Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I could write a lot about the wise men -- they're a fascinating topic.  Here we find some Persian astrologers who are looking into the sky when what should happen, but God writes the truth into the sky, and they're bold enough to pursue it.  Lesson 1 -- God comes to us where we are.  God didn't wait for the Persians to figure out the truth, but God reached out to them in the method they would understand.
  Then the wise men go to Jerusalem, but they don't know where Jesus is born, so they go looking for answers.  Lesson 2 -- don't be afraid to ask directions!!  Just because you aren't certain of how best to follow Jesus doesn't mean that you have to blindly stumble along out of pride -- let yourself be led by the community.
  When they find Jesus, they fell down and worshiped.  Think of it -- beforehand, they had been staring into the sky for answers, and suddenly they're falling down before a toddler to worship.  The truth that was written in the stars came down from heaven to welcome them into a Kingdom of grace.  These outsiders were welcomed as they were, and they laid down their treasure.  Lesson 3 -- the treasure to offer to God is what you have, not necessarily what you think might be needed.  The gifts of the wisemen weren't perfect for a toddler, but that's what they had, so they offered it, and we read about it to this day.  Give what you have, not what you think is needed.  Start where you are -- God is reaching out to you, inviting you in to an abundant and eternal life.  Start the journey!

Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1-7 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Having never been pregnant, I can't pretend to understand the experience Mary has.  I cannot imagine that riding a donkey while pregnant would be a pleasurable experience, especially when laden with uncertainty.  Mary has been told that she would give birth to the Messiah, and so she knows that she carries the hope of nations within her womb, but the Gospels are silent as to whether or not she has any details beyond that.  Her mind must be filled with questions as her body prepares to deliver the Christ child.
  On that first Christmas morning, she gives birth and lays her child in a manger.  The Messiah has come, God with us, and God experiences life as a helpless, dependent infant, looking to Mary for love and for nourishment.
  I don't know what God has planned for my life, and I don't know what God has planned for your life, but you have been called to bear the presence of Christ into the world.  There is great uncertainty in the specifics, but just as the angel came to Mary and announced that she was chosen by God to serve, know that you have been selected by God to serve in unique and particular ways that only you can serve.  You have been given a skillset and a personality that can bring glory to God and help expand the Kingdom of God, and while there are times that your calling will be intimidating and likely fearful, trust and believe that God is with you and that you are infinitely loved and treasured.  Do not be afraid -- God is with you, and so let the light shine, no matter how strong the darkness may be.

Acts 1:1-5

Acts 1:1-5 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  During Advent, we celebrate what God has done and we look forward to what God will do.  It's not unlike sitting down for a meal at your favorite restaurant -- before the food is served, you're comforted by all the memories you have of previous meals there, and it gives you confidence that this next meal is going to be good.  You get excited, looking over the menu with anticipation at what will surely bring delight.
  In Advent, we remember all the amazing things that God has done.  Mostly, we focus on how God fulfilled the promises of the prophets so many years ago.  Those prophets had a challenging duty, calling the people back to faithfulness in the present while pointing forward to God's redemptive work.  They were calling people to rely upon a promise and shape their lives around the basis of God's previously reliable works and the certainty of God's continual providence.
  In the present, we sit down and remember what God has done.  With fondness and affection, we recall the ways that God has worked in our collective history.  We remember the sending of a Savior, a light into the midst of the darkness, and we look over the promises of God in ancitipation of the delight that God will bring to our weary souls, knowing that our hungry hearts will be fed by the Word of God trusting that the God who fulfills his promises will continue to provide for us both today and forevermore.

Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  There's something remarkable about John's humility.  He knows that his life has one task, one purpose, and that is to help prepare the world for the public ministry of Jesus Christ.  He joins a long and faithful line of prophets who pointed beyond themselves and beyond their present time to a future where the promises of God would become real, no by their doing, but by the work of God.
  Our job is not so different.  Sure, we don't wear camel's hair (at least I don't) and locusts are not my meal of choice (although the nutritional value of a locust can be found here), but we are called to point beyond ourselves.  Our actions and our words, the way we treat one another, should announce that the Lord reigns in our lives, and that we believe that he is coming again.  The Lord is mightier than we are, and our lives should serve as an invitation to others to participate in the joy of Christmas, when Christ enters into our world, into our lives, and transforms us by God's grace.