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Why do you say that joy is a timely message for this culture?

I experience this just almost daily in stores and particularly in airports. They're busy places. I'm sure that people who sell tickets, help you get on the plane, and announce that you need to board have to have a hassled life. But I've wished I could just set them down and teach them the elementary art of smiling again.

It's just a busy time. It's such a gift to try to be a human being. I've just come in today on the plane. I sat next to a little girl. She was reading and doing some algebra problems, which I'm not terribly good at. But nonetheless, she was little and she began to ask me questions. Before long I found her very charming. I'm the kind of guy that always tries to be remote on airplanes because I have plenty to do. But all of a sudden I find myself wanting to be a human being. Maybe that's the mark of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

But in the midst of this joyous occasion, are there signs that this is going to also bring some pain?

Absolutely. I actually mention the three gifts [of the magi] in one of these devotionals. One of those gifts was myrrh, which was a burial spice. Hidden [in the story] is this bit of discord. It's like the gargoyles on Notre Dame Cathedral. You have this wonderful, huge building in tribute to Jesus. But all of a sudden in the middle of it are these stone demons.

What is the most remarkable thing about the Christmas story?

I would always believe in Jesus if for only one reason, and that is because these little people who were absolutely rural and virtually prosaic suddenly become inflamed with the world on their minds. People like Simon Peter, once content to fish in a little lake called Galilee, died 1,500 miles away in Rome because they got to preach the gospel in a bigger context. I think that's remarkable.

Here's Mary, a hill girl, who suddenly is doing this beautiful sonnet we call "The Magnificat." She sings and the world is thrilled. Operas are written around it.

Nobody but God could put this together.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Visit DickStaub.com for audio and video of his radio program (4-7 p.m. PST), media reviews, and news on "where belief meets real life."

Dick Staub earlier interviewed Miller on his book Jesus Loves Me: Celebrating the Profound Truths of a Simple Hymn.

Earlier Dick Staub Interviews include:

Phillip Johnson | Asking the right questions is at the heart of the evolution debate. (Dec. 3, 2002)

Connie Neal | The author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter talks about leading a friend to Christ through the wizard hero. (Nov. 19, 2002)

Chris Rice | The author of Grace Matters talks about his friendship with racial reconciliation leader Spencer Perkins, his former coauthor and best friend. (Nov. 12, 2002)

John Polkinghorne | The 2002 Templeton Prize winner sees the Bible as "the laboratory notebook" of the Holy Spirit. (Nov. 5, 2002)

Ruth Tucker | The professor and author of Walking Away from Faith talks about doubting God. (Oct. 29, 2002)

Vishal Mangalwadi | The author and lecturer talks about how the Bible shaped India, Western democracy, and his life. (Oct. 22, 2002)

Dave Alan Johnson | The creator of Doc talks about balancing entertainment with spiritual depth and TV shows with evil plumbers. (Oct. 15, 2002)

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December (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46