When we read, we open a door into a new world. We see new realities, gain fresh experiences, and begin quests we have never been on before. When we read, we perceive something outside of ourselves. In Ephesians 3:4-5, Paul invites us to read what has been written. He invites us to read the whole written Word of God. To understand and perceive the mystery that is Christ, the Word become flesh, we need to read what has been written.
We know that God has revealed Himself to us in His Word. This Advent season we are invited to come and see our newborn King, the Word become flesh. In Jesus we can see and perceive the fullness of God's grace to us. We see God's promise of salvation lying in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes.
We live at a time when the eyewitnesses of Jesus' life have all passed away. Still the Word of God remains with us today. When the Word of God is preached, read, taught, studied, poured with water, or spoken with bread and wine the mystery of Christ is revealed to us today. We do not try to figure out these mysteries or explain them away. Instead we come and perceive. We come and perceive the Word of God. When we come, we begin to perceive the mystery of Christ and what He has done.
The Word of God has the power to create a new reality. Once we stop reading a book, that world disappears until we begin reading again, but the power of God's Word creates a new reality now and forever. Come and perceive Christ, the Word of God who came in the flesh to create a new reality for us-new life in Christ Jesus forever.
THE PRAYER: God the Father almighty, give us eyes to see and minds to perceive. Be with us this Advent season and help us to come to Your Word and receive all the blessings You give through the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Written by Pastor Michael Bitz
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Walker, Minnesota
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