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Scripture for the day: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Thought for the day: "I wish I could be there." Have you ever been in a situation where you found that thought invading your mind on a regular basis? Most of us have, I think. We're faced with trying to explain something to someone and we discover very quickly how ineffective letters or phone calls can be. We say to ourselves, "I wish I could be there so I could look that person in the eye; maybe then they'd understand." Or perhaps someone we care about is a long way away and going through some rough times. We often wish we could be there, even though we know there's nothing we could do to make things better. We'd just like to be able to put an arm around their shoulder, cry with them, and encourage in whatever way we can. Then there are other times, like the holidays, when we'd like to see those who mean so much to us so we could share our joy with them and be a part of theirs.
For many of us a card or phone call will be the best we can manage this Christmas. Many will not be able to travel the great distances that often separate us from our loved ones. And Christmas just won't be the same without them. There's just something about being in the physical presence of other people that makes our communication more meaningful and there will never be an adequate substitute for it, webcams notwithstanding.
We all understand that and God did too, better than we can ever imagine. He had something to communicate to His creation, the people He'd placed here on the earth and, though He'd sent angels, prophets, priests and others to tell them, they just didn't seem to be grasping the message. There was no alternative but to send someone in person to relay the message. That one couldn't be just a messenger; He'd sent messengers countless times. Some they’d beaten, others they’d killed and all they’d ignored. Angels speaking directly to judges, prophets and kings had been effective only for short times, regardless of how dramatic the encounter had been. And yet, the message was so important that no avenue could be ignored in trying to present it. The writer to the Hebrews paints a graphic picture of the difficulty encountered in getting the message to mankind. Read chapters 1-3 and 11 if you get a chance; you’ll see what I mean. No, there's only so much a person can do when they are absent. That's why, "when the time had fully come, God sent His Son." Words and actions are so much more effective in person. God became a person so He could communicate to people on their own level. The message of "peace on earth, good will toward men" was too important to not to be delivered in person. It was too important not to be delivered by the Son Himself, even though He knew the cost of sharing it.
He has left us, you and me, to continue to share the message of Advent: “I have come that you might have life.” May we find ways this Advent season to share the message Jesus brought to us in loving and caring ways. May each of us be reminded of the message of hope, peace and joy Jesus brought from the Father.
By the way, as I was writing this morning, I thought of how I've never met many of you and perhaps never will this side of Heaven. I wish I could meet you; it would be so much fun to take a tour of the country, stopping at each person’s house to visit. There are many things that just can't be said over the Internet!
Now go take on your world. - Bill