Wednesday, December 10, 2025: Advent Three

“Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.” (Deuteronomy 32: 11, New Living Translation)

               “Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.”  This is a line from Charles Wesley’s wonderful Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. I have always appreciated that one line especially.  It strikes a chord with me about the Love of God in Jesus Christ. Perhaps, Wesley was thinking of the verse from Deuteronomy. Whatever, with all the angels on the wing leading up to Christmas, be it a visitor to Zechariah, John’s father, or to Mary or to Joseph or a host of them to shepherds, God’s “winged” message to ordinary people is one of invitation to participate in his act of Love in the gift of Jesus Christ. God indeed lifts us all up to his Grace and Love.

                The Deuteronomy text points to an eagle.  This is a symbol of power and strength. Not small sparrow sized. Not a fancy peacock sized. Not a chicken sized. Although I must admit there is an echo of this text in Jesus’ words, “How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” (Matthew 23:37) But here it is the powerful eagle, a strong, noble bird capable of soaring tirelessly high above the clouds. Yet, in one of a few female images for God in scripture, it is the mother eagle who protects her young from danger and harm.  It evokes a portrait of  tenderness and devotion to those under her care.

                The mother eagle will watch over the little, vulnerable eaglets until they can fly and fend for themselves. She will teach them how to fly, how to read the winds, the storm clouds, to seek food and shelter, to discover that they too have wings. Remember the Better Midler song, “Beneath My Wings”: “Did you ever know that you're my hero? And everything I would like to be. I can fly higher than an eagle For you are the wind beneath my wings.”

                In the Advent of Jesus into the world, God lifts up us so that we may “fly” under the winds of his wings. “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)  God watches over us and through Jesus Christs teaches us, guides us, leads us, nourishes us, so that each of us may may live in assurance, blessing and be not afraid. “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4)

                If we were up to me, I might prefer to simply hunker down in my cozy nest and let the crazy world spin by.  “Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” (Psalm 61:4) Sounds good to me! But flying with God takes me to new places which I might never encounter. His compassionate care for you and me leads us to face the world with courage, resolve, faithfulness, and determination.  Through God’s tender Love for us, we also learn compassion, empathy, kindness, encouragement for others.  The mother eagle expects her chicks to fly; so does our God, to reveal that we truly have been made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26)

                “Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.”  May we all rise above the din and clamor, the hustle and bustle, the pressure and angst and fly high on the wings of Love as God watches over us this Advent.

                “Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.”  (Psalm 63:7)

Dale