The Fourth Thursday of Advent
December 23, 2010
Gospel: Matthew 1:18–25 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:3"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us."
They shall name him Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us." I remember a few things my freshman college religion processor taught me. Forty years later I am not sure if he would be more flattered or shocked! One of the things he said that stuck was, “Faith is not feeling.” I may not feel the presence of God but that does not change the fact that I believe God is present. I believe God is present when I feel God’s presence and when I don’t.
My wife and I have a collection of over 50 nativity scene from all over the world, India, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, and my workshop in Pennsylvania. By far the most precious is the one that was given to my mother when she was a young girl, over 90 years ago. When she died my father gave it to me.
The first time we set it up we discovered that the baby Jesus was missing. I was sadly disappointed but understood how such a little figurine could get lost in the confusion of packing and unpacking Christmas decorations. For several years we displayed this precious creche with our growing collection of nativities. One year, not too long ago, as I was examining the Mary figurine, I noticed a piece of tissue stuck up inside her. I pulled it out and low and behold, the baby Jesus was safely tucked away inside Mary wrapped up in a piece of tissue. What a wonder to discover this precious baby Jesus when I had thought he was got. He was there all the time even though I did not know it.
I pray you will discover Jesus in your life when you least expect him and are looking in unexpected places. A Blessed and Very Merry Christmas.
Gracious and living God, thank you for coming to our lives when we least expect it and in places in which we are not looking. AMEN
I think that a lot of times we don't see Jesus, even though he is always really there.
ReplyDeleteI understand your "faith is not feeling" idea. Faith is deep-seated, in the bones, if you will. As a scientist, sometimes my understanding of the laws of nature would lead me to doubt. But my faith is so deep seated and a part of me that I always shake off the doubt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious story, Pastor Evan! How delighted and overjoyed you must have been to find that little figure -- and what a great lesson, that Jesus IS here, even when we don't FEEL it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding science and faith.... I know sometimes people feel science causes doubts regarding matters of faith. I'm not a scientist, but I have always found that the more I learn about scientific explanations -- the wonders of the solar system/universe, the amazing ways our bodies work, the tiny species of creatures hidden all over the world, etc. -- the MORE I believe that only an all-powerful, creative God could make such things happen.