The King Has Come: A Christmas Meditation

Julbetraktelse

Galatians 4:4 and John 1:12

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

[The following is a careful translation of Gustaf Wingren's Swedish words from the manuscript. Where the handwriting is unclear, the text is left blank as instructed. No title is added beyond what appears, and no later moral is supplied. Pronouns follow the original: 'he' except where the text refers to a woman.]

When the time was fulfilled, God sent his Son. Born of a woman, born under the law. This is the Christmas message in its shortest form. The Son came into the world of human beings, under the conditions that hold for all who are born of woman. He came under the law, under the order that governs human life.

And to all who received him he gave power to become children of God. The gift is not forced. It is given to those who receive. The power to become children of God is given where the Son is received.

[Blank: several lines of the manuscript are difficult to read with certainty and are therefore left blank.]

The child in the manger is the Son sent by the Father. In him the fullness of time is present. Those who receive him receive the right to be children of God. This is not a right earned by human effort. It is given.

[Further portions of the page remain unclear and are left blank.]

Amen.