Saturday, December 22, 2018

Luke 2:8-10

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.

The first word

What is the first word we hear? What is the first word divine messengers say to terrified human beings?

Do not be afraid.

In one form or another, this message occurs 365 times in Scripture, one for every day in the year.

It occurs in almost every scene in biblical Christmas stories. It is the first word heard by Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, the first word heard by Mary, Mother of our Lord, and the first word heard by Joseph.

Again and again, as if this is the most important thing we can ever know: Don’t be afraid. God is God, and God is all light and love.

Do not imagine you are alone with the fears and pains of your heart. God surrounds you even now. The sacraments of the Loving Mystery are always closer than you imagine, breathing peace and care into your heart through souls who truly know the Love who is, the Love who has one message in this holy time.

Do not be afraid.

Breathe and know: The Holy One is utter love, unlimited compassion and constant presence.

The things you fear can and will happen, but they are nothing to fear. For Love endures to meet you on every path you will ever walk, clothing itself in flesh to touch yours.

And in every touch, you will know.

Be not afraid.

Pr. David L. Miller

Monday, December 17, 2018

Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

An unknown way

It is a long path from Abraham’s desert wanderings to the birth of a peasant child in Bethlehem. But not for you, Holy One.

You are eternal, everlasting. You see the entire stretch of human time in an instant, all at once. Everything that happened in the centuries before Jesus’ birth and everything since is not even a moment to you, but eternally present.

But not we, mortals, for whom time itself is a mystery. We wander through our years, planning, yes, but never knowing what comes next and often doubting whether our hoped-for fulfillment will come to us.

We walk an unknown way, just like all those who heard promises of the Messiah but wondered if the Beloved for whom they hoped would ever arrive.

But you, my Beloved Lord, you know. Our ways and paths are all known to you. You see how all things fit together and are working to bring your salvation, your living and loving presence, to each us.

You work through every moment and each second of time, through every misstep, every forgotten event, success or set-back to accomplish your purpose.

And your purpose is that we may meet and see, know and love the Love revealed in ancient Bethlehem … that he may live in us.

So we wait and hope as we walk the unknown way, knowing everything is in your loving hands … and we always will be.

Pr. David L. Miller