[NOTE: This post contains minor spoilers for the plot of Rogue One. I think it's mostly what is widely known already but if you really don't want to know anything you may wish to wait until you see the film to read this...]
After a great
struggle, the Rogue One team succeeds in sending the plans back to the
Rebellion and the film ends with a data disc being handed to Princess Leia
Organa—which she will download into R2-D2 at the beginning of Episode IV.
As the soldier
hands the plans to Leia, he asks, “What have we given them?” Leia’s one-word answer is: “Hope.” That line has stuck with me this week as I
ponder the Christmas Story.
When Jesus was born, the world of his day was ruled by an Empire. Rome was the dominant power at the time; they
didn’t have a Death Star superweapon, but their military was the best in the world. No one could stand against them on the field
of battle. Anyone who tried and failed would face brutal retribution. Caesar’s
decree was the law of the land; no one questioned if there was a better way
since doing so could get you killed.
(Jesus would ultimately die at the hands of the Empire.) The Jewish people
were proud of their heritage; they clung to memories of their heroic past. While they had always been oppressed under a
series of Empires throughout history, Rome seemed particularly harsh—the
situation seemed particularly hopeless. The people lived Isaiah’s
prophecy. They “sat in darkness” waiting
for any sign of light. But with no words
from the Prophets since Malachi spoke over 400 years ago, “their fire had gone
out of the galaxy”. Or so it seemed…
And then it happened…. Against that backdrop, God launched what you might
call a “rebellion”, a daring operation that deployed a “team” into the heart of
Enemy-held territory to set in motion the plan that would set his People free. Try to imagine a “conversation” amongst the
Trinity as the time came to put their audacious plan into action.[1] Maybe it went something
like this…
Father: The Roman
Empire is oppressing my People terribly.
I’ve heard their cry as I did in the time of Moses. We cannot delay any longer. It’s time to put our plan to rescue the world
into action.
Holy Spirit: You mean Operation
Immanuel. That’s a rather bold
step. You are sure there is no other
option for us? You are sure the world is
ready for it?
Father: I think we all agreed that we’ve exhausted all
other options at this point. We’ve tried
personal communication, patriarchal families, holy nations, priests, and
prophets. You name it, we tried it. None
of them have worked as fully as we hoped.
We only have one option left. We
have to go there ourselves and be with them in every way—we have to become one of them. It’s time to send Immanuel.
Son: Excellent! It’s settled then; my time has come… It was
my destiny before the creation of all things to go and be with them. I will
go and make final preparations for my departure. [He gives
the Father a long hug before his departure.]
Father: Now we need to assemble our team: the “boots
on the ground” if you will, who will help us pull this thing off. Ironically, we’re fully Divine but in some
ways that limits us; this plan relies on human help—and lots of it—to succeed. Begin
by sending an angel to Zechariah. He is
to tell the Priest that his wife Elizabeth will soon give birth to a son who
fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy and “prepare the way” for the Son’s arrival. He should name him John. He’ll be a great prophet; a worthy “heir” to
Elijah.
Holy Spirit: You are
nothing if not consistent—the barren woman gives birth yet again. You do know Zechariah won’t be as accepting
as Sarah and Hannah were? He won’t want
to go against family tradition for naming his child easily. He plays by the Jewish rules.
Father: Well, he may take some convincing, but his
wife Elizabeth is the chosen one. Her womb
is not the only part of her ready to receive Us. She’s patiently endured the shame of
barrenness for long enough. It’s time
she is rewarded for remaining faithful all these years. And more importantly, she will be a good mentor
in mothering for her cousin Mary, another devout woman who walks with Us. I’ve chosen her to be the God-bearer. Alert Gabriel that he’s got another mission
coming up.
Holy Spirit: There were so
many choices on that list. Why Mary? Not the strongest resume: poor, young, unmarried? It could cause a scandal—or worse—if not
handled carefully… Do you really think
she is ready to be “mother of God”?
Father: Well, who is truly ready for that kind of calling? But Mary is firmly rooted in Us; that will be
her biggest asset on this journey. Yes,
she will struggle to accept this at first but ultimately she will trust and
obey… And we all know Gabriel can be quite
convincing when he needs to be. We’ll
also send him to her fiancé Joseph to confirm the message that Mary receives. I’m sure he will need some convincing too.
Holy Spirit: Yes. He
might not be thrilled with this news either but he’s key to the plan’s success. He has to be there to support Mary—and the
Son will be fully human at that point, so he’ll need a good father too. I’m
sure this isn’t what Joseph has mapped out for his life.
Father: It will stretch him to be the “stepfather of
God” to be sure but he too is up for the challenge… Okay
then, we’re all set. Now, after that we’ll
need some witnesses.
Holy Spirit: Would you like to summon King Herod? Maybe
the High Priest Caiaphas?
Father: No.
They would probably turn Us down anyway.
Too busy doing important things to listen; too concerned about soiling their
robes at the manger. And anyway, we’re
keeping this operation low key. Inside
their palace and temple, they might not even notice the summons. In fact, most people will be too preoccupied
to notice. I’m kind of counting on that,
actually…
The ones with
eyes that see will see; the ones with
ears that hear will hear.
I have in mind some shepherds near Bethlehem to have the angels visit. Living out on the outskirts of the civilized
world, working day after day in the fields tending their sheep, they are in the
perfect place to “see” and “hear” Us when we come.
Holy Spirit: Shepherds huh? I
should have known they’d be involved. Just like when we summoned David to be king
all those years ago. We’re nothing if not consistent. Always the least likely heroes. I guess we learned our lesson with Saul.
God: Hey, technically Saul wasn’t our choice. We gave the people exactly what they asked
for. For the record, we tried to warn them through Samuel. Anyway,
I digress; back to the plan. How are we coming
on trying to find some “outsiders” to witness the birth?
Holy Spirit: That was a little more difficult but I think
I have found the perfect choice. They may
not call Us by the same name, but they do call Us. They are also in tune with the Universe so
when they see the “star” they’ll be curious about it, prone to wonder, and
desiring to follow wherever it leads.
That should lead them here in a couple of years.
God: Perfect.
He’ll be back in Nazareth by then… Okay.
Let’s see. We have our players: Zecariah,
Elizabeth, and their son John, Mary and Joseph, shepherds, wise men, and of
course we’ll send some angels to herald the birth. But just
a small group though. Humans struggle to
greet one angel much less a Legion. Have Gabriel select a few of his best to send.
Holy Spirit: Okay. Will do... I
still think it’s risky to send him as an infant. Is there a more fragile creature in all of creation than a human baby? What does this give them again?
God: We’ve been
over this before. In a word—it gives
them HOPE. It gives them the promise that
comes with each new birth—human potential released into the world and
succeeding against all odds like Isaiah’s image of a sapling coming up from the
dry Root of Jesse. Like a rock at the
top of a hill set into motion and picking up speed as it goes, this birth will
light a spark of hope in the dark that fan a flame of hope. The flame may wax and wane throughout the
years, and they’ll be moments when it seems dark, but the smoldering wick will never be fully quenched. The lullaby of hope sung at the manger will echo
into Eternity…
Most of all, this birth
is a reminder to humanity that We are all-in
with them.
[1] I’m not sure what a “conversation” among the Trinity
would really sound like; I doubt it involves language we would recognize or
words we know. I’m anthropomorphizing here
for the purposes of this creative exercise.
