Advent: December 10 – Becoming Guilty

Come now, let us argue it out,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

Because Jesus took on the guilt of all people, anyone who takes responsibility for others also becomes guilty. Those who try to avoid responsibility for this shared guilt separate themselves from the true reality of human life. They also separate themselves from the saving mystery of Jesus Christ, who bore guilt without sin, and they lose the chance to share in the divine justification that comes through him.

Such people prioritize their personal innocence above their responsibility for others. They fail to see the unhealed guilt they bring upon themselves by doing so. They also do not understand that true innocence is shown when, out of love for others, it chooses to share in their guilt.

Through Jesus Christ, we learn that responsible action includes this truth: the sinless and selflessly loving take on the guilt of others.

In eight days, we shall celebrate Christmas and now for once let us make it really a festival of Christ in our world.… It is not a light thing to God that every year we celebrate Christmas and do not take it seriously. His word holds and is certain. When he comes in his glory and power into the world in the manger, he will put down the mighty from their seats, unless ultimately, ultimately they repent.

Sermon to a London church on the third
Sunday of Advent, December 17, 1933ath.

^{Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. God Is in the Manger : Reflections on Advent and Christmas. Louisville, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, 2012.}