Today’s cuppa is an oldie but goodie called Constant Comment. When I began my love of hot tea some 50 years ago, this was something special indeed. The flavors of orange and clove are particularly tasty in the chill of winter. As for the name of this tea, I fear it might be seen by my husband as descriptive of me, always ready with words, words and more words!

In the stillness of early morning or late night, I enjoy lighting a candle and turning my thoughts to the Incarnation, a fancy word for Jesus leaving the glories of heaven to clothe Himself with flesh and come as a helpless baby to live among us for 33 years. As I hold my fifth grandchild, now three months old, I am once again amazed at the humility of our God coming as He did.

In this Advent season, I am pondering Jesus coming to the unlikely. I am drawn to four people or groups in particular:

1. The Shepherds – Luke 2:8-20

An angel announces the birth of Jesus while they are simply doing their job, watching over their sheep at night. Shepherding was considered a humble and smelly occupation, not one high in society’s ranking. Yet, the glory of God shone on them, along with an angelic pronouncement and a heavenly host announcing the gift of salvation, Jesus Christ. The shepherds received the message and moved quickly to visit the baby and worship Him, sharing the news as they went.

2. The Woman at the Well – John 4:1-30

The encounter of Jesus and this woman of questionable repute from a tribe despised by the Jews is amazing. Each time I read it, I am impacted by the deep love of Jesus for her, for me, for us all. He chats with her about thirst, worship, her past and reveals Himself as the Messiah. She leaves her waterpot and goes into the city to tell others about Jesus.

3. Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10

In this short account (no pun intended), we see Jesus calling out this despised turncoat tax collector in the eyes of the Jews. Jesus not only sees him up in the tree, but invites Himself to the house of Zacchaeus for a fellowship meal. The result of this encounter is a changed man, including the fruit of repentance, resulting in fourfold restoration for the community to witness.

4. Mary Magdalene – John 20:1-18

In this passage, we see the resurrected (but not yet glorified) Jesus encountering a longtime supporter and friend who had seven demons cast out of her. He calls her by name and she realizes the man speaking to her is Jesus, her Lord. He appoints her to be the first to go and tell that He has risen from the dead.

My Christmas prayer for all of us “unlikelies” who have been called by Jesus is simple: May we take some time to remember His coming to us and may we share His love and good news with a world waiting to hear Him and see Him.

Joy to the World,

Nancy