Celebration

Matthew 1:18-25- "An Incarnation Celebration"

Synopsis:

The miracle of incarnation is more about mystery than magic. Our rational minds want to wrap around this story, but perhaps the point is not, “How could something like this happen?” But, rather, “Why would God go to such lengths to be near humans?” The answer is love. E. P. Sanders, New Testament scholar from Oxford, points out how many of the miraculous stories about Jesus (birth, miracles, death, resurrection) were all in the mythological traditions of the ancient world. The difference between those myths and Christianity, according to Sanders, is the Jesus Movement is still alive today. How could this be? In spite of humble roots, the Good News of Jesus Christ continues to spread globally, even if we understand it or not. Like Joseph and Mary, we might not understand what it means that God became human, but we are invited to celebrate the mystery of Immanuel’s love and promise to stay with us.

Keywords: Advent, Love Sunday, incarnation, Immanuel, presence, joy, celebration, miracle, mystery, God-with-us