Have you ever observed yourself on the precipice of something important about to happen? When anticipating something good, we usually want to rush so it happens sooner. If what is anticipated is negative, we either try to push it off as far as we can or pretend as if it isn’t happening. We are on the verge of celebrating our annual remembrance of the birth of Jesus. The slightly unusual thing about this year’s celebration is that it begins on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
We listen once again to the interaction between the angel Gabriel and Mary. We are reminded about Jesus being the descendent of David and the fulfillment of the promise of God from long ago. It seems so appropriate that this final Sunday leading us into the Christmas season tells us about the promises of God that have been fulfilled.
In the present time our world, neighborhoods and even families and households are touched by violence on a regular basis. There also is a greater separation between the rich and the poor and so much hatred and judgment against those who are different than we are. We have forgotten that we are all one family and of one origin. Now might be the most important time to remember the promises that God has made to us and all of His creation.
Our celebration of Christmas helps us to focus on the power of one human life. We could certainly excuse ourselves from living a life like Jesus did, because we are not Jesus. But that would be a mistake. When He left this earth, He handed over the mission to us. We are to complete the work here on earth that He didn’t. To be able to do that work, in the name of Jesus, it helps to remember all the promises that God has made to us.
God is with us always. From the burst of God’s love that became creation, God has been with us. The Word of God has become present and has taken on human flesh. From the beginning of creation until the end of time as we know it, God’s promise is that He would be with us always. As you read these words, is the promise that God made to you affecting how you will live this day? Have you allowed some other promise that you believe that you’ve been given to affect the way you live?
No other person or thing can give you the assurance of faithful presence that God can give to you. As we celebrate our annual remembrance of the birth of Jesus, I pray that you can allow these festivities to deepen your belief of this promise. The promise is not meant to give us self assurance, but courage to live prophetic lives. Because God loves us and will always be with us, that should be the solid foundation on which we make choices and live our lives.
What prophetic way will you live today because God has been faithful to you? Is the celebration of the birth of Jesus just a one-day thing for you? Does the fact that Jesus became flesh and lived among us affect anything other than how many presents you have to buy or the decorations you display?
We celebrate a Christmas season rather than a Christmas day, so that we might have the opportunity to dwell on the promise of God and the courage that it can give us. Will God’s Word become flesh in us, and will we be the revelation of His promise to those around us?
Father Donald Wester is pastor of All Saints Parish in St. Peters.