Christmas is essentially a birth narrative, the continuing story of human life, regeneration, and the marvel of God’s creative hand. It is also the unique story of God’s persistent love in entering this human story, as a human being, to bring salvation for all.
Our text today is another of these human stories of new life. A woman named Hannah has been unable to conceive a child and has borne not only the scorn of others who have ridiculed her for her childless state, but also her own brokenness in not being able to have a child of her own. In her brokenness, she pleads with God for a son. The prophet Eli hears her plea, yet thinks the outward manifestation of her prayer is a drunken one. She assures him that is not the case, and genuine concern is noted by the prophet, who then blesses her, encouraging her to go in peace. His blessing is affirmation that God has heard her prayer, but it is also the assurance to one broken by disappointment that peace can be found in the presence of God.
The Bible contains a number of stories about how the birth of a child changes lives. Those who are parents can testify to this transformational process. Cindy and I waited thirteen years before Clayton came along. The nurse in the delivery room, who knew a bit of our story, held him in her arms a few minutes after he was born and told him, “You’re late mister…your parents have been waiting for you a long time.” She was partially right, we had been waiting a long time for his arrival, but whether or not he was late is another matter. God works in ways we do not always understand. Trusting God’s timing is a matter of faith.
“Go in peace,” the prophet told Hannah. In a world where brokenness and disappointment are born and reborn every day in our human experience, God becomes flesh and dwells among us. The birth a child offers hope…the birth of the Christ child offers life. And so, the words of the prophet are significant for us as we rise from our impassioned pleas before God…Go, in peace.
Prayer: Gracious God, who knows our every thought and hears our every plea, help us to rise from our brokenness and trust in your faithfulness that we may indeed face this world and…go in peace. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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