Imagine That

Imagine a powerful person being frightened of the most vulnerable. Imagine people so full of themselves they are unable to feel the plight of others - especially those of meager estate. Imagine people so wealthy they get anything they want - whatever it is - no matter what it may cost - even if the cost comes at the expense of others. Imagine someone whose pronouncements, whether they dribble from their mouth or are placed upon a page, were enough to ruin the lives of individuals or malign - to the point of complete rejection - a group in their disfavor. Imagine people so afraid of the power of these people that they would do anything to stay within the good graces of their daily whims. Imagine that

Imagination need not be about that which is not. Imagination is not about fantasy. Fantasy is fantasy. Imagination is not magic. Magic is magic. Imagination invites us to live with eyes wide open to that which is and thus, that which may come to be. Unfortunately, imagination can be a part of the most evil acts of our humanity. Imagination is also the springboard into great benevolence. Imagination provides vision for acts of destruction. Imagination ignites wonderful creativity. Imagination is able to raise the dead. Imagination is able to drag people to the grave. Imagination takes us beyond the events of the day that attempt to keep us just as we are. Imagination creates and shapes how our days will unfold. Imagine that.

Imagine Mary, who becomes the mother of Jesus. In one gospel she is approached by Gabriel - an angel. Imagine that. Imagine a peasant young woman whose life will be that of a peasant - whose family and friends will never be more than the peasants they are. Imagine this peasant girl being told by this angel that she was to be the mother of a new king - whose reign will be anointed by the Most High God who was at the very heart of the life of her community. Imagine this peasant girl as she pauses to take in this extraordinary event. Now, imagine if she said to Gabriel - I think not. Imagine the power of choice in that moment. Imagination helps us make choices - it is how we take ourselves into a new place. And yet, no matter what the choice, life comes out of that choice. What will that life be - how will it be shaped - what will come of it? Imagine Mary attempting to imagine something other than the world of poverty as she knew it. Imagine that.

Imagine the poor being lifted up. Imagine the rich bending down to lift up the poor. Imagine terror that drives powerless people to foreign places- even places known for oppression - yet they go. Imagine mercy extended within a world that is so easily ruled by mercilessness. Imagine strength appearing as a bended knee that positions people to serve even though they were once raised to break the backs of others. Imagine a vile world encountering the imaginative life of unbounded reconciliation and healing. Imagine enough - enough food for the hungry - enough room for those without a room at the inn - enough compassion to let no one go. Imagine those without - being considered and treated as guests to a dinner. Imagine parents like Mary and Joseph who see the world as it is and yet they nurture the imagination of their child so this one will risk losing life to make life new. Imagine that.

Imagine being more afraid of today than open to what might be.  Imagine having enough - maybe even a little extra - yet feeling the need to gripe about not having more. Imagine what it might be like to be someone who is nurtured to live in fear of others. Imagine a child who has seen parents and elders point at and speak about and put down those people over there. Imagine not being able to see the power of privilege that comes with the color of ones skin, the neighborhood one was raised in, the schools one attended, the access to generational wealth - and therefore casting down the lowly. Imagine having the power to shape the world as you want it and walking past the rest of it. Imagine the luxury of not caring what happens over there. Imagine that.

I find the incarnation to be all about imagination. I find the incarnation to be a wake up call. I find the incarnation to be that statement - that phrase - that joke - that voice - that cry - that plea - that light - that turns my head to see beyond my own world. I find the incarnation in a stable of any kind in any place to be how I am pulled out of my place and must imagine life within the simplicity of the ordinary. Within the ordinary, being there - taking time to see it - being graced to feel it - marveling at its texture - stumbling over its mess, comes the gift of peace that promises to wrap us up as a gift to the world that tyrants and evil powers and foolish people cannot  dismantle. Imagination that knows not the bounds of a creativity for the well-being of all, unveils a life in which death in all its many shapes and sounds does not rule us.  Imagine that.
TRRR