O Come Let Us Adore Him

Every night I have a front row seat to watch a four-year-old try to figure out the Holy Trinity. In talking about the nativity, it has dawned on Addison that something is afoot about Jesus. For instance, when I say God sent his son, Jesus, and then add that Jesus is God, she stops me, “But who is God and Jesus?” Then I do my best to explain how God is one God but has personalities—Father and Son. (I am not even getting into the Holy Spirit yet!) So, we rock along until we get to part that says the infant in the manger is God, and again Addison wrinkles her brow and starts waving her hands, “But who is God and Jesus?”Last night, however, we had a breakthrough. We are now at the crucifixion in our story, and I am talking about God the Father, punishing his son Jesus for our sins, and explaining that because he was not just any man, but God, he rose from the grave. It was at this point that there was revelation. She sat up and started retelling the resurrection, with the angels helping Jesus get out of the grave; and then she said, with complete wonder at the dead being raised, with profound conviction and deep joy, “Daddy, Jesus is magical!”I almost talked in tongues. I was somewhere between laughter and adoration, but certainly lost in wonder at the privilege of telling the story of Jesus to another of my children. This never gets old.Does it? Has it gotten old for you? Has it lost the wonder? I confess, it often does for me. But when it does, I am on my knees, pondering anew the wonder of the Incarnation, because if this loses its wonder and excitement, what hope have I of any lasting joys—the body ages, technology leaves you behind, pleasures fade quickly, hurt and loss are always close by, etc. I mean, if our joy is not rooted in something transcendent—almost magical—what hope of joy is there? But if it is, all we can do is, as the song says, “Come and adore him!”Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent. We have a brunch this Sunday (of course we do!). We’re marching to the culmination of this hallowed season and so we express our joy, as we should, in feasting with our community. It is a good Sunday to bring someone with you. Bring them to our table and share the joy of this story with them.Also, as Christmas is about the generosity of God, I urge you to consider a large investment in changed lives at St. Patrick. With growth and new facilities, we need rich generosity. This is our largest giving month. Bottom line, we need St. Patrick folk to give almost $300,000 this month!! There are many ways to give. You can mail it in, text it in, bring it in, draft it in, or call the office for securities transactions. God has always met our needs, and I look forward to seeing how he will again this year!Blessings,Jim