Sunday 27 December 2009 Luke 2:41-52, Melanie

We pray that God would meet us where we are and move us on to where he would have us be
Amen

Once upon a time there was a man who sought wisdom and studied with the wise ones of many countries and faiths. And one day a wise child was brought to him, with the explanation that this child was profound in his understandings and ability to speak. When the man asked whom the child had studied with, he was informed that the child was naturally wise, that his spirit was unsullied, and that no one had taught him. And so the man questioned him. The child answered in utterly simply and direct responses. The man was stunned and overcome with emotion. What child was this? The man was full of questions that he had carried all his life. He poured them out in a stream of never ending proportions, one building upon the next.

But the child grew restless and decided he wanted to play a game, a game of hide and seek. He told the man, ‘You hide and I’ll find you’.

But the man insisted, ‘No, you hide and I’ll find you. After all, I have great knowledge, and I can find anything, and you are just a child’.

But the child refused. ‘No, you go first. Hide and let me find you’.

So the man snapped his fingers and disappeared. The child was delighted and searched for the man. But soon the child was disappointed and almost in tears, because he realized the man had disappeared into another world.

Out loud, he said, ‘That’s not fair. You’re not supposed to hide in another world. This is a game for here.’

The man came back, marvelling at the boy’s insight and perceptions. And, in that instance, the boy disappeared. It was a game of hide and seek, and now it was his turn. The man looked everywhere, but couldn’t find the child. The child had leapt into the man’s heart, a place the man rarely ventured, alone or with anyone else. Finally, desperate to continue questioning the child, he pleaded, ‘Where are you?’

The boy answered, ‘Right here’.
The man listened, but the sound, though near, so close, was also far away, indistinct, barely discernible. ‘Where?’ he called again.

The child laughed, ‘In your heart, of course’.

But the man was lost. He did not know how to get into his heart. The child reappeared before him, stern and sad, and looked at him for a long time. And then he spoke, ‘You know, if you do not look in your own heart you will never know what wisdom and truth are or their power to reveal and transform. Deep, deep down there are rooms and caves that are full of riches and treasures, memories and hopes.’ After a while, he spoke again, ‘And if you don’t look into others’ hearts you will never find faith or love’.

With that the boy turned to leave, and the man grabbed for him, ‘No,’ the child said, ‘I have to go. There are many people I want to play my game with. But someday I will come back to play with you again. I hope you’ve practiced a lot and explored a lot more by then, Goodbye, until we meet again’. And the child vanished.

Today our reading moves us on 12 years to the time when Jesus bridged his childhood and his coming of age as a Jew.

Joseph and Mary went up to Jerusalem each year
for the feast of the Passover,
and this year is no exception.
The rituals are attended to,
the law and the story told in the Passover meal,
and then they return home.
They would have travelled in the company of others, friends,
relatives,
neighbours.
A large group protected them from bandits, soldiers, and wild animals on the 90 mile trip.
The journey was as much a part of the festival as the rituals in the temple.
They would probably have prayed
and told stories of their history as they travelled.
It was a mini exodus.
It is not surprising that Jesus was not missed the first day out.
Eventually they found him in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions.
All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and answers.
Mary’s reaction is understandable –
‘why have you done this?’
But Jesus sees the wider picture –
himself as God’s son, not only Mary’s.
He is part of the larger family of Israel.
The covenant and the law tell him that he must be in the temple ‘in his Father’s house’.
It was a different world –
one I’m not sure Mary and Joseph understood.

Jesus had vanished into a different world ;
Just as he vanished in the human world –
to a small town called Nazareth
on the border of an oppressed country,
living simply and learning wisdom.
God’s game of hide and seek was in full swing.
Only those who spend time
‘remembering all these things in their hearts’
and those who surrender in love to others’ hearts will ever find the child and recognize him
when he comes again,
grown now into the way,
the truth, the life.
The wisdom of God incarnate,
Jesus the Christ,
born of Mary,
adopted by Joseph,
hides in out of the way places,
in the countryside, on borders,
in the dwelling places of the poor,
and especially among those who watch and wait for the glory of God to be revealed.
These are the chosen ones of God,
his holy and beloved family.
This Christmas, as we come once more to the child Jesus,
let us open our eyes
not only to the human child before us,
but also to the hidden God
who calls to us from within our own hearts.
Amen