“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way…” (Matthew 1:18)

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•   A person is very sad over several losses in their life, and yet when a baby is seen, that person smiles, and may even laugh at the new life seen and experienced.
• An ordinary day suddenly becomes extraordinary when a beautiful sunset is seen..
• After working in a very dirty environment (like cleaning up a sewer back up, or working in the dirt of a garden), that person goes to take a refreshing shower.

 
     And I’m sure we can all come up other situations when the sad and the ugly is transformed into joy and wonder.  That’s the way I’m feeling as Christmas approaches this year. 
     At RLC we have just completed a three week series on grief, and this Thursday we will have our service on the longest night, as we all look at the losses and deaths that surround us.  And add to this all the other troubling and disturbing news and experiences that we all have in life.  
     And all of a sudden, we are hearing the good news of Jesus’ birth!  And one cannot help but smile, and reflect on the joy Mary and Joseph had.  And the joy that led the angels to sing, and the shepherds and wisemen to go to see this Child in a manger.
     Maybe we sometimes think that the Christmas story is in a vacuum, as in separate from real life.  But it isn’t!  Look closer at this story.  There are lots of unusual and unexpected and difficult experiences happening:  demands of paying taxes, traveling while pregnant, questions about how the conception of Jesus occurred, and concerns about the welfare of this mother and child.  Add to this all the social, religious, political, national and international crises happening at the time (as in our own times), and you have a lot of sad and ugly stuff happening.  And into all of this, the Christ Child is born!  To dwell with us.  To be our Savior.  
    So whatever you are thinking or feeling right now, pause and remember:  Jesus was born, lived, suffered, died, rose, and is now living in and among you!  As your Savior and Lord.  May this cause you to smile and be filled with joy and peace and hope!!