At long last, we have almost arrived at the moment of our celebration of God's coming to dwell among us on earth. Four candles are lit now on our Advent wreath, and the white Christ candle in the center will be lighted tomorrow night, Christmas Eve, marking the time of our Savior's birth. "What child is this?" Who is to be born? None other than Emmanuel-the name means "God with us." This birth is so important that we must pause now from our frantic rushing about to gather round and retell the ancient story and sing the familiar carols that herald this wondrous birth.

Story and song. This is a birth most accurately described in the language of the heart-the language of poetry and metaphor, the language of love, the language of radiant light, angelic harmonies and undying hope. "This, this is Christ the King, the babe, the son of Mary."

Now, this birth is like every other, familiar to all humankind in its mix of trepidation and inexpressible joy, of earthiness and sublime transcendence, not so unlike the birth of Sarah Marie, whom we will baptize this morning, and all the other precious babies born into our church family this year. Part of the power of this birth lies in the fact that birth is so utterly familiar to us and part of how we all experience this world. Our God comes to be with us in a way we can understand. Emmanuel, God-with-us, is a face we can recognize.

And, at the same time, of course, this birth is totally unique. For we believe the one named Jesus of Nazareth to be the promised of ages, the Messiah, who is Christ the Lord. This birth will change the course of human history and transform the lives of all who encounter its truth. To our ears, this is the child of whom Isaiah prophesied: the child who will lead the wolf and the lamb to dwell together without fear and the nations to melt their swords into pruning hooks. This is the child who will bring sight and healing and good news and new life. This is that child who ushers in the time of righteousness and peace. "When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing."

And so, let us go again to Bethlehem with Joseph and Mary and greet this one who is to be born. Let us draw nigh to the place and the time of his advent among us. To prepare for the birth, let us become in our hearts like his mother, Mary-brave, strong, able to see herself as part of God's larger plan for the whole world, eager to take her place in a story much larger than her own. A young woman so familiar with God's promises, and so trusting, that she could relish a role in bringing them to fruition. A prophet in her own right, proclaiming the salvation of the lowly and the oppressed. Let us, like Mary, hear the promises of God and ponder them. Let us become like Mary now, and show more confidence and clarity of conviction than we might have thought possible. "There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth, for the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth!"

And let us also become like Joseph, an honest man of prayer whose closeness to God enabled him to believe that God was present with him, and that God would speak to him in a dream, comforting, guiding and instructing him, and showing him how to open his heart to the child about to be born and to his wife, Mary, taking away his fear and doubt. Let us become like Joseph now, and be open to the guidance, compassion and courage God offers us. "Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine, Love for God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign."

This morning, let us hear anew the familiar Word of God, and sing and rejoice that God chooses to come and dwell among us, Emmanuel. And as we listen and give thanks, let us reflect on the awesome responsibility given us to live in the presence of the Most High. To see the face of Christ in the face of each we meet. To be the instruments of God's salvation in our time. To play our part in carrying the story forward, that God's light may shine into the generations of our future.

There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! Christ the babe is born for you.

Lesson - Isaiah 11:1-3a, 4a
Hymn No. 218 - It came upon the midnight clear
Gospel - Luke 1:46-55
Hymn No. 229 - Infant holy, infant lowly
Gospel - Matthew 1:18-23
Hymn No. 249 - There's a song in the air!

© Patricia E. Farris, 2001. Permission is given for brief quotation with attribution. All other rights reserved.