November 21, 2022

Beloved in Christ:

As we enter into Advent, I offer you this poem from author Ann Weems[1].

“The Coming of God”

Our God is the One who comes to us
in a burning bush,
in an angel’s song,
in a newborn child.

Our God is the One who cannot be found
locked in the church,
not even in the sanctuary.

Our God will be where God will be
with no constraints,
no predictability.

Our God lives where our God lives,
and destruction has no power
and even death cannot stop
the living.

Our God will be born where God will be born,
but there is no place to look for the One who comes to us.

When God is ready
God will come
even to a godforsaken place
like a stable in Bethlehem.

Watch…
for you know not when
God comes.

Watch, that you might be found
whenever
wherever
God comes.

Whatever you are doing this Thanksgiving, I hope you are finding joy and life and laughter. And as we enter into Advent, my prayer is for your soul: peace, holy preparation, and deep relationship with Jesus Christ, born in the godforsaken place, a stable in Bethlehem, and who now has found you.

In gratitude,

Beth+

[1] Kneeling in Bethlehem, (The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1987, page 13).