Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - Thoughts for Advent Two
“…the angel
reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will
bring great joy to all people.’”
(Luke 2: 10 New Living Translation)
Bethlehem is in the Red Zone and
all businesses are closed. The Inn industry is in shambles; this is usually their
busiest time of the year and are normally full. Not this year. Consequently, Joseph and Mary will not be
traveling to their family re-union in Bethlehem. The shepherds are to maintain
their social distancing and to remain in their own region over the holidays. Fines
will be levied for non-compliance. The heavenly host, if they make any
appearance at all, must all wear masks and their numbers are reduced to only
ten percent of their usual size. It would be preferable if they did not sing
but gently whisper the Good News. Due to
travel restrictions, the Magi will not be leaving for Jerusalem or Bethlehem. These
are the new decrees of Caesar Augustus!
It may not be as bad as this,
but most of us are facing very different Christmas celebrations this year because
of Covid 19. Susan and I are facing the prospect of not seeing any of our
children and grandchildren, outside of a video link. Yikes!
I need some reassurance that no matter
what, Christmas will happen.
It comes to mind that as we
light the advent candle for peace on Sunday, that the Biblical meaning of
peace has many complex and evocative characteristics. It is more than being
conflict free. It is well-being, wholeness, inner tranquility, freedom from worry
and anxiety and inner conflicts, to name a few things which come quickly to
mind.
But I also want to affirm the
traits that are about reassurance (with emphasis on the “assurance”) and
comfort. These qualities rise up against
the spirit of our times. Both qualities are found in the angel’s words, “Do not
be afraid.”
These same words show up three times in Luke’s Christmas Story, once to Zechariah,
father of John the Baptist, and then to Mary, Jesus’ mother. They are spoken
confidently and boldly in order to break through personal fears, disquiet, worries
and confusion.
God is putting his arms around these participants in the unfolding Christmas
Drama, assuring them it is going to be O.K., inviting them into God’s future plans
and thereby encouraging them to find that deeper sense of reassurance and
comfort, that however strange it all may
be, God is moving forward with his promise of Peace through his Love for us. God
has not let us go, has not abandoned us, has not thrown us to the wolves.
To be reassured is to be given the strength when we fear that we do not
have the legs for walking to Bethlehem on our own. Reassurance often needs to come
from outside of ourselves. It is the gift of Faith, Hope and Love that pushes us to move forward. Surprising
ourselves, we can calmly, after all, get
through what is happening. It is the Voice, the Message, that there is Good
News coming. This Good News is the reassurance of Peace because it is not Caesar
Augustus in charge, it is God. I find great comfort in that!
So, yeah, this Christmas is going to be a challenge. But it isn’t going to
stop the reality of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, being front and center in the
mix of things. Don’t be afraid. Be strong and of good courage. Peace be unto
you!
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I
give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT)
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