Published on 12/21/2005

Like "JoePa," Isaiah could have said "I told you so." Seven centuries before Christmas, the prophet predicted that the Baby would be a "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:7). But the world didn't see it. Peasants for parents; a cave for a home; a feed trough for a crib; grimy field hands for attendants--what kind of God comes to earth like that?

Commentary

Due to a late meeting last night, I haven't yet seen the Barbara Walters special on "Heaven." So I'll view it tonight and comment tomorrow. Meanwhile, it only seems fitting to write about Joe Paterno on his birthday. Here's why.

This morning's New York Times reports that the Penn State coach is the overwhelming choice as The Associated Press college football coach of the year. Coach Paterno turns 79 today; his critics said the game had passed him by. A team which was 4-7 last year is 10-1 this year. But the coach is humble: "The only thing I feel sometimes is that the head coach gets too much credit. I think sometimes it ought to be coaching staff of the year."

Through it all, Paterno has kept his perspective: "I never felt bad when we were 4-7 last year because I thought we had a bunch of kids that never quit. And that's the joy of coaching. It isn't 8-3. It isn't 10-1. It isn't 11-0. It isn't any of that stuff. It's did you get the most out of your football team." He refuses to chide his critics: "To be honest, I really have never thought that way. It's not my nature. I'm not a vindictive guy. I don't read the papers. I realize the media's got a job to do and I realize the alumni, if they're interested in your program, are going to die when you lose and so forth, and a lot of them get carried away. What good does it do for me to say, 'I told you so’?"

The story didn't improve. His family would run from King Herod and avoid his son. He would grow up in a town so obscure it's not mentioned even once in the entire Old Testament. His followers would be blue collar workers, despised tax collectors, and prostitutes. He would die a common criminal. No one would have imagined that billions of people would celebrate his birthday this Sunday. But Isaiah did.

Now that Baby is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His story began in humility, so it could include you and me. If he would be born in a cave, he'll be born again in our hearts. If he would invite shepherds to the celebration, he invites us. What problem or worry most perplexes you today? What fear or burden troubles your soul? You can bring it to him this morning and know that you are welcome in his throne room. Where you've been doesn't matter--only where you're going. Just ask Joe Paterno.