Dan and I have a collection of manger scenes from around the globe. Some of them we purchased while vacationing and some of them have been gifts from others who know we enjoy seeing the variety of ways people from around the world depict the birth of Jesus. When we display these scenes each year, we are reminded of the global nature of our Christian faith and we feel connected to sisters and brothers we may never meet.

While these manger scenes differ from each other in many ways, at the center of them all is the baby Jesus. And in most of them, the baby’s arms are outstretched. This fascinates me. The baby’s arms are reaching out! Reaching out seems like a typical baby posture, but it doesn’t seem like a very strong God-like posture.

And perhaps that’s the point. What we celebrate on Christmas is that God does something unexpected—God comes to us with open arms. As a vulnerable baby, with arms outstretched, God reaches out to us from the manger. Throughout his life, Jesus continued to keep those arms outstretched—touching and healing the sick, the lonely, the forgotten, and the outcast. In his death, Jesus opened his arms on the cross to encompass the whole world. And after his resurrection, he stretched his arms once more to bless his followers, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, to send them to the ends of the earth in ministry.

During this Advent season, we look to the God who came to this earth over 2000 years ago in the form of a vulnerable baby. And we pray fervently for Christ to return to restore our relationships and bring true peace and justice to the world. In the meantime, we answer the call to open our arms to the world in Jesus’ name as we give thanks that with open arms, God in Christ Jesus comes to us over and over again—loving us, transforming our lives and sending us into the world.

"We give you thanks, O God, that you continue to come into our lives and into our world with open arms. We give you thanks that through your Son, Jesus, we are connected to one another and sent to the ends of the earth to share your love and grace. By the power of your Holy Spirit, enliven our faith, give us courage to speak your name, and help us open our arms to reach out to others. Amen.

Contributed by Bishop Bartholomew
Monday December 2, 2013
Liturgical Year A: Week 1
Liturgical Color: Blue
Sunday Gospel reading Advent1
First Sunday of Advent