The Word Became Flesh

A Tale of Two Nativities

The Hidden God

In our house we have two nativities on either side of our living room. In a way they help me think about God.

On top of the Mantel we have the nice one. (in front of a map of creation, above the stockings) Far from meddling hands but also not really known or accessible.

Isaiah 45:15 ESV

Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.

The hidden God. Deus Absconditus

Unknown but still acting

Worse, the idle God. Deus Otiosus

Unknown and uncaring (Pandemic God)

We have seen the world fall in love with this idea of God these last days. Because this version of God is far off we bring Him close by re-making Him and reinterpreting how he has disclosed himself.

Politely (A Total God thing - babysitter showed up or dinner was comped)

Signs of the end times are prophesied

Both parties call upon churches to anoint their candidate as leader

This is not our job. The Lord has faithfully used kind and generous leaders and horrendous vile men and women to accomplish His task. (Hidden from us)

Christians primary allegiance is to our King - every knee shall bend.

Were you to look at him in the manger you would have to bend a knee, practice for when he assumes His throne again.

So bring him incense, Gold and myrrh, Come peasant- come king to own Him. This is the king of Kings that salvation brings.

Where God is silent it is not the job of creatures to put words in the creators mouth.

It is our Christian duty to thank, praise and obey God. But how do you fully live when God is distant? When our grasping at hope is not close enough?

How are we to live in this dark world with a distant, hidden God?

In the same way, how are we to live in this world when, friends or family, those who would normally draw close to us may have a hidden malady?

Truth is we have always been afraid to draw close to our world. We all have our hidden agendas, our skeletons, along with the common cold, warts and other viruses.

We are just as distant from each other as our God seems to be from us.

Where is God?

The christian duty right now is to wait and trust.

The Book of Concord Article XI: Concerning God’s Eternal Foreknowledge and Election

We should not make our own deductions, form conclusions, or brood about this matter, but instead we should cling to his revealed Word to which he directs us.

The world found itself waiting for a savior when Jesus first appeared. For about 400 years the prophets had not shared a word from our distant God. Then John’s gospel records this:

John 1:5 ESV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

God Revealed

On the other side of our living room we have this nativity- it’s almost always like this: I truthfully didn’t touch this. It was like this a few weeks ago and I took the picture.

There’s some beauty in this glorious mess. Reminds me of:

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

In this mess there’s other toys mixed in. A mechanics lift from some playmobile. Then at the bottom of the screen there’s one more toy mixed in- a random girl from either a school bus set or a plane.

Now is the time to open your gift.

It is a piece of a nativity. No doubt it is mismatched with your nativity at home but I want you to consider placing that piece in your nativity.

Yes- you and I are far away from each other. But God has come close.

Since the incarnation we have not been left to grope in the darkness. God can be touched. Held. Known.

A series of seemingly random storylines converge at the Nativity. A shepherd, some kings, a young woman, you.

They have all come together to witness the King and the light in the darkness.

God entered into Human History and because of this YOU are part of God’s story.

Let this little nativity piece, this mismatched piece that has been sitting, hidden from your view for some time remind you of the God that thought of you in the foundation of the world and entered into your world.

In the OT Isaiah - God’s people have been decimated, deported and depressed. There is no hope. Then In ch 48- hope.

Isaiah 48:12–13 ESV

“Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together.

We sent these out to 104 individuals, 32 families, 17 towns, 5 states

Church - remember this, though we are scattered, face down like a few nativity scenes. God will arrive and make this home again. We stand together because God has arrived once and He will do it again.

This Christmas, more than ever, is a reminder that God has come to make us one. You are a member of His body. God is with you. He is our Emmanuel. God with us.

If you don’t have a church we want you to meet Christ here. If you don’t live here then come visit but also know that God’s church is an eternal, global body. In Christ, there is God and His people for you.

Where is God? Because of the birth of Jesus, God is now with us. Amen.

Merry Christmas.