The author and illustrator, Peter Spier, produced the children's book, People, released in 1988. In it, Mr. Spier brought the message that the world's inhabitants are indeed diverse, but indeed are all still human. In his book, by means of hundreds of sweet, little caricatures, he demonstrated that people dress differently, eat differently, live differently... look different.
The word "all" in the English language is as inclusive as the word "none" is exclusive. After reading and enjoying People, one comes away with the principled notion that God is inclusive. He's not white; He's every color. He not only speaks English, He speaks Farsi and Russian and Spanish and Japanese. He has provided all things richly to enjoy, even eels and crayfish and brussels sprouts and lima beans. He's not partial to one group over another, to one person over another, but does give grace to a particular people. "He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5... oh my)
As Paul asked in Romans, "Where then is boasting?" One might ask, after reading People, "Where then is 'exclusion'?" To which the reader can answer with emphatic irony, "It is excluded." "Exclusion" is often a practice of culture, a practice of individuals, based solely on differences between cultures and between individuals.
Someone "different"-- if that person also believes in Jesus Christ--is familiar with the Lord's words found in Matthew 11, "Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
It seems that the act of "coming" is itself an act of humility, an act wherein is the recognition of need, wherein is the readiness for acceptance of grace, wherein is the confession from the heart and the mouth that "I am lost" and that He alone can save me from being lost.
His Advent... His gentle yoke...His rest...for All...Amen.
Larry Inman