Advent
December 21, 2019
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. –Matthew 1:18-20
I just finished reading Comfort and Joy by Kirstin Hannah, which contains a very real portrayal of a great unexplainable mystery not related to the birth of Jesus. I have read the gospels’ versions of the birth of Christ and several commentaries and other books which analyze and dissect these stories both for factual truth but more often for theological implications. Most of us modern folk reared in the scientific era want facts. The post-modern people of the 21st century seem comfortable with that which cannot be explained. They are more at ease with mystery. Some seem to believe that Jesus’ virgin birth is required to prove he was the Chosen One, others do not care, and others accept Jesus but not the virgin birth. We invest a lot of time and energy debating minutia probably more because of our personality types then the issues we debate. Most of the time I enjoy a good discussion on scripture because it often opens my eyes and heart to things that I would never see as I explore scripture on my own. I also like mystery.
Stories written in ancient Israel before and during the exile tell of God’s promise of the Messiah, a Savor who is God with us. The promise was fulfilled in God sending One who meets the requirements of the Thomas’s who need to touch the wounds on Jesus’ side to prove that the risen is alive, and the fervor of Paul who was blinded by a mysterious light and a voice from heaven sending him forth to spread the love of the Christ. Tradition says that Thomas took God with us to India, Paul turned toward Asia Minor and Rome. Together an with others they changed the very course of history.
As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Mary’s child, let us praise God for meeting us where we are and taking us far beyond what we ever imagined we could be as we strive to love like God with Us.
Prayer: Lord, we praise you for the greatest gift of all, your coming to dwell with us in spirit and in truth. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.