Long ago, God set something wonderful in motion. Into a world of economic inequality, political oppression, marginalized families, and despair for the future, God choose to give the world a special gift. It involved the movement of the Spirit, so that the hopes and dreams of past generations might sweep over the people of Palestine as a fresh breeze. It involved the willing collaboration of a young girl, who would agree to a role out of keeping with her cultural background and inclination. It involved a man stepping away from patterns of patriarchy and misogyny to welcome a bride expecting a child that wasn’t his own. And it involved a growing cast of characters–from far palaces and lonely shepherds’ fields–who would take part in both receiving and sharing God’s special gift.
God’s gift involved more than just the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It was a twofold gift: a child, born on the margins, who would be heralded as the King of Kings; an infant born under the shadow of Herod’s vengeful decree and Rome’s military might who would be honored as the Prince of Peace; a poor infant born to a poor family who became the generous giver of light, bread, water, and love for a hurting world. This is what makes the seasons of Advent and Christmas so special. The birth of Jesus Christ is a double blessing, with every aspect of his life, death and resurrection pointing to a double meaning: a gift for us as individuals, and an inspirational gift for us as communities and nations under God.
During the four Sundays of Advent, we are reminded to prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ Child born on Christmas Eve. In the sanctuary worship services, the themes for those weeks will each have a two-fold perspective that I hope you will contemplate throughout December. What does it mean to bring bread to Christ when so many hunger in the world? Is there a way that a lit candle for the infant Jesus can become a light that restores relationships broken by prison walls and violent crime? How might the teachings of the Prince of Peace change our national reliance on weapons of war? Is it possible for the simple gift of water to remind us how precious each child is in the eyes of God?
Think about the gifts you receive from God, as well as the gifts you bring to the manger for the Christ Child born on Christmas Day. See beyond the immediate appearances–wrapping paper, bows, cards, decorated trees–to something larger, deeper, wide enough to stretch to the far horizon. For when you do that, you begin to appreciate what makes God’s gift so incredibly special.