Holy Presence

Christmas Sunday 1
(Last Sunday of the year, 2010)
Isaiah 63:7-9

Read Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)

“Recount” the vote, the deposit, the guest list. Make sure it is the correct number.

Or perhaps a clearer translation for “recount” may be, ‘give an account’ or ‘detail, describe in full narrative’, or ‘recall’, ‘remember’, ‘evoke’, ‘call to mind’.

The prophet writes: I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD [Yahweh], the praiseworthy acts of Yahweh, because of all that Yahweh has done for us. On this last Sunday of the year, 2010 we are invited to recount the acts of God, bring back into mind, an accounting, not just recording numbers to finding out how many. The number is not the important part although there may be many. Name and remember, consider and bear in mind who and what Yahweh, (‘I am who I am’, I will be and do as I will be and do’) has been and done. Call to mind not only those acts generated toward all people or all the cosmos, but the specific ways, both large and small, that Yahweh has been engaged in your own personal life.

Reflection and meditation:

Can you recount, recall the acts of God in your life?

Name those gracious activities of the LORD, Yahweh.

Give thanks for that has been.

Or, do you have notions of God that somehow God is out to get you and no gracious deed has come your way? What sort of God do you acknowledge?

Through the prophet Isaiah, Yahweh says, “Surely they are my people”, and "became their savior in all their distress”.

Reflection and meditation:

How do you understand belonging? To whom do you belong? What difference does it make that Yahweh claims us? Within your inmost being, stripped away of all else, is it possible to have a sense of belonging to the Eternal One? What could this mean for your sense of well-being?

The gospel reading for this day is Luke 2:8-20, that heavenly host singing, Gloria in excelsis Deo, to the Bethlehem shepherds. It is one of four angel visitations recorded in Luke’s and Matthew’s nativity story, announcing the saving acts of God. The prophet’s words, however remind us that, “It was no messenger or angel but [Yahweh’s] presence that saved them”. Saving / salvation is a major theme of scripture and too often limited in understanding by readers. Promises of salvation become notions of escaping calamity, or that we are saved from sin, (a notion which is also misunderstood), or being whisked off to a heavenly abode upon death. Prophets and psalmists alike help reclaim the notion of salvation as being the refuge of belonging to God, the security of God being with us – Immanuel. Being “saved” is more about being ‘well’, being whole, within and with God, rather than some outward rescue from ill circumstances. The Holy One is not a Rambo, Braveheart, Super Man, who by force saves the lost ones. Becoming our salvation is “Being”- I-AM-coming-One who has always been, who is always coming and becoming, with us in simple yet powerful terms, present. In all of the holy callings of biblical figures there was repetitive reminder to not be afraid for ‘I will be with you’. It is Yahweh's mantra, and it is the Holy One's presence, the Holy Presence always, that is our salvation.

In the prophet’s lesson reading today we are reminded again, that it is not in surprising angelic appearances, not in the anguish-filled times of disaster and rescue, but in the simple presence of God that is our wholeness, our salvation, our hope. “No messenger or angel but Yahweh’s presence that saved…the LORD’S love and compassion that “redeemed” us, (i.e. reclaimed and owned us), and ‘lifted us up and carried us all our days, both past and present. Immanuel, God with us, is from the beginning and will be always. Immanuel in Jesus was perhaps one of the greatest clues for us, but Immanuel is always. Yes there is that popular writing of “Footsteps in the Sand” which is the reminder that we are lifted up and carried all our days in Love’s compassion.

Reflection and meditation:

How do you experience divine presence?

Can you quiet your mind and heart enough to sense life; Life in and around you?

To what degree can you realize that you are not alone, but Holy Presence abides?

“Be still and know that I-AM is here”. (Psalm 46)

I-AM life. I-AM love. I-AM breath. I-AM always. I-AM peace. I-AM….

I-AM making all things new always. I-AM

As this year draws to an end and another year begins may we recount the gracious ways and deeds of God and may we experience the loving presence that claims us and carries us making all things well always. Truly a gift of Immanuel.

Prayer: from your favorite translation – Psalm 148