I can remember many years ago trying to help my daughter with her homework and, after I
went through a lengthy explanation, she said to me: "Dad, I still don't get it." Maybe I am a bad
explainer, but my heart went out to her because I, too, often didn't understand what the teacher
was saying as a young child. The teacher would say in class: "Does everybody get this?", and,
of course, we would shake our heads dutifully yes in order not to be called on.

I can imagine Jesus saying to his disciples after he tells them a parable, "Did everyone
understand it?", and I see the disciples answering "yes" as their eyes are glazed over and
questions remain. I can imagine the disciples listening to Jesus talk about faith that moves
mountains, and faith the size of a mustard seed is all you need, and the kingdom of Heaven a
treasure in a field. Sophisticated people have tried to interpret, explain, proclaim, and even try to
understand what Jesus meant.

I went to seminary to become a pastor, of course, but also to get answers to a lot of questions I
had about the meaning of life and the existence of God, and to find my life's purpose. I found
many things that have enriched me and opened doors to understanding, but not all answers to
my questions. I still live with ambiguity and paradox and uncertainty. Some things I just grasp by
faith.

Given the dark times in which we live and the evil and injustice we witness every day, our
Christian faith seems at times arcane and complicated at best. More than that, it seems vague
and remote. One of the reasons we all gather in our beautiful sanctuary on Christmas eve is to
hear a word of hope concretely expressed in a child born into the messiness of this world. The
message of Christmas is not in the sky, in some vague idea; it is found in the hearts of
struggling people like you and me. This Christmas may the Christ child be born in your heart.

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Marvin Henk, a seasoned pastor from Des Plaines, IL, and Fremont, CA, leads a fulfilling life with his retired teacher wife, Kathleen, their two daughters, Erin and Allison, and cherished grandchildren, Marius and Madelyn. With a distinguished educational background from Valparaiso University, Lutheran School of Theology of Chicago, Union Theological Seminary in NY, and Princeton Theological Seminary, he was ordained in 1974 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY. Pastor Henk has passionately served as pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck, NY. His diverse interests include sailing, baseball, marathons, international travel, collecting model trains, and community service roles.  In addition, he has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.