This week I was remembering a time when our boys were young. We had a nativity set that we placed under our Christmas tree, and the boys would play with the characters. We could hear them telling their versions of the Christmas story using the ceramic Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. One of our boys was notorious for hiding things from us and it wasn’t unusual for the Baby Jesus to be missing for a few days. When I came home for work, I’d go on a search and would

usually find him in one of the drawers or between the sofa cushions. During the season I was telling a friend about this hiding habit, and I heard myself say, “I’ve spent the whole season looking for Baby Jesus.” My friend quickly responded, “Not a bad way to celebrate Advent!”
    
This season we have been watching for the coming of this Divine Child, the gift of love from God, and we have heard the message of his coming in the words of the prophets, we have read the stories of dreams and angels’ visits with Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph. And we have experienced glimpses of God’s coming in the rich moments of grace that have surprised us each day during Advent. For me those grace moments have come in the beautiful music of worship, in welcoming new members into the church, watching children lay hands on their dad at this baptism, visiting with the residents of Homeplace at their Christmas open house, hearing the stories of Brighter Days After School Care, praying for the Olivers as they continue their ministry in Malawi, Africa, sharing Christmas stories around the table with the Multicultural Fellowship, hearing about a visit as we extended the table of Holy Communion to our homebound members, in moments of quiet while reading Beth Richardson’s The Uncluttered Heart Advent devotionals and daily readings from Bishop Job’s When You Pray. For me there have been too many moments of grace to list here.
    
My prayer for you is that you will make your way to Bethlehem this season and “see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15b) And may your homes and your hearts be filled with the richness of God’s love!

 

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