We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now. Romans 8:22
We stand in a time between time. A new church year has begun, yet the calendar year is still moving toward its close. The days grow shorter as we move toward the longest night of the year. It makes sense that the founders of our faith would eventually move celebrations of Christ's birth to this time of year. There is a sense of expectation in the air - something is happening whether we like it or not! Still, it is all too easy to step right past the uncomfortable space of expectation and take a peek at the gifts in store. That raises a question. If we already know about the gift of salvation we are to receive, what are we waiting for? What is the purpose of waiting? What is the purpose of remembering the story of a teenage girl visited by an angel and bearing the Son of God? Well, for one, not everyone knows about this gift. Even if they do, not everyone has received it. For that matter, those of us who have received the gift of Christ become unable to enjoy it when hold onto it as our own. The gift of Christ is not a thing to hold so much as something to be held by. In fact, in some ways, we become as Mary - the theotokas - the bearer of God. Let us move forward as a congregation filled with the expectation and wonder of life held within our womb - life we did not create; a life that creates us. May you be filled with the expectation that God will be revealed through you this Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany!
Grace and Peace,
Zach
We stand in a time between time. A new church year has begun, yet the calendar year is still moving toward its close. The days grow shorter as we move toward the longest night of the year. It makes sense that the founders of our faith would eventually move celebrations of Christ's birth to this time of year. There is a sense of expectation in the air - something is happening whether we like it or not! Still, it is all too easy to step right past the uncomfortable space of expectation and take a peek at the gifts in store. That raises a question. If we already know about the gift of salvation we are to receive, what are we waiting for? What is the purpose of waiting? What is the purpose of remembering the story of a teenage girl visited by an angel and bearing the Son of God? Well, for one, not everyone knows about this gift. Even if they do, not everyone has received it. For that matter, those of us who have received the gift of Christ become unable to enjoy it when hold onto it as our own. The gift of Christ is not a thing to hold so much as something to be held by. In fact, in some ways, we become as Mary - the theotokas - the bearer of God. Let us move forward as a congregation filled with the expectation and wonder of life held within our womb - life we did not create; a life that creates us. May you be filled with the expectation that God will be revealed through you this Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany!
Grace and Peace,
Zach
Comments