Beloved of God,
The story of how God’s love takes on flesh in the world and in our lives can be spoken in many different voices. It can be expressed in the language of theology and through the words of philosophical inquiry. It can be told through the lens of history, with specificity and detail. But I find the story to be most powerful when it is most intimate. This Advent, as we begin year three of the common lectionary cycle—the year of LUKE—we get a full dose of Luke’s masterful telling of God coming into the flesh and acquiring an address on earth.
The story of Jesus’ origins and birth, which unfold bit-by-bit and song-by-song in Luke’s gospel, offers us an insider’s perspective. We become privileged eavesdroppers and witnesses to scenes which are highly personal and even private. Luke does not leave us standing outside of the locations or the minds of the story’s chief characters as detached observers, but rather brings us inside in his intimate portrayal. The vast literature of music and poetry that Luke’s story of Jesus has inspired speaks powerfully to our need and desire to take hold of the radical truth that God is not aloof or remote, but has come to be with us. This year, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23, (“Little Christmas” in the parlance of some) we will follow Luke’s unfolding story in all its marvelous detail. I hope you’ll be with us as we lean toward Christmas that day, taking in the message: DO NOT FEAR.
One beautiful example of an intimate moment portrayed by Luke comes to us from the pen of Rainer Maria Rilke.
MARY’S VISITATION At the outset she still carried it quite well but already, from time to time, when climbing, she became aware of the marvel of her belly, — and then she stood, caught breath, up on the high Judean hills. It was not the land but her abundance that spread out around her; going on she felt: you couldn’t have more than the largess that she now perceived.And it urged her to lay her hand on the other belly, which was heavier. And the women swayed toward each other and touched each other’s garb and hair. Each, filled with her sanctified possession, had the protection of a woman friend. In her, the Savior still was a bud intact, but the Baptist in the womb of her “aunt” already leapt, seized with delight.
There is much, as always, that begs for our attention during this full season. The to-do lists grow impossibly long; the obligation to fashion a meaningful experience that meets the expectations of ourselves and others—and all with good cheer—weighs on us. Alongside all of this comes the Spirit’s invitation, as the curtain parts, to come inside to behold and marvel at the audacity of the One who emptied heaven to be with us.
In joyful anticipation,
Pastor Erik
What does this mean?