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Tender Mercies - Luke 1:68-79 –  In the movie Tender Mercies, Robert Duval plays a character who was once a minor ‘celebrity’, a songwriter and singer. Down and out, he’s seeking to find himself, and winds up working for a woman who runs a small gas station. I can’t say that I recall all or even many of the details of the film. What sticks with me, however, is its overall simplicity, its gentleness, the quiet love and grace which is extended by the woman, the hunger for love and attention coming from her little boy. Nothing flashy or spectacular in this story: no blazing guns (thanks be to God), no absurd car chases, no comic-book heroes. Just ordinary folks, going about ordinary everyday tasks and relationships, and seeking acceptance, love, and some understanding of that which is really important in life. They seek tender mercies from each other, and from God.  I can’t think of a better time than Advent to do some reflecting upon the tender mercies we seek. Most of us are among those ‘ordinary’ folks, and frankly that’s a good place to be. The passage cited above represents the prophecy of Zechariah, husband to Elizabeth who gives birth to John the Baptist. Zechariah had his doubts when the angel Gabriel told him that his wife was to give birth, for (like Abraham’s Sara!) she was ‘getting on in years’ (that’s a euphemism for old). For his doubts, the old priest winds up being struck dumb, and he has many months during which he can reflect upon things. Only after the birth of baby John is his tongue freed, (Luke 1:64) and oh, how that tongue does speak! Zechariah’s prophetic words (68-79) are a gift to us. He knows that his own son John will go before the Lord to prepare his ways. And then he says: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (78-9) Jesus Christ as the tender mercy of our God, the very embodiment of God’s tenderness towards us, God’s ordinary people. Nothing flashy or spectacular in the way Jesus comes among us - just some ordinary folks going about their ordinary business, surrounded only by other ordinary workers and the creatures they tended. Looking for understanding, acceptance, love? Looking for some tender mercies of your own? Not available at the mall, at the discount places. The good news? Available through God’s gift and grace, out of God’s goodness and tenderness. - Pastor Piet - Dec. 10, 2006 [ It is time for me to ‘take a break’. The meditations will resume in 2007. ]