Advent Day 19: Ordinary

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2 Corinthians 8:9
Philippians 2:5-7
Hebrews 4:15


“By putting each decision we make–in our jobs, our families, our relationships, our recreation–in the hands of God, Christ enters our lives every day, and in the everyday… Each task in an ordinary life or an ordinary day can become a chalice to carry the presence of God.” —Carol Mead, Holy Ordinary


God was born in an ordinary stable. Choirs of angels appeared to ordinary shepherds.   

In the incarnation,  holiness stepped into the ordinary. And the world changed.

 ...So what happens when we look at the world expecting to see Christ? 
Or—better yet—what would the nativity scene look like today if Christ stepped in?

These are ordinary pictures from around the world, but  when one of our high school student looked for the face of Christ, she didn’t see ‘ordinary’—she saw ‘child of God’ and the possibility for ‘holy nativity’...

We invite you to do the same. (and to do the same throughout your own life--where might God be present that you might overlook?)



We also invite you to listen (to hark)--to the really good theology in this song by Charles Wesley (modernized by Stephen Miller) about the incarnation. God laid his holy glory aside in order to be 'veiled in flesh' and the entire world might SEE (with ordinary eyes) the Holy God in our world...

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Stephen Miller
Please listen to track #1



Christ by highest heaven adored Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold him come Offspring of the virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus our Immanuel
Hark the Herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King

Raise your voice to praise the God of our salvation
Hope has come to heal the world and rule the nations
Light has broken through the darkness to set the captives free
So we will sing all glory to the King

Hail the Heaven born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all he brings Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lay his glory by Born that men no more may die
Born to raise the sons of Earth, born to give us second birth
 
Tomorrow’s word: Love →

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