In these last days before Christmas, the gospel reading tells about an angel visiting Joseph. We hear the angel explain that the child Mary is carrying is from God and instruct Joseph to go ahead and marry her and raise the child as his own. The whole encounter is remarkable, and unbelievable.
Mind you, God is in the business of bringing remarkable and unbelievable things into being. If you’d never experienced spring before, it would be impossible to believe that the frozen bareness of winter will be transformed with new life and growth in just a few months. When we are struggling in important relationship, it is remarkable how forgiveness and healing can come from honest and caring conversation. In an emergency, strangers unexpectedly step in to help each other.
Joseph’s encounter with the angel reminds us that God is present and active in even the most difficult and unbelievable situations. God turns up in places where we least expect, bringing hope, new beginnings, and transformation.
In these days of holiday preparation, take a look for yourself. Step away from the rush and stop for a moment. Breathe deeply a few times. Quiet your mind and consider how you have seen God at work around you. Unexpected times God is bringing new life, reconciliation & healing, and transformation into your life and the world.
Over and over, God keeps showing up in places and ways that surprise us. Where we see a disaster is unfolding, God can and will bring hope and new life.
As Christmas arrives this week, my prayer is that we each will notice God’s presence, not only in the manger in Bethlehem, but in unexpected places in the world and our own lives. May we find within ourselves just a bit of the openness to God’s transforming presence that we see in Joseph as he accepts ’s welcoming of God’s news (as well as Mary’s).
Blessings to you and those who are dear to you Christmas comes!
Peace,