· by Andy Abey

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Andy Abey remembers her time in Bethlehem visiting the Church of the Nativity, and reflects on the humility of Jesus' arrival.

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Andy Abey is a theological student, young adults student minister at Barney's in Sydney, and a member of Common Grace's domestic and family violence justice team.

Today's reading is Micah 5:2-5

It was the middle of the day in Bethlehem city, and I was about to enter the Church of the Nativity. Famous for not only being one of the oldest churches in the world, it is also famous for its extremely small entrance. At just over a metre tall, the doorway forces every worshipper to bow down in order to enter.

My tour guide pushed gently on my shoulder, urging me into the church. Conscious of the ground on which we stood, he lowered his voice to a murmur and whispered in my ear: “they call this The Door of Humility”

Seeing only the darkness that lay ahead, I bowed my head, and entered.

• • • •

In the years since I was in Bethlehem, I’ve thought many times about that door. I’ve thought about how every person is confronted with it, unable to avoid lowering their backs and their eyes. I’ve thought about how it was impossible to go through gracefully, forcing all those who would enter to abandon their pride to accommodate its modest frame. And I’ve thought about how perfectly it captures the unexpected beauty of Jesus, the Shepherd-King.

Born, not from the greatest clan, but the smallest. Ruling, not with a sword, but with a shepherd’s crook. Great, not only in his ability to bring peace, but to be the very peace his people crave.

Both defying expectations, and superseding them, King Jesus would not only be born in humble circumstances, but would rule in glorious humility.

I’ve clung to the humility of the King in all the moments when women have courageously stepped forward and spoken out about their experiences of abuse. When I’ve thought about how they’ve been hurt by others, and when I’ve wept in lament. It’s in those moments that I’ve clung to the healing that Jesus offers, and I’ve wept in thankfulness.

I’ve clung to the humility of the King in all the moments when perpetrators have been called to account for their actions. When I’ve thought about how men have hurt and taken, rather than served and given. It’s in those moments that I’ve thought about how different a man Jesus is, who only gives, and never steals.

I’ve clung to the humility of the King in all the moments when I’ve been tempted to think that domestic and family violence is too big a problem to solve. When I’ve thought about the sheer number of factors involved, and people in need. And it’s in those moments that I’ve remembered that the King is on the throne, and his people will live securely.

In all these moments I’ve clung to Jesus and I’ve prayed. I’ve prayed that my humble King would make me humble too. I’ve prayed that each and every day, I would choose the rule of King Jesus, The Door of Humility. I’ve prayed that each and everyday I would choose to enter, and find perfect peace.

Daily Reading Micah 5:2-5a

The Ruler from Bethlehem

2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
    who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
    from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
    to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth;
5 and he shall be the one of peace.

    If the Assyrians come into our land
    and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven shepherds
    and eight installed as rulers.

Unexpected Beauty: An Advent series from Common Grace

· by Andy Abey

The Door of Humility

Andy Abey remembers her time in Bethlehem visiting the Church of the Nativity, and reflects on the humility of Jesus' arrival.

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A Beautiful Answer

Jessica Smith resonates with Isaiah's longing for an answer when God seems so far away, so absent – and finds a beautiful answer in Christ.

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Bending Towards Justice

Eliza Spencer rediscovers through Ezekiel the road to a new spirit, a new heart – replacing a heart of stone for one of justice and hope.

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Hope on the Horizon

Dave Hack leaves behind the city lights of Perth for a week on the rough ocean, where he finds hope and peace in unexpected places.

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Trees of Justice

For Brooke Prentis the unexpected beauty of the Grasstree symbolises the versatility, strength, and longevity of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian leaders.

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Hope Emerging from Despair

Steve Bevis reflects on what he's learnt from the young Aboriginal people in Alice Springs who gather together at 'The Meeting Place'.

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Day 11: Setting Longer Tables

Melinda Dwight remembers her trip to Israel with leaders from many denominations, and invites us to lower our walls and set longer tables to share with many.

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The Long View

Tim Middlemiss reflects on the joy of becoming a new dad, and invites us to set our hearts on the future hope promised in Malachi.

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Silent Grace

Dr Robyn Wrigley-Carr reimagines Zechariah's silence as an unexpected gift, creating space hold the wonder of what God was doing through their family.

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Keeping our eyes open

Dr Ross Clifford invites us to open our eyes this season to God's supernatural movements, and to the angelic encounters around us that herald God's goodness.

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Moments of Surprise

Wiradjuri man Adam Gowen finds beauty in the unexpected everyday moments where we can be surprised and delighted by God's goodness.

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Uncomfortable Christianity

Sister Susan Connelly hears the voice of John the Baptist through a friend, and calls us to the uncomfortable Christianity of the stable and the cross.

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An Unexpected Sunrise

Jan Amelink reflects on journeying through a difficult year, yet finding unexpected meaning and hope through it, through the voices of close and faithful friends.

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Welcoming the Unexpected

Jon Owen remembers an unexpected Christmas when a pregnant Mary and Joseph showed up at his front door. Literally.

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Unexpected Places

Richard Quadrio went from decades ministering in a church, to serving in the Royal Australian Navy as a Chaplain where he found God in unexpected places.

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An Unexpected Revolution

Gershon Nimbalker finds in the birth of Jesus an unexpected revolution of solidarity, sacrifice and vulnerability, and challenges us to go and do likewise.

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Present and Persevering

Bree Mills finds hope this Advent in the expectation and perseverance of Simeon and Anna as they prophesy over the life of Jesus mending the brokenness of this world.

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Finding Common Ground

Scott Sanders closes our Advent series by celebrating the beauty of diversity, and the opportunity for us to draw near to those God's calls us together with in beauty, generosity and justice.