Fourth Sunday of Advent 2024 - Love of Wonder

Grinch Green is the theme while decorations of Christmas trees and bells and snowflakes set the mood. Wearing Grinch hats and sweatshirts, families and friends in groups of three or four and sometimes six or more gather round the tables ordering their favorite Grinch-green brunch delights. Of course, the Grinch is making his rounds with everyone posing for pictures. The Grinch is full of funny gestures of silly poses and gives peppermint candy canes to all. Then she quietly comes in, pushing a wheelchair, not a small one but adult size. Wearing his favorite Grinch hat and fuzzy green Grinch shirt, his mother carefully maneuvers the wheelchair, making sure it is not in the way. With her merry red Santa hat covering part of her gray hair, she slides in beside him, a table for two. In this room full of giggles and grins, this mom watches, like many times before, silently hoping her disabled adult son will not be overlooked or find familiar rejection, hoping he finds joy in the moment. As the Grinch comes close to his table, he turns, puts his hands on his hips and gives his best Grinch stare. Then, with such loving respect he slowly reaches out his white-gloved hand to shake hands with his Grinch admirer. After, the Grinch moves closer to him, puts his arm around him posing for the photos that will capture the moment. After a few more waves, the Grinch moves to the next table, and the mother smiles. In the middle of Christmas wonder, her heart finds a simple love that can’t be purchased, a kindness bigger than big. For decades this mother’s heart has felt the ache of exclusion and the anxiety of disappointment for her child who sits on the margins. Smiling and nodding to her son, she treasures this moment of kindness, pondering much in her heart. 

One quiet and silent night, Mary reflects on all the miraculous happenings. Her baby had been born in an unexpected place, without the comfort of home and family. Instead of a fitting bed, the baby had to be wrapped in cloths, placed in a food trough to sleep. Random shepherds from a field nearby had rushed to find her baby boy, telling of a heavenly message about a holy baby being born and choirs of angels singing about glory and peace. The shepherds shared their amazing stories, and soon others were wondering about this baby called “Christ the Lord” with many songs of praises rising into the night sky. At the temple, the righteous man, Simeon, and the prophetess, Anna, declared their revelations of glory and grief to come and offered thanksgiving praises. There were Magi from the East with gifts who had come to find the Messiah and worship him. So much to consider, so much majesty and mystery, possibilities of great hope and joy but also sadness, a time of both sacrifice and sword. With knowing and not knowing, Mary smiles and nods to her son, and she treasures all this wonder, pondering much in her heart. 

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Luke 2:1-38

Third Sunday of Advent 2024 - Joy of Wonder

One ordinary afternoon, as I approach the school playground, she turns and sees me. Wearing a big smile, she begins to run towards me, bounding with the simple joy a four year old finds in the moment. Nearing the sidewalk where I wait, she stops suddenly, bends down, and picks a yellow dandelion. Beyond excited with her unexpected find, she stands and runs to greet me. “I picked this just for you,” she says with such innocent delight, as if that weed is a yellow, thornless Gold Medal rose. “Thank you,” I reply as I kneel down to give her a long hug. “Isn’t it beautiful,” she says admiring it with eyes full of wonder and possibility. On that playground, in that moment, a yellow dandelion transforms into a remarkable gift of great joy. In this unanticipated joy, my heart is forever marked by the simplicity of a child’s hope and love and peace.

A baby enters a world full of chaos as love tenderly welcomes; a new day, a new way is born. Likely noble and influential but certainly Gentile, Magi travel from the East, following a star with great joy, searching for the Messiah, and bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, treasures for a King, a Priest, a Savior. When they find Him, they fall to the ground and worship Him. No one knows if these gift-bearers are philosophers, astrologers or perhaps even kings or how far or long they have traveled. These seeking Magi are filled with wonder as they repeat the prophecy of old, only to discover a remarkable gift of great Joy. This holy child will become known as the Messiah, a name spoken by prophets, a Baby announced by angels, the Son affirmed by God, a Teacher nourished by the Spirit, a Savior crucified by sin, a Redeemer resurrected by Grace, a King returning by Promise. Humanity is forever marked by the joy of Eternal Hope, the joy of Perfect Love, the joy of Everlasting Peace. -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Matthew 2:1-13

 

Second Sunday of Advent 2024 - Peace of Wonder

The night sky dances with sparkling lights, vast and full of possibility. A navigator in the Air Force during WW2, my daddy knows the geography of the heavens. On a clear night we slip outside to look up at the night sky, and he points out various constellations and planets. Two stars on the Big Dipper’s bowl form an imaginary line to the North Star, the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper. Sitting on the car’s hood, we lie back on the windshield to get the best view. Without big city lights to diminish the splendor, the whole sky boasts its best shine but with a quiet majesty. The hushed tone of the night sighs in harmony with its glory. Known and unknown galaxies far beyond fill me with wonder while greatness and goodness embrace me. Peace is born in me!

A quiet night on a hillside away from the city shepherds watch over their sheep. Suddenly an angel appears, illuminating the darkness, and God’s glory shines all around them. The shepherds feel overwhelmed. The angel says not to worry but know that this celestial announcement brings good news and great joy. A baby has been born in Bethlehem who is Christ the Lord, and you will find him lying in a manger. Suddenly, the whole sky explodes with a heavenly choir of angels singing songs of praise and joy. When the stillness of the evening returns, there is a beauty and splendor in the night sky, like leftover glory. The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem to find the child. As they stand before the baby, there is a whispered holiness of knowing and not fully understanding filling them with wonder while greatness and goodness embrace them. Truly, peace is born on earth this night! -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

* Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 

First Sunday of Advent 2024 - Hope of Wonder

Wearing silver fairy wings and Irish-green pajamas covered with shamrocks, she moves freely to the music. In the background, Pandora plays instrumental tunes suited for creative movement and ballet moves. Unencumbered by anyone around her, she dances with sways and bends, arabesques and pirouettes. There is an innocence and vulnerability in her rhythmic moves, a freedom in these solitary expressions. Only five, she is a beginner with unrefined movements; yet, her pure heart so loves and feels the variations of the music. Simple, uninhibited joy expresses something far more beautiful, more full of wonder than words.

On a seemingly random afternoon, a young girl, Mary, encounters a holy messenger, an angel who tells her she is “favored by God” and will give birth to “the holy child” who will be the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. Unexpected and probably confused, Mary demonstrates a vulnerability in her unmatched experience. With a trusting spirit, Mary’s prayer, known as The Magnificat, invites us into her heart. She delights in God’s promises and provisions for her people through the generations. Called “the first prayer in the Gospel story” Mary praises and thanks God. Unencumbered by her culture, Mary’s pure heart reveals an extraordinary love and willingness to be God’s servant. Simple, uninhibited joy expresses something far more beautiful, more full of wonder than words. -dho

Oh, the wonder of it all… just to think that God loves me. [George Beverly Shea]

*Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Time for Many Purposes

“If work has no single, unchanging purpose, perhaps it has a myriad of purposes, each meaningful in its own time.” 

Theology of Work

We search the world for meaning, for purpose, for reasons. When the world does not offer wanted answers, we wonder if God has forgotten us. If we pray to God for meaning, for purpose, for reasons, and He does not respond as we expect, we doubt that God is listening. We crave more and more of the world's tokens, collecting the trophies of greed and pride; yet, we are empty. And still, God calls to us and seeks us ~ wherever we are. God has designed each of us for His purpose, a myriad of purposes.

As the Women’s Bible Study on Ecclesiastes is ending, we have examined Solomon’s words and thoughts, admittedly some are depressing and discouraging. In the beginning chapters there is so much emptiness and futility of life, questions about purpose and meaning. Ecclesiastes in a book in the Bible which really must be read in full to gather its complete intention. God’s gifts of work and purpose are for us to discover, use, and enjoy! Friendships and community bring both joy and security. There are seasons for all cycles of life: from birth to death, from planting to harvest, from youth to old age. All the while the world endlessly seeks to create chaos and doubt. The truth remains that God’s creation is beautiful and full of purpose, and we can never understand the ways God works. At the book’s conclusion, we find a simple response - love God and follow His ways.

Questions, reasonable and ridiculous, will probably always disrupt our thoughts. What kind of God lets me confess what He already knows? What kind of God listens to my petitions when He knows I will fail again? What kind of God forgives my mistakes just because I ask? What kind of God loves more than enough? What kind of God calls me Beloved? Mercy comes quietly and whispers of tender words call ~ My Beloved, you are Mine. You are forgiven. I will never let you go. Now, let's be about My purpose. There's a harvest waiting. I love you. Baruch Hashem Adonai! Blessed be the name of the Lord! What inner peace! Amen. ~dho

The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.  Fredrick Buechner

Enjoy God’s Good Gifts

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Called to rejoice and do good is to be our response to God’s gift of many opportunities to work, serve, and celebrate. To find joy in living and to contribute to society in positive, valuable ways evolves into treasuring contentment and sharing the fruits of our labor. The Chronological Study Bible reminds, “Do not let what you don’t know about the future destroy the joy God wants to give you today.” How often we focus on the uncertainty of the future and miss the moments of joy God offers in the present.

In studying Ecclesiastes these last weeks, the ladies in our Bible study have wrestled with uncertainty, injustice, and grief. We all would rather have easy answers to our hard questions, live in a society where fairness and justice is always the outcome, and know joy and peace and comfort without disease, disunity, and death. In our search for meaning and purpose in life, the world reaches out with shiny and shallow offerings, and we are enticed. The only thing that anchors us to God is trusting in His unchanging certainty and supreme authority. Blackaby tells us, “Food, drink, laughter, and earthly treasures are all temporary pleasures. But God created us for so much more… Abundant life begins when we submit to Him.” How often we dismiss the absolute Sovereignty of God and forget how necessary our complete dependence on Him must be.

In our personal pursuit of wisdom and meaning and purpose, our journey reveals an emptiness without God, without His provision, protection, and presence. We must accept that we will never understand all that God allows on this earth. Rather, in the middle of the chaos of this crazy world, we need to embrace the goodness of God and the goodness we have been gifted through Him. The Message Study Bible challenges us with this thought, “In the Jerusalem Talmud is a saying: Every man must render an account before God of all the good things he beheld in life and did not enjoy.” This confronts our carelessness. How I long to savor the joy and abundance and goodness God entrusts to me. -dho