19 Dec Thursday

The introit and the collect begin with “drop down” and “pour forth” our savior, using images of water, rain, and dew (although dew technically does not fall). fIn a world just now beginning to enter into a state water scarcity and crisis and still on the radar of only a small number, we may actually come to renew our understanding of these two powerful verbs from the ancient desert context into our own.

Reframing the end of the gospel, we might ask ourselves have we taken Mary and her child into our homes like Joseph did? We’ve prepared our menu, wrapped the gifts, decorate the house and yard, welcomed relatives, went to church, and an almost endless list of other things to prepare the way for Christmas. Some may even be exhausted already,

But have we completed the evangelical circle? We’ve heard all the preliminary and preparatory stories in the readings for three weeks. The Gospel has been proclaimed. Yet, have we taken that second to the last step of receiving the gospel into our homes? Oh, and the last step, then, is to actually live it.

Our homes are filled with all these things, the scents and sounds of Christmas, but are they filled with Christ? The rain of grace has come down, the dew has fallen, but is it taken power over our lives? Have we taken this child into our homes?