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| Wikimedia Commons |
The musical Hamilton has been a big hit, with acclaimed performances on Broadway and London’s West End. The Hamilton in question is Alexander Hamilton (circa 1755-1804). The American politician was involved in the Revolutionary War against the British and became the first US secretary to the treasury under George Washington. Hamilton helped to frame the constitution of the newly established republic. The life of Founding Father seems like an unlikely subject for an all singing, all dancing musical, but it works.
My wife and I recently saw the film version of a Broadway performance of the musical, released to mark the show’s tenth anniversary. We went in part to see what all the fuss was about and enjoyed it. Act II certainly packs an emotional punch. Without giving away too many spoilers, Hamilton becomes estranged from his wife, Eliza. A terrible tragedy then strikes their family, following which they are reconciled. The drama of the moment is carried forward by the song It’s Quiet Uptown.
In the song, a grieving Hamilton acknowledges that he is
undeserving of his wife’s love. Surveying the scene, Eliza’s sister Angelica
reflects, ‘there is a grace too powerful to name’. As the couple hold hands as
a gesture of reconciliation the chorus sings, ‘forgiveness, can you imagine?’
Watching this unfold, I’m thinking, ‘Preach it. Amen to that!’
Better still, what happened at the first Christmas revealed
that grace indeed has a name. In the New Testament Paul writes of God’s grace
‘which has now been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ
Jesus.’
Grace is God’s love for underserving sinners, lavished upon
us in Jesus. The Son of God came to die in our place that we may be reconciled
to God and have our sins forgiven. Forgiveness, can you imagine? You can do
more than imagine by receiving God’s gift of forgiveness by faith in Jesus.
That’s the power of grace.
Providence Baptist Church Carol Service, Sunday 21 December, 10.30am - All welcome!
* For various local newspapers & magazines
