Dear Friends in Christ,

During Advent Worship this year, we’ve reflected on aspects of Jesus’ nature. We’ve considered his humanity, his divinity, and his being called savior, one who delivers us from our sin – some form of separation from our full humanity and our divinity.

Like Jesus himself, we’re a mix of humanity and divinity. And the question is always: To which of these aspects of our nature on this spectrum are we more closely aligned?

I believe Jesus was always closer to his full humanity – and that, on many occasions, he was divine. Sometimes we’re closer to our fuller humanity, or maybe even divine; at other times we’re closer to our lesser humanity, and maybe even inhumane.

But wherever we are on this spectrum, the question of where we are always remains. And, Christmas is a reminder that Jesus comes to us again and again amidst this drama to save us from our sin, to be born in us – which happens when he becomes Lord of lives.

As we celebrate Christ’s coming yet again, we can only hope that he’s born anew in us this year – and in many others, too. For a people delivered from their sin can add up to the ushering in of life closer to God’s intended realm of shalom on earth. So, let’s hope, and let’s pray for this.

Blessings of Advent Preparation unto Deliverance,
Pastor Ed