The Last Day of Advent 2010

The last day of Advent 2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Luke 2:12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Do you know what swaddling clothes are?  I didn’t until I was in high school or college.  Our neighbor, Mary, was a second generation Italian.  Her parents were born in Italy.  One afternoon before Christmas Mary explained that in Italy poor people wrapped their new born infants in bands of cloth to keep them warm and keep their arms and legs flaying about.  According to Mary it gave them a sense of security.  Mary explained that that is what swaddling clothes are.  When our children were born I saw the same principle at work when they were wrapped tightly in a blanket. 

What was the sign the angles gave the shepherds to look for in order to find the new born king?  Not angelic chorus, not a bright shining star – but a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.  The sign was not some extravagant, magnificent, wondrous happening but a common little baby wrapped up like new born infants were and are wrapped. 

I love all the whoopla and the extravagant, magnificent wondrous things about the Christmas holiday.  But I am well aware that Christ most often comes to us in the common ordinary things of life.  I guess that’s why the church has chosen water, bread and wine to be vessels of the Holy Spirit and our Lord in the sacraments.  So, I say, “Enjoy all the whoopla and the extravagant, magnificent wondrous things of Christmas.  But look for our Lord in the common ordinary things in the day and in the coming year.

Stir up your power, O Lord and come.  Let us see you as you come to us in the common and ordinary.  AMEN

The Fourth Thursday In Advent

The Fourth Thursday of Advent

December 23, 2010

Gospel: Matthew 1:18–25  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.  ¹⁹Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.  ²⁰But 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.  ²¹She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  ²²All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:³"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us."

They shall name him Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us."  I remember a few things my freshman college religion processor taught me.  Forty years later I am not sure if he would be more flattered or shocked!  One of the things he said that stuck was, “Faith is not feeling.”  I may not feel the presence of God but that does not change the fact that I believe God is present.  I believe God is present when I feel God’s presence and when I don’t.

My wife and I have a collection of over 50 nativity scene from all over the world, India, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, and my workshop in Pennsylvania.  By far the most precious is the one that was given to my mother when she was a young girl, over 90 years ago.  When she died my father gave it to me. 

The first time we set it up we discovered that the baby Jesus was missing.  I was sadly disappointed but understood how such a little figurine could get lost in the confusion of packing and unpacking Christmas decorations.  For several years we displayed this precious creche with our growing collection of nativities.   One year, not too long ago, as I was examining the Mary figurine, I noticed a piece of tissue stuck up inside her.  I pulled it out and low and behold, the baby Jesus was safely tucked away inside Mary wrapped up in a piece of tissue.  What a wonder to discover this precious baby Jesus when I had thought he was got.  He was there all the time even though I did not know it. 

I pray you will discover Jesus in your life when you least expect him and are looking in unexpected places.  A Blessed and Very Merry Christmas.

Gracious and living God, thank you for coming to our lives when we least expect it and in places in which we are not looking.  AMEN

The Fourth Wednesday In Advent

The fourth Wednesday In Advent

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Matthew 1:18–25  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.  ¹⁹Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.  ²⁰But 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.  ²¹She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  ²²All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, "God is with us."  ²⁴When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife,  ²⁵but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.   Mary always  gets the spot light on Christmas Eve.  Joseph stands waiting in the wings.  Perhaps we should put the spot light on him too for Joseph was a stand up sort of a guy.

Joseph’s fiancé was found to be pregnant.  He knew it wasn’t him.  So he decided to do the only thing a righteous, honorable, upstanding, First Century Jew would do.  He did the same thing that most men I know today would do.  She was guilty of breach of contract!  He could get off scot free.   To his credit he decided to do it “quietly.”  He didn’t want to disgrace her. 

BUT he changed his mind.  He heard God’s word and like Mary he was willing to be an instrument of God.  Joseph had a lot to lose.  It would soon be apparent that Mary was pregnant.  If he didn’t dismiss her it would be assumed that he was the father.  He would be disgraced for getting her pregnant before they were married.  But Joseph heard the word of the Lord from the angel and changed his mind.  Joseph was a stand up guy.  Like Mary, he was ready to do the Lord’s bidding even though it would cost him his standing in the community. 

I’ve been a stand up guy at times too.  I recall being in a local hardware store and hearing the owner and a few customers talking.  They were using the “N” word liberally and loudly.  At first I thought I would just pay for my stuff and walk out.  But I changed my mind.  I confronted them.  I put my purchases on the counter, told them I was offended at the tone of their conversation and their language, and announced that I would not be back and that I would tell all my friends why.  It was nothing like Joseph and Mary but I did change my mind do what I believe God was bidding at that moment.

SO WHEN have you been a stand up guy/gal and changed your mind to do God’s bigging?

Stir up your power, O Lord and come.  Come to us and embolden us to change our minds when we hear your word to us.  AMEN

The Fourth Tuesday In Advent

The fourth Tuesday in advent

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Isaiah 7:10–16  Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying,  ¹¹Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.  ¹²But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.  ¹³Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also?  ¹⁴Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.  ¹⁵He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.  ¹⁶For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

I love these Isaiah texts because Judah’s history at this time is so fascinating and King Ahaz has to be the epitome of evil.  Here in this reading Ahaz refuses to listen to the word of God for which he and his country would ultimately be sorry.

Someone once told me that nothing is so useless or evil that it can’t serve as a bad example.  Ahaz and his refusal to hear and heed God’s word is case in point.  We all have been like Ahaz at times.  But rather than focus on how I have failed (which we all need to do at times) this morning I’d rather recall and learn from the times I have heard and heeded God’s word and will for me. 

When I retired from full time pastoral ministry over a year ago, I told our Bishop and his assistants that I wanted no part of interim ministry.  “If I wanted to continue working in a parish ," I said, "I would not have retired.”  I found myself filling in just on Sunday mornings at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd until they could find a new interim.  When Chris Lowe, Council President, asked if I would be their interim pastor,  I politely declined.   But the second time she asked, I thought perhaps God was using Chris to call me.  (You know God uses us like that!)  I heard and I heeded.  I have been so thankful that I was listening.  The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd has been a blessing to me.  Like Ahaz, I had my mind made up.  Unlike Ahaz I was open to God’s call. 

So when have you heard and heeded God’s call?

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.  Open our ears to your call and bless us as we follow.  AMEN

The Fourth Monday In Advent

The Fourth Monday In Advent

Monday, December 20, 2010

Isaiah 7:10–16  ¹⁰Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying,  ¹¹Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.  ¹²But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.  ¹³Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also?  ¹⁴Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.  ¹⁵He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.  ¹⁶For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.

Again historical context is important.  Judah was being threatened by her neighbors.  To defend his country, King Ahaz determines to ally Judah with the ruthless and feared Assyrians (for which he would later be sorry).  Isaiah warns him not to make such alliances but to trust in God’s presence for protection.  But Ahaz has his mind made up.  So God speaks to Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah, telling him to ask for a sign of God’s presence and protection.  But again, Ahaz has his mind made up.  With a sense of false piety, Ahaz responds, “I will not put the LORD to the test.” 

So God sends him a sign anyway.  Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.  Immanuel means “God with us.”  So as this child grows, every time this young woman call her son in for lunch, for supper, or bed time, he hears “God with us, time for supper.  God with us, time for bed.”  All day long he hears, “God with us.”  All day long he is reminded of God presence with him. 

Along with many other Christians, Lutheran Christians are believers in the doctrine of REAL PRESENCE.  When I give communion, I hold the host between my eyes and the eyes of the communicant and say, “The body of Christ, given FOR YOU.”  When I receive communion I hold out my hand and hear the words, “The body of Christ given for you (i.e. ME).  At those times I know Christ is REALLY PRESENT with me.  That’s the wonder and joy of “real presence.”

SO WHAT times in your life do you know God is present with you?

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.  To you us and unlike Ahaz make us aware of your coming, your presence with us.  AMEN

The Third Saturday In Advent

THE THIRD SATURDAY IN ADVENT

Matthew 11:2–6  ²When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples  ³and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?"  ⁴Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:  ⁵the 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.  ⁶And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

John asks this strange question of Jesus, “Are you the Messiah?  Or should we wait for another?”  Jesus answer is, “Go and tell John what you see and hear.”  If someone were to ask me, “Are you really a pastor?”  My response would be, “Of course I am.”  And then list all my qualifications.  But Jesus doesn’t do that.  Instead, he recounts what he has been doing.  Reminds me of a story.

An over zealous evangelist asked a man on the street, “Are you a Christian?”  The man answered, “Don’t ask me that question!  Ask my banker.  Ask my neighbor.  Ask my boss.  Ask my wife.  Ask my children.  Talk is cheap.”

“Are you a Christian?” can easily be answered by, “Yes!  I am baptized and I go to church.”  But the real answer to the question lies in what the people you meet each day see.  Can they tell you are a follower of the Lord Jesus by your actions toward them?

I humbly suggest to you that I think most of the people I meet most of the time would answer of me, “Yes.”  Not all of the people all of the time, but most of the people most of the time. 

SO WHAT about you?  What would your banker, neighbor, boss, spouse and children (if you have them) say about you?

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.  Empower me to talk the talk AND walk the walk of your disciple.  AMEN

The Third Friday In Advent

THE THIRD FRIDAY IN ADVENT

FRIDAY, December 17, 2010

James 5:7-10  ⁷Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.  ⁸You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 

I fondly remember Christmas several years ago when I purchased a Cinderella coach complete with a Cinderella doll and white horse for our granddaughter.   When she opened it she screamed with delight and threw her arms around the box and hugged it tightly. "I love it.  I love it. I loved it" she squealed.  She was so anxious to get down on the floor and run Cinderella, the horse and carriage around the room.  But she sat patiently, waiting and watching her Dad and me as we struggled to put all the pieces together.  I thought such a demonstration of patience bodes well for a little girl.

James urges us to be patient for the coming of the Lord.  But I think his admonition for patience has application for our lives in the world today.  Be patient as you drive behind the pokey driver.  Be patient with the elderly woman in the cashier’s line as she fumbles in her purse.  Be patient with the child who struggles to do it herself.  Be patient with yourself.  

SO WHAT tries your patience?  Will you resolve to remember James’ words when you find your patience running out?

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.  Come and give us patience and give us patience now!  AMEN