We are nearing the season of Advent, the time of preparing for Christmas. There is a verse in 2 Corinthians 5:19 that tells us what God was doing ‘in Christ.’ Today, I want to suggest that we ask ourselves what everyone was doing when the Christ Child was born. What was everyone else doing when the angels appeared to Mary and Joseph? What was God really doing when he sent the angels to Mary and Joseph? What was really happening when Mary and Joseph listened to the angels and did what they asked? When the Innkeeper gave them a place to stay; What was God doing ‘in the Christ Child, Mary, Joseph and the Innkeeper? When the shepherds saw the star, what was everyone else doing? What was God doing when the shepherds came to see? The in verse from Corinthians tells us that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ.

Do we think that the work God was doing ‘in Christ’ is over? I don’t think so. I think God’s work ‘in Christ’ and through the telling and retelling about Christ’s life, beginning with the stories about his birth is still going on and that people still need to hear it. People need to know what God was doing ‘in Christ’

Who wants to be reconciled with God in this generation? Reconciliation is never one-sided, it takes two. God and you. I think God still desires to reconcile with people through Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:

God, thank you for desiring to reconcile with a wicked generation that is at war with you and with each other. Thank you for the hard work of reconciliation to given to the world in Christ. Please draw people’s hearts and minds to you through the power of the Holy Spirit and faithful people. Give people a desire to be truly reconciled to you by reconciling first with one another. We ask this to the glory of your name and so your Spirit is no longer grieved and you might be pleased and glorified through peaceful, loving relationships. AMEN