Week 1: Day 7

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11

It is not finding the Immanuel in the holiday that is difficult, rather the difficulty lies in what happens when we find him. Because if his coming was to be with us and for us, that will change things inside and outside of us. Brennan Manning calls those who dare to “celebrate as if he is near” the “victorious minority”. If God came near, there are great risks to be taken.

But only the victorious dare to take them.

Believing that in this moment the Holy has come near will make us choose an awkward apology in a long devastated relationship. It will dare us to measure the heart of our giving against the heart of the great Giver. To celebrate by diving deeply into the messes of the brokenhearted and the captives, speaking words of hope into the darkness. It means loving enough to be honest and brave enough to wander into deeper territory. It is engaging when we want to retreat, walking when our legs are tired and speaking when the words are hard to find. It is taking notice of the empty seats and plates and stockings. Celebrating as if God really came near will require more from us than we could ever imagine.

And yet, we will never go alone. In the awkward and the risk and the uncomfortable, the battle cry of our hearts remains the same: “God with us!”

Prayer: 

Lord God, You have appointed me...but you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you. Use me as Your instrument -- but do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all.

Amen.

(Martin Luther)