This week we gather to tell a story. It’s a story that we’ve heard before. Indeed, it’s a story so familiar that it almost becomes a familiar, soothing rhythm, rather than what it really is – earth-shaking, heaven-upsetting truth. Jesus is born. God is incarnate. God is human.
As Christians, we are familiar with the power of retelling stories. As Episcopalians, we even sometimes say that we believe as we pray. Every week we retell the story of Jesus at the last supper, reminding us to “Do this in remembrance.” This week we retell the story of God being born, of God-With-Us.
It’s quite an extraordinary tale. Normally we would hear Luke’s version – the tale of taxes, no room in the inn, shepherds and angels. This year, however, we instead hear from John. “In the beginning, was the Word.” This Word exists with God. This Word is God and creates all that is. As it says in Genesis: “And God said … and there was.” God speaks the world into being, and we are told that this Divine Word, this God, becomes human for us. Our light, our truth, comes into the world, and we don’t recognize him. In the very start of the story we are reminded of God’s infinite love, and our infinite obtuseness.
The Gospel does not leave us there, however. We are promised that in receiving Jesus, we have power to become God’s children. In recognizing God, we are offered closer relationship with God. The God who loves us so much that the cosmic and infinite squished himself into a human baby – literally became one of us to love us.
So let us tell the story of angels, announcements, travel, miracles, shepherds and kings. But let us also tell this cosmic story, this defiant and ridiculous story of God becoming finite for us. Of God loving us enough to be both God and human. Of God living with us, knowing the limits of our minds and belief. And let us rejoice in this gift God offers each and every one of us – to become children of God, full of grace and truth.
Prayers and Blessings,
Mother Pippa