We have expectations, but are often met with a reality that looks much different than we hoped. The good news of Jesus Christ is this: Who he really is, the reality beyond our expectations, is very good news for us.
This advent we discover who Jesus is and what he is promised to be through stories of the Old Testament. There a promise was made and expectations began. From the Old Testament to now, we learn Jesus is much better than we expected.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
Jesus, open our eyes to your light and our ears to your words of hope. Come, O long-expected Jesus. Our hope is in you. Amen.
Word: 2 Samuel 12:8
“And I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.”
Meditation: Compassion out of Complexity
Today’s meditation is written by Koleen Barnes
I come from a complex family. Complex is the simple word for it. Nothing ever seems strange about it to me until I try to explain who everyone is and how we are related. My complex family has always been a blessing to me, but I will admit, it can get a bit confusing.
When my niece was younger, she was still trying to figure it all out. One day she came and sat with me and started telling me about our family. She went through all of the relationships she knew—her mommy was my sister, but our parents were different. Her Opa was Mommy’s dad, and her Oma was my mom. She kept going through aunts and uncles, cousins, great grandparents getting them all right. Exasperated, she finally asked, “Who is your dad?!” Such a simple question to me was incredibly confusing for her. When I told her my dad was Mr. Kay, who she knows, it all seemed to click into place for her.
Having divorced parents is something that can be really tricky for a lot of people. It means split time at holidays, lots of time in the car driving back and forth between houses, and for some people, a lot of tension between their parents. I have been fortunate enough to be taught, and continue to see, this division, this complexity, as a gift. Out of this complex and imperfect family, God gave me so much. I don’t see it as split time, but as double time. I get two moms and two dads, seven grandparents, a great grandmother, three sisters, and countless cousins. Most of which I wouldn’t have without this other “complexity” or “brokenness” in my life.
Jesus came out of a broken family, too. Granted, it was in a different way, but broken nonetheless. We expected this perfect person, son of God, out of a perfect and honorable dynasty, but that’s not what we got. We got a gift, our savior, out of brokenness. I think God gives us gifts out of brokenness all of the time.
What God has in store might not ever make sense to us. I’m sure it didn’t make sense to anyone in my family when it was happening. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to me either, but I know that out of what some people consider brokenness, I have found abundant love. Because I have been raised in this huge, changing, loving, and crazy family, being blood related to someone has never been a condition to love them. No one in my family uses “step” terms anymore, we simply are daughters, sisters, cousins, moms, and dads. To me, that is God giving us compassion and empathy through imperfection.
Dear Lord, please help us to see the blessings in our complex families this season. Help us to greet the holidays with love and compassion in our hearts, just like you show for us. Amen.
Prayer for Neighbors
· For my immediate geographical neighbors.
· For my community, neighborhood, town/city.
· For neighbors hurting from broken families, addiction, violence, abuse, poverty, sickness.
· For the eyes of the Good Samaritan, to see and help my neighbor in need.
Closing Prayer
Father, in the midst of darkness may we cling to your sure and certain promises. Promises sealed in the blood of Christ and proven trustworthy in the empty tomb on Easter morning. Amen!