21 December 2014
Fourth Sunday of Advent
We can imagine King David echoing (ahead of time) the words of Mary in today’s first reading: “The Lord has done great things for me. I will honor him by building a suitable dwelling.” "God cannot continue to dwell in a tent while I enjoy my house of cedar," muses the king.
David doesn’t seem to have selfish motives or misguided intentions. God, however, rejects his plan, reminding David that it was divine favor alone that turned a shepherd boy into a mighty ruler. And it is God, not David, who will prepare a suitable place, a Temple, where God will allow his Holy Presence to dwell.
While God's first Temple (built by David's son, Solomon) was fashioned of opulent materials, this didn't last forever. God is not ultimately content in a house furnished with finely polished wood, gold vessels and rich tapestries. Rather, God will find his dwelling place will be in the heart and womb of a humble virgin who will bear him for the world to behold.
At Christmas, we celebrate God's Incarnation: God's choosing to become one of us in Christ Jesus. In human likeness God makes his dwelling in the flesh and blood of a woman, embracing all the flesh and blood struggles of humanity.It is within the womb of one like us that God fashions a most fitting dwelling. Residing in the flesh and blood of his people, God awaits our bringing to birth each day his life within us.
Have we prepared a suitable "flesh and blood" dwelling place for the Lord this Advent?
The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.
