Advent 2 - His Loved Children

Working toward Christmas, drifting away from the Lectionary, but still doing the adventure of approaching the birth.

For this week, an old story from missions.  A translator-missionary produced a new Bible for a small tribe in then-un-explored Africa.  Matthew's Gospel was first.  A fine evangelist, he had brought tribal leadership into the church, and then had to leave the area for about a year.

On his return, he arrived on a Sunday just in time for worship.  Entering the chapel as the service began, he heard the congregation reciting the opening 17 verses of Matthew.  Now, this was a surprise!

He asked later, and one of the elders told him:  "You know our old ways.  Our religion has been the worship of the ancestors.  A highly honored man could name seven generations before him!  But, this man Jesus, he is greatest of all - here are listed 42 generations of HIS ancestors.  So, we honor him EVERY Sunday with the recital of this great, great honor."

God has not left himself without witnesses among ANY of His children.  While that list may not move my heart, God knows it moves the hearts of children He loves and reaches toward.

And that is the wonder and mystery of Christmas, that God DID love the whole world, and still reaches out to the whole world.

God, give us rejoicing in Your mysteries, even where we don't understand.  Amen.