Bethlehem Bound

 

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.

 

You are beloved.  If you hear nothing else this Advent season, know that you are God’s beloved.  If you carry any promise and prayer from Advent into 2026, hold onto the truth that God’s love has you and holds you.  To be sure, God’s love is not bubble wrap.  It won’t stop the stumbles, bumbles, heartbreak, and soul ache.  God’s love is not a money-back guarantee or promise of the “good life”.  Living as God’s beloved doesn’t mean that it is all pony rides beside a chocolate river in the Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory. 

Nope.  

Some storms drench us.  Some floods sweep us off our feet.  There is pain that no amount of binge watching, screen staring, spiked eggnog consuming, or shopping sprees can save us from.  We numb ourselves because sometimes the ache is too much to bear.  We numb ourselves because it is a culturally acceptable way to deal with the hurt.  We numb ourselves in our attempt to find what our restless hearts long to encounter ~ which is love.  To be sure, there is a gap between our proclamation of God’s love and our experience of that holy affection.  Sometimes what gets in the way between us and God is our own busyness and stubbornness.  Sometimes the obstacle between us and God is societal ~ the strains of trying to make ends meet, or getting kicked off your health insurance, or medical issues that confound the doctors who too quickly leave the room because they cannot cure you.  

Hold this.  

To believe in God’s love is not to say that everything will be roses, but it is to lean into a promise that Divine love is at work in us and through us and seeking us every day.  God so loves the world, John 3 proclaims, that God came in the flesh on earth.  This is scandalous!  God, who is holy, enters this bruised, broken, beautiful world to walk with us.  Not just in a barn two thousand years ago, but again and again and again every day in your life and mine.  Faith is a pair of eyeglasses that helps us focus on God’s arrival in our ordinary lives.  The word you are carrying to the manger is meant to be a magnifying glass to observe this ordinary life.  May you open your heart vulnerably, as God vulnerably came to earth, to find afresh and anew today God’s love has you and won’t ever let you go.  Amen.

Morning Meditation

 

He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 

 

What a powerful, heartbreaking sentence!  Christ comes to the world, and we mistake, misunderstand, and maim God’s hope, peace, love, and joy in the world.  Not just two thousand years ago, but again and again and again.  We reject Christ when we use our words to hurt and harm each other.  We reject Christ when we bully and blame others.  We reject Christ when we let racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, economic elitism, classism, agism, and all the other ways that we are jockeying for position in this world lead us rather than Christ.  When I put someone down on social media, I am rejecting Christ.  When I gossip behind someone’s back to make myself feel better, I am rejecting Christ.  When I talk about “them” and “those” people, I reject Christ.  We are playing a dangerous game in our world ~ one of violence (weapons and words and some imaginary scoreboard politically), but there are people in Cuba, Gaza, Israel, Sudan, Darfur, Jamaica, Ukraine, Russia, China, Sarasota, and across our communities who are Christ here and now.  I know that living God’s hope, peace, joy, and love is difficult and demanding.  I get that trying to love our enemies when they wield weapons that hurt too many people can feel foolish and deadly.  I get that being a Christian is not an easy way to feel safe, secure, or seen.  Rejection is part of our human life.  Humans are beautifully broken, both in Jesus’ time and ours.  Who do you struggle to accept today?  Please remember that acceptance doesn’t mean affirmation or affection.  Acceptance means that I recognize the humanity and the God-image of another.  Doesn’t mean I understand the other.  Doesn’t mean I can change the other.  To accept is to pray for peace, health, and love to be with that person.  So, today, think of someone you struggle to love.  And pray, “God, may _______ (fill in the person’s name) know peace, health, and love.”  You may say that with a clenched jaw and tight shoulders.  You may say it but realize you don’t mean it.  Your words matter.  What you speak into the universe creates a ripple and riff.  May you and I be God’s prayer this day through our words, and may the word you are carrying to the manger this year be a blessing to you and those you encounter today.  Amen.

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. 

Bethlehem Bound

 

As we let the candles of hope, peace, and love burn brightly within us, slowly read and savor John’s poetic reminder of the Cosmic Christ who has always been collaborating and conspiring with the Creator since the beginning.  I invite you to read aloud so you can hear, feel and experience these words:

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being ⁴ in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸ He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹ The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. ¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.  ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) ¹⁶ From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

 

Fifteen days ago, I asked you to select a word to carry with you to the manger this year.  A word that I pray blessed you and maybe even frustrated you occasionally.  You may wonder, “Why did I pick 'hope’ when the headlines every day shout reasons why that word seems foolish or as far away from reality as the planet Pluto?”  Or maybe you selected “Peace” and each day have found a few moments to sit, breathe, be, letting that word wash over you.  Or maybe you have decided to trade your word for a different one, like trying on shoes for a journey.  Regardless of where you are with your word, we know that words shape us.  Words impact us.  While I learned that famous childhood refrain/rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” ~ you and I know that this isn’t true. Words wound.  Words can be weaponized by politicians, pundits, and pastors.  Yet, God sends God’s Words/Wisdom/Dream/Prayer in the flesh and form of Jesus. 

 

In John’s gospel, he opens with a poetic riff on Genesis 1 by saying that God’s Word has been eternally present and participated in creation.  In verse 6, John takes an exit ramp to talk about John.  On November 30^th, in church, we heard about Zachariah and Elizabeth, John’s parents, who were advanced in age, their AARP cards tattered and torn.  Their hope of ever having a child had long ago been let go of and seemed impossible/impractical/ill-advised as their bodies told the score of a long life.  But then…surprise..a birth announcement.  The gospel of John does some wonderful verbal gymnastics above.  Re-read verse 8, John was not…I repeat was not…the light.  All four gospel writers have what is called “The problem of John the baptizer.”  By all accounts, John the Baptizer was a popular prophet.  His followers on Twitter were numerous, and his attendance numbers at worship services required police to direct traffic.  Just kidding.  But John the baptizer was well-known.  John had disciples who followed him and thought he was the Messiah.  So, the gospel writers must acknowledge John, but don’t want to distract from Jesus.  I don’t think Jesus had a problem with John.  I don’t think Jesus was concerned about who or how you experienced the love of God, only that you knew deep in your heart and soul this truth. 

 

Today, hold your word for the wisdom and love it longs to let loose in your life.  And may your word guide and ground you as we turn the corner and count down to Christmas Eve.  With God’s love to you all~  Amen.  

Bethlehem Bound

 

The Light shines into the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it or put it out.

 

Begin this morning by speaking your Advent word aloud and listening for how the Eternal Echo responds to your voice.

 

Light and darkness are dancing today.  This is true in John’s prologue, and it is true in Genesis.  In fact, the very first act of creation we read is, And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light God saw that the light was good, and the Creator separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness Artist/Author/Inventor called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5).  Go back and re-read this.  Notice that a familiar phrase is missing.  Usually, God’s creativity culminates in God saying that what is formed and fashioned is good, except here.  Separation is not declared as “good”.  Having light and darkness as distinct or different is not called good.  Darkness and light have always been in a divine dance.  Both are needed and necessary.  Both are holy.  There is a great hymn called “Holy Darkness.”  The opening words are:

 

Holy darkness, blessed night,
heaven's answer hidden from our sight.
As we await you, O God of silence,
we embrace your holy night.

 

Tonight, when the sun sets, light a candle (which our Jewish friends will do tonight to welcome the Sabbath).  Let that flickering flame dance with the darkness ~ see how the two hug and hold each other.  Let the light and darkness meet you in the story.  Speak your Advent Word aloud to the light and darkness, seeing how both have truths to sing to you.  May the holy darkness of God bless you this night as we continue to make our way to the manger on Christmas Eve to see how darkness and light are always tangled and twisted with each other.  May God’s peace/shalom/wholeness/healing and presence hold and enfold you this week.  Amen. 

Bethlehem Bound

 

This is the true Light that comes to all the peoples of the world and shines on everyone

Begin this morning by speaking your Advent word aloud and listening for how the Eternal Echo responds to your voice.

 

There is a universalist nature to God’s embrace that we are hearing this week.  Everyone, everywhere, no expectations.  Of course, we want to control God’s flashlight.  We want to tell God who is on our “naughty” and “nice” list, playing Santa Claus.  We want to block out some who seem unworthy of God’s light, determine and distinguish who has earned or deserved God’s love this Christmas.  We want to put coal in people’s stockings, especially the ones who have hurt us.  Take that, we think, because the one who laughs last wins. 

 

I don’t understand the unconditional and unceasing part of God.  There are certainly people whom I would prefer not be invited to the manger this year.  And, I think the very people I don’t want to gaze into the eyes of the vulnerable Christ-child, might be the very ones who need it the most.  At the manger, I might see the humanness of another.  Those who go reluctantly to the manger join with those who skip all the way to Bethlehem.  Those who show up at church to appease family are just as loved as those of us who have already picked out our Christmas Eve attire.  The Carol, Come All Ye Faithful reminds us of the inclusiveness of the invitation.  Come all…even if your faith is on fumes or empty.  Even if you feel this whole love stuff is foolish.  Even if you still think some people should be blocked at the barn door, because God doesn’t have a bouncer to keep the riffraff out.  In fact, God seems to delight in the lost, lonely, and left out.  Those who come to the manger feeling forgotten or pushed to the fringe get the front row seat.  The stable is full of people not on our guest list.  The stable is not reserved for those who have perfect attendance and pledge cards that were increased or the “right” beliefs.  Come all. That has been, is, and will always be God’s calling card.  Come all.  Be drenched in a light that changes the story you tell yourself about yourself, others, and especially God.  Come all.  Today and tomorrow and every day in 2026.  Come, let’s dance together.  And may God’s peace/shalom/wholeness/healing and presence hold and enfold you this week.  Amen. 

Bethlehem Bound

 

Creator’s life shone out from the Word, giving light to all human beings.

 

Begin this morning by speaking your Advent word aloud and listening for how the Eternal Echo responds to your voice.

 

How is God shining through your Word this week?  Has someone you encountered this week spoken your word back to you?  That might be one way God is moving in your midst.  Where have you stumbled unexpectedly onto your word in the most surprising way?  Pay attention today.  Find creative, fun, faithful, and meaningful ways to work your Advent word into every conversation.  Notice what happens when you drop the word “Hope” (if that is your word) into a sentence to someone.  Notice what happens when you try to write a prayer with that word at the center.  Notice what is born in you and through you as that word escapes both your lips this day.

 

May you and your word find fabulous and faithful ways to let God’s presence loose in the unexpected world today.  And may God’s peace/shalom/wholeness/healing and presence hold and enfold you this week.  Amen.