Devotional 12-15-04

Unexpected and Mysterious

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:30-32, Luke 2:6-7

Last Sunday the choir sang an anthem by Robert Buckley Farlee, entitled Unexpected and Mysterious. The chorus went like this:

We are called to ponder mystery and await the coming of Christ,
To embody God’s compassion for each fragile human life.
God is with us in our longing to bring healing to the earth.
While we watch with joy and wonder for the promised Savior’s birth.

These lines brought to mind a Sunday school lesson of a few weeks ago which impressed us with how God chose to achieve his goals through human beings. Biblical history flows with examples:

• God’s people needed to be identified – God sent Abraham.
• God’s people were enslaved in Egypt – God sent Moses.
• God’s people required warnings and guidance – God sent the prophets.
• God’s people needed spiritual leaders and healers – God called countless people to serve.
• God’s people needed a savior and an example to live by – God sent a baby, Jesus.

The great events of this world are not wars, elections, earthquakes or hurricanes, but …babies. Each child comes with the message that God is not discouraged with humanity but is expecting love, goodwill and peace to become incarnate in each and every human life. Today we celebrate that life and pray for His return, “while we watch with joy and wonder for the promised Savior’s birth.”

Charlie and Margaret Ann Lewis