on Xmas Eve. They don’t even know they are recalling the mystery plays of the Middle Ages, when the Catholic Church was the only game in town, and the plays were an aid to an illiterate populace who couldn’t read the gospels at home if they had a copy. 

And they’ll put up nativities in the worship space, without so much as a “Thank you” to St. Francis. Idols! Graven images! Not this week. 

Nativities that will put Matthew’s Magi (the traditional 3; although the Greek Orthodox tradition, I’m told, has 12. Are they wrong? Or are we?) in the barn (where else would animals be?) with the animals and the shepherds (and a sheep or two, to prove it), and probably angels and certainly a star. 🌟 And nobody will ask: was it always this way?

Paul says not:

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 

1:2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 

1:3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 

1:4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 

That, by the way, is a lesson in how you introduce yourself. But look at v. 4: “and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,” Not by the angel in a dream to Joseph (who intervened with Joseph so the world would not have its way; not the last time that happens in Matthew’s nativity); nor at Gabriel’s visit to Mary (Luke actually pushes it back by including John’s father as the first person told).  Not as the logos of John. Not even at the baptism, in Mark; the public announcement of Jesus’ status that begins his ministry and teachings. No, says Paul, divinity of the Anointed One began at the resurrection. Even the life of Jesus barely enters into it, except as he was faithful unto death; and, hence, the resurrection is where it all began.

So what is this doing in our Advent liturgy?

(Yeah, I know. It ain’t over, ‘til it’s over. The New Yorker puzzle issue was disappointing, so I’m taking it out on you. Or I think I can finish my thought with the gospel reading. We’ll see. But don’t go under on the magazine disappointment. I really enjoyed the puzzle issue before this one.))