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 A collective reflection on Hope, Peace, Joy, and LoveMonday, December 23, 2024 |
| Mess and Majesty Luke 2:4-7 So much about Christmas is a paradox: quality time with my family requires I work hard to host the celebration. The busiest time of year is also supposed to be the most peaceful. In my fight against consumerism, I also want to give my kids an appropriate amount of gifts to represent God’s lavish love for us in Jesus. If I’m honest, the push and pull of the worldly and the holy feel out of place. Then my thoughts go to Mary and her experience that first Christmas night. God promised her a son, but he never mentioned the census that would force her to travel so far. This child’s nature was divine, but his nursery was a dungeon. And even Mary’s company that night isn’t quite what we would describe as the ideal visitors. Instead of family, she is cheered on by shepherds who had just gotten off their shift, and they probably smelled like it, too. Not much in that first Noel was noble. And that’s precisely why the birth of Jesus brings me such joy and hope. He came for the uncounted, unworthy, and unclean! The restoring and redeeming Savior of the world came to the lowest place on earth so that nobody would feel forgotten or overlooked. What a miracle that God would forfeit the comforts of his royalty and accept the clothing of the ordinary so that we all might know he is a King for each one of us. By Dan Jacobsen PRAYER FOR TODAY God, may the sacrifice you made never cease to cause me wonder. That you gave up so much to enter our world in the way you did causes our hearts to stand in awe of your grace. Find in me the places of ignorance and ignobility, and reign above all that I am. May the whole of my mess and the whole of your majesty meet in the profound power of your love. Amen. DOWNLOAD ECHOES OF HOPE PDF BOOKLET |
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