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Editor's Note

Mystery | Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Being a public elementary school teacher brings a steady dose of mystery pretty daily in my life. Will everyone remember their homework? Will this group understand how to tell time as quickly as last year’s class? What will I do to make sure we are focused on learning, rather than singing and dancing around the room, just in case an administrator decides to “pop in” to see what we are doing? How will I make sure I am shining God’s light each and every day without being able to shout across the room about all of God’s Grace? 

I often think about what it would be like to have a career with less mystery. A position that has the same routine day in and day out. I just can’t see myself in a field without any mystery waiting for me as soon as I wake each morning. I think having a “mystery” facing me, is how God made me to be able to act quickly on my feet, to problem solve, and even to make every day a new adventure. 

As we continue in the Advent season, I have been pondering a few of the mysteries that may have surrounded the arrival of a baby that was sent to save us all. So many mysteries were occurring with the anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. I imagine Mary and Joseph were overcome with the “mystery” of why they were chosen to raise the baby? Yet we don’t hear of their hesitation to stop and think about it.  They put their trust in God and became a very significant part of history. The shepherds were surely thinking what a “mystery” that our savior had been born in a manger? But did they stop to question each other and discuss amongst their flock this peculiar place to have a baby? According to the Bible, “When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph.  And there was the baby, lying in the manger.” Luke 2:15-16  Even King Herod was trying to solve the “mystery” of where the Messiah was to be born “Then he told them [the wise men], “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” Matthew 2:7-8  While each of these mysteries, and so many more, were taking place, the only thing the people could do was to wait for the mystery to unfold. They could no more solve the mystery in their lives than I can each morning when I awake. 

Among all the mysteries of the world, both present day and so long ago, God has the mystery already solved. He has the clues for us and he knows the ending as well. As much as we want the mysteries in our lives to be revealed, we must wait for Gods’ timing. Whether during Advent, or any other time of year, having to wait gives us the time to embrace the mystery. Instead of being frustrated or rushed, we can rejoice in the longing and look forward to the presence of God among us. We can recall any of the mysteries that God has played a part in and know that through them all, he loved us. We can trust in the fact that God has the answer to the mystery before we even realize there is a mystery to be solved. God has loved us long before we realized there were mysteries all around and he will love us long after all the mysteries have been revealed.     

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

During this exciting time of year, help us to embrace each of the mysteries you give us. While we stand in long lines, wait in crowded parking lots, and busily prepare for time with family, help us remember to not become frustrated, but instead to rejoice and look forward to celebrating the most amazing gift we could ever be given. Thank you God for your son, Jesus, and for the greatest mystery we can ever be given, when he will return again.

Amen

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