by Ken Kelley

I don’t have any idea who wrote the email that follows or know anything about their theological credentials, but they cleverly describe some of the ways God with us changes our lives If we allow God to live in us and work through us.

“Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus, and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.

• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

• A loss of interest in judging other people.

• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

• A loss of interest in conflict.

• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)

• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

• Contented feelings of connectedness with God, other people, and nature.

• Frequent attacks of smiling.

• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by God and other people as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

Please send this warning out to all your friends. This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.”

We can all catch this virus, and our actions could make it very contagious. God sent this plague intending for us to spread it to all the earth. Many of those we encounter have received vaccinations to limit the spread of this life-giving malady, but the antidote to these vaccinations miraculously appeared in the womb of a woman named Mary over 2000 years ago.

In interpreting the ensuing events, Meister Eckhart, a theologian of the 13th and 14th centuries, wrote,

“What good is it to me that Mary gave birth to the son of God fourteen hundred years ago, and I do not also give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture? We are all meant to be mothers of God. God is always needing to be born.”

Meister Eckhart continues by asking these questions:

“I believe in God, but do I believe in God-in-me? “
“I believe in God in heaven, but do I believe in God-on-earth?” “I believe in God out there, but do I believe in God-with-us?”

Modern writers have often paraphrased Eckhart by stating,
“What good is it that Christ was born 2,000 years ago if he is not born now in your heart?’

I, like Eckhart, will close with his prayer,
"Lord, be born in my heart. Come alive in me this Christmas! Amen."

I, like Eckhart, will close with his prayer,
"Lord, be born in my heart. Come alive in me this Christmas! Amen."