He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground,
And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant.
On that day your flock will be given pasture and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows;
The oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork.
It doesn’t take much observation to see the abundance of the earth. If a tree is expected to reproduce itself so that its type might live on, it produces millions of seeds. Or billions. Fish produce roe, and grasses flourish to fill open spaces. Even rocks make spaces for dirt to receive the vagrant seed which finally shatters them to sand. Life produces excessively so that life might continue abundantly.
That is God’s plan for the Earth, and God’s plan for human life as well. We should produce plentifully and give generously to others so that every human being grows, enjoys, cares for others, and gives praise to God. Our plentiful production may be the farmer’s grain, the husbandman’s cattle, the researcher’s knowledge, or the priest’s intercession. Everyone can give and everyone can receive without exception.
This plan is clearly spelled out in the Bible. It’s described and enacted by the festivals of Jewish and Christian tradition. When Jesus commanded us to, “Do this in memory of me!” he envisioned the Eucharist shared with every human being who would ever be born in centuries to follow. His resurrected body should be known and honored by disciples of all nations.
This is the promise which God has made to us, a promise which is sealed with the Covenant of Jesus himself, in the flesh which is raised up and offered to everyone through the Eucharist. Those who deny the eternal flesh of Jesus deny his divinity.
We live in the promise of Jesus; it is the source of abiding joy. Though we might enjoy occasional gifts, blessings, fortunate events, and unexpected boons, these invariably fade into the past. Our abiding joy rests in the promise which, because we know God's word is true, we know must be fulfilled.
The Nativity of the Lord celebrates that promise. Let's not be distracted by the lesser pleasures of the season from the sheer delight of the Promise.
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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.