Last year, I had the privilege of learning how churches might use design theory in the implementation of ministry and the cultivation of a thriving congregational life. At the heart of design thinking is a “user first” philosophy which, partnered with creativity, can help an organization explore solutions. Empathy in design theory enables designers to go beyond looks and function to create designs that deeply connect with users and make a positive impact in their lives.
Empathy is a powerful force that grants the possibility of understanding and sharing the feelings of others, fostering compassion and kindness in our relationships. As Atticus tells his daughter Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Or, as Paul told the Roman church: “Laugh with those who laugh; weep with those who weep.” (Rom. 12:15) In a world that often seems divided, choosing empathy can be a unifying thing.
The season of Advent — the four Sundays that anticipate Christmas Day — commemorates the aches and yearnings of a world far from God. Building on the powerful themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, every Sunday takes us a step closer to God’s response to “the hopes and fears of all the years.” At Christmas, we find God’s response in Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem.
The astounding confession is that this infant in humble estate is, in fact, the embodiment of the God of the universe, the one true God. The notion that God pours God’s self into our existence in this fleshly way is called the doctrine of the Incarnation. God chose to enter fully into the human experience — in flesh, blood, and history. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)
God willingly entered human experience to fully connect with our joys, sorrows, and struggles. Jesus — God Incarnate — experienced the limitations, pain, and emotions of being human firsthand, even to the point of death. God could have remained aloof from our self-imposed exile and told us to clean up the mess we’ve made. Instead, God chose to share our experience — to be, as Matthew’s Gospel reminds us, “God With Us.”
Does this set a different tone for the way we conduct our lives? Can we, like God in Christ, embody empathy and compassion, mirroring the love of Jesus?
In the Sundays of Advent, we will be reflecting on how the great themes of our faith are expressed in fullness by God in Jesus Christ — and how these words become guiding values to be embodied and lived out by those who follow Jesus. May we find encouragement to live a new way here and now and embody these great words of faith in daily life.
Isn’t that wonderful news to share? I encourage you to be attentive and expectant as we worship together in the weeks to come — and to reach out and invite someone else who needs to hear the good news of a new start. Come together this Advent!
Grace and Peace,