7 January 2005

We start again with Jurgen Moltmann's "In The End - The Beginning."



The theology of the early Church said that in this event (Christmas) God 'became man' - became human. But the mystery really begins with God's becoming a child. The great, all-comprehensive rule of God begins as this child's rule of peace. The gospel of Christ is profoundly engraved by the gospel about children: 'Whoever receives a child receives me' and : 'Unless you become like a children...', for the kingdom of God is theirs.



How would it fit to say that the incarnation and the coming of God in the form of a child has something to do with "Unless you become you." That is, unless you see the worth in being human in your own shoes without any privilege beyond the fact that you are you...you will miss the power and simplicity of the Reign of God. Last night I told some of our young people that when we baptize, we say the child's name: first name, middle name, but no last name. There is to be no last name because the child's identity is to be as one clothed in Christ and not shielded or known to everyone by the influence and status of the family. In Baptism, God blesses and saves me...the infant child...the one who has no power and no real identity. The same thing is going to happen at my death. No matter how rich or famous...or poor and despised I may become, the casket is covered with the funeral pall so that my casket will look like all others. And when it is time to put me into the ground or taken to the crematory, they will say only the name Frank Allan - stilled beloved of God.



Connection: We have the God of Creation on our side and with us throughout all that takes place today. That doesn't make us superhuman nor does it mean that we will be protected from all the bad stuff in the world. It means we can be fully human...just who we are...and it is all that is needed to begin to walk within the image of God.



Take us and hold us as we face the events of this day, O Lord of Creation. Send us off again, with the assurance of your love that is the power to heal the brokenness around us and in us. Lift up our eyes so that we can see the fullness of this day you have created for all your children. Amen.