Dharius Daniels - A Messy Miracle

Take care, y’all! Talk back to me today. Are we good? Yes? Okay, all right! There’s a part of the Christmas story found in the Gospel of Luke, which shares the good news about Jesus from Luke’s perspective. In Luke, chapter 2, verses 6 and 7—the scriptures will be on the screen for those of you who don’t have a Bible with you or on your device—and this is what it says: «While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.» I want to talk from this subject in our time together today: a messy miracle. A messy miracle! We don’t do the «touch your neighbor» thing here—at least, I don’t—so don’t worry; I’m not about to start! But I do want you to say this out loud with some enthusiasm: «Some miracles are messy!»

Family, we’re coming to the conclusion of a season on the liturgical Christian calendar known as the Advent season. That specific term may or may not be familiar to you, depending on the religious tradition you’ve been exposed to or a part of. The word Advent has roots in a Latin word meaning «coming.» Therefore, the Advent season is a time in which believers celebrate the birth or coming of our Christ. It is an intentional period in the calendar year where we are encouraged and admonished to be intentionally appreciative—not for the gifts under the tree, but for the gift that would ultimately hang on one. Because when Jesus came, there was more than a baby in the manger; hope was in that manger, healing was in that manger, a counselor was in that manger, a comforter was in that manger, a deliverer was in that manger, and a provider was in that manger. All of us have needed or will need Him to be most, if not all, of those things to us. If you have not reached a state or season in life where you have needed Him to be that, keep on living! If you have not met Jesus the Counselor, there will be a situation where you will need Him to guide you into acting soundly and rationally. Is there anyone in here or anyone watching me who can admit that Jesus has had to talk you into some things and talk you out of some things as well? I concur with the prophet Isaiah: He’s a Wonderful Counselor. When I talk to Him, I always know I’m talking to someone who has my best interests at heart. My secrets are safe with Him; my identity is secure in Him. When I come to Him, I know I’m coming to a non-judgmental being who will accept me as I am while simultaneously challenging me to become who I need to be. I’m glad He was born!

It is important to be grateful, to express gratitude—not just to feel gratitude, but to express it. The word the Scriptures use to describe expressed gratitude is «praise.» We are encouraged to do it, and we are admonished to do it. It is a relational principle God is teaching us. He’s teaching us how to properly manage relationships by demonstrating gratitude toward those who have been generous to us. He is also teaching us a psychological principle called mindfulness because praise requires that you take your mind off the negative and put it on the positive. It’s therapeutic; it is a divine brainwashing that cleanses the brain and the mind from negative and toxic patterns of thinking. It’s important to be grateful and to ensure that this season is a season of celebration. However, I would contend that the Advent season for the believer should be more than just a season of celebration. It should also be a time of education. The Advent season is a period wherein God intends to do more than excite us; He intends to educate us. There are different things that God wants to teach us about Himself during this season. One of them is foundational, consequential, catalytic, necessary, and it is the foundation upon which the Christmas story rests: the birth of Jesus. The Incarnation is an indication of God’s ingenuity. Every time we think about the Christmas story, it should remind us that God is a God of ingenuity. Ingenuity means to be inventive; that if it does not exist, I will bring it into existence. If there is no previous pattern or precedent for it, I am not limited to the cognitive creation of others. If it doesn’t exist, I’ll make it exist myself. If I can’t find what I need, I’ll create it! Here it is: some of you may not have heard it that way; maybe you’ve heard it this way: «He’s a way maker.» That term speaks to His ingenuity; it means there isn’t a way, but just because there isn’t a way doesn’t mean He won’t make a way. He invents it! If you need it and you don’t have it and no one else possesses it, He’ll invent it! Are you hearing what I’m saying? It means He’s inventive, clever, and creative. When He invents, He creates something that did not exist previously. When He is creative, watch what He does…