The new year gives us an opportunity to take another look at our lives and to make some changes if we need to. Some of those changes are attitudinal and some of them are behavior modification. Most of them are internal but the internal revolutions will have major consequences in terms of what we are able to accomplish and what kind of person we are able to become.
I am of the opinion that we have free will. We can make changes in our lives for the better or for the worse. The beginning of a new year is one of those times when we have a chance to make important assessments and adjustment.
John Wesley was one who was completely open to people having differing ideas. However, he was passionately opposed to two approaches to life and theology. He could not believe in a God who was distant and indifferent to what is happening to us. An indifferent God is not God according to Wesley.
He was equally contemptuous of the idea that we are predestined to be what we have become. He could not accept the idea that we have no choice in our lives. In fact he was convinced we have the capacity to "move on to perfection." He thought we have control over our destiny to a large extent.
The new year and the communion table call us to take a look at where we are and where we want to be. We can choose to "go back home by another way" (as the Magi in the Matthew Epiphany story).
Here is how we do it:
1. What we don't like about our lives we say it.
2. What we need to rid ourselves of we do it.
3. What we wish to become in our lives is determined at the table as we join with others who, as Christian people, have decided to build the kind of world described by Jesus as "the Kingdom of God". We take on an identity as problem solvers; as care givers; as agents of hope.
One of the ways it is manifest is at the table.
What will you be giving up?
What will you be taking on?
What will you be changing?
What will we become as Christian people?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"What's Not Going to Happen in 2010?"
The story of the Magi has an interesting conclusion. It should give us some things to think about as we look toward the beginning of the new year.
The Magi went to Bethlehem. They brought their gifts. Herod had sent them to lean about the child. They returned to their own homes by another way.
As we move forward into the new year and as we think about where we have been and what has been happening to us we think about going back to work, to our routines, to what is being asked of us by another way.
What will happen next year and how will we handle it? What will happen to us if we go back into the new year another way?
What new things can we do? What new ways can we discover? What will make the new year different?
Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and we begin the year, the way we have for a long time, at the table. Coming to the table we will have an opportunity to think about the new year, and the new approach we have the opportunity to take as we move into it.
What do we resolve that will be different than last year? What changes will we be willing to make? If we go a different way what lead us forward? What can we expect? What will disappoint us and excite us?
What do you think?
If you are looking to make changes what changes will you make?
Write me at charleschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
The story of the Magi has an interesting conclusion. It should give us some things to think about as we look toward the beginning of the new year.
The Magi went to Bethlehem. They brought their gifts. Herod had sent them to lean about the child. They returned to their own homes by another way.
As we move forward into the new year and as we think about where we have been and what has been happening to us we think about going back to work, to our routines, to what is being asked of us by another way.
What will happen next year and how will we handle it? What will happen to us if we go back into the new year another way?
What new things can we do? What new ways can we discover? What will make the new year different?
Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and we begin the year, the way we have for a long time, at the table. Coming to the table we will have an opportunity to think about the new year, and the new approach we have the opportunity to take as we move into it.
What do we resolve that will be different than last year? What changes will we be willing to make? If we go a different way what lead us forward? What can we expect? What will disappoint us and excite us?
What do you think?
If you are looking to make changes what changes will you make?
Write me at charleschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday's Thoughts
Christmas Eve Sermons
Bedlam in Bethlehem
I am looking at the confusion and conflict of the Christmas season as compared to the calm of this time of year. There was a "decree" that went out. There are always decrees going out. There are voices telling us what we must do. There are imperatives and some of them are harsh and difficult. In contrast to the imperatives there is the calm that comes from the birth of the Christ Child in the city of Bethlehem. Micah addresses this carefully suggesting that "Bethlehem is 'too' small" for such a wonderful thing to happen. Micah is hoping for the birth of another leader like David who will lead the people of Israel back to the position and power they once had. David was born in Bethlehem and the home is there would come forth another leader, a Messiah, to take the people forward.
Christians have picked up this text and implied the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of the prophet's hope.
In the sermon I want us to look at the chaos of Jesus' birth and the chaos of our lives. I want us to look at the calm and quiet of the birth of the Christ Child.
The contrast between "the decree that goes out" and "the still small voice" is an important dichotomy.
5 and 7 o'clock services Charles Schuster preaching
I am looking at the confusion and conflict of the Christmas season as compared to the calm of this time of year. There was a "decree" that went out. There are always decrees going out. There are voices telling us what we must do. There are imperatives and some of them are harsh and difficult. In contrast to the imperatives there is the calm that comes from the birth of the Christ Child in the city of Bethlehem. Micah addresses this carefully suggesting that "Bethlehem is 'too' small" for such a wonderful thing to happen. Micah is hoping for the birth of another leader like David who will lead the people of Israel back to the position and power they once had. David was born in Bethlehem and the home is there would come forth another leader, a Messiah, to take the people forward.
Christians have picked up this text and implied the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of the prophet's hope.
In the sermon I want us to look at the chaos of Jesus' birth and the chaos of our lives. I want us to look at the calm and quiet of the birth of the Christ Child.
The contrast between "the decree that goes out" and "the still small voice" is an important dichotomy.
3:00 SERVICE
Joel Kewshaw preaching
Think about the people at the bottom of today's social strata. Who might that be. Well, at the time of Jesus Birth, Shepherds were those people. They were looked on a thieves and homeless poor who lived with animals. They were the lowest of the low and yet, the first thing Luke reports after the birth of Jesus was a choir of angels proclaiming Jesus birth to who? A bunch of shepherds. Jesus goes on to adopt the image of a shepherd for his own ministry to talk about how he cares for us like a shepherd for their sheep, a love that know no boundaries; that would stop at nothing to protect and rescue...us. This Christmas Eve at the 3:00 p.m. service we will experience what it might have been like to be the first to know of Jesus; Immanuel; God with us!
Join us for a living nativity, beloved carols and a dramatic sermon from a Shepherd living in the fields one night, keeping watch.
here is a summary of what I will be saying at the 11:00 p.m. service.
Jesus' birth stirred the emotions of folks from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Hopeful? Yes. Disturbing and full of wonder? Yes. The announcement that spread throughout the land created much gossip and gave thought to "is this really God's intervention at a time when peace is so needed?" And, "if that is so, why would God speak through the lives of an older man and a young girl, not married to one another?"
While Jesus' birth was Holy, so was yours and mine. There are many similarities. We will explore the pronouncement, the birth, the adoration and the mandate that has been given to not only Jesus, but to each one of us....on a Christmas night.
If you are up to it, I look forward to having you join us for a time of Scripture, Carols, Communion and Contemplation. And, at midnight, we will ring in Christmas Day, a day when we all experienced our Holy births.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday's thoughts
The sermon has come together finally. I am looking at what makes Christmas so important to us and why we will come to church in record numbers. Our church is so full of people we have to set up projectors and a screen in the Fellowship Hall. Why is Christmas Eve so important?
I am looking at three things that determine the meaning of Christmas for us:
1. There is a universal need, shared by God, to have a home and to come back to it. It is the warmth of home that draws us. It is the memory of other occasions when we were together that calls us to seek out this time and place. The warmth of home, and the church is our spiritual home, calls us to come on Christmas Eve.
2. Once we arrive we are required to shine. Our candle lighting service provides a metaphor of self-discovery and expression. We light our candles and others light theirs. The darkness is defeated by the light that we shine. We could reject the idea and not light our candle but the darkness would increase. Each light has its own value as each of us makes a difference. We are compelled to shine.
3. Finally, we are given the opportunity to bask in the glow of those who have gone before us. They have established the path we are on. They have been with us in other years and when we leave the House of God on Christmas we will have thought about those who have been models for us of the Christian life; parents who showed us our values; teachers who tried to help us along the way; friends who believed in us; loved ones who brought out the best in us.
It is the warmth that brings us to church on Christmas; it is the imperative to shine that gives us our assignment; and it is the glow of the love we have known that sends us out into the world energized.
Why do you come to church on Christmas Eve? What did I miss? If you have thoughts about this important subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I am looking at three things that determine the meaning of Christmas for us:
1. There is a universal need, shared by God, to have a home and to come back to it. It is the warmth of home that draws us. It is the memory of other occasions when we were together that calls us to seek out this time and place. The warmth of home, and the church is our spiritual home, calls us to come on Christmas Eve.
2. Once we arrive we are required to shine. Our candle lighting service provides a metaphor of self-discovery and expression. We light our candles and others light theirs. The darkness is defeated by the light that we shine. We could reject the idea and not light our candle but the darkness would increase. Each light has its own value as each of us makes a difference. We are compelled to shine.
3. Finally, we are given the opportunity to bask in the glow of those who have gone before us. They have established the path we are on. They have been with us in other years and when we leave the House of God on Christmas we will have thought about those who have been models for us of the Christian life; parents who showed us our values; teachers who tried to help us along the way; friends who believed in us; loved ones who brought out the best in us.
It is the warmth that brings us to church on Christmas; it is the imperative to shine that gives us our assignment; and it is the glow of the love we have known that sends us out into the world energized.
Why do you come to church on Christmas Eve? What did I miss? If you have thoughts about this important subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
The sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent is getting kind of interesting to work on. I began thinking with Harper Lee and her book The Kill a Mockingbird and had identified, with her, the importance of wanting to be home for Christmas.
That has now taken a very different turn. One of the readings for Sunday is 2 Samuel 7 where God is telling David to build God a house. What seems to be going on here is the longing of the God we worship to be home. Abraham Heschel has written an entire theology that begins with the premise that God is not at home in the world God has created. The ethic of that theology implies that if God is not at home in the world our job is to build a world in which God is at home. We are God's stake in the universe. What we do with creation can bring the Creator into harmony with it.
When we think of the importance of Christmas and the reason so many people find themselves in churches on Christmas Eve is the impulse to find a home. Christmas Eve is a time for people to act out the need to be at home and the church is a place where we can find a home.
It could be a vestige of some past sense of security that brings us to church. We remember how it was in the past when we were children and we would like to replicate that feeling.
What brings you to church on Christmas Eve if not that? Once you are here at church on Christmas Eve what are we to do here?
What do you think? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
That has now taken a very different turn. One of the readings for Sunday is 2 Samuel 7 where God is telling David to build God a house. What seems to be going on here is the longing of the God we worship to be home. Abraham Heschel has written an entire theology that begins with the premise that God is not at home in the world God has created. The ethic of that theology implies that if God is not at home in the world our job is to build a world in which God is at home. We are God's stake in the universe. What we do with creation can bring the Creator into harmony with it.
When we think of the importance of Christmas and the reason so many people find themselves in churches on Christmas Eve is the impulse to find a home. Christmas Eve is a time for people to act out the need to be at home and the church is a place where we can find a home.
It could be a vestige of some past sense of security that brings us to church. We remember how it was in the past when we were children and we would like to replicate that feeling.
What brings you to church on Christmas Eve if not that? Once you are here at church on Christmas Eve what are we to do here?
What do you think? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Christmas"
Harper Lee wrote one great book. She wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. It's a book about a lawyer who is retained to defend a black man who is accused of murder. There is a portion of that book that is devoted to Christmas and the traditions in the Finch family.
When you look at Harper Lee's life it isn't long before you realize much of her book closely resembles her own life. Her father was a lawyer. He defended a black man who was accused of murder and he lost. The community criticized him and his family for his willingness to defend the man.
Harper Lee was a good friend of Truman Capote. In fact Truman's character is in the book. It isn't hard to find him.
The part of the story entitled "Christmas" speaks to us in many ways and on many different levels. It presents the pathos and pathology of Christmas traditions. It brings the Christmas story into a modern setting and helps us look at what we do to celebrate Christmas and why we do it.
What I will try to do in the sermon is to have us look at the Christmas story and our Christmas traditions. I want to look for the things we do that are good and the activities around Christmas that are not so helpful.
What strange Christmas traditions do you have? Why do you do them? Have you ever questioned them?
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Also, I wish for you that your Christmas traditions will all be wholesome and healthy.
Charles Schuster
Harper Lee wrote one great book. She wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. It's a book about a lawyer who is retained to defend a black man who is accused of murder. There is a portion of that book that is devoted to Christmas and the traditions in the Finch family.
When you look at Harper Lee's life it isn't long before you realize much of her book closely resembles her own life. Her father was a lawyer. He defended a black man who was accused of murder and he lost. The community criticized him and his family for his willingness to defend the man.
Harper Lee was a good friend of Truman Capote. In fact Truman's character is in the book. It isn't hard to find him.
The part of the story entitled "Christmas" speaks to us in many ways and on many different levels. It presents the pathos and pathology of Christmas traditions. It brings the Christmas story into a modern setting and helps us look at what we do to celebrate Christmas and why we do it.
What I will try to do in the sermon is to have us look at the Christmas story and our Christmas traditions. I want to look for the things we do that are good and the activities around Christmas that are not so helpful.
What strange Christmas traditions do you have? Why do you do them? Have you ever questioned them?
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Also, I wish for you that your Christmas traditions will all be wholesome and healthy.
Charles Schuster
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
"The Gift of the Shepherd Girl"
In December of 2005 I preached a sermon suggesting one of the shepherds had a 12 year old daughter. The shepherd is not one who went to see the Christ Child. He was one who remained behind to watch the flock.
His daughter, on hearing what the returning shepherds, had seen and heard when they returned, decided to sneak out during the night and see for herself. Since she had heard it was the Christ Child she took a lamb and gave her lamb to the Christ Child.
No one ever knew that she did it and no one realized the missing lamb.
Years later when the girl had grown up, married, had children, experience the death of her husband, she had an occasion to meet the Christ Child now grown up as Jesus.
She met him just before his death on the cross. She wondered what ever happened to the lamb. She questioned the value of her gift until, when she saw him he referred to himself as "the good shepherd". How would he know anything about sheep? He was a builder, a carpenter; not a shepherd.
She realized the reason he knew about sheep when he referred to himself that way he was affirming her gift to him. She gave him a lamb and he spoke of himself as the good shepherd.
The sermon was not well received. I think I wasn't convincing. People felt the story was not true and I had made it all up.
I think it must have been someone like that who helped Jesus know the value of children and to find the image of what he was. I think when Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and forbid them not; for to such belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
A child's gift was glory to God. She gave the Christ Child a lamb and he became to "good shepherd". She was just a child and Jesus said it was children who are 'fit for the Kingdom of God.
Why do you think she gave the baby Jesus a sheep? Why do you think she did not?
Why do you think Jesus referred to children as being fit for the Kingdom of God if not impressed with what children can do.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your thoughts with other you are encouraged to write and click on the box below.
I look forward to reading your ideas.
Charles Schuster
In December of 2005 I preached a sermon suggesting one of the shepherds had a 12 year old daughter. The shepherd is not one who went to see the Christ Child. He was one who remained behind to watch the flock.
His daughter, on hearing what the returning shepherds, had seen and heard when they returned, decided to sneak out during the night and see for herself. Since she had heard it was the Christ Child she took a lamb and gave her lamb to the Christ Child.
No one ever knew that she did it and no one realized the missing lamb.
Years later when the girl had grown up, married, had children, experience the death of her husband, she had an occasion to meet the Christ Child now grown up as Jesus.
She met him just before his death on the cross. She wondered what ever happened to the lamb. She questioned the value of her gift until, when she saw him he referred to himself as "the good shepherd". How would he know anything about sheep? He was a builder, a carpenter; not a shepherd.
She realized the reason he knew about sheep when he referred to himself that way he was affirming her gift to him. She gave him a lamb and he spoke of himself as the good shepherd.
The sermon was not well received. I think I wasn't convincing. People felt the story was not true and I had made it all up.
I think it must have been someone like that who helped Jesus know the value of children and to find the image of what he was. I think when Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and forbid them not; for to such belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
A child's gift was glory to God. She gave the Christ Child a lamb and he became to "good shepherd". She was just a child and Jesus said it was children who are 'fit for the Kingdom of God.
Why do you think she gave the baby Jesus a sheep? Why do you think she did not?
Why do you think Jesus referred to children as being fit for the Kingdom of God if not impressed with what children can do.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your thoughts with other you are encouraged to write and click on the box below.
I look forward to reading your ideas.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
In the posting of the Monday "Build a Sermon" I speculated what a shepherd girl might bring to the Christ Child as I issued an invitation to add to the Christmas Story.
I have received some speculation on this subject.
One person speculated the shepherd girl would have brought a blanket for the Christ Child. The child would need a blanket for warmth. This person thought the blanket would have been a blanket her mother would have given her. The Shepherd girl's mother had died and this was the most precious gift the child could give.
Another thought came from someone who imagined the shepherd girl's gift would have been a lamb. This person ponders, "Why would Mary and Joseph have offered a pair of turtle doves as burnt offerings for the purification ceremony. While this was an acceptable offering, it was a poor person's alternative to presenting a lamb as a burnt offering. Joseph was said to be a builder by trade, which would not have made him impoverished. And the Holy Family was said to be visited by shepherds. So why no lamb for the sacrifice?
I believe it was a lamb offered by the shepherd girl. It was the lamb she offered up knowing it would be used as a sacrifice. I believe they took that lamb to the temple for the purification sacrifice. At the temple, they met Simeon and Anna. Simeon and Anna knew there was something different about this child. Perhaps with Zacharias they reasoned with the presiding priest that the sacrifice of a lamb would not be necessary, that the substitution of a turtle dove would suffice. Ultimately, a lamb of God would have to suffer but not that day, and not at that time. The baby lamb would go back with the family to Galilee to be a companion to the young child, as a freely given gift from a poor shepherd girl."
The Build a Sermon has been helpful for us preachers as you can see. There is time and room for other ideas. What do you think the shepherd girl would have brought had she known about the Christ Child born in Bethlehem?
I look forward to hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. Thanks for your help.
Charles Schuster
I have received some speculation on this subject.
One person speculated the shepherd girl would have brought a blanket for the Christ Child. The child would need a blanket for warmth. This person thought the blanket would have been a blanket her mother would have given her. The Shepherd girl's mother had died and this was the most precious gift the child could give.
Another thought came from someone who imagined the shepherd girl's gift would have been a lamb. This person ponders, "Why would Mary and Joseph have offered a pair of turtle doves as burnt offerings for the purification ceremony. While this was an acceptable offering, it was a poor person's alternative to presenting a lamb as a burnt offering. Joseph was said to be a builder by trade, which would not have made him impoverished. And the Holy Family was said to be visited by shepherds. So why no lamb for the sacrifice?
I believe it was a lamb offered by the shepherd girl. It was the lamb she offered up knowing it would be used as a sacrifice. I believe they took that lamb to the temple for the purification sacrifice. At the temple, they met Simeon and Anna. Simeon and Anna knew there was something different about this child. Perhaps with Zacharias they reasoned with the presiding priest that the sacrifice of a lamb would not be necessary, that the substitution of a turtle dove would suffice. Ultimately, a lamb of God would have to suffer but not that day, and not at that time. The baby lamb would go back with the family to Galilee to be a companion to the young child, as a freely given gift from a poor shepherd girl."
The Build a Sermon has been helpful for us preachers as you can see. There is time and room for other ideas. What do you think the shepherd girl would have brought had she known about the Christ Child born in Bethlehem?
I look forward to hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. Thanks for your help.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday's thoughts
I have been looking at some of the short stories written about the Christmas story as fiction works with Gospel to expand the facts to the level of meaning.
In the past couple weeks we have thought with John Piper who wrote about the Innkeeper, and we have looked at O. Henry and his modern reflection on the "Gift of the Magi". On the final week of Advent I will work with Harper Lee's perspective on "Christmas".
Next Sunday I wanted to write a short story myself about the shepherds. I want to think about the implications of the visit of the shepherds to the manger and to Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child.
Luke has given us the story of the shepherds. It is Luke's way of reminding us that the Christ Child came in very ordinary circumstances and was visited by some of the most common and ordinary people on earth; shepherds. Missing from Luke's story is the story of the visit of the kings. It wasn't the Magi who came to visit. They represented royalty, and strangeness. Shepherds portray a more basic and down to earth message.
In all of the Gospel Luke is interested to reveal to us a Christ who was attentive to common ordinary people. Luke give us a Christ who was sensitive to the issues of women. Luke shows us a Jesus who continually stands up for the outcast.
Sunday, with our choir singing a major piece of music I would like to present to you, "The Gift of the Shepherd Girl". As the week progresses I will offer an update on how the story is coming.
The Christmas story is not fiction but neither is it fact. It gives us an idea of what can happen and is less concerned to tell us what exactly did happen. It lends itself to amplification and invites us to take our place in the story as we read it and tell is.
What do you think might have been a gift from a shepherd girl to the Christ Child? What do you think that might have been?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
In the past couple weeks we have thought with John Piper who wrote about the Innkeeper, and we have looked at O. Henry and his modern reflection on the "Gift of the Magi". On the final week of Advent I will work with Harper Lee's perspective on "Christmas".
Next Sunday I wanted to write a short story myself about the shepherds. I want to think about the implications of the visit of the shepherds to the manger and to Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child.
Luke has given us the story of the shepherds. It is Luke's way of reminding us that the Christ Child came in very ordinary circumstances and was visited by some of the most common and ordinary people on earth; shepherds. Missing from Luke's story is the story of the visit of the kings. It wasn't the Magi who came to visit. They represented royalty, and strangeness. Shepherds portray a more basic and down to earth message.
In all of the Gospel Luke is interested to reveal to us a Christ who was attentive to common ordinary people. Luke give us a Christ who was sensitive to the issues of women. Luke shows us a Jesus who continually stands up for the outcast.
Sunday, with our choir singing a major piece of music I would like to present to you, "The Gift of the Shepherd Girl". As the week progresses I will offer an update on how the story is coming.
The Christmas story is not fiction but neither is it fact. It gives us an idea of what can happen and is less concerned to tell us what exactly did happen. It lends itself to amplification and invites us to take our place in the story as we read it and tell is.
What do you think might have been a gift from a shepherd girl to the Christ Child? What do you think that might have been?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
Some of the most interesting parts of the Christian story are only mentioned in a peripheral way. We are encouraged to stretch our minds and imaginations to get a better look at what's really going on in the story and what is being said to us.
For example; we are told there was an inn where Mary and Joseph stayed the night Jesus was born. We are told there was no room in the inn but they were allowed to stay in the cave behind the inn where the livestock was kept. If there was an inn then there must have been an Innkeeper who saw the Christ Child in the cradle. John Piper imagines the Innkeeper's struggles which came as a result of the fact that he had risked his own safety by housing the Messiah.
Then there was the Centurion who is mentioned as having seen Jesus on the cross and having heard the man on the cross beside him saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come to paradise". The Centurion then is to have said, "Surely, this man is a Son of God." The Centurion admired the Messiah on the cross.
Then there was the owner of the Upper Room who opened his home to Jesus and the disciples. What did he see? He saw the table and he may have heard Jesus say, "This is my body and this is my blood, take this and remember me." The owner of the upper room may have been the first to realize that Christians are not admirers, nor are they protectors of Christ, but we are carriers of Christ and we are called to be Christ to each other.
The Innkeeper, the Centurion, and the owner of the Upper Room each came to see different aspects of Jesus life. Each knew a part of it. We celebrate Christmas and we become protective of the child. We remember Good Friday and we become admirers of the Christ. We come to the table and from our vantage point we realize both the protector role and the admirer role, but we understand our primary obligation, as Christians, is to be carriers of the Christ.
We learn this by looking at the peripheral people in the story.
What do you think? How do we do this? If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
For example; we are told there was an inn where Mary and Joseph stayed the night Jesus was born. We are told there was no room in the inn but they were allowed to stay in the cave behind the inn where the livestock was kept. If there was an inn then there must have been an Innkeeper who saw the Christ Child in the cradle. John Piper imagines the Innkeeper's struggles which came as a result of the fact that he had risked his own safety by housing the Messiah.
Then there was the Centurion who is mentioned as having seen Jesus on the cross and having heard the man on the cross beside him saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come to paradise". The Centurion then is to have said, "Surely, this man is a Son of God." The Centurion admired the Messiah on the cross.
Then there was the owner of the Upper Room who opened his home to Jesus and the disciples. What did he see? He saw the table and he may have heard Jesus say, "This is my body and this is my blood, take this and remember me." The owner of the upper room may have been the first to realize that Christians are not admirers, nor are they protectors of Christ, but we are carriers of Christ and we are called to be Christ to each other.
The Innkeeper, the Centurion, and the owner of the Upper Room each came to see different aspects of Jesus life. Each knew a part of it. We celebrate Christmas and we become protective of the child. We remember Good Friday and we become admirers of the Christ. We come to the table and from our vantage point we realize both the protector role and the admirer role, but we understand our primary obligation, as Christians, is to be carriers of the Christ.
We learn this by looking at the peripheral people in the story.
What do you think? How do we do this? If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
The struggle I am having with the sermon is the problem with the Christmas story and I have it every year. There is much of the story that we know has problems historically. What do we do with the Christmas story when most scholars doubt that much of it actually happened. Consider this:
What if there is no record of the census? What if Herod was not really King when Jesus was born? What if there couldn't have been shepherds out in the field? What if there is no record of the Magi? What if there is no certainty that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? What if there is no historical documentation of the killing of children that would have caused Mary and Joseph to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt?
What if most of the story was made up by the church wanting to give us a birth narrative because there was no birth narrative?
Is it right to tell the story as if it is factual?
Is it right to tell children the story in church and in worship?
What do you think about that? If you have some thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What if there is no record of the census? What if Herod was not really King when Jesus was born? What if there couldn't have been shepherds out in the field? What if there is no record of the Magi? What if there is no certainty that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? What if there is no historical documentation of the killing of children that would have caused Mary and Joseph to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt?
What if most of the story was made up by the church wanting to give us a birth narrative because there was no birth narrative?
Is it right to tell the story as if it is factual?
Is it right to tell children the story in church and in worship?
What do you think about that? If you have some thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
