Jesus and the Dragon

December 24, 2025 Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-14 Revelation 12 Prelude Christmas Greeting Lighting the Christ Candle First Reader: Tonight/Today, we gather to remember with the prophet Isaiah: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this (Isaiah 9:6-7). All: We gather to once again bask in the glory that visited a stable and a manger, shepherds watching their flocks, and a young couple cradling the newborn Messiah. Second Reader: We light the Christ candle as a sign of the glory that came among us in unexpected places and to unexpected people, that we may be people who seek and follow the glory of the Christ child here and now. Light the center candle of the Advent wreath. Call to Worship With eyes wide open and our ears on edge, we look for shepherds and listen for the songs of angels. In the light of winter’s moon, with the Southern Cross lighting the way, we gather outside the door of a mystery, wondering if we dare go enter. With folks and friends we love, with strangers we have just met, we gather, becoming the holy family for this time and in this place. Invocation Hymn O Come All Ye Faithful UMH 234 Interactive Nativity Story: “A Story We Tell Together” – a version of Luke 2:1-14 • When you hear MARY, say: “Yes, Lord.” • When you hear JOSEPH, say: “I will trust God.” • When you hear ANGEL, say: “Do not be afraid!” • When you hear SHEPHERDS, say: “Let us go and see!” • When you hear BABY JESUS, say: “Glory to God!” • When you hear STAR, point upward and say: “God is guiding us!” ________________________________________ Print out the story just for the liturgist The Story Long ago, God chose a young woman named MARY. (Audience: “Yes, Lord.”*) One day, an ANGEL appeared to MARY with surprising news. (Audience: “Do not be afraid!”) God had chosen MARY to bring love into the world in a very special way. (Audience: “Yes, Lord.”) Now JOSEPH, who loved MARY, was confused and worried. But God spoke to JOSEPH in a dream and told him to trust. (Audience: “I will trust God.”*) So JOSEPH and MARY traveled a long way to Bethlehem. The road was hard, the nights were cold, and still they trusted God. (Audience: “Yes, Lord.”* / “I will trust God.”) That night, there was no room in the inn. So in a humble stable, BABY JESUS was born. (Audience: “Glory to God!”*) God placed a bright STAR in the sky to shine over Bethlehem. (Audience: “God is guiding us!”*) Out in the fields nearby, some SHEPHERDS were watching their sheep. Suddenly, an ANGEL appeared and said— (Audience: “Do not be afraid!”*) The ANGEL told the SHEPHERDS that BABY JESUS had been born. (Audience: “Glory to God!”) The SHEPHERDS looked at one another and said, (Audience: “Let us go and see!”) They followed the STAR to the place where MARY and JOSEPH were, and there they found BABY JESUS, lying in a manger. (Audience: “Glory to God!”*) The SHEPHERDS went home rejoicing, MARY treasured these things in her heart, JOSEPH gave thanks, and the STAR kept shining. (Audience responses as words appear) ________________________________________ Closing Leader says: “This is the good news of Christmas: God comes to us in love, God walks with us in trust, and God invites all of us to be part of the story.” All together: “Glory to God!” Hymn Joy to the World UMH 246 A Christmas Message Rev. Harriette Cross First United Methodist Church of Wilmington Christmas Eve December 24, 2025 Luke 2 Revelation 12 Jesus and the Dragon This year, many in the church brought our nativity scenes to church to display. The nativity has been a way for countless generations to learn and remember the Christmas story. We all just recounted the Christmas story in the book of Luke. The nativity is intended to be an ongoing story – not every nativity character is mentioned. We don’t talk about the wise men until much later. But tonight we talked about Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the shepherds, and the angel. But somehow we forgot all about the dragon – yep I said the dragon. Every year we look at the same old scriptures and tell the same old story. You probably never knew that there is another biblical version of the birth of Jesus in the book of Revelation. I will share some of the story, A woman, her child, and the dragon 12 Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because she was in labor, in pain from giving birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: it was a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of heaven’s stars and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child who is to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was snatched up to God and his throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the desert, where God has prepared a place for her. There she will be taken care of for one thousand two hundred sixty days. Then there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but they did not prevail, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 So the great dragon was thrown down. The old snake, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down to the earth; and his angels were thrown down with him Can you imagine adding a 7 headed dragon and the archangel Michael with a sword to every nativity scene - it would be a lot more fun than just playing with the camels and arranging the wise men – you get to have a sword fight to defeat the slay the evil dragon. It would certainly make our perfect silent night them much more chaotic. But Scripture gives us two Christmas stories. One is gentle and quiet, told in Luke 2. The other is cosmic and dangerous, told in Revelation 12. Luke tells us what happened on earth. Revelation tells us what was happening behind the scenes. Tonight, we hear them together—the birth of Jesus and the appearance of the dragon. But both are intended to give us a glimpse of life. Sometimes even getting ready of Christmas can be like fighting a dragon. Revelation is the story of a cosmic battle that started in heaven but is going on all around us. Mary, the Queen of the universe gives birth to a son. The dragon waits, planning to take away the baby – because of his importance to the world. The guardian angels vow to fight to the death to defend the future of the world. They fight so furiously, that both the angels and the dragon fall to earth. The baby is born protected, but the dragon vows to haunt the family to the ends of the earth. And the never ending battle between good and evil beings. I think we all have faced some seven headed dragons in our life. Challenges that are daunting, overwhelming and impossible to overcome. There may be challenges in health, in finances, in family ties, - we may face challenges at our job, at school, even at home. Sometimes the dragon comes to us in social or political situations. Sometimes the dragon is inside of our heart and soul. Each of is fighting one or more battles that we never want to talk about. Perhaps it is comforting to know that on a cosmic level – we are not alone. There are dragons right here in our lives, but so are God’s angels determined to make sure that the goodness of God prevails through it all. The book of revelation tells us a story a great fiery red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. With a tail that can take out a third of the world with one swoop. With all of the intimidation that he can muster, he is determined to challenge us with all that he’s got. The good news of the story is that he loses – he has no power over us. Jesus Christ is our hero, our advocate, our champion, our savior. A baby child is born into a world of suffering- he lives, he grows, he teaches, he rises up, he dies, he lives again. He dies our death, so that we can live in his eternal light. That child, Jesus Christ, saves us all from the dragon. The dragon in all of his terror, can’t stop a love that is willing to live int eh trenches with and open the doors of eternity so that we can see. I guess the dragon is not in the nativity scene, because we don’t have to fight him, the angels have done it for us. The child has given us the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. His innocence defeated evil, his peace defeated chaos, his love defeated the power of hatred and revenge. So I guess the nativity is before us just as it should be. Perhaps this night is just as it should be – The faithful, gathered to see the newborn King, to bask in the light, to tell a story, to sing a song, and to spread a transformational love. We gather to celebrate the birth of a child, who defeated all of lifes dragons before he has born. To God be the glory. Conclusion: Lighting the Candles Tonight, we will light candles. Not because the darkness is gone. But because the light cannot be stopped. The dragon is real. But the child is stronger. The manger tells us: God chose vulnerability over violence. Love over force. Light over fear. And that is why, even now, we sing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” Because the dragon did not win. The child did. Merry Christmas. Christmas Eve Prayer Now in the silence, whisper of joy which comes into every life. Now in the comfort of carols, sing of hope which takes away the despair which envelops us. Now in familiar words heard anew, speak to us of grace which is born into barren lives, of peace which is birthed in war’s shadowed fears. Now leaning next to those who have always been a part of us, and those from whom we have been apart, remind us of your heart which always accepts us, always welcomes us. Now in the love which is ours forever, draw us closer to your heart, so we can be surprised by wonder, swaddled in serenity, embraced by tenderness. Now touch us once again with Christmas, God in Community, Holy in One, as we join in praying as we are taught, (The Lord’s Prayer) Giving Offertory Doxology Prayer Communion Page 13 THE GREAT THANKSGIVING FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, DAY, OR SEASON This text is used by the pastor while the congregation uses A Service of Word and Table II (UMH 13–15) or III (UMH 15–16) or one of the musical settings (UMH 17–25). The pastor stands behind the Lord's table. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty (almighty God), creator of heaven and earth. You created light out of darkness and brought forth life on the earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through your prophets. In the fullness of time you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior, and at his birth the angels sang glory to you in the highest and peace to your people on earth. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: The pastor may lower hands. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The pastor may raise hands. Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. As Mary and Joseph went from Galilee to Bethlehem and there found no room, so Jesus went from Galilee to Jerusalem and was despised and rejected. As in the poverty of a stable Jesus was born, so by the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the bread, or touch the bread, or lift the bread. As your Word became flesh, born of woman, on that night long ago, so, on the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the cup, or touch the cup, or lift the cup. When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." The pastor may raise hands. And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the bread and cup. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood. The pastor may raise hands. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father (God ), now and for ever. Amen. Copyright: “The Great Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve, Day or Season,” Copyright © 1972 The Methodist Publishing House; Copyright © 1980, 1981, 1985 UMPH; Copyright © 1986 by Abingdon Press; Copyright © 1987, 1989, 1992 UMPH. Used by permission.” Passing the Light Silent Night UMH 239 Benediction “The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. ________________________________________

Mary's Hope for the World

December 11, 2022 Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s Hope for the World Year A Third Sunday of Advent Opening Song Welcome Advent Hymn Lighting of the Advent Candle CALL TO WORSHIP One: Our souls magnify the Lord. Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior! All: We come today with eager hope, awaiting God’s new revelation. One: The mighty One has done great things! God’s mercy covers generations. All: We come today with ready peace, trusting with anticipation. One: The One who lifted up the lowly And filled the hungry, dwells with us. All: We come today with fervent joy, we worship with great expectation. (Inspired by Luke 1:46b-55, The Magnificat) (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Mia McClain) INVOCATION God of Mary, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Rahab— God of us all, your children here and your children afar— We enter this moment of worship with eager anticipation. We know that even before a child would come to lead the way, You were leading our way. From the valleys of the shadows of death to the tables in the presence of enemies, you have never left us nor forsaken us. You rod and your staff have guided us. Guide us now, O God. Make your presence known as we worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Mia McClain) Song Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming UMH 216 Children’s Sermon Object suggested: Magnifying glass and objects that would be interesting to view when magnified such as a leaf, blade of grass, print in a book, a bug. It is fun to look at ordinary things through a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass makes an object appear larger. We can see details we didn’t know were there. A magnifying glass helps us get a closer look at things. Let’s take some time to see what we can discover. See how the print in this book gets larger as you pull the magnifying glass away from the page? Look at your fingernails and hands through the magnifying glass. Do you see anything that surprises you? (Provide various objects that would interest children.) The word “magnify” has two meanings. It means to make things larger, as when we look through a magnifying glass, and it also means to “praise” or “give thanks.” In the Bible, as we read about the birth of Jesus, we learn that Mary felt joy because she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus and she gave thanks to God. She said, “My soul magnifies the Lord” (1:46). “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…” (1:47). The joy that Mary felt, as she prepared for the arrival of Jesus, is available to us as we celebrate his birth. Tonight, Christmas Eve, we have the opportunity to praise God and give thanks for his love. We “magnify the Lord” as we sing Christmas carols, read from the Bible, light candles, pray, and listen to the story of the birth of Jesus. Take a closer look at God’s love that is offered to us through the Christ child. “Magnify the Lord.” Scripture quotations from the World English Bible Copyright 2008, Richard Niell Donovan Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 35, Luke 1, Matthew 11) Upside-down God, you announce your coming with exciting news: the hungry will eat their fill, the oppressed will dance in newfound freedom; you proclaim your mission with hard news: the well fed will go hungry, the powerful will lose their status. We find ourselves squirming as we acknowledge our participation in structures that oppress and marginalize. Help us accept and proclaim the coming of your Son as truly good news. Give us the courage to set aside our privilege, and help bring about this upside-down world, where everyone can sing together for joy. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Laura Bartlett) Words of Assurance (Isaiah 35) The desert shall rejoice and blossom. Waters shall break forth in the wilderness. The burning sand shall become a pool. The God who can transform the dry lands can also transform the desert of our lives. Abundant forgiveness is ours from the God who turns sorrow and sighing into joy and gladness. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Laura Bartlett) Passing the Peace of Christ (Isaiah 35) The coming of Christ turns the world upside down. For folks who are quite content with things as they are, this may not feel like good news! But a greater vision lies before us—God’s vision of real life for all. Comfort one another with these words of encouragement: “Be strong, do not fear.” Respond in kind with these words of hope: “God will come and save you.” Scripture And Responsive Reading Luke 1:46-55 UMH 199 Sermon Mary’s Hope for the World Have you ever imagined that your life was a Broadway musical? And you are just going about your everyday life, say washing the dishes and all of a sudden, you just break out in a song? I bet you think that it would never happen – perhaps you are saying that there is nothing worth singing about in your life, or perhaps you are not that dramatic, or maybe you think that you are not that good of a singer. What if I told you that you do it every week. We come to church, we listen to scripture, we pray, we take it all in, and what do we do – we sing about it. We even stand up and sing songs that we all know (most of the time). We sing about whatever the lesson is for the day. So you see, being a Christian is a lot like starring in a Broadway musical. You probably never realized that the book of Luke is actually written as a musical. Luke loves for his main characters to burst out in song, praising God and celebrating the good things that God has done for them. There is the book of psalms – which are songs of faith for every occasion in life. In the first two chapters of Luke, there are 4 important songs that are critical to our faith. Today, we focus on the Song of Mary. Imagine the scene – Mary has been visited by an angel and told that she will bear a son – this son is the answer to the prayers of the nation. The angel tells her that she does not have to bear the child alone – because she has a cousin (or perhaps an aunt) Elizabeth who also has a special pregnancy. She needs to get a way and process all of this, so she decides to visit Elizabeth. When she arrives, Elizabeth and the unborn baby celebrate Mary. And right on cue – Mary breaks out in the song – My soul magnifies the Lord. She says that she is blessed and special because God has showed her mercy – God will provide for those in need. Before Jesus gives the sermon on the mount and says blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they will be fed. His Mother said He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away. Now some say Mary was just singing the words of a hymn that she would have known by heart, some say that this song was an impromptu response to the joy of the moment. We are not sure where Luke got this song – but we do know that the broadway moment continues today – not only when we sing, but as we live out our faith and follow her son jesus in everything that we do. Through this song of Mary we feel her expressing her faith and vision, and asking the right questions. In an old biography of Francis of Assisi, the story is told of a night he spent in the castle of an Italian nobleman. The host was curious as to the secret of Francis' remarkable vitality, so he arranged to have Francis spend the night in the chamber adjacent to his own. As soon as they retired, the nobleman watched to see what Francis would do, and it turned out to be quite simple. He knelt by his bed and prayed over and over again, "O Lord, who art thou, and who am I? Who art thou and who am I? Who art thou and who am I?" The biographer concludes that this is one of the clues of Francis' greatness. All his life he continued to ask the right questions, he never tired of trying to penetrate ever more deeply into the core of our existence. After all, the God-question and self-question are the ultimate realities. If we would grow in spiritual intensity, here are two frontiers on which the Magnificat is built. I love St Francis’ questions to God – Who are you and who am I. Advent is our season for asking the same questions. This is sort of the season for questions isn't it? Especially questions about the Christmas Story. There are so many elements that are just barely touched on. We get the smallest glimpse of what they really were. Yet we read them with the familiarity of our favorite children's bedtime story. We know every detail of the story. We know everyone of the characters. And we don't dare leave one out. You know, at the time of her conversation with Gabriel, Mary didn’t think of herself as the mother of God. There are a lot of misconceptions about Mary. Nowhere in the Bible does it say where to worship Mary. Nowhere in the Bible does it say we are to pray to Mary. Nowhere in the Bible does it say she was perfect or sinless. Nowhere does it say that she was God or even co-equal with God. What is so special about Mary is, she was so un-special. God took an ordinary, run of the mill, teenage, peasant girl and used her in an unbelievably extraordinary way. At the time of the conversation, not only was Mary Unspecial, she was also unlikely. But that is why she is singing – God has turned everything upside down. For once – the little guy wins and finds favor with God. The people who were lost in the dessert are now redeemed, those who were exiles are now favored children of God, God is not only the defender of the poor and vulnerable – God gives them justice and gifts. Brayden was about nine years old when he came to the church after school program. He was staying with his grandma who had to work until 6. The principal recommended that he come to the program so that he would be alone at home. Everything changed when he walked in. In Sunday School he would ask questions that were not appropriate for children. He would terrorize the girls in the class by pulling their chairs from under him. The teachers were always on edge with him. The staff would have special meeting, just to talk about what to do with him. Unlike a lot of the children he was there every week. When he saw the staff on the street, he would point them out. He even introduced his Sunday school teacher to his grandma who worked at the local grocery store. One lesson before Christmas, the class was talking about home – they were talking about where they were going to celebrate Christmas. When it came Brayden’s turn he could not talk about the place where he felt the spirit of love. First he said that he had lived a lot of different places. Then he was asked where he felt the most secure. Matter of factly, Brayden said – right here in my church. The person that the teacher felt was the least likely to get the message – understood the best. God comes to us in the least likely people, in the least likely places and the least expected places. – and when he does – we break out in song – or at least Luke’s characters do. Mary’s song is just the beginning of Luke’s story. There are at least 40 songs of faith in the book of Luke. For Luke, when we sing – we are invited into a triangle with God. We are called to live a life of service to bring about a balanced world for all. Just as the birth of the messiah came through the life of an ordinary unspecial young woman, miracles happen every day. When we get together and sing – the world changes. On Christmas Day a small manger scene sat on a table just inside the doorway to a neatly kept home. People hurried past it all day. They barely noticed tiny figures gathered around the infant tucked in the straw. In the morning children raced by it on their way to the Christmas tree. At noon, arriving guests pushed past it to get to the dining room. One accidentally knocked over a shepherd as he took off his winter coat. Later in the afternoon a well-fed group of adults and children moved somewhat slowly by the manger again as they drifted from the dining room back to the living room. Almost none of them stopped to look at the manger. In fact, none of them even noticed it, except two. An elderly woman, walking with a cane, paused in front of the scene. Gently she set the shepherd back in an upright position. Then she looked at the Christ child in the middle of all the figures. As she stood there, she became aware of her small grandson standing by her side. As the voices drifted in from the living room, the two continued to look at the manger scene. At length a smile spread across the woman's face and the child took her hand. In the midst of a day filled with so much busyness, food and opening, the two of them quietly received God's gift. Today we come face to face with a mind-boggling, bumfuzzling, unlikely idea and story. It's a story that is almost incomprehensible in its simplicity and truth. It's a story that is, in itself, a gift. It's a gift wrapped with the most exquisite paper imaginable, a bundle of swaddling clothes. This gift was left for each of us, under the tree of life nearly 2,000 years ago by Him whose birthday we celebrate today. This gift has been offered to everyone. Some have left their packages unclaimed. Others have graciously accepted the gift and carry it around everywhere they go. Unfortunately, they've failed to begin unwrapping and discovering the hidden splendor and grace of God's love. The packages are all alike: in each one is a scroll addressed to us individually, on which is written, "I love you!" and it's signed God. Although it seems like such an Unlikely Gift, born in such an Unlikely Place, to such Unlikely Parents and for such an Unlikely Purpose, it’s really the work of God. All you have to do is reach out and accept the gift which God has for you? Don't leave it under the tree. Find the gift in Mary’s story and her song. Now it is time for us to stand and sing the finale! Amen. Song I want to Walk as a Child of the Light UMH 206 Prayer Lord of delight and surprises, you come to us each day with opportunity, love, support. You pour your blessings on us, reminding us of your compassionate presence with us. Help us to be people of loving service. Help us to see the ways in which you enter our lives and enable us to serve you by serving your people. As we have come to you this day, bringing our concerns for healing and hope, remind us that you are with us all and that your healing mercies are given. Give us the courage to be faithful stewards of your creation and bring us together with one another in celebration and service. Lift us up, bring us forward, give us peace. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook God forth with great expectation Waiting for God’s mercy to fill us Wait for the God’s grace to surround us Wait for God’s child to lead us And in that waiting, May God bless and keep you May God’s face shine upon you May God be gracious to you And give you peace. Amen ( United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Mia McClain) Community Time Benediction Let the love of God flow into your hearts. Believe in the power of God to change your life. Behold the goodness of God in creation and in others. Be at peace and celebrate God’s good news. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Additional Illustrations An eight-year-old girl was showing her preschool sister a picture of Mary and the baby Jesus. The younger girl examined the picture closely and then she asked, "Where's Joseph?" The older sister thought for a moment and then replied, "He's taking the picture." (1) Bruce Larson tells a beautiful and true Christmas story that appeared sometime back in the Denver Post. It seems, a week or so before Christmas, a pastor told his congregation about a needy family facing a bleak Christmas. One young father decided to do something about it. He and his son set out in the family pickup to cut down a fresh evergreen and deliver it to this needy family. They ran into a rock slide and a boulder hit the truck. It was totally wrecked. The windshield was smashed and while the father wasn't hurt, the young boy was cut by the glass and bleeding severely. They tried to wave down a passing motorist to help, but to no avail. Finally, after over two hundred cars had whizzed by, one stopped. The couple in the car took care of the injured boy, returned the two to their home, and then went on. The father and son never got the names of their two ministering angels. I'm sure it was a little bit of Christmas miracle, because in a week's time the truck was repaired and the boy's injury healed. On Christmas Eve, the pastor asked this same man if he'd deliver a basket of food and toys to the needy family he'd set out to bring the tree to earlier. He loaded up his truck and drove to the address he was given and rang the doorbell. Who should answer the door but the couple who'd stopped to help him on the highway just weeks before? (2) Life does not always work out quite that neatly. But the story does point to what Mary teaches us. Life IS Hard but in the midst of all the hardship the world can throw our way, God Is Good. An eight-year-old girl was showing her preschool sister a picture of Mary and the baby Jesus. The younger girl examined the picture closely and then she asked, "Where's Joseph?" The older sister thought for a moment and then replied, "He's taking the picture." (1) This is sort of the season for questions isn't it? Especially questions about the Christmas Story. There are so many elements that are just barely touched on. We get the smallest glimpse of what they really were. Yet we read them with the familiarity of our favorite children's bedtime story. We know every detail of the story. We know everyone of the characters. And we don't dare leave one out. It's right under your nose, so don’t miss it like the editor of that paper did when the Wright brothers made their first flight. In the year 1870 the Methodists in Indiana were having their Annual Conference. At one point, the president of the college where they were meeting said, "I think we live in a very exciting age." The presiding bishop said "What do you see in our future?" The college president responded, "I believe we are coming into a time of great inventions. I believe, for example, that men will fly through the air like birds." The Bishop was indignant and said, "That's heresy! The Bible says that flight is reserved for the angels. We will have no more such talk here." After the Annual Conference was over, the bishop, whose name was Wright, went home to his two small sons, Orville and Wilbur. And, of course, you know what they did to their father's vision.(1) You probably remember that when they were older, the Wright brothers, had a bicycle shop, which was the source of their income for their experiments in flight. They had tried repeatedly to fly a heavier-than-air craft. Finally on December 17, 1903, on the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they did what no one had never done before. They actually flew under engine power! Elated, they wired their sister Katherine, "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Their sister was so excited, she ran down the street, shoved the telegram with the news scoop of the century, into the hands of the city editor of the local paper. He read it carefully, smiled and said, "Well, well! How nice the boys will be home for Christmas!" And the next day, buried on page 16, underneath the obituaries, was this notice: "Local bicycle merchants to spend holidays at home." Can you believe it? One of the major events of the twentieth century, and the editor completely missed it, even though it was right under his own nose! (2) Why? Because at the time it seemed so unlikely. The Christmas is about the Unlikely as well

Bearing God

December 21, 2014 Luke 1:26-38 Bearing God Year B This is the Sunday before Christmas. This is the time when scripture comes to earth, the prophecy becomes real. This is my favorite scripture as it talks about how Mary bought the gift of salvation into the world. This is a story of how Mary and Elizabeth, two women talk about how to change the world. Just their acts of giving birth, will change politics, economics, and even the destiny of the world. There is a lot to this story – there is the promise of God, there is the discussion of Mary and Elizabeth. Today I want to focus on the message of the angel. Whenever an angel comes to deliver a message from heaven, the first thing that he says is Fear not – he is always going to tell us something that is out of our realm of understanding. In this case Mary will give birth to a son. But how is that possible, if I am a virgin. The angel says that all things are possible with God. God will not be everything that we ask, but if it is in God’s will it will happen, whether it is impossible or not. Angels always protect, guide, announce, and instruct us to fulfill Gods will. This is a good day to focus on the angel’s lesson….. The Angel's Lesson Illustration Information Title The Angel's Lesson Author Unknown Reference received from a friend on the Internet Submitted By Ellen Klinke Submitted On March 13, 2006 Last Modified March 13, 2006 Labels • Acceptance • Choice • Conversion • Grace • Love • Trusting God He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground. All of the Garden's inhabitants paused to witness the event. Hawks hovered. Giraffes stretched. Trees bowed. Butterflies paused on petals and watched. "You will love me, nature," God said. "I made you that way. You will obey me, universe. For you were designed to do so. You will reflect my glory, skies, for that is how you were created. But this one will be like me. This one will be able to choose." All were silent as the Creator reached into himself and removed something yet unseen. A seed. "It's called 'choice.' The seed of choice." Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form. An angel spoke, "But what if he..." "What if he chooses not to love?" the Creator finished. "Come, I will show you." Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow. "There, see the fruit of the seed of choice, both the sweet and the bitter." The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen tenderness. Never had he seen anything like these. He felt the love of the Adams. He heard the joy of Eve and her daughters. He saw the food and the burdens shared. He absorbed the kindness and marveled at the warmth. "Heaven has never seen such beauty, my Lord. Truly, this is your greatest creation." "Ah, but you've only seen the sweet. Now witness the bitter." A stench enveloped the pair. The angel turned in horror and proclaimed, "What is it?" The Creator spoke only one word: "Selfishness." The angel stood speechless as they passed through centuries of repugnance. Never had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties. Children of the creation wandering blindly in lonely labyrinths. "This is the result of choice?" the angel asked. "Yes." "They will forget you?" "Yes." Yes." "They will reject you?" "Yes." "They will never come back?" "Some will. Most won't." "What will it take to make them listen?" The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until he stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then he could smell the hay that would surround him. With another step into the future, he paused before another tree. It stood alone, a stubborn ruler on a bald hill. The trunk was thick, and the wood was strong. Soon it would be cut. Soon it would be trimmed. Soon it would be mounted on the stony brow of another hill. And soon he would be hung on it. He felt the wood rub against a back he did not yet wear. "Will you go down there?" the angel asked. "I will." "Is there no other way?" "There is not." "Wouldn't it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn't it be easier to not give the choice?" "It would," the Creator spoke slowly. "But to remove the choice is to remove the love." He looked around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind. Men clad in soldier's garb sat on the ground near the trio. They played games in the dirt and laughed. Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They had protected God, they thought by killing this false one. Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill. Speechless. Faces tear streaked. Eyes downward. One put her arm around another and tried to lead her away. She wouldn't leave. "I will stay," she said softly, "I will stay." All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to protect. But the Creator gave no command. "It must be done...," he said, and withdrew. But as he stepped in time, he heard the cry that he would someday scream: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He wrenched at tomorrow's agony. The angel spoke again. "It would be less painful..." The Creator interrupted softly. "But it wouldn't be love." They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay creation. A monsoon of love swelled up within him. He had died for the creation before he had made him. God's form bent over the sculptured face and breathed. Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud. The cheeks fleshened. A finger moved. And an eye opened. But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit. Those who could see the unseen gasped. Perhaps it was the wind that said it first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it: It looks like... it appears to so much like... it is him!" The angel wasn't speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking inside--at the soul. "It's eternal!" gasped another. Within the man, God has placed a divine seed. A seed of his self (a seed of choice). The God of might had created earth's mightiest... And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return. Now it's our choice. Those who give messages from heaven are angels. Those who spread the good news on earth are called evangels. Ev- good – angel message. Let us in this season be evangels that spread the good news of Christ to all those in the world! Extra illustrations…….. An Extraordinary Gift Wade Burton tells about a man who was riding a bus from Chicago to Miami. He had a stop-over in Atlanta. While he was sitting at a lunch counter, a woman came out of the ladies' rest room carrying a tiny baby. She asked the man, "Will you hold my baby for me, I left my purse in the rest room." He did. But as the woman neared the front door of the bus station, she darted out into the crowded street and was immediately lost in the crowd. The man couldn't believe his eyes. He rushed to the door to call the woman, but could not see her. What should he do? Put the baby down and run? When calmness settled in he went to the Traveler's Aid booth and they soon found the real mother. The woman who had left him holding the baby was not the baby's mother. She had taken the child, perhaps to satisfy a motherly urge to hold a child. The man breathed a sigh of relief when the real mother was found. After all, what was he to do with a baby? In a way each of us is in the same situation as this gentleman. We are left with the question, "What will we do with the baby?" Have we really come to terms with the fact that this baby is not simply extraordinarily gifted, but that he is himself a gift from the heart of God? King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.eSermons.com A Jewish comedian tells about a Jewish lady named Mrs. Rosenberg many years ago who was stranded late one night at a fashionable resort on Cape Cod - one that did not admit Jews. The desk clerk looked down at his book and said, "Sorry, no room. The hotel is full." The Jewish lady said, "But your sign says that you have vacancies." The desk clerk stammered and then said curtly, "You know that we do not admit Jews. Now if you will try the other side of town . . . " Mrs. Rosenberg stiffened noticeably and said, "I'll have you know I converted to your religion." The desk clerk said, "Oh, yeah, let me give you a little test. How was Jesus born?" Mrs. Rosenberg replied, "He was born to a virgin named Mary in a little town called Bethlehem." "Very good," replied the hotel clerk. "tell me more." Mrs. Rosenberg replied, "He was born in a manger." "That's right ," said the hotel clerk. "Why was he born in a manger?" Mrs. Rosenberg said loudly, "Because a jerk like you in the hotel wouldn't give a Jewish lady a room for the night!" King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com CHRISTMAS SURVEY What do people believe about the birth of Christ? A few days ago Newsweek Magazine conducted a poll asking some questions about Christ and His birth.* Here are some of the results: 67% - believe that the entire story of Christmas is historically accurate 24% - believe the story of Christmas is a theological invention If Jesus had never born, people believed there would be: 63% - less charity 61% - less kindness 59% - less personal happiness 58% - less tolerance 47% - more war (16% say less, 26% say the same) 38% - less religious divisions (21% say more, 26% say the same) Maybe you think "everyone in my church believes the right things". Well, maybe, but maybe not. Hopefully you are reaching people who believe the wrong things too. SOURCE: Brian Mavis, SermonCentral.com. Citation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6653824/site/newsweek/ * For this NEWSWEEK Poll, Princeton Survey Research Associates interviewed by telephone 1,009 adults, aged 18 and older on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. The margin of error Billy Graham says: “As an evangelist, I have often felt too far spent to minister from the pulpit to men and women who have filled stadiums to hear a message from the Lord. Yet again and again my weakness has vanished, and my strength has been renewed. I have been filled with God’s power not only in my soul but physically. On many occasions, God has become especially real, and has sent His unseen angelic visitors to touch my body to let me be His messenger for heaven, speaking as a dying man to dying men.”

A Quantum of Solace

December 23, 2012 Micah 5:2-5 Luke 1:39-45 A Quantum of Solace 4th Sunday of Advent Year C Not used to the presence of women Rear Adm. George J. Dufek, Naval commander of Operation Deepfreeze, tells this story of the day two airline stewardesses arrived on the only commercial plane ever to land in the Antarctic: “The girls, ravishing in furs, were being wined and dined in the McMurdo mess hall. But I noticed there were some men missing, and I walked around the base to see what they were doing. I found them sitting glumly in their quarters, smoking, drinking coffee and obviously resentful. Their reason? They wanted to be able to say that, from the time they left civilization until they returned they hadn’t seen a woman!” —National Geographic Not a lot of women in our story of salvation We wont have that problem when we read the book of Luke. When you read the story of salvation, it is primarily a story about men, told from a man’s perspective. Even from the beginning, sin came into the world –Adam was created first. And when eve convinces him to eat the apple of sin – he tells God it was not him, it was the woman that you gave me. And all throughout the story, women have taken a back seat in the story. Paul says that women should be silent in church- if you have a question in church, just be silent, and ask your question at home. Women are not allowed to be teachers in church. It is as if man is saying that women messed it up, so they should sit back and let the men take care of making it right. Luke focuses on the faith of women We can be grateful that not all men feel that way. Throughtout this year, you will notice that Luke goes out of his way to make sure that we see the contributions that women make to the story of salvation. He goes out of his way to explain that it was women who were the first witnesses to the resurrection. He points out that it was a woman who washed Jesus feet in preparation for death, when the men felt it was unnecessary. And it is only Luke who tells the story of the role women played in bringing the savior into the world. It is Mary who recognizes the plight of her people and who get the message from the angel that she will have a chance to turn the tables. And today we hear the story of Mary and Elizabeth as they come together to celebrate the new life that they are bringing into the world. Both pregnant – they come together. And even though Elizabeth is older, she blesses Mary and the baby she is carrying. They both know that the world will change. Pope John Paul said the he felt that every pregnant mother is a lot like Moses. They understand that with this birth, they are bringing in a new world, but they may never see the full implications of that world. We are all expecting And it is that time of expectation that we all stand on this last Sunday before Christmas. We don’t know how the world would be different – but we are ready for a change. We want it, we expect it, we pray for it, but by the time it comes, we may never see it. But we have prepared the way for the future and for our children. That is what it means to have faith in what we cannot see. We have heard the story of John the Baptist preparing the way – and now we see that even in the womb – the babies know about their purpose – and their relationship they will have with one another and with God. When we know that a baby is coming, we spend so much time getting ready for them, making space for them in our lives, wondering what life will be like when they come to us. But we never think about what it will be like from their perspective, how are they preparing their way for us. What are their expectations. What do they think about coming to our world? Legacy – man looking outside to expect freedom A woman tells the story of a man, who dreamed of freedom and a new life in his country of china. He wrote many documents on freedom. When the government discovered that he was writing these documents against communism. They literally locked him inside of his office. He was totally closed off from the world and made a prisoner in his own house. His family could send in food and water, but they had no access to him. The government had even put boards on his window, so he could only see through the thin slats in the boards. But everyday – he looked out and he would see a kite flying. It was his son, communicating with him. Telling him that even though they could not be with him, they still thought of him. They still loved him, and that there was still a place in their lives for him. It was that small connection – that helped him endure his imprisonment, until he was finally freed and could be with his family again. It was that kite that was his hope and anticipation of what his destiny would finally be. We have spent 4 weeks preparing ourselves for Christ to come anew in our lives. As we look in the world, we are clear about what we are expecting, what we are needing, what we are waiting for to change. Just as the faithful man watched that kite, and couldn’t wait to be freed, what if Christ is watching us, and looking forward to coming forward in our lives. What if Christ is just as excited about coming into our lives as we are in coming in ours? What if Christmas is our meeting place of heaven and earth. Where we get the chance to see God’s love hope joy and peace in us. The faith stories of women We as women spend so much of our time looking as the examples of men of faith. today we learn a lesson from women of faith. There is a educational campaign – called a a virgin, a queen, a harlot, a slave and a purpose. It points out the stories of women of faith in the bible, Mary, Esther, Rahab, and Hagar. All women who had a key role in the story of salvation of God’s people. We are all Mary Today we are reminded of the purpose of Mary, Mary;s faith in salvation and her willingness to be used. This Christmas, let us like Mary – respond to God’s opportunities in our lives, be willing to work with God to bring the change we pray for, make the promises of God real in how we live our lives, and most importantly – know that we have the spirit of God inside of us – waiting to be a blessing to all of the world. James Bond lessons The four themes of advent - hope, love joy and peace – those are the things that God will bring into the world with the birth of Christ. I have tried to tie those 4 lessons with 4 lessons from James Bond. First Sunday we stood at skyfall, second we remembered that as children of God we are shaken not stirred, third- we were reminded that there is power in the water, and today ‘s theme is quantum of solace. Our Quantum of Solace In many of James Bond’s movies – they got permission to use the title of the story – but couldn’t tell the story. And I just thought that was a good title. The theme song of the movie says that in order for you to truly live and be happy you have to have a quantum of solace, you have to find the place of your serenity. Our quantum of solace is in Jesus Christ. Malachi says that the coming savior is our source of peace. Michael Card (musician and author): “All we could ever imagine, could ever hope for, He is. ... He is the Prince of Peace whose first coming has already transformed society but whose second coming will forever establish justice and righteousness. All this, and infinitely more, alive in an impoverished baby in a barn. That is what Christmas means--to find in a place where you would least expect to find anything you want, everything you could ever want.” May you be prepared for the coming of your savior – may he be the true source of your joy, peace, love and hope. Amen.

We are Godbearers

December 18, 2011 Year B Fourth Sunday of Advent “We all must be God-bearers” 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:26-38 This is the season of expectation We have been through the cycle of hope, joy, love for the advent season. We have thought about the coming of Christ in our lives. We have looked forward to the second coming. And now it is time to truly be present to the importance of the first coming. Of God coming into the world in the form of a child, to live our life, and the transform our world. In our time. Our message for today is expectation – What will God do when God comes into my life – again this year. How will things be different. How will I be different? How can I make the world around me different? The problem with Mark For the first two Sundays, we have not read the gospel lesson. Personally, I think Mark does the best job of telling the good news. Mark is the first of the gospels written. As a matter of fact, Matthew and Luke both use Mark as a reference, which is why they are so similar. The problem with Mark is that you won’t be hearing stories of angels, and shepherds, and mangers, and stars, and Mary and Joseph. That is just not his concern. So this 4th Sunday of advent, if we want to talk about expecting – we have to look at Luke. Because if we want to talk about expecting God – we have to talk about Mary – the mother of Jesus. But I want to go farther and call her the Mother of God – I will talk more about that later. What we know about Mary Historically we don’t know much about the mother of Jesus. In Hebrew her name would have been Miriyam. Since the Greek don’t have a y in their language – in English, we have the name Miriam. According to Luke, she lived in Nazareth, the northern part of Israel. We tend to imagine her as a young girl, since scripture says that she had not married yet. Truth is, we don’t know how old she was. Retelling of story Scripture says that the angel Gabriel comes to her and announces that she will be pregnant. And bear a son, who will be very important. He tells her the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she will give birth. Her child will be holy also. Gabriel also tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is also pregnant. Mary says here I am, use me. And the angel leaves. A short history of angels Luke records that it is Gabriel who brings this message to Mary. In the Jewish tradition, there are many different beliefs about angels. In some beliefs there are lots of angels, in some there are just a few. Some believe that there are two different types of angels, and some think of only two. Only 2 are named in the bible – Michael – or Mikael - his name means who is like God? And Gabriel – a soldier for God. Michael is mentioned by name in Daniel, Jude and revelation. Gabriel is mentioned in Daniel and Luke. They are both arch angels – or chief angels. Competition between Gabriel and Michael Rumor has it that the competition for God’s attention was fierce between these two. When they heard that one of them would be named to give the good news to Mary – they both did all they could to get the job. As I was preparing for last week's sermon, I rediscovered the story of a Conversation between God and the archangel Michael. It is a little long, so I won't share it with you in full. It seems there was quite a bit of Rivalry between the archangels Michael and Gabriel, and in the story, Michael goes to the throne of God and is being a real pain, carrying on that God has made a mistake and that Gabriel could never convince Mary to be the Bearer of the Son of God and that God must have rocks in his head to think That the plan would work. Michael's suggestion was something along the Lines of sending down a fully grown Son of God, in all his glory with the Heavenly host (lead of course by Michael) at his heals, which was sure to bring humanity back to God! It was a great yarn with much humour, until it came to the punch line. Michael can't believe that God is going through with the hair-brained plan or that Mary would say yes to it. God allows the company of heaven to watch what unfolds. First Mary's incredulity, then her acceptance and finally her visit to Elizabeth and her song in response to Elizabeth's greeting. I want to share this last bit with you: "For a long, long moment silence reigned in the courts of heaven as the vision of Mary and Elizabeth slowly faded away. Then finally Michael spoke, "you're right, Lord. As usual you're right. She is brave. And she'll be a wonderful mother for Jesus. But I still don't understand. Why? Why are you risking everything by sending Jesus to be the child of such a poor family; to risk the childhood deaths all earth's children risk? I know Mary will love your Child. But the odds are so against her!" Slowly, with a gentle smile on a mighty face, God once again ascended to the throne and looked down at the sometimes troublesome archangel. "What was Mary's answer, Michael," God slowly asked? "She said, 'yes,'" Michael replied. "That's right," God nodded. "She's poor, illiterate, unwed, and pregnant. She's risking being disowned by all those about her. And she knows being outcast would be but the prelude to a sudden and painful death. She knew all that, and she said, 'yes.'" "Just one yes, and the world has changed. Just one yes, and the darkness is gone forever." "One day my Child's people will cower in fear. One day they'll feel its useless to go on. One day they'll decide all is against them: that the way I call them to is a way that can't be travelled." "When that day comes," the Lord God concluded, all my people will have to do is remember a teenaged peasant girl. And as they remember they'll see how even one person saying 'yes' can change death into life." "What do you say, Michael," the Lord God quietly asked? "Is my plan a good one?" [4] Fun and laughter aside, the plan was a good one, and one teenage girl's "yes" to God has changed the course of history. What are our expectations as we take our Advent journey? What are our expectations as we wait for Christmas? Story told by Rev. Sally Buckley – St. Andrew’s Anglican Parish- Western Australia In the end – it was not Michael or Gabriel’s plan that prevailed, it was God’s plan. It was God’s plan to use a young woman willing to say yes. It was her obedience that mattered. Mary as Theotokos – God bearer Catholics call her Blessed Virgin, or Mary Mother of God. The Greek orthodox call her “All holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorified lady and ever virgin Mary. How is that for a title? In the Greek orthodox church she is referred to as the Theotokos. I said that I was going to stop giving you foreign words – but this one is important to all of us. Theo means god and tokos means birth giver. In English that means God bearer. Mary is important in the Greek orthodox church because she is the one who bought God into the world. Not just the presence of God, but the actual God himself in the form of Christ. We too are God bearers The good news this holiday season is that we are expecting too. Expecting and expected. Expected to be God bearers. To bring god into the world into the lives of our friends, people in the street, even to those far away. Even though the soldiers have returned from Iraq, we are still far away from world peace, even though it is Christmas time, people are still hungry. The hospitals are full of people, there is poverty, there is despair. All things that we can do nothing about ourselves, but we know that God can do the impossible. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. I can do the impossible. Story of 80 year old woman giving birth Linzi was an 80 year old woman who lived in a nursing home. When Linzi announced that she was expecting, people thought that it was dementia. That was three months before Stephanie came to work at the nursing home as a nursing assistant. That was three months before Stephanie found out that she was pregnant. When Linzie would talk to Stephanie about being pregnant – she thought nothing of it. She was very polite and understanding of Linzie until she discovered that she was having a baby herself. All throughout the pregnancy – she would share stories with Linzie. Linzie was a hair dresser in her earlier life and she had never had a baby. But she and Stephanie always seemed to have a lot to talk about. Stephanie would let Linzie feel her stomach, and feel the baby jumping. When Linzie would talk about her pregnancy – she was always willing to listen and to go along with her story. Finally Stephanie had the baby – and of course she brought the baby to work so that everyone could see him. Linzie was the first person she took him too. Linzie was very excited about the baby – she started to ask Stephanie about the birth experience – what did it feel like, what happened, how did she react, who was there to help. Stephanie felt close enough to Linzie to share all of these experiences. When it came time to show the baby to everyone else – Stephanie asked if Linzie wanted to go with her as she showed off the baby – Linzie was delighted. They put Linzie in her wheelchair and handed her the baby. And as they went throughout the nursing home – Linzie told everyone that her baby was here. She told people that she was pregnant and here was the baby - This was baby Joshua. Stephanie’s baby was not named Joshua – but Stephanie knew that Linzies baby was Joshua. And that for some reason God had brought the two of them together, so that they could share their journey together. even allow 80 year old women to give birth for the first time. If my God can do that, surely God can address anything going on in my life. As a matter of fact, the bible is full of the stories of women who could not have children, having children – and those babies of promise going on to do amazing things. If God can make an 80 year old woman give birth – what can god do for you. The real question is what can God do through you? If you are willing like Mary – to be a God bearer for God? The difference between a house and a home If we look quickly at 2 Samuel – David has become king, he has overcome all his challenges . and he decides that he must make sure that God has a house of brick and cedar just as he has. Now he said yes to God. He was a faithful servant – and yet God said no, I don’t need you. If he was faithful and Mary was faithful. Why would God say I can use Mary, and not David? David agreed to provide God with a house, Mary was willing to give God a home. David was going to use brick and mortar, Mary was willing to give God love. David was giving out of his success, Mary was giving out of her obedience. David was willing to give God a place to live, Mary was willing to give her life. And God’s presence in the world lives in the presence of our souls, inside of us, not in the things that we have or give. God trusted us, God favors us earthen dirt vessels, with imperfect lives, imperfect thoughts, and dirty hands to bring the glory of God into the world. Obedience makes the impossible possible It is my obedience to God that makes the impossible, possible. During this season of expectation, let us let go and let God. It is not about what I can do for God, it is about what I can let God do for me. Here am I , the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. I want us to end together saying the words of Mary’s response to God and to the world. I hear that these words are so powerful, that they are banned in certain countries that are afraid of change. The magnificat My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed: for the mighty one has done great things for me and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arms; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has bought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he has made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Amen.

Things We EnJOY about Christmas

December 20, 2009
Things we Enjoy about Christmas
Luke 39-55
The Magnificat of Mary
Hebrews 10:5-10
Year C

As we have been talking about the advent wreath – we have been talking about the 4 themes of advent- which are?...... hope, love, joy and love. And guess which one we are going to talk about today? Joy, Joy, Joy.

That was God’s message to me this advent – to focus on joy. This is a tough time for the world – there is a lot of darkness, a lot of sadness, a lot of questions about the future, there is truly a lot going on in our lives to mourn and be worried about. But the message of Christmas is to look beyond all of that – and to focus on the real intention of the season – the coming of Christ into our lives – bringing a promise of salvation, healing and love to a hurting world. To have hope for the future- that the world that we see today – is not the world the God is creating.

But in order to have the hope, peace, and love – that we have to have joy – we have to be willing to celebrate the Christ in Christmas. The book of Hebrews is not really a Christmas book – but it is used today – because it reminds of that in order to save us from sin, that God had to come into the world and put on flesh, in order to get rid of the old ways – and show us the pathway to a new life – a life of salvation.

As I pulled out my Christmas books, I found one of my favorites. 3001 things that I love about Christmas - It is a cool little book with stories of people’s favorite Christmases, of Christmas carols and a list of 3001 things about Christmas – such as Frosty the Snowman, Christmas cards with music, Christmas cards without music, furry santa claus hats, the smell of baking Christmas ham, telling the night before Christmas story from memory.
Actually one of my favorite parts of Christmas is the 4th Sunday of advent. I don’t mind preaching about the second coming, and about John the Baptist – but I love being able to preach about the story of Mary. Mary is my favorite bible character, and her story is the one that I identify with the most. And I love the version of her story in Luke the most. As I look back on my 15 years of preaching, I have a lot of 4th Sunday sermons – partially because the sr pastor doesn’t like to preach on the Sunday before Christmas, and partially because it is always the Sunday that I ask to preach – because I love this story.
You would think that with all of those sermons, that I would not have had to stay up until 6 this morning writing a new sermon. But usually I focus on the mystery of Mary’s pregnancy – and today I wanted to focus on Mary’s joy. Mary’s magnificat.
The first words that come out of her mouth are that God shall call her happy for what God has done to her. She is grateful to be considered God’s servant.
She is excited to be used by God, excited to be given a new vision, excited to see promises fulfilled in her lifetime.
In honor of Mary’s song I am wearing my flip flops – Mary says that everything will flip flop. Those who are on the bottom of society will be honored and elevated and put on top. I have a version of Handel’s Messiah which says that the the top becomes the bottom and the bottom becomes the top and even there it doesn’t stop.
I share in Mary’s celebration of the flip flop God. A God whose capable of doing anything.
Last night we watched the movie – the Nativity Story – it is an excellent visual of the story of the first Christmas. In the movie one of the plots was of the insecurity of King Herod. He needed to be in control and did not want to be challenged by anyone. When he heard there would be a new king of Israel – he was looking for a man who was strong enough to challenge him – he never in a million years thought to look for a teenage mother from a peasant background – traveling with her husband – carrying not only a baby – but a dream, a promise , a mission.
A flip flop God can use the lowest times in our lives, and the most unexpected people to not only change the world – but to change our lives and our paths. A flip flop God can do anything.

Linzi was an 80 year old woman who lived in a nursing home. When Linzi announced that she was expecting, people thought that it was dementia. That was three months before Stephanie came to work at the nursing home as a nursing assistant. That was three months before Stephanie found out that she was pregnant. When Linzie would talk to Stephanie about being pregnant – she thought nothing of it. She was very polite and understanding of Linzie until she discovered that she was having a baby herself. All throughout the pregnancy – she would share stories with Linzie. Linzie was a hair dresser in her earlier life and she had never had a baby. But she and Stephanie always seemed to have a lot to talk about. Stephanie would let Linzie feel her stomache, and feel the baby jumping. When Linzie would talk about her pregnancy – she was always willing to listen and to go along with her story. Finally Stephanie had the baby – and of course she brought the baby to work so that everyone could see him. Linzie was the first person she took him too. Linzie was very excited about the baby – she started to ask Stephanie about the birth experience – what did it feel like, what happened, how did she react, who was there to help. Stephanie felt close enough to Linzie to share all of these experiences. When it came time to show the baby to everyone else – Stephanie asked if Linzie wanted to go with her as she showed off the baby – Linzie was delighted. They put Linzie in her wheelchair and handed her the baby. And as they went throughtout the nursing home – Linzie told everyone that her baby was here. She told people that she was pregnant and here was the baby - This was baby Joshua. Stephanie’s baby was not named Joshua – but Stephanie knew that Linzies baby was Joshua. And that for some reason God had brought the two of them together, so that they could share their journey together.
I don’t know about you, but I worship an amazing flip flop God. A God who can do anything – even allow 80 year old women to give birth for the first time. If my God can do that, surely God can address anything going on in my life. As amatter of fact, the bible is full of the stories of women who could not have children, having children – and those babies of promise going on to do amazing things. If God can make an 80 year old woman give birth – what can god do for you. God flip any flop and turn it into a miracle.
As a matter of fact you would have thought that it would have been Elizabeth’s magnificat and not Mary’s. Elizabeth was the woman past her prime – who was having a baby – not Mary. Elizabeth had something to celebrate. But the flip flop God wanted to move beyond the obvious to something new.
But God’s work in all in or perspective. How we choose to see things.
When Elizabeth saw Mary she could have chosen to see a teenager in trouble. When Joseph saw Mary, he could have seen an unfaithful Fiance, when Mary saw the angel, she could have seen a situation that was impossible in her culture. A story that would never work.
Instead she saw the hope of God’s future. Revolutionary change was all in her perspective, her willingness to be used by God.
When Elizabeth saw Mary – the baby inside of her jumped for joy. The baby’s were excited to see each other. Elizabeth was excited to be a part of that moment in time. Who was she to be a part of God’s plan. Who are any of us to be a part of God’s plan – and yet we have been chosen to touch the presence of God and celebrate. When we touch God, when we are touched by God – do we jump for joy – or do something else. It all depends on our perspective. What we chose to see about life.
In my last example of why joy is so important – I want to point out that in the daylight, you can take a quarter out and put it up to the sun and totally block it out. But in reality – which is bigger – the coin or the sun? Which is more brilliant - the coin or the sun? From our perspective – the coin is bigger, the coin is right in front of us – but the sun is out there somewhere. We can touch and feel the coin – but we can only imagine the sun. Henry Fosdick says that a penny can hide the sun if we hold it close enough to our eye. And a passing difficulty can shut out from a fearful soul, all of life’s blessings and all of the endless horizons of God’s divine will. It is all in your perspective. It all depends on what you choose to see.
This Christmas – what will you see in the manger? A crying baby, another worry, all of the darkness of the world, all of the bleak things to deal with in January? All of the things in life that can’t possible happen? Or the promise that God is making you a part of a transformed world beyond anything that makes sense to you now? Why you? Why now? Why have a reason to enjoy the seaon? Let us pray…. Amen.