Well, happy December 26th to you, the day after Christmas, as we have this episode of

five minutes in church history, and on this episode I thought I would share with you three theologians

who love Christmas.

The first one we come across is Dietrich Bonifer.

He loved Christmas, gave many Christmas sermons.

One of them he gave, actually was on Mary in the advent and here's what he says.

Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed

sings Mary joyfully.

What does it mean to call her blessed?

Mary, this lowly maidservant. It can only mean that we worship in amazement

the miracle that has been performed in her. build altars to her. But rather it means to worship with her the God who regards and

chooses the lowly, who has done great things for me, as Mary says. And remember it was Mary who said holy is his name

Bonifur concludes to call Mary blessed means to know with her that God's mercy is for those who fear him from

generation to generation. And that same sermon Bonifur goes on to ask a question

what story is being sermon, Bonifur goes on to ask a question.

What story is being enacted when God

comes into the world in a lowly manger?

Another way to put it is, what's really happening here at Christmas. Well, Bonifer

says this, here's what's happening. The judgment and redemption of the world. That is what is happening here.

For it is the Christ child in the manger himself

who will bring that judgment and redemption.

And that's why Bonifer loved Christmas because it's the story of

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