Honestly, I’ve never been much of a Trekkie. I say that with a little bit of regret. “Star Trek” no doubt deserves its fame. Anything or anyone that so many people adore deserves at least a closer look from me. This is not a comment on our current national leader, though it might still be applicable.

Because I am not a Trekkie, I did not realize that Captain Tiberius Kirk had an Iowa birthplace and a specific birthdate. In fact, I never really considered the matter. But, yes, as a matter of fact, Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise, does have a birthplace and birthdate: Riverside, Iowa and March 22, 2228. This was pointed out by a friend’s Christmas newsletter. She and her daughter visited the town where Captain Kirk would (eventually) be born. The city of Riverside, Iowa (population 993, according to the 2010 census) even has a statue of Kirk, complete with his radicallyfuture birthdate.

This set me thinking, as most things do, about biblical and Jesus stuff.  Honestly, we don’t really know precisely when Jesus was born. The early church began celebrating it at about this time of year, probably in order to compete with the Roman Saturnalia celebration.

Nonetheless, I am glad that we celebrate Jesus’ birth this time of year. We need some light and peace and joy and kindness this time of year. This is especially true in the northern hemisphere, when the days are cold and short. It is even more especially true in this year of Covid-19, economic and political chaos, and the usual private sorrows and tragedies that we all experience. Most of us do not have a story that reads like a typical Christmas newsletter. Everything is not fine. We struggle.

But then, there comes crashing into our stories this story about God invading this planet. Not at the head of an army, not in power. No! God came (so the story goes) as a fragile baby in a manger, a baby that had to be nursed and changed, a baby that no doubt sometimes cried, the song that says he didn’t, notwithstanding.

Yeah, I know: It is a strange story. I can see why many smart people don’t believe it. I don’t know if I’m smart people or not, but I do believe it—at least, most of the time.

The writer of the letter that we call 1 Peter, who is traditionally thought to be one of Jesus’ original followers, wrote the following:

“1Pet. 1:13   Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (English Standard Version, italics mine)

If these verses are taken at face value, they make startling claims about Jesus Christ. Before the world was created, God’s Son was on his way to be born in Bethlehem. He was also on his way to die for the sins of the world in Jerusalem. Furthermore, he was on his way to be raised from the dead.

It is an image with which to conjure. God knew, his Son knew, when they created the world that one day the Son would be murdered for the sins of the humans that God would create. If this is true, I am amazed that God went on with creation at all. Why not leave keep things as they were—tohu wa vohu, waste and chaos? Above all, why create humanity? After all, we ourselves are tohu wa vohu, waste and chaos, a good deal of the time and in many ways. If Peter got it right, God knew that we were going to go wrong, and he had a plan: sending his Son. Why on earth would the God of the universe come this God-forsaken planet?!

Maybe because we thought it was a God-forsaken planet?

I told you that it was a strange story and that it is difficult to believe. But there are millions of us who do in fact believe it. That, of course, does not automatically make it true. However, it might give unbelievers some pause for thought. And, for sure and certain, we who are believers ought to pause and think. And we ought to pause and thank! For one even greater than Captain James Tiberius Kirk has come to this planet.

Merry Christmas, all!