Bethlehem Bound

 

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him.

 

There is a great quote, “the more I learn, the less I know.”  

The more I experience this mysterious world, the more I am baffled.  

The more I interact with fellow featherless bipeds, the more I realize we are all just complex contradictions walking around.  

Each day, there is something that causes me to scratch my head in both amazement and prayer.  Growing up, I would hear adults say, “Welp, I am not surprised.”  As though this person has so cognitively conquered the world and understands all mysteries that they know all the tricks and tips.  I think people would say that to appear superior, but honestly, we are all bumbling and baffled bipeds trying to make our way.  

Sometimes when I lament, “They didn’t teach me that in seminary.”  Of course they didn’t!!  There is no way seminary or any school can teach you everything, because the world is the classroom…

your life is the curriculum…

your experience is your lesson every day.  

The question is not what we know, but are we willing to be taught?  

The question is not, did I earn an “A” (life is not about the grade), but am I willing to stay open and curious about this strange life we are all living?  

The question is, are we willing to let the Word, God’s expression in the flesh and breath of your life today, help expand as you explore the unfolding of the universe?  

God is the composer still writing the symphony.  God is the author, still editing the story.  The word you selected sixteen days ago is one doorway for you to enter the stable and stand in the scratchy straw this Advent.  That word in all its beautiful incompleteness is one window into your soul and is preparing your life for Christ to enter.  So may you and I let loose with our word and light and presence through which God is still entering the world that God might be known/encountered through you and me and we today.  Amen.