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.
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.
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