Micah 5:2-5(a), Luke 1:39-55

Micah 5:2-5(a)

Luke 1:39-55

“What Are You Sao Happy About?”

December 20, 2009

Advent 4

Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot…
But the Grinch, who lived just North of Who-ville, did not!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

I could continue – but I am sure most of you know that these lines begin the

classic tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”  by Theodore Geisel – also known as  Dr. Seuss. Along with “Rudlolf  The Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Frosty the Snowman”, and “The Little Drummer Boy”, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” was one of my favorite animated Christmas TV specials as a child. I’d watch it every year – and would sing along with the fact that Mr. Grinch was certainly “A mean one…” I’m sure that if I began singing about how mean Mr. Grinch was most of you would join in.  That particular song from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” has become as familiar as Silent Night or Joy To The World.

You remember the story — high above a small town where people joyfully celebrate Christmas lived a creature known as the Grinch. He couldn’t understand what all the noise and singing and feasting and giving of presents was all about. Even after he sneaked into Who-ville dressed as St. Nick and stole all the presents from the Whos, he was dumbfounded to find that they still sang and celebrated. By the end of the story the Grinch experienced a sort of conversion – but Dr. Seuss still leaves a question unanswered:

Why is everybody so happy about Christmas?

Indeed – what are we so happy about?

Has this question ever crossed your mind?

You ever find yourself surrounded by people full of holiday cheer, but you don’t feel much like celebrating?

Ever had everybody around you smiling and laughing, but you just can’t get happy?

Ever felt that everyone is so carefree while your mind is full of worry, stress and pain?

There may be times you’re on the Grinch’s side – wondering why everybody else is so happy.  Or you may have the sentiments of Ebenezer Scrooge:

“Christmas?

Bah! Humbug!”

Why is everybody so happy at Christmas?

Indeed – what are we so happy about?

I must admit at times I slip into a “funk” and get pretty stressed out this time of year.  Sally can confirm that there are times I can be as grouchy as the Grinch or as hum-buggish as old Ebenezer.

I have developed a plan to help me restore my joy when I begin feeling “Grinchish”, however.  When I catch myself feeling that way, I like to reread the story of a young girl in the Bible who had a lot of reasons to be a Grinch at Christmas. She was a member of the poorest class of her people having no political power or rights. She was young and female in a culture that treated women as little more than property. She’s was an unwed mother, which was often an automatic death sentence in her community. Her fiancée was seriously considering calling the marriage off, which would mean she would never find a husband who would have her. Christmas was coming — in fact the very first Christmas was coming – and in spite of all she had to be worried and sad about, the Bible tells us that she was so happy she sang a song.

Wow — who was this glad girl and why was she singing?

Why was she so happy?

As we look at her song this morning, my prayer is that the song of this young girl named Mary will put a song in our hearts too.

As we see what she was so happy about, maybe we can discover what we have to be so happy about.

As you see what she was so happy about, maybe you can see what you have to be happy about – at Christmas – and all the time!

So – what was Mary so happy about?
Let me suggest 4 things Mary mentions in her song that can set your heart

singing this Christmas – 4 things that can give you joy – and help you remember what you have to be so happy about.

1. 1. Mary let God make her happy.

Listen to how Mary begins her song of joy:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (vs. 46)

What makes you happy? There may be more than a million answers to that question.

Some say money can make you happy – others that they are happy but have no money.

Some say that marriage can make you happy – others that divorce can make you happy.

Some say that a new house or car or boat can make you happy – others get stressed out over how to pay for all these “new things”.

Some say that family can make you happy – others say that their families drive them crazy.

Some say that belonging to a Church will make you happy – others declare that they will never step foot into a Church again.

So — what – or who — would you say makes you happy?
Mary’s song makes it clear the reason she’s singing is because God makes

her happy.

“My soul rejoices in God my Savior”
Mary knows God personally. God — she says – is her Savior. Her relationship

with God is real and personal.

Mary feels joyful in her relationship with God. That word literally means to jump up and down for joy. Think of a child, so happy they literally leap for joy. This is how Mary describes her relationship with God. This young woman sings because God makes her happy.
Who or what could make you that happy?

Millions of people think they know the answer to this question, but I fear they are mistaken. Watch “Wheel of Fortune” or “The Price is Right” and you will see people jump for joy over a new car, or a new house or a fabulous vacation for two to Cancun Mexico. Watch sports fans and the players scream and shout when their team wins a biog game. It’s not hard to be happy when things go good.
But Mary was happy even though she didn’t have much money — she sang for joy even when it seemed she was numbered among the losers in life. She found her joy in the Lord — and it was a joy that couldn’t be shaken nor taken by anyone or anything else.

This joy is the reason Mary could sing.

This joy is available to you too.

This is the joy that does not depend on your bank account or what’s in your garage. It is a joy that flows even through tears and suffering. It is the joy Jesus Himself promises to anyone who will hear His Word and believe it .
This is what Mary was so happy about – and it’s what you can be so happy about also.

One wise man put it this way:
“Happiness of heart can no more be attained without God than light and sunshine can be had without the sun. On every side, in every part of the universe men and women are seeking happiness and cannot find it because they do not seek it from God.”

There is not much that I like to make guarantees about or that I consider “a sure bet” – but here is one thing “you can take to the bank” as they say:

unless you find your happiness in God, you will never truly be happy.

Who is this girl and why is she singing?

She is Mary, mother of Jesus who finds her happiness in God. Her song calls you to find your happiness in God, too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

Mary’s Song also describes another reason you can be happy:

1. 2. Because God has a special part for you to play in His plan.

Listen to how Mary sings about it:

“for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him”  (vs. 48-50)

Two of the most amazing discoveries you will ever make in life come when you realize:

1) God is working out His plan for this world, and

2) God has chosen a special part for you to play in accomplishing His plan.

That’s pretty amazing – isn’t it?

Mary’s song celebrates the part God has for her to play in His plan for the

world. The angel Gabriel had already told her that she will be privileged to be the mother of God’s Messiah. God gives her a very important part to play in His plan and it excites her that she can do this for Him.

In spite of the challenges and problems the part Mary plays in God’s plan may have been for her, Mary was glad to be chosen for this special part to play in God’s plan. She sees beyond her own struggle and pain to God’s power, mercy, and holiness. Mary sings for joy that God is so great that He not only notices a poor nobody like her but actually invites her to be a part of His plan to save the world.

So — Have you discovered your part to play in God’s plan?

The author John Powell writes:

I have a sign in the mirror of my room I see it every morning in my groggy condition, when I first wake up: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT GOING TODAY, GOD? I’D LIKE TO BE A PART OF IT. THANKS FOR LOVING ME.
I have to find my place in God’s plans, rather than make my own little plans and then ask God to support them: “Come on, God, give me an A in this course. Come on, God, do this for me.” Instead, I pray, “What have you got going today, God? You love this world. You loved this world into life. You created this world. We’re all yours. What’s my part in the drama? What part do you want me to play? I will play any part you say. Want me to be a success? I’ll be a success for you. Want me to be a failure? I’ll fail for you. Whatever you want.”

This is the recipe for joy and happiness:

find your part to play in God’s plan.

In spite of the mess people make out of this sad, sinful world, God is still working out His incredible, glorious plan to change the world. Just like Mary He had a part for Mary t play in that plan, He has a part for you to play in His plan —  but also like Mary, you have to say “Yes” to God’s plan in your life.

Will it cost you?

Probably.

But then anything you do that makes a real difference is costly, isn’t it?

The question is — do you just want to pass away time — or do you want your life to count for something?

Yea – who is this girl and why is she singing?

She is Mary, mother of Jesus, a woman who gladly plays her part in God’s plan. Her song calls you and I to find our part in His plan and play it, too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

But Mary’s song is not done. She goes on to sing about God’s plans to instigate a revolution

1. 3. God turns the world upside down.

Listen to Mary’s song about God’s revolution:

^51” He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.”

So many misunderstand Christmas because they misunderstand what God did when He sent His Son to earth. Jesus was not born to make us nicer people, or to somehow help us learn how to play nice with one another.

Jesus came to bring in God’s kingdom in a fallen world.

Jesus came to turn everything on its head, and show us reality is not defined by human reasoning, but by God’s standards- which are very different from our own.

Mary recognized this revolutionary way of thinking in these verses.

“He has shown strength with His arm — He has bared His arm”.

The image is God baring His muscle to use His power.

What is He doing?

He’s putting down the proud and lifting up the humble.

God pulls down and lays low those sitting on a throne of pride.

God lifts up those who humble themselves.

No matter how high the proud sit, they are headed for a tumble — no matter how low the humble stoop, they are destined for higher ground.

God turns the world of the proud and the humble upside down.
Mary is celebrating God’s power to change the status quo.

People like to think that selfishness and pride are what it takes to get to the top — but God says that is just a detour to the bottom. The real way to climb higher is to humble yourself before God.

People like to think that the self- satisfied and self-sufficient  are those who have it made in life; but God says it is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that will find real satisfaction in life.

The world says the happiest people are those who serve and satisfy themselves, but God says these are the real failures. The truly successful people in life, God says, are those who are humble enough to be used by God.

Mary celebrates the fact that God’s power can put this upside down world right-side up again. It is strange to think that the road to joy is open only if you are humble, but that’s what Mary is telling us.

Only when you step off the throne and fall at the feet of Jesus will you ever find true joy.

Only when you are starving for the Bread of Life will your soul truly find satisfaction.

Are you bowed at the feet of Jesus this morning?

Are you hungry and thirsty to know Him more?

If so, you’ll find true happiness.  If not, you won’t.

Who is this girl and why is she singing?

She’s Mary, mother of Jesus, glad that God is turning this world upside down. Her song calls you and me to let God turn our world upside down too.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy  because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

She’s so happy because she is letting God turn her life upside down.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

You can be so happy by letting God turn your life upside down.

Finally, Mary’s song celebrates the fact of God’s faithfulness
4. God always keep His promises

Listen to Mary’s words:

“He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.” (vs. 54-55)

It was the day after Christmas at a church when the pastor noticed  that the baby Jesus was missing from the manger scene set up inside the church. He hurried outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant Jesus. He walked up to the boy and asked: “Where did you get your passenger?” The little boy replied, “I got him from the church.” “And why did you take him out of the church?” the minister asked. The boy explained: “Well, a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give him a ride around the block in it.”

Kids know the importance of keeping your promises, even if we adults sometimes forget.
Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Mary believed in the God who keeps His promises. Her song proclaims that God will not forget His mercy.

God will not forget His people.

God will not forget His promise.

You know – a promise from God is a wonderful thing!

The Bible is full of God’s promises to you and me:

promises of His love,

promises of eternal, abundant life through Christ,

promises that He will never leave nor forsake you,

promises that He cares about you, no matter who you are.

Do you believe God keeps His promises?
Who is this girl, and why is she singing?

She’s Mary, mother of Jesus, a woman who testifies that God always keeps

His promises.

What is she so happy about?

She’s so happy because her happiness is in God.

She’s so happy  because she’s playing a part in God’s plan.

She’s so happy because she is letting God turn her life upside down.

Why can you be so happy?

You can be so happy in God!

You can be so happy in playing a part in God’s plan.

You can be so happy by letting God turn your life upside down.

You can be so happy by claiming God’s promises for your life.

Who are you, and what do you have to sing about this morning?

What are you so happy about?

I know you have your share of troubles and heartaches. Many of us are stressed out and anxious during the holiday. It would be so easy for you and I to live at the top of Mt Crumpet with the Grinch instead down in Who-ville with all those noisy, singing Whos.

But still there is this song, sung by this young girl who had her own plate loaded down with trouble and uncertainty, and yet she could sing.

She sang because God had made her heart happy;

She sang because she knew she had a special part to play in God’s plan.

She sang because God was turning her world upside down.

She sang because God always keeps His promises.

This Christmas, why not let God put a song in your heart?

Why not let God give you something to be truly happy about?

Why not let Jesus make you truly happy?

Why not discover your special part in God’s plan – and act on it?

Why not let God turn your life upside down?

Why not claim God’s promises for your life?

If you find your self in a “Grinchy” mood, why not remember what you have to be so happy about – and celebrate?

Indeed – discover in Jesus what you have to be so happy about!

Amen.

Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Luke 3:7-18

“Is It Good News?”

December 13, 2009

Advent 3

We finally have a joyful Old Testament lesson before us today!

Zephaniah is proclaiming a day of joy — a day of rejoicing — a day when God’s will will be prominent in the land — a day when exiles will return home — a day when those who are hurt or injured will be healed —  yes – it will be a joyful, beautiful day.

This is a beautiful dream Zephaniah gives us of what the kingdom of God will be like.

It is a day of good news.

So — why can’t we just hold tight to this good news and go on dreaming until Christmas and beyond?

Well, we again have John the Baptist to deal with this week as he stands in our way — with a more forceful message than the one he gave us last week. In the midst of this dream of good news Zephaniah gives us John startles us awake with what we may see as bad news — repentance.

Just listen to how Eugene Peterson in his translation The Message translates John’s assault on his hearers:

“Brood of snakes!

What do you think you’re doing — slithering

down here to the river?  Do you think that a little

water on your snake skins is going to deflect God’s

judgment?  It’s your life that must be changed —

not just your skin!”

You know — you could logically ask what these two lessons before us today have in common with each other.

Is it that the good news of Zephaniah becomes the bad news of John the Baptist – like a bad “I’ve go bad news and I’ve got good news” joke?

Or — is there more?

There is indeed more. Both Zephaniah and John the Baptist are addressing God’s will for the world. Zephaniah deals with it as if the dream – and the good news not yet fulfilled.  John the Baptist deals with it as if the dream – the good news – has been fulfilled.

John knows that we are on the other side of Zephaniah’s dream.  John knows that Zephaniah’s day of good news — the day of the Lord — has come. The day of rejoicing has arrived.  John knows that the will of God is now a possibility and not just a dream for us.  John knows that all this has come about because God has come into our lives and our world through Jesus Christ.

It seems to be good news.

But — is it?

Is it good news?

Christ has come into our world.

God has come to be one of us.

History has been changed forever.

The dream — the good news — of Zephaniah has become a reality.

The will of God is possible.

That is what we celebrate at Christmas.

That’s the news of Christmas.

But – is it good news?

Christ has come.

Dreams can be fulfilled.

But – is it good news?

It depends.

It depends on how you respond to the coming of Christ – and if you let the coming of Christ make a difference in your life.

It depends on if you see Christ – and respond to His coming by letting Him change you.

God has come into your world — into your life — through Christ – but is it good news?

It all depends on how your respond. How you respond to the coming of Christ will determine whether it is good news for you or not.

If you want the coming of Christ into your world to be good news for you, the first thing you have to do is recognize Christ.

Most of us don’t know a lot about Rossini’s opera “William Tell” – although I am sure that all of us would recognize it’s overture – especially the rousing finale that became the theme of The Lone Ranger radio and later television programs.  I have to confess that I was a Lone Ranger fan as a kid. Regardless of what else was happening, I wanted to be in front of the TV when lines:

“A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty “Hi-yo, Silver!”, The Lone Ranger!”

would come from the TV as the Lone Ranger galloped into view – for I knew that –         as the announcer would remind me every  show:

“Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice”

Yea – I loved watching “The Lone Ranger” – but I was always confused that almost every episode would conclude with someone asking: “Who was that masked man?” – and somebody else would say, “Why, didn’t you know? He’s the Lone Ranger!” I could never understand that here was someone whose life had been saved, whose money had been restored, whose ranch had been protected — their whole lives saved from peril  — and yet all the way to the end they didn’t have the slightest idea who it was who had saved them. Why hadn’t they ask at the beginning of the program instead of the end? They would allow him to do all this stuff for them without knowing who he was.

They let the Lone Ranger do great things for them without recognizing who he was.

It didn’t make sense to me!
Friends — how you respond to the coming of Christ will determine whether it is good news for you or not.

If you want the coming of Christ into your world to be good news for you, you have to recognize who He is!

Just as it did not make sense to me for folks to let the Lone Ranger do great things for them without recognizing who he was — it does not make sense to let Christ offer to change your life – and let Christ offer you salvation – and not recognize Him!

The news of Christmas is that God has come into your world — into your life — through Christ.

Is it good news?

It all depends on how your respond. How you respond to the coming of Christ will determine whether it is good news for you or not.

So – if the news of Christmas – the fact that God has come into your world through Jesus Christ — is going to be good news for you – you first have to recognize Christ in your life.

Then – you have to respond by repenting of your sins and letting God change you.

Like those who first heard John the Baptist, you would do well to ask:

“What must I do?”

Christ has come.

God is among us.

But — what must you do?

How must you respond?

For this to be good news for you must repent.

For this to be good news for you you must have your life changed.

For this to be good news for you you must let the good news of Christmas — the coming of Christ change your life.

John the Baptist says you must:

“Bear fruit worthy of repentance”

What are the “fruits worthy of repentance” that John is talking about?

I would suggest actions that go along the same lines as actions John the Baptist suggested to those who asked him the same question.

Actions that will show to others that God is in your world and into your life.

Actions that will show to others that your life will never have to be the same again because Christ is in your life — and their lives can never have to be the same, either.

Actions that will let others know that Christ has come — and that it is good news — for you – and for them.

The good news of Christmas is that the coming of Christ can change how you live — now! The repentance John the Baptist preached about can be a complete change of life  – because Christ has come.

Specific actions must given up – and specific actions must be done — in response to the good news of Christmas. Only when you see that your actions are a direct response to God is Jesus’ coming going to be “good news” for you.

The Danish theologian Kierkegaard tells the story of a rich King — who — at a very high price – bought a faultless team of horses.    The horses were the best in the land.  But — the horses were allowed to slip out of  training. After a year or two they were weak, dull, quirky, and full of bad habits.  At last the king asked the Royal Coachman to come in and see what he could do with them. After a month, no other team in the land carried their head  so proudly — no other team could keep up with them as they ran thirty miles at a stretch.

“How did this happen?” the king demanded.

It was easy enough to explain.

The king had driven the horses according to the horses standard of how they should be driven. The Royal Coachman drove them according to his standards.

Friends — Christ has come!

That’s the good news of Christmas!

But – you must let God drive you according to His standards.

You must let God change you.

When you do that, Christ’s coming will indeed be good news for you.

You have to have specific, visible, measurable actions that show how your life has  been changed by Christ.

What are these specific, visible, measurable actions that can show how your life has been changed by Christ?

The specific actions are going to be different for each of us — just as they were different for each group that John the Baptist  addressed — but – there are some general guidelines you can follow in changing your life as a response to the good news that Christ has come into your life –

your new actions must be actions of love —

your new actions must be actions of compassion —

your new actions must be actions that show an increased love for God and for those around you

your new actions must be actions that show others that you recognize that Christ is in your world and in your life.

The good news of Christmas is that God has come into our world through Christ.

Is it good news for you?

It is only good news if you recognize that Christ has come – and let the His coming into make a difference in how you live.

Actions such as increased sense of sense of responsibility to be actively involved in the worship, fellowship, and outreach of the church can fit into the category of actions that “bear fruit worthy of repentance” that John speaks of. So can actions such as an increased interest in what the Church is doing in the community — and getting involved in that – or actions such as looking for specific ways to share God’s love with the world –  sharing what God has blessed you with to help others.

John suggested specific actions  to his listeners to show that they recognized that God has had come into their lives through Christ and that they were more oriented towards God –  that they were now being “driven” by God. These were actions that showed that their lives — and not just their skins — had been changed by God.

The only way for the good news of Christmas – the good news that Christ has come into your life and changed you – to be good news for you is for you to recognize Christ –  and let Christ change your life in specific ways.

Friends, Christ has come.

Recognize Him.

Look for specific ways to let Him change your life.

Look for ways to let the coming of Christ indeed be “good news” for you.

Look for ways for you to be “driven” according to God’s standards!

A woman was rushing through a department store loaded with wrapped Christmas presents when she hurredly turned a corner and ran into a man coming from the next aisle.   Her packages flew everywhere.  As the man helped her pick up her packages — she exclaimed:

“I hate Christmas! It always has a way of turning things upside down!”

You know — that’s just what you need!

You need to have your life turned upside down by Christmas.

You need to have our priorities changed.

You need to truly have your life changed by the coming of Christ.

The good news of Christmas – the good news that Christ has come into the world and changes those who come to Him — is indeed good news — it is indeed joyous news – and  – it indeed gives us a new way to live.

Recognize Christ!

Let Christ change you!

It would indeed be tragic if your response to the good news of Christmas was:

“who is that masked man?”

and you not let Him change your life.

Let the good news that Christ has come change your life!

Christ has come to fulfiill the dream of Zephaniah — and to lead you into new ways to live.

Christ has come to change your life — and not just our skins!

Christ has come to re-orient you to God.

Christ has come to show you God’s standard — and drive you according to God’s standards.

Christ has come to turn your life upside down!

Let the coming of Christ that we celebrate this Christmas lead you to see the good news of the coming of Christ – recognize Christ in your life — and lead you to live a life that is completely changed by God. Then it will truly be good news! Amen.

Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6

Malachi 3:1-4

Luke 3:1-6

“Christmas Greetings!”

Advent  2

December 6, 2009

Christmas is coming!

The goose is getting fat – and for that matter — so am I!

We are all busy – we all have a lot to do and not much time to do it in.      Believe it or not – by this time in 3 weeks Christmas will have come and gone. This may sound like good news to some of you – but some of you may get a sense of panic over all the things you need to do in 3 weeks!

But — in the midst of all the busy-ness of the season — some folks have already taken the time to send Christmas cards.

Oops!

Did I just say a bad word – like adding one more thing to your “to do list”?

Sorry!

But I do love Christmas cards.

I love reading them – looking at them – remembering friends and times together.

Many have very good greetings – like:

Peace On Earth

or

Good Will

or

Rejoice

or even:

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

or

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Some of the greetings on the cards are sentimental – others are as sugar coated as the cakes and sweets I tend to turn to this time of year –

but some are very thought provoking.

And what about the greetings we give – not on cards – but in person?

When we walk up to a friend this time of year or when we greet someone at a party we might say something like:

Merry Christmas!

It seems that’s the greeting that “greeters” at stores are giving us also.

But — I wonder – I wonder if the Prophet Malachi were alive today – and were the type of person who would send out Christmas cards – what greeting and sentiment would his cards express?

Well, probably not:

Peace On Earth

or

Good Will —

and probably not a serene manger scene with Mary, Joseph, the baby and maybe some animals or shepherds and a star.

And if you met him at a party he would probably not say:

Merry Christmas!

But his cards – and his greetings — would probably be more like

Who Can Stand His Coming?

or

Refiners Fire! Fullers Soap!

or

Present An Offering Of Righteousness!

Come to think of it, unless he made his cards himself — he may have a problem finding the right card to communicate his Christmas greeting – and his verbal greeting would definitely be different from most!

Or – what about John the Baptist?

No sweet Christmas cards or verbal greetings from him, either!

His would be more like:

Prepare The Way!

or

Fill The Valleys!

or

Level The Mountains!

or

Make The Crooked Straight!

Like Malachi – he may have problems finding just the right card to communicate his Christmas greeting – and his verbal greeting might be very different from most.

I’m not sure Hallmark or American Greetings make cards to communicate Malachi’s or John The Baptist’s Christmas greetings.

The greetings on the Christmas cards we send and receive are nice – and so are the words we use to greet each others – but – what difference do they really make?

What difference do the greetings

Peace On Earth

Good Will

Rejoice

or even

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

or

Wise Men Still See Him

or Merry Christmas

really make?

Have the typical Christmas cards – even the most thought provoking and the least sentimental – gotten to where they don’t really make a difference?

Has the typical greeting:

Merry Christmas

become just a phrase that we throw out because we feel it’s what we should say?

Do the cards – and their messages — just become more trash for our trash cans or – if we are environmentally conscious – our recycle bends?

Are they – and their messages – just more stuff for the landfill – regardless of how they make it there – or the fireplace?

Is the expression:

Merry Christmas

a meaningful statement – or just is it just words for us?

What real differences do the Christmas greetings we send really make to others?

What differences do the Christmas greetings we receive really make to us?

I wonder.

Maybe we need to turn back to those greetings we will probably never find on Christmas cards or heard at Christmas gatherings — but that may have a greater impact upon us and make a bigger difference to us than the ones we are accustomed to.

Maybe the greetings of Malachi and John the Baptist just might make a real difference to us – and maybe to others – if we will just take the time to look at them and listen to them.

Take Malachi for example.

Malachi knew what it was like to see folks pre-occupied with outer appearance — but not caring about a life-changing faith in God.

He knew what it was like to see people rushing around acting  holy and pious – acting like they were busily preparing for the coming of God – but really not doing anything but acting.

He knew what would happen if God suddenly appeared to them.

Not a reward – but a cleansing of their sins that Malachi likened to a burning fire or scrubbing with the strongest of soap.

You see — the Jews in the community Malachi addressed were a proud bunch of people. They had returned from captivity in Babylon. They had re-built the temple. They had re-instituted worship. They were proud.

So – do you think Malachi’s words to them were very popular?

No – not popular at all – to say the least — but — Malachi knew that their worship was superficial.  He knew they didn’t let their faith make a difference in how they lived. He knew how they lived. He knew how they neglected and mistreated the poor and needy.  He knew how the things of God didn’t really mean anything to them. He knew how God’s will for justice and righteousness meant little to them. He knew that their pride was a very false pride.

And he knew God was going to change all that. God was going to take them and cleanse them — and the process would not be an easy one.

The people prayed for God to come into their midst – but Malachi warned:

Watch out what you pray for – you just might get it.

If God were to come into their midst – Malachi warned – they would not be able to stand the cleansing power of God!

When God came to set their hearts right — could they stand it? Malachi asked.

They needed to be prepared. They needed to be changed people before God came.

That is never an easy greeting to hear.

But — you know that’s John’s message — also.

John knew that the time Malachi spoke about had come — and John knew the people had to be prepared.

Not just outwardly — but in their hearts and in their minds. He knew the people had to repent. They did not just need to be sorry for not going in God’s ways — they did not just need to be sorry the world was not a place of God’s love and justice.  John knew that people had to repent. They had to change their ways.

Eugene Peterson in his translation The Message doesn’t translate the Greek to say that John’s baptism was one of repentance as do most translations — he translates it to read that

John’s baptism was a baptism of life-change.

A baptism of life-change.

The Lord is coming — he said.

The Lord is here — he said.

Change your life – he said.

John knew that the coming of Christ had to change people’s lives!

Malachi and John.

Folks with Christmas greetings that were unusual to say the least – but Christmas Greetings that may make a greater difference than any other we may send.

Christmas greetings that make a difference.

Christmas greetings that make a difference a real difference.

Greetings of cleansing.

Greetings of repentance.

Greetings of righteousness.

Greetings of change.

Greetings of God.

You see — their greetings were – and still are – God’s greetings.

On this Second Sunday in Advent, 2009 – the greetings of Malachi and John are God’s greetings to us.

Greetings of cleansing.

Greetings of repentance.

Greetings of righteousness.

Greeting of change.

Greetings of God.

No — not the sweet or sentimental type of Christmas greetings we might send in cards or say in words — but greetings that can really change our lives – and the lives of others.

Not the sweet or sentimental type of Christmas greetings you might send in cards or say in words — but greetings that can really change your life – and the lives of those around you.

Advent is the time in the Christian year for us to take a closer look at our lives and see what we must do to be truly ready to welcome Christ into our lives –­  and look at the whole idea of a real change in our lives – a cleansing – a change of attitudes – a change of actions – a change of heart – that whole attitude of repentance and turning back to God.

This is so vital – so important.

Friends – the greetings Malachi and John – greetings of cleansing —  repentance – righteousness – and change are truly the Christmas greetings that can make a difference in our lives and our community.

The greetings Malachi and John – greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change are truly the Christmas greetings that can make a difference in your life and the lives of others around you.

So – the question is – how do you respond to the Christmas greetings of Malachi and John?

Do they make a difference in your life?

Do you let the greetings of greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change sink in?

Do you let your life be cleansed by God?

Have you really listened to these greetings God is giving you?

If you have, and let them make a difference in your life, then your life will be changed. You will be a different person. You will be God’s person. If you haven’t, then – like Malachi warned – you will not be able to stand it when God comes!

Have you really listened to these greeting God is giving you?

Have you let these greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change make a difference in your life?

What would your life look like if you let these greetings make a difference – and let them change you?

If you remember a few weeks ago when we were looking at how you might live if you truly made Christ the King of your life, I said that a look at Matthew 5 – 7 – what we call The Sermon On The Mount – as a short “primer” on how to live the Christian life.  Looking at The Sermon On The Mount can give you an idea of what your life might look like if were to really listen to God’s greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change – and let these greeting change your life.

If you respond to God’s greeting of cleansing – - repentance – righteousness and change — your sexual behavior will be in control — you will be honest in your business dealings and all your dealings with others — you will go above and beyond the call of duty in response to appeals for help — you will care for the welfare of, not only your neighbor, but your enemy as well – you will be religious, but not showy about it – possessions will have their rightful place in your life and will not the be-all and end-all of existence — you will not be judgmental but will use good judgment — you will trust God to meet your needs.

If you respond to God’s greeting of cleansing – - repentance – righteousness and change then the way you live will change – and even the way you celebrate the season of Christmas will change. Instead of trying to do “as little as possible” or “take the easy way out” when it comes to getting involved in the community and the Church, you will look for ways to truly get involved and truly celebrate what Christ means to you. Instead of looking for ways to “cut back your involvement” you will look for more ways to get involved and celebrate the joy of serving Christ!

You truly will not want to be like the folks Malachi gave God’s greetings to – folks who acted pious and religious but were really self centered – and who Malachi warned would not be able to stand the coming of God!

Have you really listened to these greeting God is giving you?

Have you let these greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change make a difference in your life?

If so, you will be the person God is calling you to be – celebrating His coming in all you say and do.  If not, as Malachi warns – you will not be able to stand the day of the coming of the Lord – it will be unbearable for you.
The Christmas greetings of Malachi and John are indeed the greetings that will make a real difference.

But – if you really listen to these greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change – and let them make a difference in your life – you’ll want to take the next step and share the greetings of Malachi and John with others. Instead of just greeting folks with a half hearted “Merry Christmas” you might want to tell them what Christmas is all about for you – and what it can be for them. Instead of making “small talk” at parties and gatherings and at work, you might want to make “big talk” – talking to folks about how Christ has changed your life – and can change theirs.

Sally’s sister Sydney is a member of Chapin United Methodist in Columbia.  She shared with Sally the other day that her minster – Jody Flowers – told in his sermon last Sunday about how he missed opportunities at his family’s Thanksgiving gathering this year to share the news of salvation with members of his extended family he felt needed to hear it. He said that his family’s Thanksgiving celebration was a wonderful time with a lot of family and relatives around – and like most families do they talked about what had happened in their lives since they had seen each other the last times or shared fond memories – but Jody said he kicked himself later for not sharing his faith in Christ. He then shared with the congregation that he was going to write some of the ones he wished he had shared his faith with.

The point is – how many times are we around others who need to hear the greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change – and we just engage in “small talk” instead of the “big talk” they need to hear?

Let’s be people who – like Malachi and John – let the greetings of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change – really impact our lives – then share it with others.

Instead of the “same old” sentimental Christmas greetings – let’s hear – take to heart – and spread God’s greeting of cleansing — repentance – righteousness – and change.

Let’s let this be the Christmas greeting we share with others in what we say and in what we do.

Amen