"A Christmas Hymn"

A homily preached on Christmas Day at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Titus 2:11-14.

Perhaps some of you are familiar with the Contemporary Gospel Artist, Amy Grant. In 1983 she wrote a Christmas song simply titled; "A Christmas Hymn." The hymn is really an affirmation of faith, in which she proclaims;

"Praise to God whose love was shown,
Who sent his son to earth.
Jesus left his rightful throne,
Became a man by birth.
The virgin’s baby son,
All creation praised;
God incarnate come,
Come to Bethlehem.
Still a higher call had He,
Deliverance from our sins -
Come to set all people free
From Satan’s hold within.
For by the sin of man we fell;
By the Son of God
He crushed the power of hell -
Death we fear no more.
Now we stand with strength, with power,
The sons of God on earth,
Faithful to the final hour,
Christ’s righteousness our worth.
And now all praise is given,
For the babe, the Son,
The Savior King is risen,
Christ is Lord indeed."

This contemporary Christmas hymn is a powerful declaration of faith. Grant invites us to join with her in professing our faith. Contained within these verses is really the central doctrines and teachings of the Church. Each verse adds to the last until the foundations of faith have been set and laid. As I said last night at our Christmas Eve service, we must move beyond the manger in order to truly celebrate the Christmas story. The Christmas story isn’t just about a birth, as Paul reminds us in his letter to Titus and, as Amy Grant reminds us in her hymn. Rather, the Christmas story is about a life; it’s about a death; it’s about a resurrection - Christmas is the celebration of the entire Christ event and how that event plays out in our own lives, and what impact that event has on our lives as a people of faith.
The first two verses of this hymn answer the why of Jesus’ birth: Jesus was born because of God’s love. Because of God’s love - God sent God’s son to us to be Emmanuel. The next two verses of this hymn deal with the why of his mission: Jesus came to deliver us from sin and death. The relationship between humanity and God was broken by sin, and God sent Jesus to restore that broken relationship; to bring reconciliation and wholeness to world. John reminds us; "For God so loved the world that God sent his only begotten son, that whosoever shall believe in God shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send God’s son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
The fifth verse of this hymn is a triumphant proclamation of our standing in Christ - for it is in Christ’s righteousness that we have become the children of God. It is in Christ that we have been adopted in the God’s family. And then the final verse is the necessary call for praise to be lifted up to the one who lived, and died and rose again. It is a call to live a life of holiness and sanctification - a life set apart by God - a life in which we communicate through word and deed, God’s love and grace, light and compassion to a world in need. Indeed, these words of Grant’s hymn communicate the Christmas message. They correspond with the words of our Scripture Lesson this morning from Paul to Titus.
And so, on this blessed Christmas morning, let us embrace the words of this proclamation of faith. For a proclamation of faith to truly be a proclamation of our faith it must not only be spoken, but also lived out. May this hymn be our hymn - spoken and lived out in us. Merry Christmas and God bless you!

"Don't Outgrow Christmas!"

A sermon preached on Christmas Eve at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp.

Yesterday in my sermon, I shared with you Miriam’s response as she prepares for Christmas - it has indeed been one of excitement, and enthusiasm and thrill. In fact, since the beginning of Advent she has been wild and hyper - almost to the point of being uncontrollable at times. And, I guess with the excitement of seeing the house decorated, the presents under the tree and knowing that Christmas is coming soon, as well as Santa Claus, it is a natural response for her, as well as any child. But you know, that should be our attitude as well. We too should be filled with excitement, and enthusiasm and wonder as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and contemplate God’s gift to us through Christ. Sadly, many of us get so caught up in the preparations of this season and all of the work that must be done that we loose this sense of wonder and excitement and enthusiasm that we should have. Sadly, many of us have outgrown Christmas. No longer are we like little children, but instead we are like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the proud parents who brought their firstborn home from the hospital and placed him in a beautiful wooden cradle. Over the months and years as he grew, the cradle that had once swallowed him could no longer contain him. He began to look like a giant in a baby bed. His parents, though, kept the cradle as a symbol of their son’s birth; but the boy could not stay in the cradle forever. He outgrew it!
And the same is true of Christmas. Certainly, we cannot have Christmas without the cradle; but the fact remains, Jesus did not stay in the manger - he outgrew the cradle and eventually became a man who would become the Savior of the world!
The fact is, we spend most of our lives outside the cradle. Jesus experienced life as any of us. He experienced the stages of life and growth that all of us experience and go through. His growth was natural and normal. As a child, he grew in wisdom and stature, we are told! We sometimes have this misconception when it comes to Jesus - thinking that he somehow escaped all of the rigors and developmental processes of infancy and childhood that all of us must go through. And partly that is the fault of the gospels. But Jesus went through the natural stages and development of growth, as any of us.
Outside of Jesus’ visit to the temple with his family at the age of 12 there is no information pertaining to his childhood years. In fact, scholars refer to them as "The Lost Years" of Jesus’ life. And, of course, as you might imagine, there have been many traditions handed down through the centuries, as well as speculations made pertaining to those "The Lost Years". Some traditions have stated that Jesus, as a teenager would have made trips with Joseph of Arimathea to other parts of the world; others claim that Jesus traveled to India and the Orient. In fact, there is even one, Gnostic writing, titled The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which relays additional stories about Jesus’ youth. In these stories, Jesus comes across as a wonderworking Dennis the Menace, if you will. In fact, one story even has Jesus, as a young boy, striking dead a neighborhood friend for annoying him; but, don’t worry, Jesus brings the boy back to life when his father complains. This writing, of course, is considered forgery and there is no reason to believe it as being accurate; but it does offer an interesting perspective, to say the least, on those "The Lost Years" of Jesus’ life.
However, we do know from historical and biblical records that Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town with a population of about 2,000 people. However, Nazareth was about 3 ½ miles from Sepphoris. In fact, recent archeology has discovered that the city of Sepphoris was a large metropolitan city, which dispels this notion that Jesus grew up in a rural area. Many scholars believe that Jesus’ childhood would not have been much different from most Palestinian children. Living in Nazareth, Jesus would have been exposed to intellectual diversity. He would have attended synagogue school and learned the Torah, along with the history of the Jewish people and, perhaps even learned the Hellenistic and Greek cultures. He would have learned Hebrew, Aramaic and, probably, some Greek. He probably followed in the trade of his father as a tekton, a carpenter, but not so much in the sense of working with wood, but probably more so with stone - a stone mason. Especially since, Sepphoris was a city that was in the process of being built up during Jesus’ younger years, and tektons, or stone masons would have found plenty of work there. But, Jesus’ childhood would have been a common one in regards to his lifestyle and education.
Now friends, it is true that Jesus wasn’t actually born on December the 25th. You see, we observe the 25th day of December as the birthday of Jesus because of what has been passed on to us by the traditions of the 3rd century church, to at least the time of Constantine. The date marking Christmas was born out of the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the sun – it was, in a sense, the birthday of the sun. But the Church, seeking to put an end to such pagan festivals replaced it with honoring of a different "son" – the Son of God! And as we learned on the First Sunday of Advent, at our Hanging of the Greens service, the church adapted many of the pagan customs and traditions, giving them all Christian influence and meaning. Certainly the decorations and carols of Christmas all point to Christ and who he is.
There’s a Christmas Carol that was written by Frances Chesterton titled; "Children’s Song of Nativity." I want to share with you the lyrics to that carol:

"How far is it to Bethlehem?
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable-room
Lit by a star?
Can we see the little child,
Is he within?
If we lift the wooden latch
May we go in?
May we stoke the creatures there,
Ox, ass or sheep?
May we peep like them and see Jesus asleep?
If we touch his tiny hand
Will he awake?
Will he know we’ve come so far
Just for his sake?
Great kings have precious gifts,
And we have naught,
Little smiles and little tears
Are all we brought."

Notice the language the writer uses – "Shall we find?" "Can we see?" "May we peep?" "Will he know?" Such child-like phrases – always asking, always curious, ever seeking. These young ones, in this carol, seem quite aware that they have no right to be there. They realize that they bring not great gifts, only tears and smiles, and themselves. Yet, they enter in, hoping to see him, and wanting to touch him. But isn’t this just how God asks us to approach God – in humility and innocence, awe and wonder – with child-like excitement and thrill!
Let us not outgrow Christmas! Oftentimes, when we outgrow something – we abandon it! But, we must not abandon Christmas! For this is one event in a series of events that brought about our salvation. But, at the same time, we cannot remain at Bethlehem’s manager. We have to move beyond the manger – beyond the cradle to the cross and ultimately to the Resurrection. One of the greatest things we do on this night is celebrate Holy Communion. And while this is a weekly observance for us, Disciples; tonight, I pray that it will take on a whole new meaning and realm, if it hasn’t already. As we come to this table to receive the gifts of bread and wine, may the Christ-child, who is also the Risen Christ be born anew and afresh in you. And may we embody and possess a child-like faith as we celebrate God’s gift to us through Christ. And may we never outgrow that spirit of wonder and awe, excitement and enthusiasm when it comes to our faith; but instead, embrace it and live it, "for to such the kingdom of God belongs." Amen.

"We Have Been 'Set Apart', Not 'Set Aside'!"

A sermon preached on the Fourth Sunday of Advent on Sunday, December 23 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Romans 1:1-7.

Since Miriam’s birth, Christmas has taken on a whole new realm of excitement and wonder for Amber and I. In fact, as Miriam has grown older, it has been interesting to see how her attitude has changed toward Christmas, from one of confusion and bewilderment to one of excitement and thrill. I am anxious to go through this same cycle with Elijah. But now that Miriam is older, it is fascinating to watch her as she plays with different toys and dolls. Christmastime is interesting, because whenever there are new toys around, she gravitates toward those new toys and she will "set aside" those toys or dolls that she has had for a while. And, of course, after the newness wears off, she will play with all of the toys as equals again.
In our Scripture Lesson this morning, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, and he wants to emphasize that the Gentiles have not been "set aside," that they have not been left out of the gospel message but rather, it is their message too. And Paul, tells the Christians in Rome that he himself has been "set apart" to deliver the good news to them.
There’s something about good news that causes us to automatically want to share it. Whether it’s the good news of "I’m engaged" or "I got a raise" or "We’re having a baby" – there’s something about it that makes us want to shout it from the rooftop. We want to tell others. And, you know, that was the way Paul felt when it came to the gospel. He wanted to tell others, he wanted to share it with everyone. It was just too good of a news to keep to one’s self or to one group or class of people. And, you know, such should be our response to the gospel. We should want to share it! We should have that same excitement and enthusiasm when it comes to evangelizing and telling others about the gospel.
I’ve shared with your before that Paul would have been considered an English teacher’s nightmare. Paul had a tendency, when writing to get so caught up in what he was writing that before he knew it, he had one major "run-on sentence." This is a quality and characteristic of Paul’s that I can appreciate. I often have Amber critique my writings because I am famous for my use of "run-on sentences". But we find within Paul’s opening sentence here in the first chapter of his letter to the Christians in Rome, that he gives his introduction, as well as his mission statement and then finally, his testimony of who Jesus is and his role in bringing salvation to all people.
We see that first of all, Paul wants to establish that he has been "set apart" by God for a specific ministry - for a specific purpose. This would include him in the long line of prophets and others in the Hebrew Scriptures whom God "set apart" for God’s work. To his credit, Paul begins by claiming the status of a servant of Jesus Christ, indicating that he is writing to serve Christ and his Church. Then, I think, Paul wants to give them his credentials by calling himself an apostle, literally meaning "a messenger" - "one who is sent to proclaim a specific message," one who is a "representative" - a "delegate".
Second, in verses 3 and 4, Paul borrows a confession that was probably very familiar to these early Christians, which describes who Jesus is, and it is a two-fold affirmation, if you will. From the human viewpoint, this confession affirms Jesus’ linage from David, a crucial point for anyone who was knowledgeable in the Hebrew tradition. This was essential when it came to affirming Jesus’ roles as Messiah, Priest and King. From the spiritual viewpoint, this confession makes it clear that through the Resurrection, Jesus was declared to be the Son of God. I find it interesting that Paul mentions nothing of Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit; but rather, what constitutes Jesus as the "Son of God," for Paul, is the fact that he had been raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit. You see, Paul uses this confession to be clear about Jesus’ identity.
Paul then tells the Christians in Rome that he is proclaiming the gospel of God’s own Son, and that through his proclamation, Paul is hoping to "bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name." Paul, who was "set apart" by God, is calling for the Gentiles to accept the invitation to become part of the gospel story. God has not "set aside" the Gentiles, but rather God has "set apart" Paul to be God’s messenger to the Gentiles. It is through Christ, that the Gentiles can see clearly where they are included in the story.
While God "set part" the Jewish people as God’s chosen people in the First Testament, God never intended their chosenness to be exclusive. You see, God chose them to represent God to the other nations. Just as we are called to do.
I once read that on the wall of Charles Spurgeon’s bedroom was a plaque with Isaiah 48:10 on it: "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction." "It is no mean thing to be chosen of God," Spurgeon wrote. "God’s choice makes [us a choice people]… We are chosen, not in the palace, but in the furnace. In the furnace, beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted and glory is consumed; yet here eternal love reveals its secret and declares its choice." And you know, friends, that’s the message of the gospel, isn’t it? That’s the message of Advent and Christmas. When we consider the Christmas story there’s nothing beautiful, or fashionable, or powerful or glorified about it. Rather, it is a story of humility and weakness, poverty and simplicity. Yet, it is a story of love – God’s love for God’s world. It is the message of Emmanuel – God with us! God coming to us, at our level, to choose us as God’s chosen people, that we might in turn reveal God’s love to others.
Just as Miriam "sets apart" certain toys for specific occasions, so God sets us apart for certain areas of service. As we come to the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we are reminded that God’s love is much broader than we can ever imagine or comprehend. The Jews thought that God’s love was exclusively and solely for them, but through Jesus Christ it becomes clear that God’s love is a boundless and inclusive love - in which all are welcomed, accepted, invited, and loved.
My friends, God never sets God’s people aside – rather, God sets God’s people apart. And Advent is a reminder to us that God has set us apart that we might become God’s messengers - those who proclaim God’s message of love to all people. You see, friends, that’s what is truly means to celebrate Christmas! It means to become one who affirms the Christ of Christmas - a Christ for all!

"A Vision From Isaiah and Jimmy Buffet"

A sermon preached during The Third Week of Advent at our Lessons, Carols, Communion and Candlelight service on Thursday, December 20 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Isaiah 35:1-10.

Now, I would never claim to be a "Parrothead" – which is the term used to describe a person who is a big fan of Jimmy Buffet’s, but I do, from time to time, enjoy listening to his music and songs. One song in particular came to mind when reading these words from the 35th chapter of Isaiah. The song, "Volcano." Perhaps some of you are familiar with that song, I want to share with you some of the lyrics to the song:

"Ground she's movin' under me

Tidal waves out on the sea,

Sulphur smoke up in the sky

Pretty soon we learn to fly

Let me hear ya now.
I don't know, I don't know,

I don't know where I'm a-gonna go

When the volcano blows."

Usually when we see a volcano it is surrounded by a beautiful setting. Some might refer to it as paradise, but after the eruption of a volcano that scene changes drastically – suddenly, what you are left with is devastation, and destruction and death. I can imagine that the Israelites might have had some questions about the promised land – their paradise, if you will, and the volcanoes that had seemed to erupt all around them as a result of their captivity. As Israel looked around, the picture they had to view was no longer a land flowing with milk and honey – no longer a paradise, but a land covered in the black soot of war and the destruction of captivity. The promise of Scripture though, is that God doesn’t leave us in the blackness of soot, and death and destruction. Rather, God comes to us! That’s the blessed reminder of Advent! Emmanuel - God with us!
Learning more about volcanoes helped me to understand this quality about God. You see, as I did a little research about volcanoes, I found out that the black soot that is a result of the lava spewing from the volcano – that destroys everything in its path does eventually change into a paradise. Somehow in God’s creativity, God provides a way for that which is unproductive to become productive again. Somehow, after the lava from a volcano has hardened to where it seems as if nothing could ever grow there again, mysteriously, nitrogen in the air is absorbed and, over a long period of time, the molten lava becomes fertile soil in which vegetation can grow and thrive. The volcano that had been the picture of destruction will eventually help to produce a paradise where everything is productive once more.
This process teaches us something about the nature and goodness of God. The Bible reminds us again and again that God can and does create and find newness of life amid that which has been destroyed. In our passage this evening, God wasn’t finished with the work God began in the Israelites and, here in our Scripture Lesson, Isaiah begins to outline the reversal of the sad state of Israel. Isaiah does so by suggesting that the approaching glory of the Lord is literally bursting into life. Isaiah says, "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom." The prophet continues by suggesting that all of those who are considered lowly in this life will be restored to wholeness. And, you know, friends, that’s the good news of our faith, isn’t it? From that which has been dry, springs of living water will break forth, and there will be new life! Isaiah envisions that day when there will be no more sorrow and sighing, for joy and gladness will break forth and the redeemed will walk on the highway called the "Holy Way." Advent invites us to envision what Isaiah envisioned and what God envisions for our world and to be partakers in that vision - to be those who work to bring such a vision to reality.
These words from Isaiah define the gospel. We only have to turn to the New Testament to see the difference Jesus made in the lives of those whom he encountered. Truly the blind did see, and the deaf did hear and those who were lame were able to leap like deer. Even the dead received new life. Whatever the deepest need people had, they found that need satisfied and met in Jesus. And certainly the same is true for our own lives. We, who were once spiritually blind and deaf, now see and hear good news of God’s love and grace. We, who were once crippled, and lame and paralyzed by sin have been set free and healed by Jesus. We, who were once spiritually dry and barren as a desert, now have the spring of Living Water flowing through us. Isaiah reminds us that we too can sing a new song, a song of victory, a song of deliverance, and that we need to become instruments of healing and new life to those around us. Yes! That involves getting out of our pews and going out into a dark, cold, lonely and dying world. Yes, it is challening - it is difficult, but it is our calling. That’s where the church has desperately failed. We expect the lost and lonely, the forsaken and broken, the hurting and dying to come to us. But we must go to them. That is what our God has done! Advent is the reminder that God has come to us - God is with us - Emmanuel!
God is a God of new life and new beginnings. God brings light into the darkness and life into that which was once death, dry and barren. God can change the destruction and devastation and death that is brought about by volcanoes into a paradise. Perhaps that’s why Jimmy Buffet is so loved and adorned by millions, because he sings songs about life - about food and drink, paradise, and parties. And so does Isaiah. May we embrace this vision and celebrate that God is the God who can make a paradise out of the destruction and devastation of a volcano! For this is what God has done and continues to do with our very lives and this is what God will do with our world.

"Hail Mary, Full of Grace"

A sermon preached on the Third Sunday of Advent on Sunday, December 16 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Luke 1:47-55.

Perhaps some of you have noticed that my sermons on Sundays have been derived from the Lectionary’s Old Testament readings from the Prophet Isaiah. And on Thursday evenings I have been focusing on the Lectionary’s Gospel Readings for the Sundays in Advent. However, today, I am taking a different approach and will be preaching from one of the Lectionary’s Gospel Readings for today and save the reading from Isaiah for Thursday evening.
Without a doubt, nothing can set the mood quite the way music can or even does. No wonder music plays such an important factor in our worship services. But whether the occasion be a romantic one, or a joyous one or even a somber one, music plays an integral part in enhancing and setting the mood. In fact, nothing gets us more in the Christmas spirit than listening to those wonderful Christmas carols and hymns. I have been listening to Christmas music faithfully - in the house, in the car, even here at the church during the week, since the season of Advent began. And perhaps that’s why the Church encourages us, on this Third Sunday of Advent, also known as the Sunday of Joy to focus on Mary’s song or, as it is better known, the Magnificat, which is a Latin word coming from Mary’s words in verse 46; "My soul magnifies the Lord!" Certainly, through these words from our Gospel Lesson this morning, one can feel the joy and the excitement, the wonder and anticipation, along with the fear and uncertainty that Mary must have felt.
Mary’s song declares that God is with us in this life. In fact, Mary is the sign saying that our faith is not a religion of dos and don'ts, empty ceremonies or liturgies; rather, our faith is about revelation. Mary keeps us connected with the human and the divine.
Perhaps some of you may remember the movie, which was a spin off from the popular television show; Mission: Impossible. In the movie version, which featured Tom Cruise, a spy, is given an assignment so difficult that it is considered nearly impossible to accomplish but, of course, he succeeds. Now, we viewers never doubted the success of the "impossible mission" on the big screen. However, in real life we have great difficulty believing the impossible, don’t we? But we are not alone in this difficulty of believing the impossible. In fact, many of the greatest prophets and disciples had difficulty envisioning the impossible visions of God. And we are no different. Perhaps that’s why we often pray along with the disciples; "Lord, increase our faith."
And so it was with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Sure, she may have been the "favored one" of God but she was not much different from any of us. She couldn’t fully envision what all this promise from God meant or entailed.
The response of the Christian church to Mary has been quite varied. For some she is highly venerated and exalted. Although she is not worshiped which is a misconception. And for others, she is greatly ignored. And because of both extremes, the example of true faith that Mary demonstrated and possessed has sadly been missed by so many in the Church today. The story is told that when Dean William, the late "gloomy dean" of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, died and was ushered into the presence of God, Jesus came from God’s right hand and said; "Ah, Mr. Dean, welcome to heaven; I know you have met my Father, but I don’t believe you have met my Mother." Who is this woman, we might ask, and why do some make such a fuss over her?
We most not forget Mary’s example of faith. P. T. Forsythe, decades ago in his book on creative theology said that; "faith is not something that we process. [Rather] faith possesses us." And in many ways that is true. That’s why we remember Mary. Her song declares the grace of God that came to her, that embraced and possessed her. Now, true, she had to respond to that grace and embody it, which she does as expressed in her song. Mary encourages us to say "yes" to God, to respond to God, to embody God.
Peter Gomes writes; "Mary’s song declares that God’s work gets done when ordinary people hear God’s voice and obey. She sang; 'God has regarded the low estate of God's handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth, all generations will call me blessed for God has done mighty things for me.' For many Christians we would rather focus on the strong and powerful biblical characters and personalities as our model and example of faith, but Mary’s strength was quiet and humble, and for this reason she has often been ignored. Winston Churchill once said; 'Modesty is for those who need it.' Mary was modest in the face of this greeting, for she knew herself unlikely in her own right to be worthy of such a telegram from the Holy God!"
Mary may have been quiet, but her faith was indeed strong and powerful. How often we forget Mary’s dilemma. Mary has so much to teach us about real faith and hope. When we see her so beautifully portrayed in Christmas pageants, on Christmas cards and in Nativity scenes, she looks so serene and lovely, and the whole matters appears to be so simple and easy to bear. But think realistically about her lot for a moment. Consider what Mary went through. It must have been incredibly difficult; the gossip, the pointing fingers, the accusations, the raised eyebrows, the questions and criticism. Not to mention the family pressures, the crude jokes, the cruel laughter, the poverty, the heavy taxes and, don’t forget, the long hard journey mandated at a time when an expectant mother should have been bedridden. And then, there was the birth in that cavern or stable in Bethlehem, with no doctor, no midwife, no medicine or anesthetic - only a profound faith and hope in a God who promised through her would come the Messiah! Mary was just a teenager, probably no older than 13 or 14 years old. What a strong woman indeed! What a courageous and faithful woman! Indeed, she is called "blessed". "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus," goes the ancient Church’s prayer.
I think it is interesting that in the preceding story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luke tells of that couple’s religious virtue, but we have none of that here. Nothing is said of Mary’s faith or character. Nor do we find an explanation as to why God might have chosen her. And that is, of course, the point; God chooses because God chooses. Mary is not chosen because she deserves favor, just as none of us deserve God’s favor or blessing but rather, Mary is favored because she was chosen. Raymond Brown says that Mary’s response qualifies her as Jesus’ first disciples. You know, I like that!
As i said; true faith is not about words or laws or even liturgies, it's about revelation. God revealing God's self to us - God's love and grace, mercy and compassion, through Christ Jesus, and it's about us responding to God. And so, God’s Spirit has come to us and proclaimed that we too are favored, blessed of God; for we are God’s chosen people, we are God’s saints. For you and I possess and embody the very Spirit of God. Therefore, may we proclaim, along with Mary when the angel announced to her that in her womb was the very Son of God; "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." That is the kind of response God is looking for and that is the kind of response that we should have when we realize that we embody the very Spirit of Christ and we must become the incarnations of Christ.

"Becoming A John at Christmas"

A sermon preached during The Second Week of Advent at our Lessons, Carols, Communion and Candlelight service on Thursday, December 13 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Matthew 3:1-12.

I think it is interesting to see the different interpretations and perspectives offered by the gospel writers, especially when it comes to Christ’s birth. Each gospel offers a unique and different perspective, one that is both beneficial and essential in understanding who Jesus was, especially for their original readers. Take for instance, the Gospel of Matthew. Here we see that it has more of a Jewish emphasis and depicts Jesus as "The fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets," which would have been key for Matthew’s Jewish readers and audience. In fact, Matthew’s gospel contains more Old Testament prophecies than any of the other 3 gospels, and Matthew also presents Jesus as a kind of new Moses.
The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as "The Savior of the World." And reminds us that the message of the gospel is for everyone. This becomes clear when we see that Matthew presents Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, whereas Luke refers to it as his Sermon on the Plain. For Matthew and the Jewish readers, the mountain was essential – it was on the mountain that God revealed God’s self to Moses and gave the Law. But for Luke, it is a plain - a plain is assessable and open for everyone – both Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, male and female. This is further emphasized through Luke’s concentration on those stories of Jesus interacting with outsiders, with the poor and especially with women.
The Gospel of John, which is perhaps one of my favorites, portrays Jesus as "The Eternal One from Heaven." In fact, John underscores Jesus’ eternal existence and divine nature in the very opening words of his gospel in his interpretation of the Christmas story, by taking us, not to Bethlehem, but to the very beginning of time. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…"
And then, finally, the Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as "The Suffering Son of God." In particular, Mark attempts to show that, although Jesus should have been received with honor as God’s Son, he was destined to die as humiliating death to pay for the sins of the world. And so, we see that Mark doesn’t even focus on the story of Christ’s birth. In fact, the very opening words of Mark read; "The beginnings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." There is not mentioning of shepherds in the field, or angels in the sky, or a baby in a manager. Rather, there is just the stark reality of it all: "the beginnings of the gospel…", the fullness of time has come – God speaks and the word God speaks is, as John reminds us is Logos – the greatest revelation of God’s self – the Living Word of God – Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Mark was the first of the 4 canonized gospels to be written. Written somewhere between 64 to 68 A.D., and served as a source for the Gospels of Matther and Luke.
This evening I want us to focus on one of the essential characters or voices of the Christmas story – that of John the Baptist. Someone has offered this rather interesting and somewhat amusing description of John the Baptist, it reads; "John was a popular man, but lacked tact and dressed like a hippie. Considering John’s died, he would not have been well-received or liked at church potlucks, but is an essential voice and character of the Christmas story, the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God!"
Keep in mind, as the New Testament era unfolded, hundreds of years had passed since a well-defined prophet has come on the scene. But now, with the opening of the gospel, we see that two decisive characters appear, and, not to mention, within the same generation: John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. John came as a shocking wake-up call to a people grown weary and complacent. His audacious lifestyle surely placed him on the fringe of society. But perhaps, his message was even more bizarre. To a people who believed that they were God’s elect – God’s chosen people, who had all the questions answered in the law, who for hundreds of years had found comfort in their unique understanding of God and relationship with God – to these people, John declared with emphasis their need for repentance. And, interestingly enough, to Mark that is where the gospel begins! Without repentance there is no gospel – there is no good news! Without repentance there is no hope or peace, joy or love!
Repentance is key – it is essential! Without repentance those paths will never be straight or mountains made low, or valleys raised up. Without repentance you and I will never know or experience the peace of God. That was John’s message! Repentance prepares our hearts and our lives and our world to receive the coming of Christ!
A German philosopher, who was a man infamous for his agnostic views and beliefs, once said to a group of Christians; "I’ll believe in your redeemer, when you act as if you have been redeemed." What a powerful statement! Through the season of Advent, we are given the opportunity to prepare for a new beginning - a new beginning not only for the church, but also for us.
I am fascinated with names. Names tell us so much about a person's character or nature. Perhaps this is true more in biblical times or in other cultures, than our own. The name John comes from the Hebrew root word, Yôhānān, which means "God is gracious." Sometime back I did an internet search on the name "John," using the search engine Google and the search revealed 846 million references. At Answers.com, John was defined as a toilet or even a man who is a prostitute’s customer. John has been the name of presidents, kings, prophets, gospel writers, and popes. Perhaps you have a relative or friend named John. John is such a common and popular name that we refer to unidentified males as John Does. However, the John, our Gospel Lesson focuses on was a Jewish man – a cousin of Jesus’. The son of the an elderly priest, Zachariah and his barren wife, Elizabeth. By his birthright he was given the right to perform the duties of a priest in the Jewish temple, including all of the honor and prestige associated with such a role and title. He was a man in the wilderness telling the people, including religious leaders and kings, that they have sinned and must repent. He was a Jewish man who baptized the masses to remind them of the importance of spiritual purity and cleanliness and a change of heart. He was a Jewish man who captured the imaginations and hopes of a generation. He had followers and disciples, fans and critics. He was a Jewish man who refused to be named what he was not. John was a man who pointed away from himself, away from his actions, away from his teachings, away from his prophesies, away from who he was and instead, pointed to Jesus, his cousin and proclaimed; "He is higher than me because he was before me." John declared; "I am not the Messiah! He is!"
Let me ask you this evening, who are you pointing to? Who does your life point to? Indeed, John was a great asset and tool for the ministry of Christ. In fact, some scholars estimate that John might have baptized as many as 300,000 converts. But even when John’s fame peaked, and the rumors spread that John was the Christ – the Messiah, we see that he does not stop for a moment to bask in the reflection of a false impression, but instead, he immediately and directly answers; "I am not the Christ." And he goes on to repeat the words of the prophet Isaiah who identifies his special role in the kingdom of God. He says; "I am the one, Isaiah was referring to, crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord." That was John’s role and position, and certainly that is our role and position as the Church today!
We would do well to be reminded that the Christian faith is not about self. But rather, it is about the power to proclaim and point. It is an invitation to become a Herald of Christ! Christmas needs more Johns! Christianity needs more Johns! The world needs more Johns! Those who are willing to point to the way of Christ – a way of justice and compassion, mercy and love. A way that makes straight the crooked areas; a way that lowers the mountains and raises the valleys. A way that includes, welcomes and sees everyone as a child of God!
As Paul Tillich reminds us, "Christians should be like John the Baptist in the famous Grunewald painting." There, the whole being of John the Baptist is in his finger with which he points to Jesus and the cross. Therefore, let us learn from John’s example to be those whose very words, actions, and lives point to Jesus. Let us renew our commitment to be Johns through this season of Advent that we may prepare the world for Christ and his kingdom, Amen.

"Do Not Disturb!"

A sermon preached on the Second Sunday of Advent on Sunday, December 9 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Isaiah 11:1-10.

I am sometimes amazed at some of the records that people will endeavor to set. I read an article a while back that told of a Swiss man, named Jean Vernetti who is listed in the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records for setting the world record for collecting the most "Do Not Disturb" signs. Jean Vernetti has traveled to 131 counties and has managed to collect 2,915 "Do Not Disturb" signs in a variety of languages. His dream is to collect a "Do Not Disturb" sign from every country in the world.
It wasn’t until I read that article, that I realized that the "Do Not Disturb" sign is a universal sign. I simply assumed that it was a sign made specifically for Americans to meet our desire of not wanting to be disturbed. That seems to be the attitude of many people today. "Don’t disturb me, I am too busy with my own agenda, my own life, my own plans."
However, I can attest that those little "Do Not Disturb" signs do come in handy sometimes. I recall when Amber and I were on our honeymoon in Mexico, we happened to meet a couple who were also honeymooning. I had started a conversation with this couple one afternoon that Amber and I would soon regret. In fact, whenever we find ourselves on vacation and I start talking to someone, Amber always reminds me of the trouble that I got us in on our honeymoon. Amber will say to me; "Do you have to talk to everyone you see?" Anyway, this couple starting meeting us at the pool and in the restaurants. It got to be such a nuisance that we started hiding from them. And then, pretty soon, this couple started stopping by our hotel room wanting to go out to dinner and shopping. Finally, we just started putting up our "Do Not Disturb" sign, thinking that would take care of this persistent couple. Now, I don’t know if they just simply ignored our "Do Not Disturb" sign or, if they just didn’t know what No Disturbar meant. You see, our "Do Not Disturb" sign was in Spanish. Finally, Amber and I just stopped answering our door to our hotel room and, I guess they got the hint. But Amber and I were on our honeymoon and we didn’t want to be disturbed - to be bothered. This was to be our time together.
But that seems to be the attitude of most people today. "Do Not Disturb!" But certainly that is not Isaiah’s attitude. In fact, Isaiah’s words are both encouraging and disturbing to us, aren’t they?
Here in our Scripture Lesson this morning from the book of the prophet Isaiah we find an oracle about the Prince of Peace. My first impression when reading these words of Isaiah's is, "Yeah right!" "Who do you think you’re fooling, Isaiah, with such a unrealistic vision?" I mean think about it for a moment; "Wolves and lambs sharing condos; leopards and baby goats sharing a bunk; lions taking lunch breaks with oxen; cows and bears listening to Mozart in meadows; complete with toddlers handing poisonous snakes with no fear of injury - yeah right, in what world is Isaiah living in?" Certainly not ours! Sure, this is a wonderful image, one we’d all like to imagine, yet few of us are ready to rush down to the zoo, Bible in hand, and unlock all the cages. I like that great line by the comedian Woody Allen, "The lion and the calf shall lie down together, but the calf won’t get much sleep." Why, because that’s just the way it is, that’s the way this world operates. However, Isaiah tells us that this will not always be the way it is. The God of compassion, mercy and justice will not always be silent. "...with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins."
Certainly this is the world we’d all like to live in. This is the world we’d all like to imagine. This is the world we’d all like to bring our children up in, but the fact is, we do not live in such a world. Yet, this is our hope! We long for such a world, we wait in hope and in anticipation for this golden age, when there will be no more war, or poverty or injustice, when all but peace and love will cease.
Let’s take a look at this vision. Isaiah tells us that the one who will inaugurate it all is "A rod from the stem of Jesse." These words represented and new and greater David. Just as David, for the Hebrew people, inaugurated a kingdom of righteousness and peace, the new David - the "rod" or "root" from David’s line will establish an incomparable greater kingdom. The words "rod" and "branch" are Messianic terms. They are figurative words for that great descendant promised from the household of David, which is Christ. It was Jesus who came to inaugurate such a kingdom. It was Jesus who came to introduce such a vision, but it is we who are to live and carry it out. Oh, sure, we can sit by and wait for such a vision to become a reality or, we can work toward such a vision. Sadly, the Church today has taken the responsibility off of itself and placed it solely on God. We have become idle. We have become complacent. We have become lacksidasical. But Isaiah is inviting us to envision and embrace such a world.
In verse 2, Isaiah reminds us that "the Spirit of the Lord" is upon him. The Hebrew word there is ruah, which is to say the "sevenfold Spirit of God" or, better yet, the completeness of God’s Spirit. In the words of the Apostle Paul; "the fullness of the Godhead..." That is why Jesus began his ministry by saying; "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..."
I love the description of verse 3 that Isaiah gives us; "And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord." This verse in Hebrew is literally translated; "A delight to smell." Keep in mind, for the Hebrew people this has a special significance. They would have automatically thought of the incense burned as an offering to God. For the Hebrews, the incense was symbolic of their prayers being lifted up to God. This is the still the symbolism today of incense that is used in liturgies and in churches. Indeed, Jesus would become the greatest offering lifted up to God - offering atonement and salvation to the world through his life, death and resurrection. His ministry was one that was "pleasing to God." Isaiah also tells us that he is the Righteous Judge - he is just and righteous in all the acts of his government. The basis of his judgment and vindication is righteousness and truth. Isaiah gives us a vision, in verse 10, of a kingdom that is all inclusive and welcoming.
But, perhaps the most appealing words of Isaiah’s vision here in the 11th chapter, are those found in verses 6 through 8. Listen again to the beautiful description of peace that Isaiah gives; "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the snake den." What a beautiful picture of peace!
I want to close with a story that is told of a wealthy man and his son who both shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. The elderly man, who was a widow treasured the time he spent with his son and was proud of his trained eye and sharp business mind. However, as winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the elderly man’s son was called to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season would visit his house no longer. However, on Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. I have something I want to give you." As the two began to talk, the solider told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his love of fine art. "I’m an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, there was a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace which he did, pushing aside thousands of dollars of other paintings. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to old man’s will, all of the art works would be auctioned off on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Finally, someone broke the silence by saying; "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff." "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice... sold." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now, we can get to the good art!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. "What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old man’s son. What about all the other paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever cared enough to buy the painting of the son... gets it all."
That’s the blessed hope of Advent. You and I can’t hang up a "Do Not Disturb" sign. We can’t put that sign up on the doors of our hearts, and homes and church. We must keep the door open. Advent is a disturbing season. We are called to disturb the world with the message of God’s love! This is the season that calls for us to receive the portrait of God’s love, grace and peace - Christ. May we receive this gift anew and afresh this blessed Advent season.

"Seeing That Everyone is Fed"

A sermon preached during The First Week of Advent at our Lessons, Carols, Communion and Candlelight service on Thursday, December 6 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Matthew 24:32-44.

More than anything else, food plays a major role in any celebration. Whether it be a secular or religious holiday, it seems that food is usually a major ingredient. In fact, if we were to look at all the Jewish feasts and festivals, we would see that all of them incorporate food into their celebration and remembrance. Jesus even based his ministry around food - he literally fed the hungry and dined with sinners. He used analogies of food - such as bread and water to refer to himself as the Bread from heaven and Living Water. And we can’t forget that it was through the Passover Seder that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper - that meal which is a memorial of his life, death and resurrection. The bread and wine, which become for us his body and blood given for us and for our salvation. Each time we celebrate communion we hear that wonderful promise; "For as often as you eat the bread and drink from the cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again." And certainly there’s something powerful about those words. Each time you and I receive the bread and the wine we are nourished and fed, that we might nourish and feed others. That is our calling! That is our challenge! That is our responsibility as the Church. Yes, we are to eat but we are also to feed a hungry world.
For centuries Christians have speculated and even made predictions as to when Jesus’ parousia - his second advent would be. In fact, no topic or subject in all of Christianity has received as much publicity as that one. There have been books, movies and even songs written about it. Some help to capture the wonder of such a promise and hope. While others have totally distorted and fabricated it. Matthew presents Jesus as both a cultivator of such expectation and a naysayer against it. On one hand, Jesus says; "From the fig tree learn its lesson." But on the other hand, Jesus says; "About the day and hour no one knows." Jesus clearly encourages a certain forward-leaning attitude toward God’s coming reign. Yet, there is also an equally clear heed not to go off the deep in with speculations and predictions. It is as if Jesus is saying; "Look toward the future, but stay in the present."
And so, many are left wondering, how are we to balance the "then" and the "now," the sense of leaning forward with the sense of being grounded in the present? Walden Pond gave the poet and writer, Henry David Thoreau much to ponder, explore and write about over the course of his career. In one journal entry he made this observation of that beautiful body of water: "Walden is blue at one time and green at another, even from the same point of view. Lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the color of both." Blue and green, partaking of the heavens and of the earth – all in the same place. That’s a pretty good metaphor for the Church. We, like Walden Pond are to live both expectant and grounded, hopeful and helpful. We are blue and we are green, we partake of both heaven and earth, Christ’s promises for the future and his mandates for the present.
One of my favorite quotes is by Henri De LuBac, who wrote; "Eternal life isn’t a life for the future. By love we start eternity right here below." And how true that is!
If anything, our faith challenges us to discover the presence, and power, and ministry of God arriving and unfolding through us and in us, as well as around us and for us.
Advent is a reminder that God has come to us, and God is with us! God is in us and God can touch others through us. Advent is a reminder that God’s light has come to us and that light shines in us and it is be shone through us. Because we have received love, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to love. Because grace has touched us, we have the call and the potential to touch others. Because we have been given worth, we have the commission and the capacity to impart worth. Because we belong to the Prince of Peace, we have the call and the potential to be and to become peacemakers. Because the God we claim and who lays claim to us loves justice and kindness, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to defend the innocent and protect the powerless. Because our God shows no partiality, we have the commission and the capacity to confront prejudice and oppression. Because weekly we come to the table as beggars and are fed with the life-giving bread and the saving cup, we have the mission and the possibility of preparing the way for other beggars to be fed. The message of Advent and of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel is clear; "Keep awake!" Perhaps our churches do not ask enough of us. Sadly, we have become too lacksidasical and complacent.
The season of Advent, as well as this text seeks not only to awaken us to our call and potential, but also to open our eyes to what God does in our midst. As Larry Jones and Jerry Sumney write in their book, Preaching Apocalyptic Texts; "Sometimes the earth quakes and the heavens rumble, but most of our experiences of God are not that dramatic. God doesn’t just move mountains; God moves hearts. God doesn’t just part the waves of the sea; God crushes the barriers that keep neighbors apart. God doesn’t just raise the dead; God enlivens the living."
Paul Escamilla writes; "Jesus has a most rudimentary and unglamorous prescription for keeping ourselves prepared for the coming of Christ in glory and judgment, and that is: to be sure everybody is fed!" He goes on to write; "It’s worth remembering at this point that 'the other great commission' of Matthew’s Gospel is found just a chapter beyond these apocalyptic pages, in Matthew 25: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you?' Seeing that the hungry are fed seems to be very much on Jesus’ mind, and he wishes it to be very much on ours as well, particularly when we think about the end times."

The gospel challenges us to not to get so caught up in the when and how of Jesus’ coming that we forget about now. In fact, the question that is more relevant to ask, according to the gospels, is not, "When or How is Jesus coming?" But rather, "Is everyone being fed?" And more importantly, we should ask ourselves; "Who am I feeding?" One of my favorite mission statements reads: "Warmed with a blanket! Cheered with a Visit! Remembered with a card! Clothed! Hugged! Delivered from danger! And loved! That is our mission because it was our Lord’s mission as well!"
I want to close with a story that is told by the renown Disciples author and preacher, Fred Craddock of Dr. Oswald Golter. Dr. Golter was a missionary to China more than 60 years ago. After World War II he was asked to leave China and return to the states. So his missionary society wired him a ticket and Dr. Golter made his way to India to catch a ship home. While he was there he noticed that there were many Jews living in the area - they were living in attics and sheds and barns. They were there because India was one of the few countries in the world that welcomed the Jews following World War II. Dr. Golter was excited to see them and went around and greeted them. It was Christmas time and he said to them; "Merry Christmas to you!" Obviously shocked by his greeting, they replied; "We’re Jews." "Well, I know," said Dr. Golter, "but Merry Christmas anyway." Once again, they replied; "we’re Jews. We don’t celebrate Christmas." "I know" he said, "but if you did, what would you want for Christmas?" "Well if we did," they replied, "then we would probably want some fine German pastries." With that in mind, Dr. Golter found a shop that sold fine German pastries, cashed in his ticket home and purchased boxes and boxes of pastry. He took it back to the barns and attics and sheds and handed it out to the Jews saying, "Merry Christmas to you. Merry Christmas." That story was told many years later in the presence of Dr. Golter at a seminary where he was invited to speak. As he got up to the microphone a young seminarian stood up and said to Dr. Golter, "I can’t believe you did that. Those people aren’t Christians. They don’t even believe in Jesus Christ!" Dr. Golter nodded his head and said, "I know." Then he added, "But I do!" We celebrate that the Light has come into our world in the person of Jesus Christ. And with this season of Advent and Christmas we are called to receive that light anew and afresh, to go from this place to bear witness to the Light until that day comes when the light of Christ lights the entire world.

"Seeing Christ in Advent"

A sermon preached on The First Sunday of Advent/Hanging of the Greens, December 2 at Edgemont Chrsitian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. The sermon is based on Isaiah 2:2-5.

I read a rather interesting article the other day that originally appeared in the December 2006 edition of the Daily Mail. The article was titled; Christmas Cards Aren’t So Christmas Anymore. The article stated that only 1 in 100 Christmas cards sold contain religious imagery or messages. It went on to state that "traditional pictures or images of Christmas are dying out and are instead being replace with designs or jokes with little or no relevance to the true meaning, significance or message of Christmas." In fact, the article told of one card suggesting that the shepherds only saw the angel appear on the hillside because they were hallucinating from taking drugs. And another card ignores Christmas altogether by wishing the recipient a "Happy December." Indeed, Christmas cards are losing their Christmas message. But sadly, this is true of Christmas in general. It appears that Christmas is now a multi-million dollar retail industry, that is completely indulged in catering to the consumer’s wants and adding to their debt.
I am always amazed at how fast the Christmas decorations go up in the stores and malls. It appears to me that a lot of times the retail world pushes or rushes Christmas – yet, this is done purely out of selfishness and greed – to make an extra buck. But, at the same time, I thank God for the Church. Advent isn’t the Church’s invitation to "get ready for Christmas," at least not like the retail world does. Advent doesn’t encourage us to make sure that we have our Christmas shopping and cooking, decorations and preparations all done; Advent doesn’t have anything to do with Christmas lists or recipes; rather, it encourages us to spiritually prepare our hearts, our lives and our world for the coming of Christ - to welcome the realm of Christ’s coming and kingdom into our lives - to better prepare our hearts to embrace that kingdom to which Christ came to bring and to embody that kingdom. You see, Advent and Christmas involve us – this season needs our participation, because it is we – the Church who is called to embody this kingdom and to live it. Advent invites us to get ready - to prepare our hearts, in much the same way we prepare our sanctuary. Advent invites us to see what God is doing in our world and what God will do in and through us.
And so, we have gathered here this morning to hear once again the lessons that surround the decorations of Advent and Christmas that we might see Christ more fully. And as we move through this Advent season - lighting candles, singing carols, hearing the words of the prophets; hopefully, that vision of Christ will become more and more clearer and the vision of God’s kingdom will become more and more of a reality for us.
Throughout Advent, the Church invites us to read the prophet Isaiah’s words - to envision the coming of Christ and what that coming means for our own lives and our world. Although Isaiah’s original hearers could not see the glorious future of Zion, they continued to place their faith and trust in God’s promises, as they longed and hoped for that day when the Messiah would come and deliver them. But you and I have seen this glorious future, because we have been given the Light - the true and eternal Light of Christ has come and dwells in us, and we walk in that Light. Thus, Isaiah’s vision is our vision! Isaiah’s hope is our hope. Therefore, let us place our faith and trust in God’s promises. Let us allow God’s light not only to illumine our hearts, but to shine through us as well. Let us truly live as children of the Light. Let us be instruments of hope, peace, joy and love. Let us be those who stand up for justice and extend compassion and grace. For it is then that we will not only discover and experience, but others will too, the kingdom and vision of God - that same kingdom and vision that Isaiah was writing about. May we ever pray; "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Advent invites us to see what God is doing and will do in our world, and to also see how we might be a part of it all.
Many of the beautiful traditions and customs of Advent and Christmas, as we have heard this morning, come to us from as early as the 4th century, where the Church thought of unique and interesting ways to honor Christ and to reflect upon his birth, life, death and resurrection. The origin of many of these customs came to us from paganism. As often was the case, the Church, seeking to put an end to such pagan practices took many of their customs and traditions, and transformed them into rich, beautiful and meaningful symbols and practices for Christians. As in all things, so it is in Advent and Christmas, we are called to see Christ, and so may we do so as we focus on the decorations and traditions of this season.
I want to close with an illustration that I heard last night. Amber and I are big fans of Garrison Keilor’s, A Prairie Home Companion. And yesterday evening we were fortunate enough, as we were driving around town, to be able to catch some of the show. Garrison Keilor was doing his infamous; "The News from Lake Wobegon." Keilor told about a woman who had an obsession with Christmas. So much so, that long before Christmas she had her house completely decorated – inside and out, all of her Christmas baking done and packed away in the freezer, her dinning room table completely set with neat little Christmas settings, along with a beautiful Christmas centerpiece. Then, to make sure the table would not collect dust and be disturbed she saran wrapped the entire table. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, she also went ahead and made out all of her Christmas cards and even her "thank you" cards. She wrote a nice little "thank you" note on each card, addressed it, but would simply leave a blank space on each one to list the gift she was given. However, one day she left to go and mail her Christmas cards and while she was away a pack of badgers had gotten into her home and completely destroyed all of her preparations. To her, Christmas was done with! It was destroyed! Ruined! And that’s the way it is for many people – Christmas is about the tangible things, rather than the intangible.
In a sense, Advent makes innkeepers out of all of us, asking each of us to make room in our hearts and lives for Christ. And so, I want to encourage you this season, not to get caught up in all of the hustle and bustle, all of the confusion and distractions that you fail to see Christ. Rather, seek ways in which you can make room for his presence in your life. Let us, this day and throughout this season, prepare him room in our hearts, our lives, our homes and even our church that he might be born anew and afresh in us.