Tonight we will once again tell the old, old story. It is interesting, however, that even now--even this late in the Advent season, we are still expectantly waiting. And it seems to me that is only by entering more and more deeply into the Old Testament and the hopes for a messiah that we Christians discover (or at least remember) the reason for this season.
Read, if you have not already done so, the words given to us today from the 59th chapter of the prophet Isaiah. Soak those in before we get to the carols later this afternoon and tonight. "Truth is lacking," says the prophet. It displeased the Lord to look and see "that there was no justice." And that there was no one to intervene. And so the Lord (maybe a little bit like that famous "little red hen?") decides to come down and "do it myself" - to put on the breastplate of righteousness and take care of business!
It is tempting to sentimentalize "meek and mild" Jesus. All babies are meek and mild. But even tonight we should remember that this child is John the Baptist's cousin who will go out into the wilderness to sign on to what John was up to: preparing the way and making the paths straight. And even more importantly, he is strong Mary's son: this woman who will teach him to sing her daring song of praise.
We welcome the Prince of Peace as a child; and yet even as we do remember that there is no peace without justice. Both manger and cross are about God's vulnerability - which is to say that God doesn't take on justice like an invincible superhero, but by becoming one of us, one with us. But the Incarnation is not about sentimentality. It is about putting things right in the world. It is about the one who comes to Zion, and to us, as redeemer of the world.
Merry Christmas, and thanks to all who wrote devotions and to all who faithfully read them. Blessings as the days of preparation come to an end, the the twelve days of celebration begin.
Joy to the world!
(Rich Simpson)
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