I have problems with the US Post Office this time of year, and it’s not just the long lines. It’s some of those stamps that make me question the big picture. Fundamentally, I believe in the First Amendment in our country’s Constitution which states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…”. The separation of church and state. I happen to be a Christian who lives in this country, but this nation does not ‑‑ and should not ‑‑ have to give any allegiance to my form of faith. So why put a picture of Mary and the infant Jesus by Bachiacca on a stamp with “U.S.A.” and “Forever” imprinted over them? Furthermore, it seems cheapening to pay that small amount for a miniature print of a masterpiece, suitable for affixing to the envelope of your choice. The artwork itself is antithetical to the biblical themes of Advent and Christmas. Too sterile and surreal. Too clean to be honest; too good to be true to the poverty and homeless condition of the terribly young couple from Nazareth forced by the state to go to Bethlehem to be enrolled. The town was so crowded that there wasn’t a place to stay. The barn had to do.
Do you begin to see some of the contradictions at work? The state ‑‑ Rome in the First Century ‑‑ imposes its religion. The only king is Caesar. Then sets out to shove the Jews from hither to yon, at the state’s whim. Rather than being artistically glorified, the Madonna and Child were victims of inconsiderate and impersonal political convenience. They were helpless immigrants. And homeless aliens. And hopeless, save in their convictions of faith that somehow knew that no matter who ruled the kingdoms, Jehovah God would have the final word. Little did they realize that that word would come in this situation.
That Word did become flesh. Dwelt here with the likes of us, except his was a world of poverty; no place to lay his head until he leaned finally against a Roman cross and was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.
Our faith always demands that our ultimate loyalty and trust be in our belief that the kingdoms of this world will have their day, but the Kingdom of God is always underground quietly becoming a place of peace and love. No matter where we might live on this globe, or under what flag, we’d best pledge our primary allegiance to the same Jehovah God who managed in the unseemliness of a manger to be born and have an “official holiday” named in honor of the occasion. The God who makes all our days holy and whose rule extends beyond the borders of any nation or empire.