We're waiting to light the Christ candle. We lit the other four advent candles over the past several weeks. We've read scripture and talked about what it meant for the first-century Jews to be anticipating, waiting and looking for their liberating King; the Messiah who would rescue them; the Savior who would lead them out of oppression. He came, but God sent Him in the most unexpected way: a baby born in a stable to poor teenagers and worshipped by smelly shepherds. And really, isn't it just like God to do something in a way that is out of our realm of expectation? I like the idea that God doesn't desire to save the world in a way that makes sense. And I like it that He uses the most unlikely, humble, broken, out-of-the-way people to do it. I think God sent an important message in the way that He chose to liberate not just the Jews, but all of us. So tonight we are thinking about the ways that Jesus enters into our world - into our heart, and how he saves us from ourselves. And tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that, I want to remind myself that God uses people like me...and you, to bring heaven to earth and continue the liberation.
Tonight I am thinking about all of those that we love who are far away. You are all in our hearts as we wait and anticipate. Merry Christmas.
1 comment:
I am always encouraged that no matter my actions, weaknesses and sins that God's liberating grace is still available, allowing me to have some role in helping to bring Heaven to Earth. Today (and everyday), I simply hope to live a life that in some measure tells God "Thank You!" Have a blessed and Merry Christmas and let us not give up on the angels' promise of peace on Earth.
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