There's a particular discomfort felt by many of us at this time of year.
It's the unfulfilled joy that struggles to find expression, coupled with the mingling of angst over the urgency of the hour for this thing to be hailed and heard and internalised by every human soul.
It's Christ crucified and raised, and the birth of a new world and a fresh hope. It's shame removed, sins forgiven and love unleashed.
Tell me please if you can; should a happening that happens at 9am still be considered at 5pm that same day?
If so, then what difference does the descending of the dark and the dawning of a day make to the value of the thing? The impact of a grief lasts well into many days and nights and dawns and darks; this is not a surprise or a shock, the turning of a clock makes no odds to something of great significance.
As earth spins light advances and retreats. Whether it's spun once or a hundred times matters not a bit to the sun or the stars. My friends, dear reader - Christ is crucified. Several spins ago, it is true but does that make any difference?
The pride and autonomy of the individual needs to be confronted.
Dear ones, drunk on self - Christ calls you to account.
Think on it.
For the sake of your joy, think on it.
For the sake of your sorrow, think on it.
What difference does it make that this happened many rotations ago? What difference does the arbitrary dating and stamping of the moment make.?
It matters not one bit, not a jot, or an iota or a tittle or a little. If the passing of the time had rendered this moment of less consequence or value, granted if that were the case it could be said it's impact can be ignored. But what has happened in all those days and years is the opposite. Generations have come and gone and with each new generation the potency and allure of this moment has been prized and preached, beheld and indwelt. Christ is crucified.
Oh my bones feel it and my heart aches with it. Why oh why dear one reading this, why would you not stare long into this, long enough to search it out? It makes the most high-flown of claims on your life and on the lives of all who've come after it. It searches your heart and it confirms your worst fears but it also searches your hopes and out paces even the most bold of them all.
Christ is crucified. Jesus is lifted up and Jesus draws you to himself and bids you look and behold and live and be free.
Oh my bones, my heart burns to do both devour and delight in this for myself and to stress and impress this upon others. I lament what joys others are missing, what comfort!
The world and the system of human pride has lied and dismissed the treasure of my messiah. He is the deepest and most intensest of satisfaction, of meaning and of peace. He topples me from where my pride wants to place me and he lifts me higher than it could have ever gotten by itself.
Dear ones, loved by the One.
Come come to him, come consider him; come look at him and in looking live.
Please I implore you, be reconciled to God.
Please. And, peace.
IMAGE credit: artist, Loken Gamble