Chosen

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, readings emphasize the power of God to take the unknown and make it last forever. Here are two stories about God’s taking the “meek and lowly” to change the world and redeem Creation. The Reformers would say, “Man Proposes, God Disposes”. Amidst all the tinsel and glitter has come a next-to-impossible opportunity to think about the task at hand, namely proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor through our attitudes of equality and charity. When Santa Claws, it’s Time to Pause!

II SAMUEL 7:1-11 tells about David’s proposal to build God a fancy house–and about how YHWH zilched the plan. Was David trying to curry favor with God and the People? Was he trying to tell God what to do? At any rate, YHWH told David through Nathan that there was no need for that, that God was perfectly happy in his tent. But look! God reminded David that he was taken from the youngest son/sheep tender to the throne of Israel! ”I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you.” What have we assumed about pleasing God? And have our earthly desires stood in the way of God’s going ahead of the People? Have we confused our mortal dreams with God’s purposes?

ROMANS 16:25-27 is Paul’s benediction to those congregations. After all the deep theology, after all the advice and encouragement, he speaks of exaltation to the distrusted Gentiles. ”…the Gospel news of the God of the Jews offering salvation to all was boundary breaking, world shattering, and world renewing.” (Sally A. Brown, FEASTING on the WORD, B 1:89) The coming of God announces God’s care for the least of the poor and disabled.

This brings us to the Annunciation of Jesus’ conception, LUKE 1:26-38. Mary, a young peasant girl, was sitting there minding her own business when suddenly this angel appeared next to her! ”Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you!” !?!? Out of nowhere, Mary’s told that she’s gonna be pregnant with the One to Redeem Creation–despite her youth and rustic background, despite the fact that she hasn’t copulated. Her life was gonna be changed, no matter what our human intentions could be. ”Nothing will be impossible with God.” 

Advent, then, is a season when we can affirm that God is on the move. Dare we proclaim that God cares enough to break into our maelstrom? Knowing that David and Mary and many others have been set in important places reinforces our belief that we also have been singled out for a job provisioning the Kingdom.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King   –who wishes you a Christmas of joy and peace

Join us every Tuesday to be confronted by scriptures to be read on the upcoming weekend: at horacebrownking.com