To Us A Child Is Born – 2

Dear friends,
During the month of December I will be posting
a four part meditation on the life of Christ.
This is part two of four.
May this Advent season be a time when we are changed, ever more deeply,
as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7

Part II

When the time came for you
to announce your mission,
you knowingly risked your life,
boldly reminding your listeners,
(who, enraged, tried to push you off a cliff)
of their own Scripture’s stories
of God’s long history of including all.

You were healer, helper, servant
as you broke bread to feed the hungry,
touched and healed the disabled and the sick,
cradled children and blessed them
with your laborer’s worn,
compassionate hands.

You were counselor and friend,
as you met privately with struggling
religious leaders, thieving tax collectors
and women scorned, to listen deeply,
offering back their dignity and worth,
speaking healing truth and grace
into their aching lives.

You were teacher, rabbi, priest
to commoners, prostitutes and scholars,
telling stories of a God who runs to
forgive and embrace us
when we are still a long way from home,
who seeks us, like a good shepherd
when we are lost,
who sweeps to find us and uncover our
silver souls like a woman tracking down
her precious coin with a broom.

You lived surrendered to the Love of All
and taught us all to do the same.
Your love lived out in joyful service
was God’s own love for us, you said.
Love that left men and women
weeping gratitude at your feet,
broken open in wonder and hope.

from Grace Rises