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And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1: 14 & 18
There seems to be a bit of haze that has come over the season of Advent in recent years. Advent means “Coming” and it features introspection and expectation as we anticipate the first (and maybe the second) comings of Jesus into our world. Advent calendars have been vehicles with scriptures, songs and prayers guiding us through the four weeks. The haze I refer to is that now we have Advent calendars featuring beauty gifts, wine mini-bottles, pet supplies etc., etc. I’m not complaining, just noting what I see. The haze does, however, make it more challenging to stay on the Advent journey.
The message of John’s gospel presents us with a theological understanding of what Advent and Christmas are all about. God came to us in a very human way as Jesus was born to an ordinary couple in Bethlehem while they were fulfilling a civic responsibility. THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US! This message along with other gospel accounts provides Christians with a foundation for belief and mission.
But the haze that I was referring to still hangs over our Advent and Christmas. “Popular theology” and doubt cloud the good news of Jesus that seeks to bring love instead of hate, hope instead of despair, abundance instead of scarcity to a needy and troubled world.
The recently deceased Frederick Buechner often spoke and wrote about the necessity of confronting our doubts. He wrote, “Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving.” So, just like we might make a fresh cut on our Christmas tree, we as people of faith need to make fresh cuts in our Advent and Christmas preparations. As John says, no one has ever seen God…So let us creatively be the light and grace that shines anew to burn away the haze! For THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US!
Lord Jesus, empower us to be your hands and feet, your presence, your witness, your advocates as we go about our daily lives. Help us to confront our fears and to live hopeful lives. Amen.
Darrel Peterson
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