Rev. Richard Smith November 28, 2023
| Isaiah 9:2, The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. |
While Advent-Christmas in so many ways is about the wonder of children, it is also a time for reflecting on a wonder far deeper than Santa’s gifts or childlike glee. The wonder of this holy season is the gift of great truths which can change our lives and transform our world!
It’s The Wonder Of God’s Grace
At the heart of the birth of Jesus is the message that God loves us and wants to offer us his grace and forgiveness! Christina Rossetti in her 19th century poetic piece said it well;
Love Came Down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
God doesn’t love us because we deserve it. God doesn’t love us because we always please Him. God doesn’t love us because we’ve got our act totally together. He just loves us. He loves us not because of who and what we are; but in spite of who and what we are.
It’s The Wonder Of The Power Of Love
One of my favorite songs during my college days was the song, What The World Needs Now Is Love. The compelling refrain contains these words:
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.
There is not a one of us this Advent-Christmas 2023 who would disagree with that assessment. In a world where division, hostility, violence, distrust, and suspicion are pervasive, we definitely need more love.
Well, the answer has come. The answer is here.
It is in this child who became the man Jesus. It is in his words, his life, his truths that we find the answer. Jesus brings to us a life-changing and world-changing love. He shows us that we can love those who are different. He shows us a love so deep it can forgive those who wrong us. He shows us a love which embraces those whom others consider outcasts. He shows us that we can love those who don’t love us. That kind of love will indeed change our lives and has a chance to change our world.
You do believe, don’t you, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, that Jesus-like love can defeat hate; can build bridges and overcome division; can restore brokenness; can make all things new?
It’s The Wonder Of Assuring Hope
Many of us began our journey to Bethlehem with the thoughtful Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Emmanuel, as you know, literally means “God with us.” So we began our march to the manger seeking the assurance that God will be with us.
Well, this child in this manger assures us God is with us. He came to tell us and show us that God is not some distant, disconnected, transcendent God. God is here; God came to planet earth to be with us and among us.
Whatever challenges and trials we each are facing, this Holy Season reminds us there is hope.
There is hope…Because there is God
Not a distant, transcendent God
But God with us…Every single moment of every single day!
