Today we tell a timeless story,

often including angel announcers,

shepherds,

a babe in a manger,

a virgin birth,

a reluctant,

then committed man

who has met mystery

in angelic dreams….

then we throw in men, wise men

from the East, Magi, their title dis-comforts us,

for it points to a God who works

outside of our tidy theories….

but then so do the shepherds

should we care to understand….

and the rest,

this scene so familiar

is so unlikely…

was there an inn?

a donkey?

a virgin?

Perhaps our greatest task

is to see the deeper revelation….

to find fresh eyes to wonder,

open hearts to receive

God with us,

God for us,

God drawing us

beyond our cosy notions

and comfortable assumptions,

God inviting us

to touch the holy possibility.

that even we could become

vessels in whom

the Spirit stirs…

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Immanuel, God is with you,

God is for you,

God is calling you,

draw near,

draw near….

Immanuel…