At the turn of the calendar year, we start a new church season, too. How will you make the journey into 2025? What will you remember and where will you find hope? Seeking the star, the magi remind us that all are invited to follow the star in faith and the journey will change each of us.
From the one who was before time and will be beyond time, God is present here, now, in this room and outside in the traffic, and waiting for the bus, because that is the God who authors our Great Story—the one tale our hearts long to hear as many times as we can stand, schmaltz aside—the story that love, indeed, is everywhere, because God, indeed, is now part of this strange human existence.
We can still claim our share in her resilience – a defiant optimism, a hope like steel – when she sings from her throne: ‘Well, something’s lost, but something’s gained, in living every day’
The mystery of Christ among us—Emmanuel with us—Jesus born here and now—is only real if we believe that the incarnation—the fleshiness of God—is real and found in every unexpected place.
By confronting the darkness, we are set free from the delusion that we humans can extricate ourselves from the sin that enslaves us. Indeed, a clear-eyed look into the darkness reveals this undeniable truth: our world stands in need of judgement. But my beloved, the good news of Advent is that God does not leave us mired in our sin. Our deliverance is at hand! God’s rescue operation is underway! The Just and Righteous Judge has come and will come again to set things right.
When we make straight Christ’s paths, we set ourselves on the high road of mercy, peace, and love – and we call all people to the same, to join us there.
Jesus is speaking not to scare the disciples into believing but to remind them that even in the darkest of times, God is there.
Pull up the fences of our ordinary days and ponder the what-if’s … dare the what’s-beyond’s … and muse the how-it-all-came-to-be’s.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds found me during my senior year of high school. Over the years, I have loyally brought Cave’s long-players to my home stereo [some more than once, given my weakness for re-issues and re-masters and deluxe editions]. During one tide of the pandemic, I took a months-long deep-dive into his expansive catalogue. Through all the stylistic turns and strange characters, “Into My Arms” – from 1997’s, The Boatman’s Call – has remained a favorite for both its reassurances and its challenges. I mean, a pop song that begins with a demanding theological claim? You had me at hello, Mr. Cave.
