Friday, December 30, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Galatians 4:4–7

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (KJV)

Reflection

Galatians 4:4–7 heralds this most celebratory of celebratory seasons. Clearly, it’s the season of Advent. The teacher in me must highlight the meaning of “advent”—the expected arrival of someone notable. From our perspective, this is the most notable arrival and, in an ode to a recent message from Pastor Shannon, is the foundation upon which we stand. 

Rejoice. “Christmas time is here” (V. Guaraldi, 1965), does that make you smile? Think Charlie Brown. We have license to sing “hallelujah,” loudly; to hear the trumpets; to drink the eggnog; and especially to reflect on scripture. If “wherefore thou art no more a servant, ... but an heir of God through Christ” doesn’t lift your spirits and excite your heart, then make an appointment to see someone like me (I am a cardiologist), and particularly so if you imbibe eggnog. 

Let’s start with the lexicology of celebration; this time of reflection in our faith journey is not about exuberance, visceral excitement, or uncontrolled giddiness. Many find this the saddest time of the year. Any sense of loss is tragically amplified when those around us are unceasingly whimsical without regard to our own despair. Now consider Paul’s writing; this is a deeper, richer, soul-fulfilling celebration—we celebrate God’s gift to us of his only Son, and through Christ, our gift of amazing inheritance. 

Paul exhorts the privilege of inheritance. Fewer than 50 percent of US households receive a monetary inheritance, but almost all households hold something close, often of modest value, that is “passed down” or gifted from a precious forebear. At times of great calamity, what we retrieve from our homes is our “inheritance.”  

If we treasure land, pictures, or small tokens with such fervor, imagine what happens when we experience the amazing inheritance? When we receive adoption as children in the spirit of the Son, made of a woman, we are no longer servants but heirs, able to know God not just as the Father but as “Abba.” As a child refers to a parent as “Mommy” or “Daddy” in an envelopment of absolute love, so too are we able to know God as Abba, a higher tier of knowingness, a closer level of intimacy, an unqualified love with freedom from servanthood.

This is our amazing inheritance. Is there a better gift? Is there a better reason to celebrate? And how wonderful is it that everyone, regardless of circumstance, is entitled to this amazing inheritance? If you receive no gifts and only experience sadness and loneliness this holiday season, this, especially, is your devotional: celebrate our greatest gift ever, the amazing inheritance to be a child of God and know God as Abba. Amen. 

Prayer

Abba, Father, thank you for the gift of servanthood and your promise of amazing inheritance. Let us remember Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” Amen.

Written by Clyde Yancy, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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