“God’s Love Made Visible!”
By: James L. Brewer-Calvert
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
On page 171 in the Chalice Hymnal you will find a delightful carol with effervescent opening lines: “God’s love made visible! Incomprehensible! Christ is invincible! His love shall reign! From love so bountiful, blessings uncountable make death surmountable! His love shall reign!”
“God’s love made visible!”
What a simple yet encompassing summary of the Christmas story. The words are by Iola Brubeck, wife of the famed jazz musician Dave Brubeck. Dave Brubeck’s jazz composition, “Take Five” is an all-time classic.
The backstory of this carol is that Dave and Iola Brubeck were driving through Vermont on a hot summer day, discussing a Christmas cantata that Dave was preparing for a mission in San Luis Rey. Iola said, “You have told the story of the birth of Jesus, but you have not made a strong statement about the significance of his birth. It is God’s love made visible.” Dave said, “Repeat that phrase.” She did. The jazz composer quickly hummed a tune in 5/4 time, and the two of them spent the rest of the drive working up the verses in that unusual time signature. That evening Dave wrote down the melody and Iola wrote the verses.
“God’s love made visible!”
That is really the essence of a spiritual life in the human condition. Do you wish to know what God is like? Do you want to know who God is? Look at Jesus, who is the Holy made manifest. After all the theological debates have run their course, that is what incarnation really means: Jesus of Nazareth is the truth of God, the love of God, the inexhaustible grace of God, made visible to human eyes, born again in human hearts, a gift given to one and all.
A Franciscan monk once said, “The realm of God is both a gift and an assignment.” His words still echo.
The gift is the love and grace of God. This sounds so simple yet how many of us have difficulty accepting such a gift? Ever watch a child tear into a Christmas gift, ripping the paper and tossing aside the ribbon and then hugging the gift to herself, saying, “Wow! Thanks so much!” Is this reminiscent of your relationship with the Holy Spirit, or are you like so many of us who receive the package reluctantly, saying, “Oh, you shouldn’t have.” Or “It’s really too much.” Perhaps we say that because we don’t feel worthy or lovable that someone would care so much as to give such a precious gift.
“God’s love made visible!”
The realm of God is both a gift and an assignment. Our assignment is to do our best to be the love and grace of God for one another. I agree with you that this is easy to say, a joy to ponder, and yet so difficult to embody. When we open ourselves to freely accept God’s gifts to us, then we will be equipped to carry out our assignment, our purpose, our vocations of hope. In this way the realm of God is born in us. When this happens, we are more able to see God’s realm in other people’s lives and in other lands.
What are God’s gifts to you? Do you find yourself to be in a place where you can accept them, tearing off the wrapper and saying, “Wow! Thanks so much!” What is your divine assignment this week? Who in your life is God sending you to be a holy gift of grace and love?
“God’s love made visible!”
Come as you are on Christmas Eve at 6 PM or 11 PM to the Lord’s Supper, where the wood of the manger will be transformed into the wood of the Cross, and then again into the wood of a Table that encompasses the universe. Open your eyes and your life to receive the blessed gift and beloved assignment of God’s love made visible for one and all.
As always, First Christian Church of Decatur, I am delighted to be your pastor. Merry Christmas! James