Bethlehem Bound

 

The Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. 

 

Wait, wait, wait, my soul wants to object and interject.  Just wait a minute here.  Which is it?  Is the Word in God’s presence, or is the Word a part of God?  You can’t be both; that doesn’t make sense!

 

I love that Scripture is a mystery, wrapped in a puzzle, stuffed inside an enigma.  Scripture isn’t interested in giving you a step-by-step instruction manual for life.  Scripture wants to keep you off-kilter and off-balanced and even a bit offended by its insistence that God is up to something.  A few weeks ago, I talked about the Venn Diagrams of life.  Your energy interests with another person’s energy, and together you create a “third space” ~ a space that is a collaboration and cooperation of both.  I think about “third space” with my wife.  We are each unique, and together for 25 years, there is an energy we have both tended/created/crafted ~ we continue to do so.  I have a third space with my kids, with you as church members, with the readers of these words.  A third space can’t be contained because it is always changing ~ taking on new shapes.  So, yes, the Word could be both before God and a part of God, because I know that my family is always, always in my heart/mind/soul.  I know that God is always a part of my life, and at the same time, the Sacred is separate.  Hold this idea of “third space” as you move about your day.  You are creating a “third space” with the Word you are carrying to the manger.  That word is both separate and becoming part of your life. 

 

As you make the road to Bethlehem by walking, together with your word, you will create a “third space.”  Spend time today with your word.  Make it a cup of hot chocolate and ask it what it wants to tell you.  Speak the word aloud.  If the word is a part of a Christmas Carol and go blast that Carol from your speakers, singing with gusto.  Even if that word isn’t part of a Christmas Carol, blast music anyway because that is a holy prayer practice.  Tend the space between you and your word, because as you do, I believe God works within us and through us in these days.  With God’s hope to enfold and hold you this week.  Amen.