Grace Upon Grace

Christmas II, 

John 1:10-18; Ephesians 1:3-14 (NRSV)

What a way to go from season to season, from year to year, with these words ringing in our ears.  Listen up:

 …power to become children of God
…the Word…lived among us, full of grace and truth
…we have all received grace upon grace
…the only Son, who is close to the heart of God
            has made God known.  (Jn 1)
 
…Blessed be God
…who has blessed us…with every spiritual blessing
…chosen us…to be holy and blameless
…destined us for adoption
…the good pleasure of God’s will,
            to the praise of God’s glorious grace...
…we have redemption….forgiveness
…the riches of God’s grace…lavished on us
…made known to us the mystery of God’s will
…to gather up all things into God,
            things in heaven and things on earth
…who accomplishes all things
…so that we…might live for the praise of God’s glory
…you…were marked with the seal of the promised
            Holy Spirit…as God’s own people…to the 
    praise of God’s glory  (Eph 1)

 

Looking behind to what was, looking ahead to what will be, what better reminder is there for us than the grace, the love, of God poured out toward us and upon us.  Christ, who is close to the heart of God makes God’s grace known.  We are empowered, blessed, chosen, destined, redeemed, forgiven, lavished with riches, ALL THINGS are gathering and connected to God who accomplishes ALL THINGS, so we might live, sealed with the Spirit.  What a great hope and promise to live into.

Who knows what this new year may bring to each one.  This I know, we have received grace upon grace upon grace upon grace of God from the fullness of God.  From the FULLNESS of God, not leftovers, not partial, not withholding from some, but from God’s fullness we receive grace after grace after grace.  Can we see it?  Do we recognize this grace?  Are we looking for it?  Are we living into it with the help of the Spirit?  Can we receive God’s grace in and through all things, even when they seem contrary to God?  Is there anything apart of God?  Nope.  God gathers everything in order to be revealed to us in all things. 

God want to be near.  God keeps pursuing us in love and grace.  Maybe this year, we will see it and receive it more fully. 

“I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to is, nor anything taken from it; God has done this so that all should stand in awe before God.  That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.”  (Ecc. 3:14-15)

 

Help us, grace giving God, to receive and know and reside in your steadfast love, through Christ and the Holy Spirit.