“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:23–24)
The biblical narrative of the birth of Christ confounds worldly wisdom. Some parts of the story seem too extraordinary—angels and dreams, signs and wonders, a virgin birth. Other parts of the story seem too ordinary—a baby is born to a family of humble origins in a small town under normal pressures of the day. It is not the story most of us would write if we were dreaming up the inauguration of an everlasting Kingdom and the coming of its King.
Thus, the story of Advent is foolish to those who would deny God’s active involvement in the world and a stumbling block to those who would expect that if God really were to come, he’d do so in recognizable power and undeniable glory. Yet it is precisely in this confounding of worldly wisdom that the wisdom of God is revealed.
When Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ’s birth that the Messiah would be a “Wonderful Counselor,” the idea was not so much that he would be a personal helper (someone who listens, advises, or comforts in a one-on-one or small group setting), but that he would be the kind of counselor who stands in a war room or a king’s court. The Messiah would be full of extraordinary and marvelous wisdom. His counsel would steer the course of a nation, and, in this case, history itself.
Throughout his life, Jesus’ teachings would subvert the wisdom of this world. He turned things upside-down not just to cause a stir, but because the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. He taught that if you want to be first, you must be servant of all; that the truly blessed are the mourners, the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted; that it is better to give than to receive; that to gain your life you must lay it down; and ultimately, that the Christ must die before he is glorified.
It is this wisdom of God in the death of Christ that the Apostle Paul refers to when he writes that Christ crucified is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” That God would come as man was unthinkable for the Jew. That he would be born to die was equally unbelievable to the Gentile. To them, Christ crucified is a stumbling block and folly. But to those who are called? Christ is the power and wisdom of God. In bringing salvation, God does not take counsel with the authorities of this world or act according to their expectations, but according to the riches of his wisdom, knowledge, and judgments (Romans 11:33-36).
Part of the wonder of Advent is how this marvelous wisdom of God is revealed—a confounding wisdom that would bring the King of the universe to a lowly manger so that he might die for the sins of the world. In the birth narrative, Mary worships God for this otherworldly wisdom, praising the One who would choose a servant of humble state, who brings down rulers but lifts the humble, who fills the hungry but sends the rich away empty, who scatters the proud “in the thoughts of their hearts” (Luke 1:46-52).
It is only through the eyes of humble faith that we will see the wonderful counsel of God in the birth of Christ. So may it be in submission to a wisdom far beyond our own that we prepare our hearts this season. May we be ready to receive the baby born unto us, come into this world and laid in a manger, as the Crucified One—Christ, the wisdom of God, our Wonderful Counselor.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see God’s marvelous wisdom in the story of Jesus’ birth? What parts of the story surprise and compel you?
- In what ways are you being asked to submit to God’s wisdom during this season?
To view this piece in a magazine format, click here. Our next Advent devotional will be published next week.
Photo Credit: Kitera Dent