Many people of all ages like to follow soap operas, routinely watching who’s going to do what to whom next!
The Biblical question for this month is: “What has God done in the lives of all of humankind to bring a Savior for all times and places into center stage? The second pertinent question is “What is God doing center stage, back stage or in the wings of your life? Is your life a soap opera?
Consider the rendition of the courtship of Joseph and Mary, and the birth of Jesus with all the fine detail as recounted by Luke. Read Luke chapters one and two. Mary was an exceedingly young girl, recently betrothed to Joseph, and both were trying to understand what was happening to their love and future plans with an unexpected pregnancy. They lived in a time of turmoil, nations against nations, and heavy-handed governmental impositions. In the midst of a generally bleak time, Caesar Augustus commanded all citizens to enroll with their local governments (the first census) in order to be further taxed. The people were already groaning under a heavy Roman yoke, and then an added burden! We can identify with that!
In this Gospel narrative, Mary and Joseph working through a major crisis in their lives together, end up sharing life with an Innkeeper, Shepherds, Magi, a barnyard cast of animals and people all eager for a Savior of Love and Mercy. God gave Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus both a real and adopted family with whom to share the miracle of God’s love and salvation.
This is what God does. God transforms the soap operas of our lives into a classical opera. Our individual lives may reflect the love of God made flesh in a Savior made flesh, who is a joy to the world.
Blessings on you!
Reverend Judy Stanley