Readings: Matt 1:20-21, Psalm 85, Zec 13:6, Is 50:6

As the advent season soon draws to a close, and the Nativity with it, the end of the story of Jesus birth urges us to remember the story of his death too. The angel said to call him Jesus, which means the Lord saves.

The birth of Jesus was not easy: A long hard road for a first time mom who entered an overflowing town that had no room left for a birth. But when the time had fully come a baby is born in a space for farm animals. But when a baby is born little else seems to matter. He is here now and there is relief after the storm. We rest knowing that there are a great number of quiet years for Jesus to become the man he would become. A man who could live up to his name and save us. That too is another story filled with even more difficulty, even more pain, and even more relief.

Father, thank you for your son; the baby; becoming flesh; lowering yourself; the man; suffering; relief. Amen.