Psalm 147:12-20

“He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?” vss. 15-17

In Genesis we learn that all things came into existence by the word of God–”and God spoke, and it was good.” The psalmist picks up that theme and describes the word as the agent of creation–even the snows and frosts of winter are by God’s command. In the gospel of John we learn further that this word, present in creation and the maker of all things, became flesh in the person of Jesus. In other words, the Word of God, also known as the Christ or Messiah, permeates all things and is the presence of God in the Universe. For many of us it’s a real stretch to think of God in this very biblical way. We’ve gotten used to dualistic thinking and are accustomed to keeping God in heaven, safely away from involvement in earthly things. Oh, we do allow that Jesus came down from heaven for a short visit to tell us about God, but then he went back again as soon as it could be arranged. But the truth is that God is inextricably mixed with all that is and all that will be. There is no place in the universe where God is not present and accessible. God was most certainly present in Jesus, the Word, and God is also present in each of us. Our God is greater than we can ever possibly imagine.

Thought for the Day: When am I most aware of God’s presence?

Jeremiah 31:10-14

“Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” vs. 13

The picture of hope that Jeremiah painted for the people of Israel included return to the land and an amazing celebration. Their mourning would be turned into joy, and their sorrow transformed into gladness. There would be dancing and merriment all around! It’s like our vision of life after COVID–we’ll be traveling, eating out, and partying to our hearts content. Both the young and the old will be dancing for joy. It will have been a long siege! But it will have come at a cost! Just as Israel had to be redeemed and ransomed by the Lord from a powerful enemy, we will have gained our freedom through the sacrifices of many. Countless hundreds of thousands of front line medical workers have risked their lives and even died through exposure to this dread disease. Thousands more have lost jobs and some have lost their homes–and some of us have been affected hardly at all. Many will have suffered only minor inconveniences as others have had their lives turned upside down. Granted, that’s how life is in this world–there’s a randomness to pain that’s hard to figure out. But later in 2021, as the disease loses its grip, we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize the labors and pains of so many. They sacrificed so that others might celebrate!

Thought for the Day: To whom will I give thanks as I make merry?

Jeremiah 31:7-14

“For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.’” vs. 7

Jeremiah is typically thought of as a prophet of doom, one who continually warns Judah and Jerusalem of the catastrophic consequences of their current behaviors. But in this portion of his sayings he has nothing but salvation on his mind. He believes that Israel is favored above all nations and that the Lord is about to act in a mighty way to bring its scattered people back home again. These are powerful passages and it’s easy to see why they’ve been cherished during the times of exile and dispersion. There’s something in our DNA as the people of God that makes us sing in times of despair and hope in the face of an uncertain future. We simply cannot believe that God will desert us or that darkness will prevail. It’s important to keep that in mind as we prepare to move into 2021. There are a good many uncertainties in front of us; we wonder about economic stability and vaccine distributions. We worry about global tensions. But those anxieties can’t be allowed to dominate our demeanors or attitudes. Our God is good and gracious and has already acted for our salvation! The promises have been made; all we need do is believe them–and keep on singing!

Thought for the Day: How am I feeling about 2021?

Luke 2:22-40

“There was also a prophet, Anna–of a great age… She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer…At that moment she came, and began to speak about the child.” vss. 36-38

When Mary and Jesus brought the baby Jesus to the temple for the rites of purification they were accosted by two elderly prophets, Simeon and Anna, both of whom were temple regulars. Now it’s not unusual for old people to hang around places of worship–we know that from our grey-haired congregations. Often they’re the most faithful folks around, not just because they don’t have anything to do, but because faith is a priority for them. They may have wandered in their youth but when liver spots start showing up it’s a clear signal to start practicing wisdom. What’s interesting about Simeon and Anna is that they each saw the child as a sign of hope, not for themselves, but for their nation. And so it is for us when shoulders get hunched and wrinkles abound! We really care about those who come after us, and we have come to know that Jesus Christ is the one solid hope for the future. If we’re smart we’ll have given up on politicians and turned with our whole hearts to the one who is, for now and forever, the light of the world. It’s in him that we find the serenity that enables us to sing with Simeon, “Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word!”

Thought for the Day: What elderly person inspires me with their faith?

Galatians 4:4-7

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” vss. 4-5

We don’t know whether Paul was familiar with the infancy stories included by Matthew and Luke in their gospels–but he regularly emphasizes the humanity of Jesus in his epistles. Jesus was born of a woman and was a Jewish man raised under the law. Early the Church became fixated on the divine dimensions of Jesus’ life and he became an object of worship. It was too hard for people to think of Jesus as being both divine and human, so they focused on the divine. To quote Richard Rohr, “Most Christians are very good theists who just happen to have named their god Jesus.” But Paul plainly believed that Jesus was first of all a human born at a propitious moment in history that he called the “fullness of time.” In these decades everything was set, not only for the incarnation, but for the rapid expansion of the good news of God’s grace and the inclusive nature of God’s love. Now this doesn’t mean it’s wrong to make Jesus the focus of our lives and to follow him as disciples. Indeed that’s what he calls to do–and in so doing we become his brothers and sisters, adopted children of God, born as humans to serve as God’s presence in a world sorely in need of good news.

Thought for the Day: What does the phrase “fullness of time” mean?

John 1:1-14

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” vs. 14

There is a sense in which the word “Christmas” is misleading. For example, the word itself could give the impression that Christ was born on Christmas, and that just isn’t the case. John tells us clearly that the Christ brought all things into existence and has been around since the beginning. So it would probably be more accurate to say that today is “Jesusmas,” the moment in which the Christ became flesh! Of course that probably won’t catch on, and neither will the great truth that Christmas is not unique, that it happens again and again as each of us become children of God. Think of it! Christ has become flesh in us as surely as in Jesus of Nazareth. And what a blessing this has been to our world! For in us shines the glory of God, full of grace and truth. Indeed, this is how we’ve come to know God! We don’t meet God while standing in the chancel of an empty cathedral. Rather, we become acquainted with God, we know God, through our contacts with the saints living in the world around us, in the form of mothers, fathers, friends, and people down the street. Here is where we experience grace and unconditional love, here is where we have met the Christ, and it happens again as others encounter us! And this is the true meaning of Christmas!

Thought for the Day: For whom will I be the Christ today?

Luke 2:1-14

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” vs 7

Luke’s precious story detailing the birth of Jesus is at its core a tale of hope. When we look at our family stories it’s amazing how regularly the accounts of death are accompanied by the report of a birth. A beloved grandmother dies and a week later a grandchild is born–the pain of loss is tempered by the new life. Tears disappear when the swaddled babe is introduced to the family. The cooing and cries of the infant are a sign of hope, the DNA is being passed on, and there is a future worth living for. Magnify those stories a million times and we have some sense of why the story of Jesus’ birth has had such staying power and why we’re longing today to hear it just one more time. Granted, this night will be different from Christmases past. Gone are the crowded sanctuaries and the candlelight singing of “Silent Night.” But we’ll be figuring out ways to hear the story–it’s just too important for our world. We’ll read it around the tree in family rooms, hear it over the radio in church parking lots, and watch it as part of a YouTube telecast from our congregation. And we’ll feel the hope: the pandemic will end, peace will reign, the poor will be fed, goodness will prevail. The Prince of Peace is in the world and Hope springs eternal!

Thought for the Day: What is my deepest hope?

Romans 13:11-14

“Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.” vss. 11-12a

It’s hard to believe, but Advent is almost over. Christmas is on the horizon, though it’s shape may be much different than in prior years. It’s interesting how quickly the days of December have passed–even though each one has seemed pretty much like another, without our even noticing, nearly a whole month has slipped by. That’s the way it is with time–it passes without our notice, and sometimes it gets away from us altogether. Paul tells the people in Rome to take note of the time–and to act before it was too late. Perhaps there were decisions that they were sleeping on, or behavioral changes that they’d been delaying. He said that it was time to wake up–and behave like children of the light. It’s a good reminder that we don’t have to wait until Christmas to start showing the Christmas Spirit, whatever that may mean for us! It’s crazy how often we know what living in Christ requires–but still we delay. It’s kind of like lying in bed in the morning knowing we should get up–but it’s just so cozy under the covers. Maybe it’s time to stop being “undercover” children of God–and get out of bed!

Thought for the Day: What is the Christian Spirit?

Psalm 96

“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy…” vss. 11-12

Humans have wandered this earth for only a brief portion of its history and yet we presume to think of ourselves as the center of creation. We’ve developed religions, invented gods, and written a history that glorifies our achievements, while treating the rest of creation as an afterthought. The psalmist has a different perspective and understands God as the Lord and Maker of all things. In his world God has an intimate connection to everything that exists; heavens, sea, earth, and all that fills them. And when God acts, all things rejoice, exult, and give thanks. Even all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Somewhere along the line, followers of Jesus have figured this out, and have learned to give creation its due. In these last weeks we’ve watched as the Geminid meteor shower has made the night sky come alive, and last night, marveled at the conjunction of Juptiter and Saturn, what some call the “Christmas Star.” These events set the stage for our Christmas celebrations and remind us that the Christ is the glory of all creation. Many have even brought trees of the forest to stand in their homes to accompany their family festivities. The decorated boughs and beautiful ornaments testify to the joy of the Lord’s coming, a time of rejoicing for all the earth.

Thought for the Day: What memories are triggered by Christmas trees?

Luke 1:46b-55

“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” vss. 52-53

Mary’s song, the Magnificat, has long been a favorite for Christians, particularly at this time of year. When the vocalist is skilled, the tune lifts our hearts, and we’re entranced by its beauty. What we miss though is that the song is about revolution, the total transformation of society, and the reversal of our whole economic system. And that may be why Mary has such amazing popular appeal in the poorest nations of the world. Every year peasants and people on the lower rungs of the social ladder flock to give her praise and adoration on her special feast days. In her words they hear hope for their futures, that one day in the Christ, the poor will be lifted up and the hungry filled with good things. This isn’t a song designed to warm the hearts of power-brokers and hedge fund managers. Luke uses her words to prepare the way for the Jesus of his gospel, the one who dined with sinners, loved the poor, and had harsh words for the rich. And now as we draw near to Christmas, which has become the symbol of lavish spending and gift giving, it might just remind us that our Lord isn’t nearly so pleased with our riches as we are. And the wealth we count as our blessing might indeed be considered our curse!

Thought for the Day: When could my wealth become a curse?