Now, I don’t want to suggest that Christian people, are not seeking the face of God during the rest of the year. What I want to say, is that Christmas is the time of year that this yearning is concentrated to the highest degree. To put it simply and plainly, during the Christmas season, people’s hearts are most open, their eyes are intently looking, their souls are searching…. to personally experience God. And if Christmas passes, and this quiet longing is not satisfied, even for a brief moment, then we feel like Christmas is somehow not complete. And many are left waiting, in the lurch, for the next 12 months, hoping that a miracle will happen next Christmas.

So where do we look for God’s presence during the Christmas season? We all know that the church teaches us that God has PROMISED to meet us in HIS Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion. And certainly God does meet us there. But, the powerful yearning which many people experience during Christmas, sometimes indicates that they search for God’s presence, in a more unique way. Sometimes if feels that God’s word and His sacraments are more general. But at Christmas, we want a more private, and almost immediate encounter with God. Something extra-ordinary. Something that speaks directly to our hearts. Something that conveys God’s voice to us personally. Something special, sent from God exclusively to you, as an individual. God sending you a special, hand picked Christmas gift.

And, now we think to ourselves. So where do I need to look to improve my chances, of receive God’s personal communication to me this Christmas? Where do I look? You would be amazed to find out from the events recorded in the Bible, that whenever God chooses to communicate in a unique way, it is almost certainly happens in the places which you would expect God NOT to be.

It seems that God has a special knack for unexpectedly surprising us. It is almost like God wants to challenge our comfort level, our established boundaries which we have set for Him, in our own minds. In today’s third reading, we hear that Elijah experienced strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. And you would think that God being as strong, and awesome as He is, would use the most powerful, means to impress us. To reinforce the importance of His message with some awesome display of power.

But the strong wind passed Elijah looking out from the cave, and God was not in the wind. And the earthquake passed, but God was not there. Finally the fire came, but God was not in the consuming fire. And according to the record of events, when the awesome display of power had passed, God revealed His presence in the sound of a low whisper! Imagine that! In the sound of a low whisper of all places. An infant can do better than that!!! Yet, it seems that these subtle shades, and unexpected whisperings, are the most favorite means of God’s extraordinary communication with you.

It seems that God is in a habit of being where He humanly speaking is not supposed to be. He was born in a manger, out of all the grand places where a King would be born. He hung on a cross, out of all the places for a deity to hang. The biblical examples could go on and on and on. But all of them convey one thing.

If you want to see God in a unique way, be prepared to encounter Him in an unexpected place. So what about us, this Christmas? Where should we look for an encounter this Christmas? Where is this unique place. Too often we want God to display His presence, by doing some miraculous work, by fixing a relationship directly, or by fixing a grand problem in our lives. If God would only make my family not fight, then I would see His awesome power. If only God would send me a promotion, a large year-end bonus, to cover my debt, I would feel his caring presence.

We want God’s presence to be felt exactly in THOSE places, where we ourselves spend most of our time and energy. If we are concerned about relationships, we want God to be presently displaying His power in them. If we are concerned about material things, we want God to display His power there. We want God to charge in, exactly where we ourselves have expended most of our effort. But, it might not necessarily be the place which God has in mind for you at this particular moment. Remember, God tends to come in an unexpected places.

So, look for the unexpected. Keep your eyes open. Keep your hearts ready. Take notice of the things, events and people that you normally tend to pass over. Chances are good, that these are the places where God might come to you this Christmas. Each Christmas has its own color. Each Christmas has its own flavor. Every Christmas is different. Do you feel a loss of a loved one, during this Christmas? Maybe God will come to fill this emptiness. Do you have a new born life in your family this Christmas? Maybe God will reveal something to you through it. Try to pay attention to those things that are making this Christmas unique in your life. There you might stumble upon the unique presence of God intended just for you, personally and privately. Amen.

Welcome to our Church’s Blog, for conversations on various topics and issues… and food for further thought and growth.