Away in a Manger

22Dec
The Word was made flesh and dwells among us.
 -John 1:14

Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.
 -John 20: 25


This is three days before Christmas. It is also St. (Doubting)Thomas’ Day. I’ll return to St. Thomas later but right now we’re getting ready to hear the wonder-inspiring story of how Jesus was born in Bethlehem and slept in the cow’s feeding trough (that’s what a manger is). He drank milk from His mother’s breast and he dirtied his diapers (that’s what the swaddling clothes were for, in part). We’ll sing the hymns that are so soul-satisfying that the angels must have sung them to the new born Babe Himself!


“The Word was made flesh and dwells among us.” Was God really flesh and blood in that vulnerable infant? Sometimes I wonder what that means. Then I get caught up with buying Christmas gifts for the grandkids and ask myself which ones will still be “young” enough for me to hold and hug and kiss.


Trinity Church is in the gift-giving mode throughout the year. We intentionally serve people to help them feel loved and valued.... reassured that they are not forgotten or alone. I think of TEEP – Trinity Episcopal’s Enrichment Program - which provides educational and cultural enhancement for at risk kids. I think of Trinity’s John Musser who just returned home from Angola Prison where he was part of a Kairos team for inmates on Death Row. All of this for people who have been judged by society as the worst of the worst and condemned to die. (As Jesus, also, was so judged and condemned.)


Every Sunday at the end of the Communion, members of our congregation are sent out in our name to people who are sick or alone. Thousands of people are fed annually through Trinity’s Loaves and Fishes ministry! Each summer hundreds are given precious medical care through Trinity’s Medical Mission. During Advent volunteers share practical, down-to-earth, gifts denoting Jesus’ love as we deliver poinsettias, gift cards, and food to the hungry. 


But for me, this Christmas, I am moved to the Word-is-Made-Flesh tears when I hear stories told by members of our new Migrant Ministry. Many Trinity parishioners are in distress over the suffering of our brothers and sisters in the immigrant community. For several months a small group of folks have been supporting immigrant families privately by purchasing food in bulk to be delivered to Familias Unidas for distribution. Now we can also pack and deliver boxes of needed supplies for distribution, accompany someone to a doctor’s appointment, or provide notarial service.


Yes, Christmas is about God loving us so much that God becomes one of us to experience the joys and the pains of being human. But I think God becomes flesh in human form so that we can share our own fleshly humanity with others who are seeking solace and God’s help.


Today is the Feast of St. Thomas. When the other apostles told him that Jesus had risen from the dead, Thomas is famous for saying “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (John 20.25). One week later he did see Jesus face to face and heard Jesus say, ’Peace be with you.’ Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’” (John: 20. 26,27) Thomas knew Jesus when he met Him in His flesh and blood exclaiming, “My Lord and my God!” 


I believe that Jesus wants us to also bring Him to others in our flesh and blood, hands, arms, eyes, ears, and human love. Christmas can be all year ‘round, not just a day or season. Perhaps something you do for someone else can move them to know Jesus’ presence in yours. Through you, they can hear Jesus say “Peace”.


Musical Reflection - Away in a Manger - VOCES8


May you be richly blessed in just a few days from now as we celebrate how the Word is made flesh and dwells among us. Amen. 

HealingChristmas

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