Where does Christmas begin?

Centuries and centuries ago, God’s people were asking, “Where’s God? Where’s God going to show up?”

Some people thought God would show up in politics. Others thought the military. Others thought the temple.

A wild prophet by the name of John the Baptist thought otherwise, and he was right: God shows up in the desert. God shows up in the flesh where there is suffering. That’s where we should expect to find Jesus.

That’s where Christmas begins.

So may you get in touch with your own hurt. May you find someone who will listen to you. May you get in touch with others’ hurt. May you listen to them.

(There’s a movie clip in the middle of the message. You can watch it here.)

photo credit: Flickr: “Operation Desert Storm”; Kevin Dooley via Grashoofd, creative commons

Message from Sunday, December 7, 2014.