Everywhere A Sign

Signs are designed to get our attention, right? Signs like: “One Way” or “Yield” or “Stop.” There are also signs that tempt us, for example: “Bake Sale,” or “McDonalds,” or “Big Sale - Come and Shop!” Some signs are trustworthy; others misguide. Some are designed for our good; others for our demise! We must discern in deciphering signs!

There is, for Christians, though, one “sign” that the season of Advent points us toward. It’s a heavenly sign that we must trust - even in – especially in - life’s most difficult times. It’s a sign that we may find in the middle of fear and the disappointment of dreams dashed with heavy sighs. It’s a sign of hope for new life. It’s a sign of God’s promise to be with us and to make all things new and right. The sign to look for is this: “The young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel… which means, “God is with us.” (Isaiah 7:14b…Matthew 23c)
Christians, for a long time, have seen this sign embodied in Mary and in the Christ child. We place them tenderly in the crèche and yes, they belong there. But isn’t there more to this sign than this? Where else do we see it? What implores us to believe it? How might the sign of this mother and child be showing us how to live lives steeped in love and trust in the God who is and will always be with us? (Perhaps we should ask Joseph!)