The Word made flesh.
Many of us spend so much time and effort in the run up to Christmas that we have a hard time simply enjoying the moment, then with a whoosh it’s gone. It’s helpful to remember – and to remind others – that, like the song says, there are actually 12 days of Christmas. That’s a blessing for absorbing the season spiritually. It’s also a blessing in that it offers us an opportunity to further reflect on the astounding revelation of himself that God gave us in Jesus’ birth. Which brings us to today’s Gospel which is, in my view, the most important passage of scripture for two primary reasons.
First, it answers the great questions of human existence. We know we live in a universe that is beyond our grasp, and ever-expanding. And each of us has a distinct and ever-expanding universe of awareness, knowledge and relationships nestled in the larger scheme of things. How do we fit together? How does my life matter? What does it all mean, if anything at all? You may not spend much time thinking about such things but you need to know someone has, kind of like you hop on a plane trusting that someone figured out how to make it fly safely. And you do have some interest.
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The child who changes everything.
Years ago our neighbors across the street adopted a little boy name Gage. His first four years of life had been very hard, so hard that he had developed severe stomach issues out of sheer anxiety – so severe that he had to have a feeding tube because he couldn’t hold down regular food. He had thick glasses and he loved to flash the sign language symbol for love.
His adoption into his new family gave him a new life. It was like he was unleashed to be the very busy, active and inquisitive little fellow he actually was. He would pepper you with nonstop questions, just bursting with life.
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Control and Anticipation
How many of you have had surgery where they administered anesthesia? Do you remember the feelings and thoughts in minutes waiting before they administer the anesthesia? Do you watch when the anesthesiologist injects into your IV? How about the feeling when you are signing the release papers? How about the day that you are going to the hospital, will everything be ok? Will the surgery be successful? What will it feel like? What if I don’t wake up? What if they find something really bad? How about when you help load a loved one into an ambulance? Earlier this year, I called 911 because Laura was having some heart issues. When the ambulance arrived they checked her over to be sure that she was stable. Then gave us the news that they would be transporting her to the hospital. We decided that she would be transported to Advent Hospital near Winter Park. As I kissed her and told her that I loved her the ambulance attendant told me that I should follow along behind them. But, if they turned on the lights and sirens do not try to keep up. All was going along just fine until we reached Haines City. On went the light and sirens! I could only watch as they disappeared into the traffic ahead. All kinds of things entered my mind as I sat helplessly in the traffic!
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