In so many things, the faith of a Christian is to run counter to what society adores.
It is not the richest that have honor, but those who give freely and unselfishly.
It is not the strong who are mighty, but the gentle and meek.
It is not the glamorous and beautiful of form which is to be cultivated, but the beauty of the heart and soul.
It is not the fierce and angry who are to have sway, but rather love that is to lead.
We are told to live contrary lives to all that which the world's people have come to delight in and to be walking ambassadors, mild and merciful in the face of increasing hostility.
And perhaps it is fitting to think upon these things and remember them, for now we are in that hopeful expectation, the wordless wonder and celebration of the unthinkable news that God would choose to be born amongst us; as a helpless and small child in order that we might know, love and trust Him more fully.
God does not ask us to perform any great task that He Himself has not done. If we are called to be paradoxes in the world, both in it and outside of it, and espousing the values the world does not hold fast to, we may be comforted that the high and holy God, creator of all, chose not only to come to His creation as a weak and wailing child, but to be born to poor parents, in an occupied country, and to make His entrance in a stable.
The wonder in Advent is not only that God came to us, Emmanuel, but also in how He arrived...giving honor to the lowly and humble of heart.
It is not the richest that have honor, but those who give freely and unselfishly.
It is not the strong who are mighty, but the gentle and meek.
It is not the glamorous and beautiful of form which is to be cultivated, but the beauty of the heart and soul.
It is not the fierce and angry who are to have sway, but rather love that is to lead.
We are told to live contrary lives to all that which the world's people have come to delight in and to be walking ambassadors, mild and merciful in the face of increasing hostility.
And perhaps it is fitting to think upon these things and remember them, for now we are in that hopeful expectation, the wordless wonder and celebration of the unthinkable news that God would choose to be born amongst us; as a helpless and small child in order that we might know, love and trust Him more fully.
God does not ask us to perform any great task that He Himself has not done. If we are called to be paradoxes in the world, both in it and outside of it, and espousing the values the world does not hold fast to, we may be comforted that the high and holy God, creator of all, chose not only to come to His creation as a weak and wailing child, but to be born to poor parents, in an occupied country, and to make His entrance in a stable.
The wonder in Advent is not only that God came to us, Emmanuel, but also in how He arrived...giving honor to the lowly and humble of heart.
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