A man was
walking over an old, half broken bridge to go across a river. When he looked
down, he felt frightened to see the flooded river down below. When he looked
around he saw no one around the place and felt very lonely. When he looked
ahead he saw that the make shift bridge was very long and felt scared within. He
cried out of fear, “O God come and hold my hand and walk with me and help me to
go across.” Suddenly he saw God standing across the bridge. He begged God to
come and walk with him. But God did not move and stood at the same place. He
felt let down by God and grumbled and criticized God for his indifference. When
he reached the end of the bridge he saw God holding the broken bridge in his
hands. God is always present in all our difficulties and challenges. He may not
be doing what we want him to do because he knows what is better for us. He is
all the time holding the broken bridge so that we can walk across safely.
700 years
before the birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied “Behold, a virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son and his name shall be called Emmanuel.” (Which means, God with
us) (Mt 1:23) It is awesome to read and understand the mystery of incarnation, “And
the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have
beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the father.” (Jn 1:14) “The
Lord is here,” said the Holy Father Benedict XVI “ from this moment, God is
truly’ God with us.’ No longer is he the distant God who can in some way be
perceived from afar, in creation and in our own consciousness. He has entered
the world. He is close to us.’ Jesus reminded his disciples, “For where two or
three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18:20)
Before Jesus ascended into heaven he again reminded the disciples, “I am with
you always, to the close of the age.” (Mt 28:20) Centuries before the birth of
Christ, it was told, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not
fail you or forsake you. “(Joshua 1:5) This is the mystery and wonder of
Christmas, God becoming like us and dwelling amidst us just like any of us.
“Behold, the dwelling of God is with men….he will wipe away every tear from
their eyes….” (Rev 21:3)
How do we find
this God? Certainly God is not on sale, we need to seek him with our heart and
soul. “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.”
(Jer 29:13) He does not force his entry into our hearts.” Behold I stand at the
door and knock; if any one hears my voice and open the door, I will come in to
him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20) Going beyond the narrow
boundaries of cast, creed and nationality Jesus told in his famous Sermon on
the Mount, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt 5:8)
On a day like
this we must pay heed to what Origen said, “Indeed, what use it would it be to
you that Christ once came in the flesh if he did not enter your soul? Pope
Benedict XVI said that the news of Christ’s birth “cannot leave us
indifferent.” “If it is true, it changes everything. If it is true, it also
affects me.” Jesus wants to be born in our hearts and transform our transform
our lives and save us from fear, brokenness, loneliness, depression, failure,
our short comings and sin. On this Christmas day let us give him our broken
pieces and He will give us his peace. Merry Christmas. May you experience his
presence and peace every day of 2011.
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