Advent Reflections: December 20

JOY

"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.” 

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene."

Mathew 2:13-23

Reflection

We like to be in control, don’t we? Like the favorite circus act, we like to attempt to keep as many plates spinning at one time as possible. Living in a self-driven individualistic culture, we’re taught from an early age the myth that control equals success, and lack of control reveals failure. When we feel that we’re in control, we feel better about ourselves and better than others. We feel a sense of accomplishment and peace that everything is right in our little world. We continue to try our best to control all of our circumstances, and we might succeed for a period of time. But eventually we realize that too many plates are spinning. One by one, they begin to slow down. We do our best to keep them spinning, but they soon begin to wobble, and inevitably crash at our feet. We stand there, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and defeated, wondering how we kept the plates spinning in the first place.

Today we reflect on the story of Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt with Jesus. At first glance, we might have the tendency to see a picture of circumstances that appear completely out of control. When reading these words and putting ourselves in this young couples place, we can imagine many plates spinning and a frantic attempt to keep them from crashing down. Mary and Joseph are new parents. That’s one plate. And their new baby happens to be God’s only Son. Now there are two plates spinning. They are warned by an angel that Herod is planning to kill Jesus (third plate), and they now have to flee the stability of home and move to Egypt. Four plates. Add the daily worries of food, shelter and the absence of the comfort of family, and they have five plates spinning at once.  

After three years of living in a foreign and unfamiliar country, they are told by God that the coast is clear. They can finally return home. Just as it seems that all the plates are now spinning in unison and things are under control, another is added to the balancing act. With five plates now beginning to wobble, Mary and Joseph find that they will have to build a new life in obscure little town called Nazareth. How many plates are spinning at this point?   

As we come to the end of the third week of Advent, we might ask ourselves how “Joy” can be found in this story of spinning plates. From our perspective, we may only see a series of events that would cause most of us stress and anxiety. We see a situation that seems confusing, frustrating and apparently becoming more out of control with each passage. But it is in the last verse that we grasp the true perfection and stability of this situation. “So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”  

Everything was divinely fulfilled exactly how God intended it to be. Every detail of Mary and Joseph’s situation was under God's control, and although the bible tells us nothing of what they were going through emotionally, somehow I think they were doing OK. Somehow I think that despite the overwhelming circumstances that surrounded them, they chose to trust in the God that had fulfilled His promise. No plates were spinning. None wobbled and fell to the ground. In fact, I don’t think the balancing act ever began.      

            

Prayer

Lord, as we conclude this third week of Advent, enable us to remember that our joy does not come from our circumstances. It doesn't come from how much control we have in our life or how in control we may appear to others. Our joy comes only through our complete trust in you and our faith that you keep our lives in complete balance. 

Amen

Advent Relections - December 19

Joy 
 

“After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:9-11

Reflection

The star that led the wise men to Jesus was unusual. It was brighter and more spectacular than any other. In fact, some historians believe that it could have been an alignment of  planets, a comet or possibly a supernova. Either way, it event occurred through God’s perfect divine providence and appeared to announce the birth of Christ for those that were watching and waiting. From all practical perspectives, everyone should have noticed the splendor of this unusual event. But scripture and other historical sources tell us that this was unfortunately not the case. Only a few educated philosophers and astronomers were able to interpret this glorious birth announcement, three of which are revealed in our passage for today. They knew that they were witnessing something extraordinary. An event was taking place that was beyond the traditional and often narrow view of the world, and they wanted to be a part of it. 

Sometimes we allow tradition to cloud our perspective of the extraordinary things that God is doing in the world. We get so consumed with our narrow view of faith that we forget that his view encompasses so much more. Especially during the Christmas holidays, it’s easy for us to get sidetracked. It’s easy to slip into a complacent mindset that misses the big picture. When this happens, peace tends to elude us and joy becomes a rare commodity. Just as many missed the coming of the Messiah, we miss the unusually bright star in our lives as well, because we fail to look up.

As we move into the last week of Advent, let us commit ourselves to look up and see things from God’s perspective. Let us not miss the “bright morning star”. Let us keep our eyes upon the “light of the world”. As He guides us toward Christmas, let our perspective be clear, and our view broad.        

Prayer

Gracious God, we confess that sometimes we allow ourselves to be consumed by the culture around us. With our eyes focused on the world, we miss the miraculous things that you do in our lives. Help us, Lord to keep our eyes focused upon you and not miss the guiding stars that you place before us.  

 Amen 

Advent Reflections: December 18

Joy 

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:13-14 

Reflection

In the Christmas favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas, a disenchanted Charlie Brown finds himself frustrated with the over commercialization of the Christmas season. Encouraged by his opportunity to direct the school Christmas play, he does his best to instill the true meaning of Christmas in his seemingly clueless group of friends. When his final attempt to restore the Christmas spirit by purchasing a miserable and dying little Christmas Tree fails, Charlie finally reaches his breaking point! He's had enough! In a heart-felt cry that encapsulates all of his holiday angst and frustration, he utters the now familiar words, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!” It’s at this point that his loyal friend Linus, wise beyond his years, walks up to the stage microphone and eloquently recites the words of Luke 2:8-14.

 "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Amen, Linus! Thank you!

  

Prayer

Lord, as we read these words, words that encourage such joy for all mankind, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 
Amen

Advent Reflections: December 15

Joy

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. 
Matthew 1:1-17  

Reflection

Catch your breath. Reading this extensive list of names, some too difficult to pronounce, you're probably wondering why God would include such a detailed and repetitious passage in the Bible. What's the point? Why include this as part of our Advent journey? What can we possibly learn from this ancient and exhaustive family tree? Is it possible to meditate on these words and allow them in intertwine with our celebration of Christmas? Here's what I got from it.

In the days of Jesus’ birth, the culture was rife with expectations of the Messiah coming into the world. Discussions of who it would be and where he would come from were very common, although not all of them correct. In fact, some Jews expected two different Messiahs to come on the scene. It was a time of great speculation and uncertainty. The people of Israel wanted to make sure that had it right, and I'm pretty sure that God wanted the same thing. 

So that there would be no confusion, God spoke through the ancient prophets, who set forth unmistakable prophecies so that no other person born into this world could claim true that which Christ fulfilled. One unmistakable characteristic was that the Messiah would come from the line of King David. 

With intricate perfection and loving detail, God illustrates a family line that descends from Abraham, the Father of the Jewish people, divinely travels through the time of King David and quietly rests upon Joseph, “the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.” We see in this passage the words of a God that wanted nothing more than for the world to know his Son. Imagine the joy that filled the land as this truth slowly became realized?  

Prayer

Lord, as we meditate on these words that seem repetitious and mundane, let us see that nothing could be further from the truth. Through these words, let us realize your great love for us and be overwhelmed by the inexpressible joy that comes from you. 
Amen 

Silent Unity

After leaving facebook, my intention was to write and post at least one blog per week. Unfortunately, my intentions do not always equate to reality. Most professional writers encourage would-be writers to attempt writing every day, regardless of how you feel or whether or not you have anything to say.

I'm somewhat of an anomaly in this respect. I began writing not because I aspired to be a "writer", but simply because I wanted to express aspects of faith that I could not necessarily communicate as a minister in a church staff setting. In fact, that's exactly how the concept of  Naked Theology came to be.

I envisioned opening a forum for thought and dialogue that allowed people to not only think, but to be able to express what they thought without fear of judgement, rejection or alienation. Being "naked" in thought is a state of mind in which we are able to freely express thoughts, beliefs and opinions without the “cultural clothing” that hinders us being who we are.

Within a theological context, this means that we can be "naked" within the context of faith and spirituality and comfortable with the questions, uncertainties and doubts that sometimes come with it. All this to say; if I don't feel like writing, I don't write. If there is not something within me that I feel deeply, or feel would encourage someone else to enter the process of Naked Theology, I don't try an force it. I don't write unless I have something to say.

So, do I have something to say this morning? I don't know. But I felt like writing and that's half the battle.

Over the last few years, I've begun to spend more time in silence. Most of this time is spent in contemplative prayer and meditation, but also in times of just observing silence for the sake of silence. Disconnected from the typical distractions that usually fill the day, these times have become holy to me. I cherish these times, not because I feel the need to escape, but because this is when I find true fulfillment. In fact, one might argue that the avoidance of silence is society’s chosen method of escape and facing our true selves. For I am beginning to realize that when we allow ourselves to enter into deep inner silence, it is only then that we come face to face who we truly are.

We live in a culture where silence is often to be avoided, uncomfortable and even feared. Silence equates to idleness. Emptiness. Non-productiveness. We struggle to find anything to stifle the the silence in our lives, and in our effort to fill the void, we distract ourselves from true peace. I'm learning that silence takes focus, discipline and patience. It's not easy and takes a conscious effort of our mind, spirit and physical body.

But as we allow ourselves to settle into silence and all external distractions are shed, we delve into the only thing that exists: ourselves and our spiritual connection with God. And it is here that we find that ourselves are in complete union with God.

The gift of ourselves comes from God. Unique. Individual. Isolated. Apart from God, our self is the only true possession that we have and in recognizing this, we can then begin to see that the external factors of life really have no control over us. We can do our best to fill our lives with distractions that we believe bring peace, joy and make us better, but in reality, we only inadvertently lure ourselves further from the center.

Our inner-self calls us to look deep within. The deeper that we journey, the closer we come to God. For that is the one single point of existence; the place of consciousness that transcends and sheds even the physical body. That is when the words of Christ become most real to us when He said, "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--as you are in me, Father, and I am in you." (John 17:20-21)  As the Church is the Body of Christ and united as one through the Spirit of God, we are united and one with God. This oneness must have an origin, a starting point. As we delve deeper into silence and connect with our true inner-selves, we find that starting point residing within. It's here that we find the reality that God is one, we are one with each other, and we are one with God.