"he simply wants to spend time with his father"

Notes from the Pastor...

In this final week of Advent I am reminded of the Prophet Micah.  In his first pronouncement we hear these frightening words:
For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.  And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place. [...]  
"Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting a vineyard..."

We may be tempted to read these words and see a pronouncement of last day's judgment and doom.  However, many scholars, of whom I am convinced, believe that Micah is not talking about destruction, rather, reclamation.  This is the pronouncement of the return to the Garden of Eden: "a place for planting a vineyard".  But most impressive is the fact that God will "come out of his place [in heaven], and will come down and tread upon [...] the earth."  Remember Genesis 3:8 - "And they heard the sound of the Lord God
walking in the garden in the cool of the day."

Undoubtedly, the presence of God on earth is a fearfully, wonderful thing!  And it is at Christmas that we celebrate the fulfillment of Micah's pronouncement, the reclamation of Eden, because: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

When I get home from work, Jack greets me with absolute exuberance.  At times, it is because "Mommy" has promised that something good is going to happen when "Daddy gets home."  At other times, it is simply because I am home.  Yet in all times, his joyful face is the result of presence.  He could care less how I spent my day, it does not matter if I am wearing a suit or jeans, he simply wants to spend time with his father.

This weekend we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel - "God with us".  May God's presence greet you in your Christmas celebrations and may you greet the Word-made-flesh with exuberance.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Pastor Ryan