This day God becomes flesh to dwell among us. Our greatest gift this day is Jesus. No matter how big the best gift was under the tree or how much love was poured into a gift we got for Christmas, it cannot compare to the incarnation. In Jesus, our Emmanuel, we have God with us.
May we both rejoice in and rest in this today.
Scripture reference: Hebrews 1: 1-12
Wrapping the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes was the common practice of the time. It is still the common practice in many places. By wrapping the baby head to toe, it is kept warm and its delicate skin in protected. Being laid in a manger, maybe Jesus even needed a little extra protection. All one could see of the baby was their little face, gazing up at them.
In the culture of Jesus’ day and in many places still today, at the end of life the body is again wrapped in a cloth. This time it is called a shroud and it covers all of the body. The body is wrapped with fragrant spices and laid to rest in a protetcive little coccoon. The cycle is complete.
Tonight the communion will be covered by a cloth except when being served. The elements are representative of Jesus’ body and blood, so it is appropriate and respectful to cover them.
In our Christian walk, God’s love continually surrounds us much like the swaddling clothes do a baby. God wraps His love and protection around us as He walks through the ups, downs, and middles of life with us. As we walk we will stumble and we will sin. But God is present then too for His love never fails. In these moments we also receive His love and grace as well. They surround us too and make us new and clean and whole. Through Jesus’ work on the cross, we are forgiven and restored to walk again in God’s loving presence. Thank you Jesus.
Scripture reference: Luke 2: 1-20
Christmas cards are still a staple at Christmas time for many people. Stores sell tons of cards and many people make their own Christmas cards with pictures of their families on the front. Most of the cards have something to do with the Christ aspect of Christmas. The references can be through Bible verses or quotes, through using the many names of Jesus, or through the good news of peace, joy, love, and hope.
Christmas carols are another staple of the season and also do the same things to share Christmas and the spirit of the season. The ‘classics’ are a collective memory that we all share. It is a wonderful part of Christmas to joyously lift our voices in song to tell the good news. Sometimes we even go caroling to places like nursing homes and in our neighborhoods to share Christmas with others.
And, of course, Christmas services also draw us back to Christ as the center of Christmas. In our worship services we read the scriptures and also sing the songs. We use prayer and the proclaimed word as well to share the story of Christmas. Perhaps we share in communion. Tomorrow on Christmas Eve we also light the Christ candle and place it in the center of the Advent wreath, recognizing Jesus Christ as the center of our peace, joy, love, and hope.
Advent is also a time of personal study and reflection. We read a devotional book or use an Advent calendar to connect to the season in a deeper way. These personal practices have the same purpose as the corporate practices: to remind us of Jesus and what a gift He is to us and to all of humanity. Thanks be to God for this gift.
Scripture reference: Colossians 3: 15-17
We are often concerned with what we wear. We like to look good or at least be presentable! If our hair is a little wild or our make-up a little smudged, we neaten it up a bit. Many will give themselves a quick once over in the mirror to make sure they can be seen in public.
In our reading from Colossians, we are also instructed to put on more than clothes each day. We are also called to put on compassion and kindness and humility. These traits help us to see others as God sees them and to treat all as worthy of God’s love and of our love. They help us to see the person and not their circumstances.
We are also called to put on gentleness and patience. These two traits help us to treat people as God would treat them. When we are gentle and patient we understand that some people require more time and attention than others and we are willing to offer this. They help us to invest both deeply and long term in others so we can build relationships.
And we are called to forgive as God forgives us. This encompasses two main components: there is no limit to how many times to forgive and it is a gift freely given with no strings attached. People who are in need often walk a hard path in life. It is easy to stumble along this path. Clothing ourselves with forgiveness allows us to give mercy and encouragement over and over and over. This shows we are in it for the long haul.
Lastly we are called to cover all of these traits in love. It binds the other traits together in the perfect unity of the love of Jesus Christ. This love of Christ must be what motivates all the others as well. We cannot be compassionate, kind, … without the love of Christ being the driving force. Without love the other traits will falter and fail. May we clothe ourselves well this day so that all we meet can see Jesus Christ within us and experience His love shining forth from inside of us.
Scripture reference: Colossians 3: 12-14
Hannah only saw Samuel once a year after she dedicated him to the service of God as a young boy. This was the child she prayed and prayed for and waited and waited for all those long years. Can you imagine only seeing your child once a year since early childhood?
Each year Hannah would make Samuel a new robe to wear as he served in the temple. As young children grow, this was a necessary thing to do – much like getting new school clothes each year. But for Hannah this was not a quick trip to the mall to purchase a new robe. She handmade the new robe, one stitch at a time. Each piece was carefully cut and sewn together. Maybe she even made the linen itself. From what we know of Hannah, she probably prayed for Samuel with each and every stitch. So when Samuel received the robe each year, it came soaked in love and prayer.
A group of ladies at our church has a prayer shawl ministry. They gather once a month, usually at Betty’s house, and they make shawls. They pray as they create these beautiful shawls. Each one is bathed in prayer and love. After dedicating the shawls, members of the church can take them to people they know who are ill or struggling with something. They are amazing gifts to those in need of prayer and God’s love.
As we ponder these gifts made in love and covered in prayer, we must ask ourselves how we can give such a gift to another. Maybe a gift can be bought in love and bathed in prayer instead. Or maybe we receive such a gift from another. If so, what then is our grateful and thankful response? Perhaps for some, the gift needed is our time and presence and through prayer God reveals who needs this gift this year. Maybe the Holy Spirit whispers or nudges us too. May this love and grace fill our gifts and our presence this Advent season.
Scripture reference: 1 Samuel 2: 18-20 and 26
Our journey of faith draws us ever closer to God. We are, however, not constantly growing each and every day. Our growth is sometimes like that second cousin that you only see at the occassional reunion, wedding, or funeral. You see him and marvel at how he has changed since you last saw him, but his growth has been gradual.
This journey of faith has its valleys and moutain tops as well as its wrong turns. There are moments when we connect powefully to God or the Holy Spirit and feel a growth spurt. There are also times when we turn aside and stumble in our sin. As we walk through the times of sin and repentance, looking back we can also see signs of overall growth. Things we once did not see as sin are things we now wrestle with and our cycles of repeating the same sin has greater intervals in between. We can see God and the Holy Spirit at work within us.
Our journey will also have seasons like the one described in Psalm 80. We will have times when we cry out to God followed by what feels like silence. We will have times when it feels like we are subsisting on the ‘bread of tears.’ In these times we long for His presence, for the touch or the whisper of the Holy Spirit. The Good Shepherd is always near. He never is far from His sheep. So in these seasons we must continue to pray, to read His word, to seek His face. In response to our faithfulness, suddenly He will be there. It will seem like God never left. All will be well.
Scripture reference: Psalm 80: 1-7
The obedience that Jesus the man demonstrated is amazing. Jesus made the choice to obey God over and over and over. The major example we think of is the cross – the place where Jesus paid for all of our sins with His life. At the end of a life and ministry build upon loving people, Jesus demonstrated the depth of His love by obeying God’s will on the cross.
Sometimes I find it easier to be faithful on the big things. For example, cheating on my taxes or stealing from the store bear big consequences that I am not willing to risk, so I do what is right instead. But the little things can catch me so easily. The unkind thought crosses my mind or the hurtful words slip out so effortlessly. Often they are followed quickly by remorse or an aplogy, but sometimes there is a delay. It is a struggle to always be obedient.
Jesus lived a life without sin until that momet when He took our sin upon Himself on the cross. A life without sin. Just think for a moment about being that obedient to following God’s will. For Jesus, obedience extended beyond simply not sinning. It also meant being obedient to going where God called Him to go and to doing what God led Him to do. What a depth of love for the Father that Jesus had!
The reality for us is that Jesus is our example to follow. I am far from being without sin and have a long way to go to be fully obedient. But God does not expect perfection or for me to ever reach perfection. He only expects my love and my continuing on the journey to grow to be more and more and more like Christ. Lord God, bless this journey.
Scripture reference: Hebrews 10: 5-10
The Old Testament guided the daily lives of the Israelites. Much of life was dedicated to the study and understanding of God’s holy word. The rabbis and priests were among the most respected members of the community. At the temple, the center of life, much of the activity revolved around the sacrificial system and ways of making offerings that had developed over many years. By the time of Jesus, maybe the systems were less than perfect. In the scriptures we see Jesus clearing the temples as He chased away the money changers and sellers of goods.
So when Jesus announces an end to these ways of connecting to and relating to God and offers a new way, the people are unsure and they question. This announcement would be a little akin to your church announcing that from now on Coke and Doritos would be used for communion. It is hard to change tradition. Then Jesus goes on to say that God no longer desires these offerings and sacrifices. And then to really muddle the waters, Jesus says that His body will be the final sacrifice. But as events unfolded, all of this made sense to His followers and to us today. In dying for our sins, Jesus established a new relationship between God and mankind – one built upon love and grace. For all believers, Jesus is the path to salvation and eternal life.
Jesus also changed how we look at sacrifice and offering. In Jesus, these things were no longer requirements, but were now gifts. We give of ourselves out of love for God and our fellow man. We willingly sacrifice our own selfish desires for the good and well-being of others. Through our lives, may others experience His grace and love.
Scripture reference: Hebrews 10: 5-10
Mary’s joy overflows and bursts out through this passage. Right up front she states that her soul glorifies God and that her spirit rejoices. Mary is filled with joy over being the one chosen by God to bear His Son because she is of a humble Spirit. She realizes that she is just a humble servant chosen by God to carry out this special role. Her words that all generations will call her blessed because of what God has done reflect her humble heart. Mary is well aware that it is God’s hand at work here.
In her words Mary also acknowledges that she is just one of many unexpected ones that God has called. From early on with Abraham and Rahab on through David and now her, God has chosen the humble to play a role. This pattern continued with the calling of the disciples and it continues with you and me – often unwilling but chosen nonetheless.
Mary’s song also spells out what we are chosen for. Like all who have come before, we are called to lead people to God. We can do no more than to fill our humble role and to trust God with the transformative work that will change people’s lives. Through our words, actions, and deeds we bring God into the world around us and work to build His kingdom here on the earth.
Mary’s song also reminds us of what this role can include. It includes condemning and working to fix the inequalities and injustices we see in society. It includes caring for the poor and the outcast. It also includes sharing the hope and love we find in Jesus. Mary Said ‘yes’ to God’s call. May we as well.
Scripture reference: Luke 1: 46-55
“And he will be their peace.” Many people in our community and around the world would love for peace to reign in their lives. People do not expect life to be perfect. We all know life naturally has its ups and downs, its joys and trials. But people need peace in the midst of it all. People need a rock upon which to weather the storm and also upon which they can share their joys with others. People need Jesus.
Micah spoke to a people in the midst of a trial. It was one of many times that the people of Israel had turned from God and were feeling the consequences of their choices. Yet even in the midst of this trial, God was present. He was never gone. The people waited and longed for God to act and restore them. God remained their hope and peace. Knowing that made the trial endurable because there is light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how far away, light is still there.
Jesus himself offers this same light. As His time on earth drew near to a close, He offered these words to His disciples: “My peace I leave you.” He knew the struggle ahead as they adjusted to His physical absence. Jesus also knew the light was coming. He knew this peace would be restored with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ promise of peace is to us as well. We can claim this peace as His followers. His promise was not short-term, but to the end of this age. Many in our worlds are seeking peace. As His followers, we are called to share this peace. As Christ reigns in our lives, may we allow His light and love to shine forth, bringing Christ’s peace to those in need.
Scripture reference: Micah 5: 2-5a
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