A Christmas Eve (Advent) Reflection

The night before Christ’s birth a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell among robbers. A priest came down the road and passed him by. Then a Levite came down the road and passed him by. Finally, as the sun was going down, a Samaritan traveling down the road saw the man beaten and lying lifeless, and he too passed him by.

The night before Christ’s birth a man returned home from wasting his inheritance on parties and prostitutes. On the road he rehearsed his plea to simply be one of his father’s servants. And when he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and his father turned his back on him.

The night before Christ’s birth a woman was caught in the act of adultery and was brought before the local rabbi and was stoned to death.

The night before Christ’s birth in me, I had fallen amongst robbers, had wasted my inheritance, and was condemned to death.

The night before Christ’s birth we all wait, helpless, hopeless, for we cannot see the light in this darkness, and we cannot overcome our oppression.

The night before Christ’s birth none of us could have recognized God in flesh.



A Christmas Confession

“I am the Lord’s servant.” Lk. 1:38
Mary’s obedience I have misused to gain an upperhand.

“My spirit rejoices in God my savior” Lk. 1:47
Mary’s ecstacy I have requited with emotions of control.

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” Lk. 1:52
God’s humility I have shunned with my armaments of empowerment.

“He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” Lk. 1:53
God’s good things I have neglected in my search for more.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Lk. 2:14
The angels’ proclamation I have supplanted with my lists for getting done.

Lord, come now, amidst my shunning and misuse, despite my supplanting and requieting, and be birthed in me.