Incarnated life

It is with out doubt one of the worst years the world has lived through for a long while. In terms of both political upheaval and the following of our own wishes rather than those around us. We need to look at America, as in the USA and the dis-United Kingdom. In terms of Australia we need look no further than the pandering of those with monetary worth and power to see that the self is paramount in this world and by the looks of it the next. Do we need to go into depth with regards the poor political and personal landscape of modern Australia and the world, I do not think so. At this time of the year we re-live in our faith communities an alternate expression which we apparently refuse to live out in the world.

This alternate has been looked at over the period of Advent with the prophesies from Scripture and the generation of hope, peace, love and joy reflected in the readings for each Sunday. It is an alternate that is incarnated in the humbleness of a small country home surrounded by animals for warmth. We need only remind ourselves of the feelings we ourselves felt (for those that are old enough) when our first, second, third child was born. These feelings are recreated at every birth no matter the squalid circumstances. They are the feelings of humanity for its continuation in humble beginnings. Yes, we now have technology and cleanliness for the happy few but there are others who are still in the same boat as Mary on the day that she birthed her son. This is the incarnation that we have awaited for years, set before us in each moment of birth and yet spoilt by our own inward selfishness in the next moment or moments.

Is the manger empty of response?

We have or rather we automatically remove form our hearts the stillness of expectancy, the peace following labour, the joy of new life and the love that is eternal. We immediately begin the rush of our lives all over again to ensure the we (I) do not miss out on anything that will increase my power, my success, my wealth. We have a tendency to focus on one moment and lack the imagination to see beyond that moment in time. To begin to see the start of something new. What happens when in our expectancy and silence, our waiting our acceptance that moment arrives? What are we going to do? Are we going to marvel and then move on into something else or are we going to seize the moment and allow the momentum of God's presence build into a new way, a new life for all? Sometimes we need to dwell on the minutiae but sometimes we need to allow the flow of God's impending presence to push us into the parts of life that are our own bane and anathema. Just think of the shepherds who were out in the fields. All of sudden they were confronted and challenged, how many of us today would have responded? A baby, who cares, a saviour I have my Xbox thanks.

It is this outlook that has marred the celebration of life that is present in the incarnation. A life that is filled with joy as the new I spends time with the other and forms community. A community that is at peace with itself and knows the hope of God's ever present love. This the community of the incarnate God that celebrates with Hosannas and the angelic choir.