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| Birches at the University of Minnesota Arboretum |
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
“Christmas,” they say, “is for children.” It is certainly for the child-like. In some ways Christmas is like a beautifully wrapped present – with nothing in it. If you take it apart piece by piece, looking for its essence, you might find nothing at all. The beauty was in the box and the wrapping with its marvelous colors all swirling and whirling about. Not to mention the bow on top and the carefully named giver and receiver. More importantly, Christmas is a promise which is often overlooked during the unwrapping.
To put it another way, Christmas is like the proverbial baby in the bath. If you throw out the bath you lose the baby. The sophisticate, the expert, the critic and the cynic want to take Christmas apart and see how it works. ”What’s so special about it?” they demand. The child can only reply, “It’s hard to explain.”
Today’s first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, for instance, is Christmas to me:
On that day
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding...
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding...
What is it about that prophecy that makes me glad? Mostly, it’s the pleasure of hearing it again. It’s the promise of something mysterious and inexplicable, something very good, which is to come.
Who is the him referenced here? He will be a judge. Do you like judges? Do you want the judge to set things right, once and for all? Some people say, “I’ve got mine; let the rest get theirs!” I don’t think the judge will let that stand.
...he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
The recent split of the Catholic vote between the two major parties demonstrates a lot of uncertainty about how we might attain justice. What should we do first, care for the poor or fix the economy? Should we accept a compromised medical system or have no system at all? Should we intervene in Syria or let the tragedy unfold without us? Can we do anything to stop climate change?
Advent reminds us we are still dependent children and sheep in need of a shepherd. Our leaders -- the experts, the elite, the critics and the cynics -- haven’t a clue. We must wait for God’s revelation.
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse; and he will show us the way.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.