Christ still a stranger?

Why could they not recognise the Messiah when ‘God among us’ really happened. They were generally religious people strictly following the law whether it benefitted them or burdened them. Perhaps they were too religious which boxed them within unholy sanctuaries they made for themselves in the name of God. When they saw through their religious boxes, John the Baptist was a mad man, and Jesus was a drunkard and a friend of sinners.

Though strictly following the commandments, why they were deprived of the happiness it promised. They followed the formality, but forgot the covenant within the commandment. After the reading of the written form, they failed to enquire, “what does the Lord ask of you?”

We who are religious, rejoicing in the ‘Word made flesh,’ can live the happiness only if the Word is alive in us. In naming, framing, and claiming of Jesus we may not have an encounter of the Word made flesh. The Word is not in the words and letters. The Word is within us, among us. Every encounter with Christ has a sacramental power; the meeting of our daily realities and the Word to be enfleshed. Though there is nothing wrong in imagining that baby Jesus coming inside our heart, we fail in welcoming Christ if we cannot imagine and desire that we be transformed Christlike, in our attitudes, approaches, words and deeds. It really begin with the recognition of the Word in the beaty and goodness of humanity and the larger community of all species. Often, we term them as mere natural, human, social or even condemn as worldly. The Word has been there, and is present in and among us. 

...that they may see the Christ visible in you and give glory to your Father in heaven.

 2nd Wk Fri Advent Isaiah 41:13-20 Matthew 11:11-15