O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence… Isaiah 64:1
O that you would come down, Lord! Tear open the heavens and create herd immunity to wipe out COVID-19 in every community of the earth. Come down and whip up a vaccine that is effective, safe, and inexpensive. Come down and end racial strife. Tear open the heavens and bring more jobs.
Israel saw God’s awesome power in earthquake and fire, in thunder and lightning. Such an appearance is called a theophany (theo meaning God, and phany meaning to show). Theophanies continue to this day. God certainly acts in milestones marked by Hallmark cards. Yet God is more often seen in everyday happenings around dinner tables, on walks, and in the pages of a book. What are some of the theophanies in your life? Our congregation has a whiteboard out for people to jot down theophanies from their week. These are popularly called God-sightings. You might want to keep a list of your own through this Advent-Christmas cycle.
May we also remember theophanies experienced more broadly in our communities, nation, and world. How God is coming down to scientists working on vaccines and studying the inner workings of this virus. How God is tearing open the heavens to bring racial and economic justice. How God is working through community leaders.
The simple yet powerful cry of Advent is “Come, Lord Jesus.” Come he does. Once as a helpless babe in the manger. Today through theophanies both personal and communal. Then one day, coming down again in end times. Always and forever in love and mercy.
God of might, tear open the heavens and come down. Bring your healing and understanding to our hearts, bodies, neighborhoods, and planet. Amen.
Laura Csellak is Pastor, Christ’s United Lutheran Church, Ashland, PA.
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