Author: Nate Korpi

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
John 3:16–21

When God chooses Mary as the way to come into the world in the manger at Bethlehem, it is not a peaceful, family story. Instead, it marks the start of a complete transformation—a reordering of everything on earth. If we want to take part in this Advent and Christmas story, we cannot just sit back like spectators at a theater, enjoying the beautiful scenes. We must become part of the action and allow ourselves to be drawn into this great reversal of all things. In this story, every spectator is also a participant. We cannot stay on the sidelines.

Who are we joining in this action? The humble shepherds kneeling before the child? The wise kings bringing their gifts? What is really happening here, where Mary becomes the mother of God and God enters the world in the humble setting of a manger?

It is nothing less than the judgment and redemption of the whole world. The Christ child in the manger carries both judgment and redemption. He brings down the proud and powerful, overturns their thrones, and humbles the arrogant. By his mighty arm, he demonstrates power over the strong. Yet, in his mercy, he lifts up the lowly and makes them great and glorious.

Close to you I waken in the dead of night,
And start with fear—are you lost to me once more?
Is it always vainly that I seek you, you, my past?
I stretch my hands out,
and I pray—
and a new thing now I hear;
“The past will come to you once more,
and be your life’s enduring part,
through thanks and repentance.
Feel in the past God’s deliverance and goodness,
Pray him to keep you today and tomorrow.”

Poem written in Tegel prison, 1944

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

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Luke 21:28

Let’s not fool ourselves. “Your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28), whether we realize it or not. The only question is: Will we allow it to come to us, or will we resist it? Will we join in this movement coming from heaven to earth, or will we close ourselves off from it? Christmas is coming—but whether it includes us or not depends on each one of us.

True Advent brings something very different from the fearful, weak, and discouraged attitude we sometimes see in Christians. This attitude often makes Christianity seem unworthy. But Advent is introduced with two powerful commands: “Look up and raise your heads” (Luke 21:28 RSV). Advent creates new people, and we are called to become new people during this season.

Look up, you who only focus on what happens here on earth, caught up in small events and daily changes. Look up, you who have turned away from heaven in disappointment. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and whose hearts are weighed down by the pain and struggles of this world. Look up, you who feel too burdened by guilt to lift your eyes. Look up—your redemption is near.

Something different from the ordinary will happen. Be aware, stay alert, and wait a little longer. Wait, and something completely new will come to you: God will come.

You know what a mine disaster is. In recent weeks we have had to read about one in the newspapers.
The moment even the most courageous miner has dreaded his whole life long is here. It is no use running into the walls; the silence all around him remains.… The way out for him is blocked. He knows the people up there are working feverishly to reach the miners who are buried alive. Perhaps someone will be rescued, but here in the last shaft? An agonizing period of waiting and dying is all that remains.
But suddenly a noise that sounds like tapping and breaking in the rock can be heard. Unexpectedly, voices cry out, “Where are you, help is on the way!” Then the disheartened miner picks himself up, his heart leaps, he shouts, “Here I am, come on through and help me! I’ll hold out until you come! Just come soon!” A final, desperate hammer blow to his ear, now the rescue is near, just one more step and he is free.
We have spoken of Advent itself. That is how it is with the coming of Christ: “Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Bonhoeffer’s Advent sermon in a London church, December 3, 1933

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

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.}

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 19:16–19

For Jesus, the focus is not on teaching or creating new moral ideals, and not even on proving his own goodness (Matt. 19:17). His concern is entirely his love for real people. Because of this love, he can share in their guilt and take their guilt upon himself.

It is only his selfless love that allows him to bear guilt. Out of his pure, sinless nature, Jesus willingly steps into the guilt of humanity and takes it upon himself. In him, being sinless and carrying guilt are deeply connected and cannot be separated. As the one without sin, Jesus takes on guilt, and under the weight of this guilt, he shows that he is truly sinless.

Lord Jesus, come yourself, and dwell with us, be human as we are, and overcome what overwhelms us. Come into the midst of my evil, come close to my unfaithfulness. Share my sin, which I hate and which I cannot leave. Be my brother, Thou Holy God. Be my brother in the kingdom of evil and suffering and death.

Sermon for Advent Sunday, December 2, 1928

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

For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 5:10

Jesus does not want to be the only perfect person while humanity suffers because of its guilt. He does not want to remain guiltless while ignoring the people he loves, who are being destroyed by their guilt. He does not aim to have an ideal human triumph while the rest of humanity lies in ruins. His love for real people brings him into the shared experience of human guilt.

Jesus does not separate himself from the guilt of the people he loves. A love that leaves people alone in their guilt would not truly be love for real people. Because of his deep love and sense of responsibility for humanity, Jesus takes on the burden of human guilt. All the guilt of humanity ultimately falls on him. He does not reject it but carries it with humility and eternal love.

As someone who takes responsibility for humanity in its real, historical existence, Jesus willingly enters into human guilt. But because his purpose and life are entirely based on God’s love for people, it is this divine love that leads Jesus to take on guilt. Out of selfless love, Jesus leaves his sinless state and steps into humanity’s guilt, fully taking it upon himself.

We have something to hide. We have secrets, worries, thoughts, hopes, desires, passions which no one else gets to know. We are sensitive when people get near those domains with their questions. And now, against all rules of tact the Bible speaks of the truth that in the end we will appear before Christ with everything we are and were.… And we all know that we could justify ourselves before any human court, but not before this one. Lord, who can justify themselves?

Bonhoeffer’s sermon for Repentance Sunday, November 19, 1933

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