“I’m Gonna Keep on Singing”

Sermon Luke 2:21-40 Christmas 1 December 28, 2014

“I’m Gonna Keep on Singing”

Andrea Crouch from the 70’s sings, ‘I’m gonna keep on singing, I’m gonna keep on singing that Jesus saves!’

Well, I’m with him!

I’m still holding the candle of Christmas Eve and singing Silent Night in my mind and yet all around me the songs of Christmas are silent.

The trees are coming down, the green wreaths are now withered and worn, the stores are jumping to Valentine’s Day, and music has all but forgotten the season now passed.

“But, I want to keep on singing”, I whine.

“It’s time to get back to reality”, I’m told.

“But it’s the twelve days of Christmas and we still have 9 more days until Epiphany”, I say, “we need to keep singing!”

 The church calendar says we can now finally start singing of Christmas, the Advent waiting is over and now we can sing all the carols to our heart’s content.

“We’re weary of the music,” I hear a radio announcer say.

Seriously!

Weary of Christmas music! It’s not possible not in my mind’s eye.

But, perhaps we have come to this Sunday weary,

perhaps we are worn out from all the festivities

and we want to return to the routine

and go back to the reality of every day ordinary living.

When we read today about Joseph and Mary, they have returned to reality.

According to Luke the holy couple has left the stable and is now at the Temple. They are going about their business as all new parents do. They are carrying out the routines of ordinary everyday living.

The fanfare of angels and shepherds, the gifts of the wise men and crowds are far behind them.

Joseph and Mary have stepped forward into the new life of obedient parents and they follow the ritual of bringing the baby Jesus for the naming ceremony at the Temple.

It’s all routine.

It’s all normal.

It’s all rather ordinary.

And then it happens.

An old man comes forward and takes the baby in his arms and begins to sing a song.

He praises God for this child. He comes and holds this baby because the Spirit of God has come upon him. Three times Luke affirms that he has been led to this baby by the Spirit. It is clear that we are to hear that Simeon has been called by God to claim this child.

As we listen to his song it’s not just about praising God for this child who brings salvation to the world,

 but it’s the prophecy,

the forward telling about the conflict that even salvation brings.

This child will cause the rise and falling of many.

There will be people who will be confronted with their own frailties, their own injustices and their own corruption.

People for generations into the future will be faced with decisions about who this child is and whether to follow and believe he is from God bringing salvation and new life to all.

Simeon is convinced that holding this child releases him from the waiting he has done for all these years.

He can now let go.

He let loose of all the waiting and wondering.

He can be done.

He can die in peace because God has revealed to him the glory of what salvation looks like in the face of a baby, the son of God, the Christ child.

It’s not exactly the kind of Christmas song of joy that we would expect to hear.

Yet, it is the song we need to hear.

It is the song that reminds us that God’s promises from ages past propel us into the open door of God’s promises fulfilled.

As we witness these promises of old come forward into new life and new light then our hope is renewed.

We receive the courage and confidence we need to face each day, each moment, into the future.

We become aware that God is doing something NEW.

Anna comes forward and proclaims the good news, the New news of God in Christ.

She sings of God to all who will hear her.

Isn’t that what happened for us this year?

As we peered into the manger didn’t we hear the songs of the angels in a new way?

As we saw the Christ candle lit didn’t we witness the rekindling of the flame of God’s Spirit in our hearts?

Were we aware that God is beckoning us to move into a new way?

What were the subtle nuances of this season that touched our hearts?

That grabbed our attention?

 Let us pay homage to those moments.

As we step forward into the days ahead how will we respond to this new way of being to which God has called us?

We can enter into the reality of our lives with new confidence and with courage.

We can enter into the future with continued expectancy, with anticipation of how God will be revealed in our everyday, ordinary ways of life.

As we are obedient to God raising our children;

(you might say, “I’m done raising children.” But we all raising the children of the church, a job that is always happening)

following the routines and rituals of faith, we are surrounded by the faithful among us and those who have gone before us. We are aware of how God has fulfilled the promise of love in their lives and how we are touched by them.

We become in tune with how the words of prayers of those who sit and pray make a difference.

We listen with open hearts as many share their hopes and dreams.

I return my thoughts to a spontaneous moment in WW I in the trenches of no man’s land in 1914. ‘Joyeux Noel’ is the fictional movie account of this true story.

There on Christmas Eve songs began to filter into the air.

Songs of home.

Songs of desires.

And then came the song of Silent Night, sung together in all languages

and

for a moment;

a short moment,

peace was felt.

Truce was called. The enemy took on a face of humanity.

In the moment the song had power.

The song had the power to change the face of war.

Gifts were shared, the dead were buried, a football game ensued. And when the truce was over the shots could no longer be fired, because the soldiers had experienced a new thing. They saw in the face of the enemy, the face of salvation, the face of a brother.

Anna and Simeon saw the face of salvation in the face Jesus, the face of God, the face of promise, the face of a brother.

And after this:

Joseph and Mary returned to life. They returned home and Jesus was raised in the obedience of the faith with them. There in the ordinary circumstances of daily life the extraordinary was allowed to enter and Jesus grew and the favor of God was upon him.

The door is now wide open for us as we return to the ordinary routines of our life.

The favor of God is upon us as we grow.

We can keep the momentum of this new thing stirring in us going.

We can keep singing.

We can sing the songs that have the power to change the world.

We can raise our voices and dance and let the world know that God has brought salvation to us through Jesus Christ.

We can go tell it from the mountains and in the plains.

We can carry the courage and the confidence with us.

We can live with the expectation and anticipation of the future promises to be fulfilled.

I’m gonna keep on singing!

Amen.

Celebrate the Wonder- Christmas Eve sermonette

Celebrate the Wonder                                                                                  Christmas Eve 2014

There is a celebration of wonder as we come out at night on Christmas Eve; a wonder of listening to the Word of ages past and finding comfort in the familiar sound of syllables that lilt and lull and lift in the rhythm that fills our souls with the goodness of the season of Christmas love.

There is a wonder in soft lighting and people who travel from afar to gather on this night of all nights to be with one another and find peace.

Perhaps this is the only night some gather within the walls of the sanctuary.

For on this one night, the wonder of the miracle of Christmas of the birth of our Savior rings through song and prayer and familiar ways.

This one night there are those who can come and all the world will melt away and the strong sounds of the bells of Christmas will ring in truth and joy and keep the wonder of life alive.

Some are drawn to the sounds as they are drawn to a warm fire in winter. It is as if this one time a year grants a grace and a message of hope even to those who do not believe in this God we proclaim tonight.

There is a mysterious pulling that brings all those of faith and those without to this one night, this one night of traditional and ages old music, liturgy and beauty.

We celebrate the wonder this night. We stand at the edge of the manger and peer once again at this new life, this mystery, this miracle, this God with us, Emmanuel.

The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see the salvation of our God." - Isaiah 40.5

Perhaps, we like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who lost his wife, have had too much pain or too much sorrow in our lives. Perhaps the ways of the world weigh too heavy for us. Too much struggle, too much violence, too much anguish. Perhaps the thought of love and joy and wonder is beyond our imagination this year. And so we hear the words of the song Longfellow wrote:

 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

There is a wonder in those ancient candles that continue to glow and the bells that ring throughout the night.

Here we are this evening gathered once again on this eve of all Eves, to see God again as if for the very first time.

Again, 

he comes to us 

and

we celebrate the wonder of this love come to us,

this love that always comes to us, 

that keeps coming 

and coming

and so we make room for this love,

our Jesus,

our Savior,

to enter in

and

we celebrate

with wonder.

Amen.

The art of play dates

The art of play dates

Everyone knows that the holidays in ministry can be hectic to the point of losing all holiday cheer.

I've been rudely awakened this week to one reality that makes all the difference.

A play date in the middle of all the hurry and work at the height of the frenzy is an absolute must.

I get so busy working and scheduling and not sleeping that I lose track of having fun. A minister might be able to hide the feelings of stress and lack of joy for a while but, seriously folks, when we aren't having fun anymore no one else is either.

We can’t go around rejoicing about the spirit of the season and be bedraggled. It doesn't work and all our congregants start to feel sorry for the poor overworked pastor. And this season is not about us-it’s about the Savior we preach.

A few years ago I was exhausted as usual and I was worried about how all the events and special services and extra commitments were going to fall into place. And then in the midst of it all my husband ‘kidnapped’ me for the day. It was the week before Christmas and I strongly protested and went with him kicking and screaming with expletives to boot. He insisted I had permission from the elders to escape the mayhem for a day and a night.

As we drove away from town to a destination that was still a secret, we talked and laughed and renewed our friendship with each other. I was still very leery about this escape plan in the height of when I needed to be at church.

We drove for hours and finally arrived in Dallas, Texas. After we checked into a hotel we dressed formerly for an evening event that was still a secret. He escorted me to the Dallas concert hall and there we received the entrance to the Michael W. Smith Christmas concert with the Dallas Symphony.

I was in heaven as I listened to the symphony and the power of the music lifted me beyond any of my concerns. It was pure joy. In that moment I realized how important it was to play. I realized how important it was to hang out with your best friend. I realized how important it was to get centered in the love of life.

That Christmas my energy and enthusiasm was at a high. The work that still had to be done didn’t disappear but I came to it with a new attitude. I approached the final days before the ‘big’ event with a renewed and refreshed spirit.

This past Monday I took the time to play. I had no idea that a lunch date and a trip to an antique store would be a play date. But, when the day was over I realized once again, that play and having fun in the midst of a highly stressful time is a must.

Our parishioners deserve to have their pastors fresh, renewed and full of joy and hope. If we refuse to take the time to have fun then we deprive ourselves of offering this message to those who come to hear God’s Word proclaimed.

When we have played in the midst of the frenzy we are more able to recognize the joy in doing and being. So, friends in ministry, it’s a few days away from Christmas and I offer you these few words. My prayer to you is to take the time to play today.

God is about to become incarnate and we are about to receive him. Will we be ready to receive the child as a child?

Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas.

Love Came Down in Joy

Sermon Luke 1:45-55, Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11 December 14, 2014 Advent 3 yrB

Love Came Down in Joy

Mary’s song, the song of Isaiah, the praise of the psalmist ring out loud and clear this Sunday that God is the one who brings us joy. God is the one to whom we lift our voices and God is the one who causes righteousness and praise to spring forth!

This third Sunday of Advent brings into focus our joy for life, our joy for God, our joy of salvation because of the wondrous things God has done for us. The Scripture lessons are filled with words of laughter, joy, rejoicing, praising, shouts, exultation and being clothed in garments of salvation!

BUT, some of you might say to me, those words of joy are cloaked in lament and difficulty, they are surrounded by challenge, loss, and devastation.

Yet…

Sometimes we just need to step into moments of Joy. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of all the good & beauty that exists.

What brings us joy? Where do we find joy in our hearts and in our daily lives?

Three ways to look at how we experience joy are through 1. laughter, 2. wide-eyed wonder, 3. assurance-confidence. We are limited to finding joy only through these means but these are a start.

1. laughter,

Our Oxford dictionary folks tell us that, “Laughter is to make spontaneous sounds and movements of the body and face that are instinctive expressions of lively amusement.”

Part of my self-imposed ritual of the Christmas season is to watch the movies that make me laugh and remind me to loosen up a little and enjoy this time that is so short. My two favorite Christmas movies are Elf and the Christmas story.

Elf is just so incredibly funny because of his pure innocence and joy. When he is asked how did he get to New York, his answer, “I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel.” How Will Ferrell’s Elf (2003) found his way to New York

We can’t help but laugh with Will Ferrell. Laughter we’ve been told by the experts about how it is healthy for us. I have a friend who has been trained as a laughter coach. She has gone around to share with us how to have fun. Workshops were held all over Southern Indiana to remind us as Christians to learn to laugh a little. to trigger laughter to find the things to get us started is all we need. And if we can’t do that we can fake it. Because even faked laughter initiates real laughter and helps others laugh. Laughter like coughing and sneezing and yawning is contagious. Laughter increases blood flow, releases endorphins, decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection fighting anti-bodies. Science has done a lot to bring us to an understanding of an innate human function. And Scripture affirms for us people who found themselves in places where they could burst out with laughter.
Mary’s song is a song of joy. And we know that singing has a way of lifting our spirits and even our ability to laugh. We have several songs, hymns, moments of great delight where the people of God find themselves dancing and feasting and rejoicing together.
Another way of finding joy is through wide-eyed wonder. In our ability to ask why we set out on a path of discovery and wonder. Children know very well and start very young asking these questions. And they do not have to be the only ones that ask why. We can still wonder about the wind, how the sun gives us warmth, how a shell gets its shape and why are we the only creatures with opposable thumbs? When we have an insatiable curiosity we explore and we search and we spend our energy in discovery. In these moments we find a depth of joy as we learn how things work and how we are made. Conrad Hyers said this years ago about Scripture, “We discover that sense of marvelous absurdity and incredulous, wide eyed wonder that attaches itself to great surprises, sudden amazements and comic twists.” How absurd, yet a great surprise that our God has reached down from heaven and entered the world in the flesh of a baby.
When we recognize the gaiety and delight of our salvation represented in the birth of an infant we are filled with the wide-eyed wonder of God.
Then there is joy through assurance and confidence.

Rick Warren, the one we know from Saddleback Church and his book Purpose Driven Life says this about his definition of joy:

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.

Mary’s simple obedience set in motion God’s story of redemption. Her act was a simple response to the Spirit that came upon her. Her confidence, her assurance, her yes, made it possible for our yes to God.
We might think of Mary as a meek and mild, dressed in blue, quiet woman. But, when we listen to her song we find that she was not the woman we have made her. She boldly proclaims that this child of hers will be strong, will scatter the proud, will bring down kingdoms and will bring justice to those who have been margined and sidelined. Mary knew what was to come for her child and she chose to sing about it for all to hear her. She demonstrated courage to sing the truth and proclaim all of what was to come. She was so assured that she did not shy away from the truth.
May we too have the assurance and courage not to shy away from the truths surrounding us that need to be told and heard and acted upon.
As she sings we discover that she is a mother who will know pain and suffering. She will witness her son’s pain and she will not be immune to his suffering. She will experience isolation as he goes away from home to begin his ministry without her. She will suffer as others mock her and her family that a man can call himself the son of God.
Her song is a place where we can pause to wrap our lives around too.
Many of us have had a tough year. Some have lost a parent, some have lost work, some have experienced health issues that have changed or altered daily living, some have experienced strained family relations, others that you perhaps know have lost homes, or been separated from their loved ones. These challenges can make it difficult to enter into Christmas and find a way to rejoice.
Mary’s song puts reality into perspective when she points the way for us to sing the Lord’s song even when we know the way will not be easy and the way will challenge the current norm. She reminds us of God’s fulfillment through all of life for all of life. The world will be turned upside down and then right side up. God in his heaven has poured out grace upon grace so that we can walk in love and joy.

Sometimes we just need to step into moments of Joy. Amen. 

Christmas Program Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church Rejoice, Christ is Born

Christmas Program Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church

Rejoice, Christ is Born

Using anthems from “I Hear a Prophet Calling & “A Blest Messiah is Born”

2014 December 21, 2014

Prelude

Call to worship

The heavens are bursting forth with God’s glory!

We are witnesses to God’s mighty acts of power and love!

From the darkness of night, God has brought forth the Light of salvation!

Praise be to God who came as a little child. Let us rejoice for Christ s born!

Opening Hymn             O Come All Ye Faithful   #41

Performance notes are in italics: narrators read these opening words with an electric sense of anticipation-as if the congregation wants to lean forward to hear the story.

The children are waiting in their places ready to come forward and take their place and speak their part.

Props & other notes: chairs needed for narrators to sit down in between anthems and scenes. Manger needed to be placed center chancel. Lights on cross to be off until the wiseman points to the star. We’ll need large cushions or stools for Mary and Joseph to sit on.

Sound: Not sure how the overhead mics can pick up the voices of the children will need to test this.

Narrator 1: Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.”

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Narrator 2: Listen to the story, hear the story, see the story, for God is coming to us. God is coming to us today as has been told many times before. Open your ears, open your heart. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.

Come and listen as God’s Holy Word unfolds before us.

Pause-count to 15 then continue with narration

Narrator 1: Isaiah 9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Choir The People Who Walk in Darkness

Narrator 2: Isaiah 11 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Trio Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Narrator 1: Luke 2:1,3-7 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.

Narrator 2: So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Narrator 1: While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Scene I

Mary and Joseph come forth down center aisle. At the first pew they receive the baby and move to the chancel and settle into the stable. They face the congregation as they say their lines, loud and slow!

Joseph: We made it! It’s hard to believe we found a place to stay. And just in time! Our son is here!

Mary: It is a simple stable and that’s a good place for God’s Son to come.

Joseph: It is warm and safe. And now that he is here we will call him Jesus.

Mary: He is here to save all people.

Mary, Joseph and baby sit quietly as the choir sings

Choir Rockin Slow and Even

Narrator 1: Luke 2:8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them: and they were sore afraid.

Narrator 2: And the angel said unto them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Scene II

Shepherd appears with sheep at the bottom of the chancel steps (chancel right) looking around. Angels appear from chancel left and stand on the steps in order at an angle.

Shepherd: Look!! (Said with fear-remember to be loud and slow so everyone can hear)

Angel 1: Do not be afraid.

Shepherd: (looking quite scared) Who are you?! What do you want?

Angel 2: I have good news to share.

Shepherd: (no longer scared but now excited to hear) Tell us the news!

Angel 3: A baby has been born in Bethlehem and his name is Jesus.

Shepherd: Let’s hurry to the stable and see him. Let’s go to Bethlehem!!

Sheep: I’m going too!

The shepherd, sheep and angels go to the stable. They stay there until the end of the program. After they arrive and take their places at the manger the narration continues.

Narrator 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the so the shepherds made their way to the stable and as they came to Mary and Joseph they kneeled before him. And all who heard were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

Narrator 2: Mary treasured these words and pondered them in her heart.

Hymn                     Angels we have heard on high   #23

Narrator 2: Luke 2:18,20 The shepherds were changed forever and when they left the Christ child they went throughout all of Judea praising God and telling everyone what they seen. They were glorifying God and telling the news as it had been told to them.

Scene III

All of the cast stands at this point and they say together (since our wiseman has not appeared yet-he will be up there during the two songs without cape and crown:

ALL: God sent us salvation. Jesus Christ is born!!

Choir & cast Go Tell it on the Mountain

Following this anthem the cast remains standing for the next song

Narrator 1: I wonder what these animals did in the stable.

Narrator 2: In the stable they felt safe and protected. They were warm and well fed.

Narrator 1: But, if the baby Jesus was there, I wonder what they thought and I wonder if they did something special?

Scene IV

the tiny animals appear. The animals speak if possible or the choir speaks for them:

Donkey: I gave Jesus a home

Cow: I gave Jesus a bed

Sheep: I gave Jesus clothes

Dove: I sang Jesus to sleep

Cast is standing

Choir & cast The Friendly Beasts

As soon as this anthem is finished the wiseman leaves the chancel and goes chancel right to have his cape and crown put on and he goes to the back of the sanctuary. Here he picks up his box of gifts.

Narrator 1: Matthew 2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

Narrator 2: When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Narrator 1: Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 

Narrator 2: When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

        When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.  

Scene V

Wise man standing at the back of the sanctuary points to the cross.

Wiseman: look, the star!

Wiseman: It has stopped over the stable.

Wiseman: I must hurry to see the new king

Wiseman comes forward down the aisle and kneels at the manger. He opens the box and lays the gifts in front of the manger

Wiseman: Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are yours.

Joseph: Jesus is our greatest gift!

Mary: Let all receive him as a gift of love.

Sheep: I like presents!

Cast remains seated

Choir What Star is this, with Beams so Bright?

Finale

All of cast and choir stand

Shepherd: The Lord is come. Let every heart receive him!

Angel: Joy to the world! Rejoice, Christ is born!

Mary: Rejoice, our God is with us!

Joseph: Rejoice, give thanks and sing!

Sheep: I am so happy!

Wise man: Jesus our Lord, he is our greatest gift!

All & Choir: Let us rejoice, Christ is born!

Offering and announcements (children receive a gift during the offering)

Closing hymn Joy to the World 

Benediction

Postlude

Christmas Program 2014 Makemie Presbyterian Church “Love Came Down at Christmas” adapted from the Candles and Carol cantata by Mark Hayes & Pamela Martin

Christmas Program 2014 Makemie Presbyterian Church

“Love Came Down at Christmas”

adapted from the Candles and Carol cantata

                                                     by Mark Hayes & Pamela Martin

Prelude

Call to Worship

We are called to the Light

Our hearts are seeking its warmth

Let us open our hearts to the Light of Christ

He has come, he is here, the Savior of the World. Amen.

Opening Hymn #9 O Come O Come Emmanuel

Part I

Narrator I: For generations, the people of the Old Testament awaited the Promised Messiah. God sent prophet after prophet to deliver this message of continued hope: “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you a hope and a future. Those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Therefore, be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Narrator II: In gratitude for the prophets and all who bring the message of hope to our world, we light this candle of hope. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of the gospel, who preach glad tidings.”

Narrator I: For yesterday’s prophets and today’s messengers who proclaim the hope of salvation to people everywhere, we give thanks.

Hymn #2 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Part II

Narrator I: An angel of the Lord appeared to simple shepherds, saying “Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

Hymn The First Noel #56

Narrator I: Suddenly the heavenly host appeared praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom His favor rests.”

Scene I

Shepherd appears looking around. Angel appears, shepherd looks frightened.

Angel: Do not be afraid. I have good news to share.

Shepherd 1: Tell us the news.

Angel: A baby has been born in Bethlehem and his name is Jesus.

Shepherd 1: Let’s go to Bethlehem!!

Sheep: I’m going too!

Shepherd and angel go down the aisle as if headed to Bethlehem.

Narrator II: In gratitude for the shepherds who were the first to see the Prince of Peace, we light the candle of peace.

light candle

Narrator II: The announcement of His birth was not to royalty, nor to the famous, but to the simple, common people of the day. After they had seen Him lying in the mange, the shepherds told everyone they met about this child, the bearer of peace. Hear the word of the Lord, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace, for there is a future for the people of peace.”

Narrator I: For yesterday’s simple shepherds and for today’s ordinary people across the globe who welcome peace and work on its behalf, we give thanks.

Hymn Hark the Herald Angels Sing # 31

Part III

Narrator I: Mary and her husband Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to register for the census declared by Caesar Augustus because Joseph was from the house of David. So they traveled long and far and finally reached the town late in the night.

Narrator II: There was no room for them in the inn because the town was very crowded. They were given a room in the stable. There with the warmth of the animals all around the infant Jesus was born.

Scene II

Mary and Joseph come to the stable. They hold the baby and place him in the manger.

Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord! and my spirit rejoices in God my savior!

Joseph: We’re glad he is here! We will call him Jesus.

Mary: Yes, God is here! Now it’s time to sleep.

Hymn #53 What Child is this?

Shepherd comes to the manger during the song and sits by the manger.

Part IV

Narrator I: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, magi from the East came seeking Him and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him.”

And the star they had seen went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, the magi were filled with joy.

Scene III

Wiseman 1: Have you seen the star?

Wiseman 2: Yes, it’s still over in the East, just look East and you’ll see it.

Wiseman 1: Oh, there it is. I guess we’ll keep following it…

The wisemen walk from one direction to the next until they arrive at the stable.

Wiseman 2: We’ve traveled far to come to see the child.

Wiseman 1: He is the new king and we bow before him

They bow before him and lay the gifts at the manger.

Mary: Jesus is the gift from heaven above.

Wiseman 2: he fills our hearts with joy and love!

Hymn Away in a Manger

Narrator II: In gratitude for wise men and seekers everywhere in search of Christ, we light this candle of joy.

Light candle

Narrator II: Hear the word of the Lord: “I will turn your mourning into gladness; I will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow. I tell you the truth: you may weep and mourn while the world rejoices; you may grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

Narrator I: For the magi of yesterday who crossed the expanse of nations, and for those today who bridges the chasms of the heart, earnestly seeking the Source of everlasting joy, we give you thanks.

Part V

Narrator I: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. The Son of the Most High was born in the humble surroundings of a stable, because there was no room for him in the inn.

Narrator II: In gratitude for the one who room in his stable, and for all who have room in their hearts for the Savior, we light this candle of love.

light candle

Narrator II: Hear the word of the Lord: “I have loved you with an everlasting love. My command is this: Love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Narrator I: For the one who opened the stable doors of yesterday, and for those who open their hearts today to the love of God, we give thanks.

Scene IV

All focused on the manger as they speak

ALL: Come into our hearts Lord Jesus. Come into our hearts today.

song: Love Came Down

Part VI

Narrator I: In gratitude for the One announced by the light of the stars and angels, we light the Christ Candle.

light candle

Narrator I: Hear the Word of the Lord: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” For the Light of Christ that shines in the darkness for all people in all times, we give thanks.

Narrator II: Go now and share the Good News of the gospel of peace: I have come to comfort those who mourn, to give htem joy instead of sorrow, hope instead of despair. My unfailing love will not be shaken; my promise of peace stands forever. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Narrator I: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of the darkness,” has made His light shine in your hearts. No one lights a lamp and hides it. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. In the same way, let your light shine. You are the light of the world. Go now as children of Light.

Scene V

All standing in a line now and taking a bow.

ALL: We are the light of the world. We are children of light and so are you!

Hymn Silent Night.

Benediction

Postlude

  

Love Came Down in Peace

Sermon Mark 1: 1-8 December 7, 2014 Advent 2 yrB

Love Came Down in Peace

We are deep into our Christmas shopping and preparing our way for the day we gather with our families and friends to celebrate this precious day. We are looking everywhere for signs that will keep us focused on the good thoughts, the joyous thoughts, the moments that melt our hearts and fill us with joy and peace.

The last thing we want is for the realities of the world to crash into our time of worship. We come hoping to be seized with the sentiments of the season that warm our hearts. Those puppy dog commercials about saving the dogs who are left out in the cold send us to our checkbooks and we are quick to do what we can to save those poor puppies.

The commercials on TV do what they can to help us catch the sentiment of the season and I find myself with wet eyes when I watch them. A long time ago, really long time again, back in 1971. It was a time that the country was supposed to be free. Civil rights had just passed and everything was supposed to be all well with the world. But, it wasn’t, there was still a long road to go and people were looking everywhere that season to find a bit of hope, a little slice of peace. And so a TV ad came on and I cried my eyes out every time I saw it.  

A large group of people stood on a hillside and started singing.

It went like this:

I'd like to buy the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves.

Chorus:
I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company
That's the real thing.

The song came about because the song writer had spent the night with a group of frustrated travelers whose flights had been delayed and the result the next morning was that they found themselves laughing at their situation as they were drinking a coca cola.

Would all our problems be solved through a song and the world would be a better place.

Which brings us to our text today from the gospel of Mark.

The times were tough for those people in Judea thousands of years ago. They were surrounded by heavy handed soldiers. The people were driven by fear. There was unrest. Mixed messages were coming from leaders, some saying give in to the Roman rule while others were crying for revolt. What kind of future could the people offer to their children? A question we still ask today.

The gospel of Mark written about 60 A.D. some 30 to 40 years after the death of Jesus begins with words that proclaim the promise of the prophets. The ‘good news’ of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He doesn’t enter the account of Jesus by telling of his birth, or giving his credentials of his ancestry, he begins with the proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah, the entrance of God into the world.

God has come and broken open the world.

This gospel writer thrusts us into the beginning of a new era, into a world shaken up and turned upside down; to be turned right side up under the reign of God and not humankind.

God has come seeking out humanity whether they are ready or not, whether they want God or not, God has come! (Mark Allen Powell)

Yet, before God has entered in there is a preface, a preparation, a setting the stage, so to speak.

Before Jesus, there was another, there was John. And John spoke the words of another that was before him, Isaiah. Long, long ago the story of God’s people who had lived in slavery and then in the Promised Land and then exile and then returned from exile and again in captivity…the words of Isaiah promise restoration from Babylonian captivity. These words of Isaiah were written when the people had returned to their own land again. Even though they were a free people they continued to live as though they were still under oppression.

The words cause for a time of inward reflection. A time of recognizing one’s own responsibility for the circumstances they find themselves in.

And so John the Baptist brings forward the words of Isaiah to the time at hand.

The people need to hear these words of preparation once again. John is crying out that the people must be released and loosed from the chains within that bind them.

He calls for people to examine themselves, to look within, to find the place that blocks them from a relationship with God and one another .

He calls them to turn around, to go another way, to repent.

He proclaims to them that the One-Jesus will come who will truly release them from all that binds them: the things of oppression within the heart and breaking through the barriers the world has created.

Jesus will come and he will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus will fill the hearts of the people and bring them peace.

John the Baptist is a change agent.

He is preparing the way for the Lord to come.

He is a weird fellow. He is not like others at all. He wears camel hair and eats locusts and wild honey!

He put people ill at ease and had the authorities keeping an eye on him to make sure he didn’t do anything outside the law. And isn’t this true about us today. We would have wiretapped his phone and had video cams on his every move.

People who change things look weird to us. (Jill Moffett Howard)

All those major players in the history of our lives have always been weird to the norm. Look at the scientists and astronomers of the past; those who risked claiming that the earth revolved around the sun and not the sun around the earth-those who dared to tell the world that the earth was round and not flat-major players who were weird beyond measure-they even lost their lives for pointing out the truth of what they saw.

I read this passage year after year, And this year it makes me pause

                                                                       

          am I willing to look weird for the sake of change?

Am I willing to be weird to share the truth? (Jill Moffett Howard)

God did that. God took the risk of incarnation, of being hurt, of loving without being loved back, of showing up and not being accepted, of sharing and not being received, of healing and not being thanked, of giving everything, even his life and not being noticed.

                                       Am I willing to take the risk God took?

And here is where we find ourselves on this second Sunday in Advent; seekers of a peaceful world, one that lives in harmony.

We hear the words of the weird prophet John the Baptist ring out, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

And so we too ring out loud and clear in our weirdness and declare that God is coming whether we are ready or not.

God will come. God will find us. God will fill us with peace.

And this IS the good news.

Amen.