December 2009 Message from the Pastor

Visions

The biblical readings we use during Advent and Christmas are filled with visions. We have startling images of the end times, of deliverance, of the Messiah who is soon to come. John the Baptist cries from the wilderness for people to prepare for the coming of God’s Anointed One. And of course, Joseph and Mary and Elizabeth (and Zechariah, and Simeon and the shepherds) all have visions, mostly angel-induced, of their roles in God’s divine drama.

Would that we all had a vision of what we should do and be! Our eyes and imaginations are seldom as clear. No HD quality to the dreams we normally have and seldom do angels appear with instructions for us from God. If we do have clarity, it may be but a glimpse of the path we should walk or the choices we should make. Perhaps, as an older member of our community you can look back and say that the path you took was the right one for you and celebrate God’s guidance. But I often sense that there are life-long questions of whether we should have taken another road or missed a big opportunity along the way.

Still, the Christmas story is a celebration of the fact that God has a vision. If we’re too focused on our own efforts to focus, we may miss the grand enactment of God’s plan. Let’s put aside our “gps-ing,” our navigational preoccupations and listen to the story of God’s “reveal.” This Jesus story is as clear as it gets. Jesus, born humbly and raised with fire in his belly and love in his heart, will challenge injustices and touch and heal the tragic victims of our world. Watching this drama unfold is not a distraction from our own vision quests, it’s part of our faith journey.

As disciples, we’re told to follow, to watch and pray and listen for God’s calling. Jesus talks about his vision of how the Spirit will continue to guide, comfort and teach us.

This vision of Jesus as a continuing presence is a great mystery and also a reminder that we are not left to find our way alone.

Like the magi who followed the star, may we watch for the signs that God, through Christ, is leading us to ever greater peace and joy!


Pastor Jim Friedrich