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Luke 2:4-7
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Where God Wants To Be – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Where the understanding is outraged,
where human nature rebels,
where our piety keeps a nervous distance:
there, precisely there, God loves to be;
there he baffles the wisdom of the wise;
there he vexes our nature, our religious instincts.
There he wants to be, and no one can prevent him.
Only the humble believe him and rejoice
that God is so free and grand,
that he works wonders where man loses heart,
that he makes splendid what is slight and lowly.
Indeed, this is the wonder of wonders,
that God loves the lowly.
“God has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.”
God in lowliness–
that is the revolutionary, the passionate word of Advent.
When we put up our Christmas decorations we have some decisions to make. Shall we put the tree here or there? Should the VBS nativity go on the front hall table or under the family pictures? What about the Christmas pyramids: shall we light the candles at all, or not?
The shepherds had decisions to make as well. Shall we leave our flocks and go to Bethlehem and “see this thing that has come to pass?” How close should we get to this child? Do we even believe the angels?
Mary and Joseph had few decisions to make. This corner or that for the place of birth? The manger or a space on the floor for his crib? Should we let the shepherds come in and see the child?
God had some decisions to make as well – though his decisions were made before the foundation of time. He would rescue his lost and broken creation. He would redeem lost sinners. He would take on human flesh. He would be born in a stable. Those decisions were made so that we could be saved. His reach would be extreme, in order to assure us that there is no one beyond the pale of his redeeming love.
God wanted to be in the places of abandoned hope, lost dreams, distressed fears, abject disappointment, and crushed pride. For that is where we all are. Some people hide that well – at least from other people – but never from God. Some people refuse to believe God would come to them in their brokenness and shame – but he does. Some people yearn to know his grace and mercy – and God yearns for them to believe. Trust. Hope. Receive his gift of faith.
Where do I want to be? I want to be with God. And receive his tender comfort. And enjoy his compassionate grace. And live in his kingdom of power, grace, and glory. Forever.
Come, Lord Jesus!
David Bahn - Reflections 
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