“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
–– John 10:10b
“teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
–– Psalm 90:12
Life, precarious on our best days; woeful on our worst; uncertain when it comes to jobs, health, and relationships; laughable when it comes to our capacity to control it; tragic when hearts are rent; promising at the sound of yes; warm when someone is kind; and joyful whenever grace arrives with surprise. Yet, no matter the weather, the season, the anger, the love, the laughter, the heartache, the elation, the boredom, the blahs, the boo-hoos, or the woo-hoos, life is sheer beneficence.
Counterintuitively, fear and dread can be found commingling with birth, while beauty, joy, and grace are often discovered forcing their presence to be felt amidst the passage of death. Our confessions tell us, “Life is a gift to be received with gratitude and a task to be pursued with courage.” Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The Creator surmised that life is so cool, God wasn’t going to miss out on the adventure of it all –– “And his name shall be called … mighty God.” And each Christmas, to a beleaguered world worn down by the harm we inflict on one another, God proclaims through Emmanuel, Hey, we are in this together, and we can do better! So, this Christmas, Lord, we can do better, so “teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Life is abundant and blessed, yes, all of it. Thanks be to God.
Merry Christmas!
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