Our story with God began when God made us in His image and likeness. On Christmas day the story continues with God taking on our image and likeness. Through Jesus flesh, God joins Himself to His creation in a permanent bond.
No wonder we sing and celebrate this feast. No wonder we greet each other with “Merry Christmas “ and Happy Christmas.” It is the day we, like Jesus, become sons and daughters of our loving and caring God.
Where can we find an analogy that best describes this simple, but elegant act of giving. Mark tells this story to help us.
Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two small coins, which equals a penny. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
This poor widow has no one to support her. Yet she finds something from her tight budget to give to her God in gratitude. She takes it from her “egg money” and not from her surplus. It is simple act, but the lesson is one of deep faith and trust. Her action says “I need you. Thank You for being my God.”
Jesus birth is that same kind of action. God gives this gift from his heart He continues to trust and have faith in his creation even though we have not been as generous in our response to Him. God is saying through Jesus birth “ I need you. Thank you for being my child.”
Advent is the season to “go deeper” into our friendship with God. Advent is our time to consider where we are as God’s friends. And then open that part that needs God’s healing and forgiveness. When we do, our “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Christmas” arise from “our needs and not from our surplus.” And joy-filled Our God will know this Advent we have “put in all that we have to live on.”