The First Sunday of Christmas ----- 29 December 2019

Matthew 2:13-23

13 Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." 16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

"Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

·       The Christmas story is not all sweetness and light. The peace and light that fills our vision of the stable and manger is shattered by this harsh reality of the family’s flight into Egypt and what’s become known as ‘the slaughter of the innocents.’

·       For this to happen so early in the Gospel narrative shows that Jesus would be opposed all though his life. In his infancy, the king of Judah, Herod, was so threatened even by the rumour a new “king of Israel” that he sends death squads to deal with the child-king in the way that power deals with any threat – by attacking it and attempting to destroy it. Power neither recognized nor accepts rivals.

·       During Jesus’ growing years, we hear very little about him in the Gospels. He might have been growing and learning, but when he begins his ministry, the opposition to his message begins as well.

·       That opposition continued throughout his ministry. Some thought he was possessed by a demon. Some thought he was insane. Any number felt he was a sinner unworthy of their time but worthy of their scorn. There were those who listened until they heard something that challenged them too much and then they turned their backs on him. Jesus even had trouble with his own disciples when they misunderstood what he was saying.

·       What Jesus was saying was often so radical for his time that the people in power or who saw themselves to be in power took it as a challenge. His message – a message of grace and tremendous mercy as well as a challenge to do what is right according to God’s mercy – upset the powerful, so he eventually was crucified.

·       The powerful in every age has been upset by the Gospel. Such opposition continues to this day. We could fill so much time simply listing the opposition to the Gospel message by those in power… so much time that I won’t do it here.

·       Externally, what some writers call “Empire” stands in opposition to the message of Jesus and the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. It challenges all they are and all they do.

·       Inside every person, the ‘Imperial self’ opposes the Good News because we want our own way, the sin of Adam. We may have to spend our lives in the middle of this struggle.

·       We are not alone in this struggle. We stand with the Word made Flesh. It really is his struggle and it is one struggle whose final outcome is already determined.

·       We find this in the Gospel of John: I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!   (John 16:33)

·       Jesus came out of Egypt, like the people of Israel led by Moses, but we are the ones who are freed by this one family’s Exodus.

"Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ -- Christmas Eve -- 24 December 2019

Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

[15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.]

Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 

·        Every year, I come up here and tell you things you already know. So does every pastor, I suppose. I’m sure some here could deliver a better sermon for Christmas Eve than I. Any takers?

·        In any event, if we look at the event we celebrate tonight we see a child born in rather poor circumstances – no room at the inn, laid in a feeding trough, looked at by strangers who saw  angels who told them to come to the place of the child’s birth.

·        We celebrate with songs we’ve known our entire lives, with so many, many candles, and a meal of bread and wine. We hear the word of ancient prophets and preachers of the early church… words we’ve heard many times before. Simple light, simple meal, simple words, all carrying a powerful message.

·        The message isn’t one of power and victory. It isn’t one of strength and glory, despite the presence of angel choirs… although they never seem to be visible at the manger. The manger seems quite or at most, filled with simple sounds, the normal sounds of a place where animals are kept. Maybe it wasn’t silent, but the noises would be what you’d expect.

·        But the unexpected is here.

·        Here lies the presence of the Almighty. Here sleeps the embodiment of all grace. Here the builder of the entire universe plays with his toes. Here the “shepherd of Israel” thirsts for his mother’s milk. Here the Lord of Hosts is diapered in rough cloth with all power laid aside.

·        Maybe the angels were there, but had to be in awe of what was going on and so were silent. The shepherds were amazed, telling an amazing story, and Mary “treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

·        So tonight, we sing, recite our memorized responses, light candles, and then go to our homes to continue the celebration. However in the silence between things, we may hear our hearts ask “what has gone on here?”

·        An answer I would give is not that we have ascended to God or sought God out, but that God has come to us and sought us out just as we are right now. The strangeness of that idea alone would make us be quiet for a while, while we treasure all these words and ponder them in our hearts, even if only for a few moments. That may be all it takes to leave us in silent wonder.

·        And if silent wonder is our reaction to hearing of the child in the manger and seeing it in our mind’s eye, it puts us in good company… with the shepherds and the angels, with the Magi (when their time comes in our celebrations), with Joseph and Mary, and with so many devoted, faithful people throughout the history of the Church.

·        This mighty mystery of weakness could make us think. It could make us sing. It could make us stop and be silent before the wonder of it all.

·        All in all, it could make us thankful and humble… for the child in the manger and who he is for us makes us graced.

Who will celebrate Christmas correctly?

Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, 

     all vanity, all arrogance,

all individualism beside the manger.

         - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

·        Merry Christmas, little flock. Frohe Weihnachten, du kleine Herde.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent ---- 22 December 2019

Due to some mix-up in my computer and it's word processing program, my sermon for Sunday, 22 December 2019 was not saved. My apologies.

BUT it was about names and "Jesus" means "God saves." The title "Emmanuel" means "God with us." Good things to remember as we go into the Christmas season. The child we see in the manger has laid aside all power to be with us and remains with us despite everything.

Here is the Gospel reading for today; it's the least I could do.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

The Third Sunday of Advent ----- 15 December 2019

Matthew 11:2-11

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

"Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?"

·        Waiting is not something we like to do. Whether we are waiting for a train, a plane, a doctor, a phone call, a package, a rain shower, or an animal while hunting, waiting and patience are not easily done.

·        That’s why Advent is a tough time for some people. We want the Christmas decorations up, the Christmas carols sung, the presents visible, and the feasting to begin. All of this should be planned BEFORE Advent so we can enjoy the Christmas celebration nice and early. These and so many other things are to be done before the holiday… and it’s exhausting!

·        More than preparation, Advent is about waiting. It has the feeling of race cars waiting to begin the race, revving their engines or race horses nervously waiting for the start, “champing at the bit” as the old saying goes.

·        What are we waiting for? In all honesty, some of us are waiting for the season to end, simply because it IS so busy and tiring. Some are waiting for it to start since it could be restful and refreshing. The season of Advent always looks beyond itself and doesn’t stand alone.

·        Along with all the other things the church does in this season, the church clears a space that can allow us to think about and talk about what we sometimes call “the real meaning of Christmas.”

·        John the Baptizer asks the question that might be our own under certain circumstances: Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?

·        Remember that John’s in prison and is hearing rumours of what Jesus is doing. He sends some of his disciples to ask Jesus the question - Are you the one…? Some say John believed that Jesus was the Messiah and wanted to give his followers an insight since his ministry was winding down with his imprisonment and foreseeable death. He had stepped on too many toes and wanted his followers to transfer to Jesus. Some other commentators say John did not yet believe that Jesus was the Messiah and wanted to know for himself.

·        In any event, Jesus was not the Messiah that was expected. He didn’t fulfill the ideas that many had of the Messiah. He wasn’t an earthly king, a great war leader, or a flashy and powerful celebrity who would be acknowledged by all. Maybe John wondered about that or maybe he saw through those false identities to the real Messiah.

·        What Jesus showed him were examples of Messianic things: Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. These are all sign of the presence of the Messiah, although they are unexpected signs. Instead of lording it over the nations and the peoples, Jesus shifts the ground on which they all stand. He heals and make right what is broken in a much broader sense. He is not a Messiah that changes governments and ruling structures; he is a Messiah that changes the world. Things don’t always look different because the structures of ruling stand for a time, but what they are built upon is utterly changed.

·        So we wait… for the celebration of Christmas and for the renewal and healing promised in the birth we celebrate at Christmas.

·        There is a difference in these two waits. Preparing for December 25, we do things – shopping, baking, and all rest – to make ready to remember a past event. As wonderful as the event we call Christmas is, there is more. Preparing for what the Nativity promises takes us in another direction. In that, we prepare to know and share the grace of God in a way that makes the promise of the Nativity real.

·        The German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. It is the promise of something greater that we wait and hope for.

·         That promise is exactly what Jesus said to John the Baptizer’s disciples to assure them that he was the one who is to come - Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. These signs of the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven are with us still and they are still the business of the church – to proclaim the Kingdom, to bring good news to those who need it, and to raise to life through the proclamation of God’s grace all those whose lives are broken, shackled, or shadowed, and that could be us.

·         For lack of a better way of saying it, in Advent, we look back to look ahead. As we prepare to celebrate what has happened, we prepare to be faithful to what is yet to be, although it started long ago.

·        The words of the prophets, the words of the Gospels, and the words to the churches continually propel us forward to what God still has in store for us. There is no need to wait for another. We just need to be faithful as disciple of the one who has already come and whose return we await.

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?"

The Second Sunday of Advent ---- 8 December 2019

Matthew 3:1-12

1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' " 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

·        John the Baptist is the voice we hear every Advent season. Can we imagine the impact of this man’s preaching? Matthew tells us the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. It might have been the religiously fashionable “the thing to do” at that time, so much so that the religious leaders also when into the wilderness to see and hear John. Or did they go to be seen and heard with John? Either way, he let them have it – both barrels: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

·        For whatever reason, all these people went out to see John. They didn’t invite John to their homes; that might have been dangerous and ugly – imagine an unwashed man dressed in camel’s hair and eating grasshoppers and honey in your kitchen.

·        Well there was another reason why the people went out to see John. He lived in the wilderness and he was in no ways tame. His message was not tame either: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. For any number of reasons, he was a wild man, dressed as a prophet like Elijah, living in an inhospitable place. His message is of the wilderness as Isaiah wrote: The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord…'

·        Some scholars say Isaiah tells of a prophetic voice ringing out in the wilderness. Others say it is in the wilderness that the way of the Lord is to be prepared.

·        To the Jewish people, the wilderness was a scary place, full of wild animals and maybe monsters, empty of comforts and nice things. It was also the place where Israel’s relationship with God was the most pure. As they wandered in the desert, despite their failings, they knew that God was led them, fed them, and was with them.

·        So if the message came out of the wilderness to prepare the way or the message was to prepare a way in the wilderness… Either way or both ways the idea is the same: the highway to God’s salvation begins in the place of death and chaos because that is where that message is needed the most.

·        John’s rough-and-tumble message of repentance and change heralds what is coming. He calls each person to repent and he calls the entire society to repent and change. His message was for more than personal conversion.

·        He heralds the coming of one who will change everything. I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. The image he uses of the winnowing fork, the threshing floor, and the separation of wheat and chaff are straight off the farm. The kernel was cracked on the threshing floor, then tossed into the air for “winnowing.” The grain is heavier and falls back down while the chaff, which is lighter, blows away in the breeze… or is gathered for burning.

·        How could this be good news and grace to us? It all sounds very edgy and confrontational. Where is the comfort? Where is the liberation?

·        Well, it’s like Buckley’s Syrup. What’s their slogan? “It tastes awful, but it works.” And it does, doesn’t it? First a bit of ugly flavour and then you may feel better.

·        Such is John’s message. Being called a ‘brood of vipers’ is not a nice thing, but it can wake you up. The message of judgement can be frightening, but if that judgement includes both conviction of sin AND the forgiveness of sin by the grace and mercy of God… well, to me at least, that is “Good News” and Good News is Gospel.

·        John’s message (and Jesus’ as well after his baptism) is not simply “Repent because you’re worthless!” but “Repent because something greater, better, more wonderful than you can imagine is coming! Prepare yourselves as best you can, because big changes are on the road!” John wants them to repent because he wants them to share what he sees as good.

·        Instead of imagining John delivering his message in anger, imagine him preaching in amazement and even joy. The emphasis changes from your sinfulness to the coming Kingdom of heaven. In fact, “The kingdom of heaven has come near!”

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

The First Sunday of Advent ---- 1 December 2019

(Because of a very icy day and horrible travel conditions, the service at St. John's was cancelled. This is the sermon I might have given had we actually held the worship service.)

Isaiah 2: 1-5

In days to come
    the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
³     Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
⁴ He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war any more.

⁵ O house of Jacob,
    come, let us walk
    in the light of the Lord!

Romans 13:11-14

11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Matthew 24:36-44

36 "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

·        All three of our readings today talk of “being ready”, of “waking from sleep”, and of learning “God’s ways.” There is a sense of anticipation, of waiting, and of change.

·        That is exactly the right thing. We have entered the season of Advent, the season whose title refers to the second coming of Christ into the world. It is not simply a time to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. It is far more than a time of decoration, baking, and shopping.

·        Over time, Christians have spoken of three comings of Christ: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time. At Christmas, we emphasize the Word-made-flesh at Bethlehem. Throughout the Sundays and in fact, every day of the year, we put emphasis on the daily coming of Christ. In Advent, we take on the upsetting task of considering the glorious coming of Christ at the end of all things. We’d rather think of decorations, presents, and pastries than turning reality inside-out with the return of Jesus.

·        We expect him to come, but we can’t expect a time-table.

·        Now there is a fairly common experience that makes sense to bring up here. What does the term “expecting” mean to anyone here? [   ]

·        When a woman is what some people call “expecting”, it is a baby she (and everyone else involved) expects to arrive. It will not be a sweater in a package from a mail order company or the arrival of a truck filled with heating oil. Further than that, what’s arriving will not be an armadillo. She (and everyone else involved) know what’s coming. However no one knows when or under what exact circumstances that baby will arrive. But the woman is “expecting.” And the world will be turned upside-down and inside-out. It will not be the same again… ever.

·        Could it not be roughly the same for believers?

·        We know who’s coming back. We “expect” Jesus’ return, even though we don’t know the exact circumstances of that return. (Will he come on a cloud? Come riding a white horse? Will legions of angels come after him? And other such almost trivial things.)

·        What we don’t know is when. Many people have spent a lot of time and sweat trying to figure out when the return will take place. Complicated systems and mathematical calculations have been applied and the Scriptures searched, studied, teased, and applied… and mis-applied.

·        Years ago, I read a book on this sort of thing and it scared me. It applied scriptural names to many of the major political players of that time. I talked to my Dad about it. He reminded me of what that author and many others had forgotten or missed: [Jesus said to the disciples] But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

·        Is this a comforting thought? In a way, it is. What we know, we sometimes… or often times… think we control. Even if lacking control feels like a roller coaster ride, there is still the trust in the one who is coming and who had promised to come.

·        If the coming festival of Christmas is about that birth at a stable in Bethlehem and our Advent is about waiting and expecting what and who is to come, our present is filled with the daily coming of Christ into our lives.

·        In the little prelude ‘blurb’ to the bulletin, I wrote that we could spend our days frightened and cowering over the ‘end of days.’ Why not keep awake and watch for Jesus in what we do and what we find around us each day? For Christ came to us in Bethlehem’s manger, is coming to us in a day and hour we don’t yet know, and he comes to us each day. As Christians, born again of water and the Spirit, we have put on the Lord Jesus Christ and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. (Gal 2:20)

·        Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day…