Isaiah 63:7-9

Isaiah 63:7-9

God Has Blessed Us

The First Sunday After Christmas

December 30, 2007

            For most of us, our celebrations of Christmas are over. 

            Maybe you’ve already taken down your Christmas Tree – or your decorations – or exchanged presents that did not fit or that you found something else you liked better. 

            You may have polished off your last leftover from your Christmas meals – which may explain why you’re needing to exchange some of the gifts you got for Christmas for larger sizes.

            In the Church we are still celebrating the Season of Christmas – the Chrismon tree is still up and the beautiful decorations still in place – some of the poinsettias still here.  The only thing we are missing is the Advent Candle – which has been taken down because we have moved from Advent to Christmas.  We’ll be in the Season of Christmas for a few weeks – until the Day of Epiphany — January 6 – although I can’t promise the tree and decorations will stay in place until then.  

            So – in the Church we are celebrating the Season of Christmas – but in the world outside the Church we are getting ready for New Year’s. 

Some of you may be making plans for New Years Eve – maybe getting together with friends – maybe watching Clemson play Auburn in the Chick Fill A  Bowl in Atlanta or watching the ball drop at Midnight.

Whatever your plans may be, the fact remains that in 2 more days we will start a new year – when we gather next Sunday it will no longer be 2007 but will be 2008.

It will be a new year – a year filled with new possibilities – new potential – – new opportunities. 

            Some of you may plan to make New Years Resolutions – promises to yourself and possibly to others to improve some area of your life.

 Maybe some of you will make a resolution to lose weight. That seems to be one of mine every year.

Maybe some of you will make a resolution to exercise more.  That’s another one I make every year.

Maybe some of you will make a resolution to spend more time with your loved ones.

Maybe – just maybe – perhaps – some of you will make a resolution to spend more time with God or in serving others.

 Maybe. 

Perhaps.

Some of you may do really well with your resolutions.

Some of you may struggle.

And some of you may not make any resolutions at all.

One year I was with some friends on December 31 — when we met another friend.  The one we met turned to one of the others I was with and said:

“Well – you’re probably misbehaving today so you can get it all out of your system – because I’m sure your New Years Resolution will be to behave next year.”  

We all laughed. 

And my friend just shook his head and said “no comment” – knowing better than to make such a resolution.

But – whether you will make New Years Resolutions or not – whether you will keep them or not – it can not be denied that beginning the day after tomorrow  it will be a new year – and it indeed can be – if we will let it be – a time for new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities.

But we have to let it be that for us.

We have to let ourselves take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities that may be before us in  the new year  – or the new year will not be any different than any other.

When I was young I used to want to stay up until midnight on New Years Eve and “see the New Year in”.  When I was about six – I don’t know why that became the magic number except for maybe Mom and Dad couldn’t take my begging any more — my parents decided they would let me stay up. 

I was excited! 

I was ready to stay up to “see the New Year in” – but around 10:30 my tiredness caught up with my excitement. 

I decided I would lie down for awhile – but slept through the whole thing.

 On the morning of January 1 awoke – disappointed that I had missed the New Year coming in – but raced outside to see how the new year looked.  

 I think I expected things to look different. 

A New Year had come in. 

Surely things would look different.

But – guess what.

Things did not look different.

Things looked the same.

Dissapointed again – I went back inside – and told my parents that I did not know what the big deal was – everything looked the same to me.

Is that how the new year will be for us – just the same?

Or – will we see and take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities that lie before us?

The new year can new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities – we can do things in a new way.

Or – it can be “business as usual” – same thing as always – just the same.

It’s up to us.

It’s up to us to make the new  year – with the new opportunities that lay before us – what we will make of them.

            One way we can make it a new year – with new possibilities and new potential – one way we can do things in a new way – is by celebrating.

            That’s right – celebrating.

            I don’t mean celebrating with champagne or parties or lots of food – although these things in moderation are not bad things – but I’m referring to celebrating what God has done for us in the past – and celebrating what we know God will do for us in the future.

            We need to celebrate how God has blessed us – and how we know God will continue to bless us.

            Listen to God’s word from Isaiah 63:7-9 – as we look at how the Israelites celebrated what God had done for them and what God was going to continue to do for them.

            Read Scripture

            In the ancient calendar used by the Romans, from which our calendar was created, the name of each month had a meaning. One month in the ancient Roman calendar that had an especially descriptive name was January. Historians believe that the name January is derived from the name Janus, a common household god among the Romans that was often depicted facing in two directions. Basically, Janus was looking forward and backward.

As get ready to enter the month of January in 2 days — and more importantly a new year — we might naturally look back over where we have been and where we are going. As worship God today we might want to look at that has past and the year that lies ahead – but not to just recount what has happened – but to remember and celebrate what God has done for us – and to remember that God will continue to bless us.

God has blessed us.

God has blessed us.

I think there are 2 ways we can consider and celebrate the fact that God has blessed us and will continue to bless us.

First – we need to look back.

We need to look back at what God has done for us – but not just to remember what God has done – we need to look back with appreciation at all God has blessed us with – all the ways God has blessed us.

God has blessed us.

First – we need to look back with appreciation.

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation.

Our text for today – from Isaiah 63:7-9 — comes close to the end of Isaiah’s prophecy. Isaiah had described the changes the Messiah—the promised Savior, would bring to God’s people in the chapters before our text. Here he went on to describe the effect His preaching would have on those in Israel who were faithful to God. He introduces the final section of his prophecy by using the prayer of someone who recognizes all that the Lord has done for his people.

Let me read that prayer again:

7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us—
yes, the many good things he has done
for the house of Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

8 He said, “Surely they are my people,
sons who will not be false to me”;
and so he became their Savior.

 9 In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.

To this prayer we would all say, “Amen.”

This prayer reminds us that the Lord has been kind to us – that God has blessed us. It reminds us to tell of God’s kindnesses and deeds for which he is to be praised. This prayer from Isaiah’s prophecy reminds us to look back in appreciation of God’s grace that is shown to us.

It reminds us to:

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation.

You know – we really don’t have to look very far back into our pasts to be reminded of how God has blessed us – and see the things we need to appreciate that God has done in out lives. Just looking back one week and our celebration of Christmas we were reminded once again God came into our world through Jesus Christ – was born – lived the same life we do but without sin – died for our sins – – then rose again for our salvation. That is the clearest and most complete reminder of God’s kindness and love for us – the greatest blessing God has given us that we need to show God appreciation for. We rejoice that we have had the privilege to once again celebrate His birthday and speak about His great love for us. 

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation.

But obviously our spiritual blessings are not confined to Christmas. Every Sunday we gather to worship God we are blessed.  Some Sundays we follow Jesus to the cross, other Sundays we shout, “He is risen!” We listen to the words and works of our Savior God as we hear God’s word read and proclaimed.  When we gather for Bible Study or Sunday School we find healing and hope. When we gather together for fellowship times we feel God’s love expressed to us through others, and when we reach out to others with God’s love we feel His love for us all over again. On those Sundays and other times of worship when we come around God’s table and celebrate the Sacrament of Communion we hear and share with each other and with others that we are the forgiven children of God as we receive the body and blood of Christ in the Sacrament. 

We need to be reminded to:

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation.

The person praying the prayer we have here in Isaiah 63 acknowledges that the Lord had done many good things for his people. The Lord had brought his people out of slavery in Egypt. He gave them a land flowing with milk and honey. He defeated their enemies. Through mighty miracles He had protected His people and prospered them. He blessed their crops and their other sources of income. He did all these things because of his compassion and love. They were God’s people and they enjoyed all the benefits of being God’s people.

Isaiah reminds the people of Israel to:

 Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation.

This reminder of what God has done for His people of old reminds us of what God does for His people today.

He still does great things for us.

Who of us can’t tell of the kindnesses of the Lord – the way God has blessed us? Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation.

Take a moment to look back in appreciation at all that the Lord has done for you this past year.

Who of us can’t tell of the deeds for which God is to be praised?

Our Lord has given us shelter, food, and clothing this past year.

We have enjoyed the blessings of family and friends.

We have enjoyed God’s creation for another year.

The Lord has provided us with blessings beyond belief, way more than we can use or deserve.

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Personally – I am amazed when I look at all of God’s blessings to me.

From a wife who loves me and forgives my many mistakes to a family who loves me to a Church family that I serve filled with folks who love and forgive my many mistakes to the honor and privilege God blesses me with to share God’s love with each of you – God has indeed blessed me in amazing ways.

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

How about you?

What are some things God has blessed you with?

Isaiah calls upon us to

 Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Looking back with appreciation at what God has blessed us with can help us make the coming year a year a year filled with new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities.

Now – some might say that not that has happened in their lives have been   all that good. Someone might say, “I have troubles and problems.” Maybe they have  lost their job. Maybe they have been sick. Maybe they have faced financial problems and other troubles.

Yes, we face the temptation to feel that way and have those kinds of thoughts.              But when Isaiah recorded this prayer he could have said something similar to that. He and others faced persecution. Their country was under the threat of foreign invasion. Outwardly speaking things were very bad and seemed very uncertain. Yet, Isaiah knew that no matter how bad things looked God was with him and his people. Isaiah knew that he could only see things from a human perspective. If he could look at things from God’s perspective he would know that God was concerned about him and doing everything for his eternal good.

Because of God’s grace all of us can look back at our lives with appreciation. No matter what has happened the Lord has been good to us.

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

When a baby giraffe is born its mother does something that we might consider cruel. The mother gives her offspring a good kick. When it doesn’t get up the mother gives it another kick. This process is repeated again and again until the baby giraffe slowly stands up. Then the mother knocks the baby giraffe down again so it remembers how it got up. Why does the mother do this? The baby giraffe has to be able to walk very quickly after birth. There are lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild dogs that enjoy baby giraffes. If the mother didn’t do what looks like a cruel thing the baby would never survive. The Lord does a similar thing to us through trials and troubles. He knocks us down to teach us how to get up. He teaches us where to go for help. He teaches us how to be strong and face the attacks of the devil and this word. Our struggles can make us stronger Christians. They can teach us to   rely on God more fully. You know — we can even look back on the bad things of in our lives with appreciation. God has been with us. God has carried us and protected us.

Look back with appreciation at what God has done for us. 

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

One way to make the coming year a year a year filled with new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities and not just “the same old thing” is to look back with appreciation at what God has done for us in the past.

 God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

But – like the Roman god Janus – we also have to look forward.

We have to look forward with anticipation for how God will bless us this year and on into the future.

  We have to look back with appreciation.

We have to look forward with anticipation.

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Look forward with anticipation.

Part of our New Year’s celebrations usually involves looking ahead.

We make resolutions. We make plans. We look forward to another year of God’s grace.

           That gives us a great advantage over many who will celebrate New Year’s.      We go forward with God’s grace. We can look ahead to 2008 – and on into the future — with anticipation.
              Of all the things you might look forward to with anticipation in 2008, God’s mercy and grace are 2 of the greatest things you can look forward to and anticipate.  We know that we will fail many times. We know that we will fall short of God’s perfect and holy will. But we also know that our Lord’s mercy is new every day. We know that our God will forgive us for our sins and shortcomings. No matter how badly we stumble next year or the next or on into the future, our God will have mercy on us. We will blow it many times in the future, but God will forgive us. We can look ahead with anticipation of God’s grace and forgiveness.

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Look forward with anticipation.

We can also look ahead to 2008 with anticipation because we will have the blessing of God’s Word for another 52 Sundays.

Once again we will find hope and comfort in the Word.

For another year we will be built up in our faith and find guidance for our life. We will grow in love for one another as we fellowship together for another year – and grow in our love for others as we reach out to them with the love of God.

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Look forward with anticipation

Some may choose to look into the future with fear and trepidation.

What will the new year hold?

Will the economy be good or bad?

Will I be blessed with health or have sickness?

Friends —  the fact remains that – although we will have our share of hardships in the future – we can be confident that the no matter what happens God will be with us and care for us. He promises to provide all that we need. We may experience setbacks but the Lord will only do what is best for us.
           What if some disaster strikes?

Again we hear the words from verse 9 of our text:

In all their distress he too was distressed,
     and the angel of his presence saved them.
      In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
       he lifted them up and carried them
      all the days of old.

In any distress that might come our way in 2008 or on into the future, God will be with us. He will rescue us and carry us through even the worst of times.

 God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Look forward with anticipation
             So — how does our knowledge of God’s grace and goodness in our lives in the past affect the way we look at and live into the future?

How do we look ahead into the future with anticipation?  

As we look forward to the new year with anticipation we recognize that it will only be by God’s grace and only according to God’s will that we have made it as far as we have – and only by God’s grace and only by God’s will that we can make it in the future.

God has blessed us.

Look back with appreciation

Look forward with anticipation

In the good times and in the bad times God is with us.

That thought – that ideal – that God has blessed us and will continue to bless us – can give us joy for the past and commitment for the future. 

That thought – that ideal — that God has blessed us and will continue to bless us is what can give us hope for the future – and what can help us make 2008 a year filled with new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities and not just “the same old thing”. 

Yes –

 God has blessed us.

We can look back with appreciation

We can look forward with anticipation

Amen

Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2:1-20

God Has Come – Open Your Hearts And Receive Him

December 23, 2007

Part 4 of 2007 Advent series – God comes: Open your eyes to see Him, your ears to hear Him, your mouth to proclaim it, and your heart to receive Him!

 

We are almost all the of the way through the Season of Advent! 

            The Sanctuary is still beautifully decorated – the Chrismon tree is still up and the Chrismons are still in place – the garland —  the wreaths – and the poinsettias are beautifully placed around the sanctuary – and now four  of the candles on the Advent Wreath has been lit.

            Yes – we are almost all of the way through the Season of Advent!

            Almost all of the way through Advent – and that can only mean one thing –

Christmas is coming!

            Christmas is coming!

            Of course, all you have to do is look around you and you’ll know that Christmas is near. The beautiful Church decorations – the burning Advent candles —  the parties we are having parties and making plans for — the fact that the Joy Gift program was last Sunday night — the fact that we have reached out to those in the community in need for Christmas – the fact the young people gathered to practice for the Christmas Eve service yesterday — and all of the other activities that are taking place lets you know that Christmas is coming!

            And — in the world outside the church you can also tell that Christmas is coming! Newspapers are stuffed with flyers from stores advertising special sales – stores are decorated for Christmas – the sound of Christmas music can be heard in the stores – stores are full of shoppers – and the lights downtown on the Christmas tree and around the mall are shining brightly .  Television stations are showing Christmas specials – many that are heartwarming stories of love and laughter.

Yes – Christmas is coming! 

            When you add in everything else December brings – decorating, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings, etc., etc. etc., — well – there is very little doubt that Christmas is indeed coming!

            Christmas is coming!

            It’s 2 days away!

            These words can make children’s eyes get big with anticipation and excitement – and adults eyes get big with fear over all they have to do and not much time to do it in!

            Christmas is coming!

            But – wait – it’s not Christmas yet.

            Christmas is coming – but it is not here!

            Christmas is still 2 days away – and while this is the last Sunday in Advent it is still the Season of Advent!

Advent is a season we overlook so many times as we rush to Christmas.

            Advent is not promoted by the world outside the church – the world that rushes to Christmas before Halloween is over – and so many times it is overlooked by churches also. But – even though it is overlooked many times – it is an important season for us.

Advent is a time for waiting for the coming of Christ – preparing our hearts and minds for Christ to come into our lives and change us.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to realize that Christ is with us – that God has come into our lives and our world – has changed us – and can change our world.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to see that God is active in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to hear God’s activity in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to proclaim the activity of God in our lives and in our world – and an opportunity to open our hearts and let God come again into our lives and change us.

Advent can be a time for:

Open eyes to see God

Open ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

and Open hearts to accept God

We’re looking at these aspects of the Season of Advent as we go through this Season this month. 

God has come!

            Open your eyes to see God

            Open your ears to hear God

            Open mouths to tell about God

            Open your hearts to accept God

            3 weeks ago we looked at Mark 13:32-37 and discovered that we need to be vigilant – keeping our eyes open to see that God is at work in our world.

            2 weeks ago we looked at Mark 1:1-8 and saw how we need to hear the good news that God has come into our world.

            Last week we looked at Luke 1:26-56 – and learned how we can open our mouths and proclaim the great things God has done for us.

            Today we are going to look at the birth of Christ as Luke records it in Luke 2:1-20 – and see how we need to open our hearts and let Christ enter our lives and make a difference to us.

            Listen to God’s word in Luke 2:1-20 

            Read Scripture

Merry Christmas!

We exchange that greeting quite often this time of year – and in 2 days we can wish a Merry Christmas to everyone we see on Christmas day itself! 

            Merry Christmas!

            What do those words mean to you?

            What does Christmas mean to you?

            Well, for some Christmas might mean Santa – what Santa is going to bring – toys and candy and all the things a child can imagine. That vision of Christmas can excite us.

            What does Christmas mean to you?

            For others Christmas might mean shopping – getting gifts to give — trying to pick out a “perfect gift” for a friend or loved one.  That vision of Christmas can really tire us.

What does Christmas mean to you?

For others it might mean family gatherings and good times together.  This vision of Christmas is – for the most part – one that warms our hearts.

            For many people Christmas might mean decorations – houses with bright lights and decorated trees – and these days even decorated yards complete with lights shaped into statues of deer of larger than life inflatable Santas or snowmen.

            What does Christmas mean to you?

            I suspect Christmas means a combination of things to you.

I know it does for me.

            I can remember Christmases when I was growing up.

            Being the youngest I kept the excitement and wonder of Christmas longer than my older – and wiser — sisters. I lived in Rock Hill, and my family would always go to Charlotte to see “The Singing Christmas Tree” at Ovens Auditorium – a wonderful program that featured a choir singing from a Christmas Tree shaped platform – much as what they have at Florence Baptist Temple.  We would then go out to eat – and maybe go to see the lights – not to mention the sights of sounds – of downtown Charlotte – complete with store windows at Belk’s and Ivey’s department stores decorated with animated Santas, elves, and the like. This was in the late 1950’s and early to mid 1960’s when downtown Charlotte was still the major shopping area and no one knew what a Mall was!

            I was always enthralled with downtown Charlotte at Christmas.

            About a week before Christmas I would get a phone call from Santa.  That would be a highlight of the season for me. 

            On Christmas Eve we would go to Church – then come home and get ready for bed.  We would put out cookies and cokes for Santa and each of the reindeer – including, of course, Rudolph.

            It would seem like the longest night of the year – until finally Christmas day would dawn – and my sisters and I would bound into the Living Room to see what Santa had left us.  For me it would usually be a cowboy hat and pistol – or an electric train – or an electric football game – or a ball. 

One year – I was probably around 2 or 3 — I got a wooden Rocking Horse on springs that I rode for hours every day – wearing out countless sets of springs. It got to where the man at our local Hardware store would point to the rack where the big springs were every time Mom entered the store!   I named the Rocking Horse “Book A By” – and whenever Mom and Dad would go anywhere and leave me with a baby sitter they’d have to explain to them that “Book A By” was my horse, “muck a much” was what I called water – or really anything liquid – and other words I would use that may not be easily translated by anyone not versed in the language I spoke as a young child. For instance, if I said “Book A By ka muck a muck” that meant my horse wanted water!

         I also remember as a teenager the year I got my first “real” drum set – a chrome Ludwig snare drum with a pearl Ludwig bass drum – 2 matching mounted tom toms – a matching floor tom tom – 1 small and 1 larger standing Zildzen cymbals and a high hat set of 2 cymbals. If you know anything about drums and drum equipment in the mid to late 1960’s you’ll recognize those names! I’m not  sure Mom and Dad ever forgave Santa for that – for drumming became a passion of mine that grew more and more expensive with each new drum or cymbal – and also because louder and louder. I really don’t see how my parents tolerated it!

            Well — by late afternoon when the house was a wreck and everyone exhausted – it would be time to go to my Grandmother’s house for the “family gathering” – complete with cousins and other folks you didn’t know.

            So – my memories of Christmas are a combination of sights – sounds – and emotions.

            Yours probably are, too.

            But – what does Christmas mean to you?

            Increasingly – for me – Christmas has come to mean a celebration of God’s love – and the wonderful fact that God has come into our world through Christ – and continues to come into our world. 

            Christmas is a celebration of love.

            A celebration of God’s love – a love so great that God did not let us die in sin but provided salvation for us through Jesus Christ – this baby in the manger who became an adult on the cross – and who died for our sins and yet rose again so we can have everlasting life.

            Christmas is a celebration of God’s coming into our lives through Jesus Christ.

            Irenaeus – a Christian leader from the first century – put it this way:

            “The Son of God became a son of man – so that the sons of men could become sons of God”

            Did you catch that?

            “The Son of God became a son of man – so that the sons of men could become sons of God”

            What a beautiful – wonderful thought that is.  The thought that God would become like us – so we can become like Him.  

            I believe that the coming of God into our world through Christ tells us a lot about God.

            It tells us that God does not let us die in our sins without the opportunity for salvation.

It tells us that God does not leave us in our suffering and sorrow of this life. 

It tells us that God does not abandon us in the hardest and harshest times of our lives.   

            It tells us that — in the hardest and harshest times – God comes.

            It tells us that God comes with hope and with new possibilities.

            The good news the angels brought to the shepherds on that first Christmas night was the news that their lives as the poorest of the poor in a country occupied by the Roman army could be different.  God had come – Christ had been born – and all things could be different.

            The good news God brings to us today is that – even in the midst of the tragedies of our lives – the times when things seem to be the lowest they can be – times of war and violence – times of economic distress and joblessness – times when children go hungry while adults do what they want – times when poverty is rampant —  times when despair and depression want to grab us and not let us go – even in all these times and despite all these things – God has come – Christ has been born – things can be different.

            The news of Christmas is good news – Christ has been born – God has come!

            Christmas means that God has come!

Christmas means that we can see God in the world and in our lives – hear God’s presence in our world and in our lives – tell everyone we know that God is active in our world and in our lives – and open our hearts to receive God – so that in our world and in our lives can really make a difference in our world and in our lives.   

            God has come!

            God has come!

            Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

            In the midst of our lives – God has come – and God continues to come and to work in our lives and in our world for His will for salvation and love and justice and healing. 

            Sometimes we have to stop from the hustle and bustle of our lives and really reflect on the glorious fact that God has come.

            In 1973 my Dad and I went on a trip with some other members of my Church to Israel.  Early one morning our tour bus left Jerusalem early.  I was a cloudy November day but our spirits were high – we were going to Bethlehem – the town of Jesus’ birth.  As we rode through the hills of Judea that surrounded Bethlehem we were filled with excitement and anticipation.  As we made a steep turn, the town of Bethlehem lay below us – and everyone on the bus began singing:

            O little town of Bethlehem

            How still we see thee lie.

            It did not take us long, though, to realize that Bethlehem was anything but still.

            Our bus passed people rushing to market – merchants selling their wares —  young children running along the side of bus – ready for the doors to open so they could rush on the bus and sell us “souvenirs”.  The bus finally stopped in front of the Church of the Nativity – and when we finally made our way through the crowds into the Church we enjoyed the quiet we found.  We sat in pews – waiting our turn to walk down the narrow steps to view the replica of the manger where Christ was born.  When it came our turn to walk down the steps, Dad and I stood in awe at the place that must have been just like it was when Christ was born – a cold, damp, cave, far away from the crowded streets.  As we walked back through the crowded and confusing streets of Bethlehem to our bus, we still had a feeling of peace – and joy.  We had taken a few moments to remember the purpose of our trip.

We had taken a few moments to remember the purpose of our lives.

            Christmas means that God has come.

            Christmas means that God has comes.

God has come into our lives.

God has come into our world.

God has come with hope and healing and love and grace.

God has come.

Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

That’s the message of Christmas.

God has come.

 Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

Friends – that is what Christmas is really all about.

Sure – Santa and gifts and decorations and family are all a part of what Christmas is all about – but beyond all these things – Christmas is all about God – who has come into our lives and into our world and changes them with His great love.

God has come.  

God has come into our lives – whatever situations we may find ourselves in – God has come.

God has come — into our world – whatever situations there may be – God has come.

God has come.  

Realize it

Open your heart and receive Him.

See God at work.

Hear God at work.

Share with others that God is at work.

Make a difference for God’s glory in the lives of others.

Be God’s instruments of love and grace and a different way to live in the lives of those who need to experience God’s love – God’s grace – and the difference God can make in the world.

God has come.

Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

You know –when we open our hearts receive God – when we share God’s love and God’s will with others – when we open our ears to hear God at work and open our eyes to see God at work — we experience God again for ourselves.

The Son of God became a son of man – so that the sons and daughters of men could become sons and daughters of God.

God has come.

That’s what Christmas means.

God has come.

Open your eyes to see Him.

Open your ears to hear Him.

Open your moth to tell others about Him.

Open your heart to receive Him.

God has come.

Amen

Luke 1:26-56

Luke 1:26-56

God Has Come: Open Your Mouths And Tell The Good News

December 16, 2007

Part 3 of 2007 Advent series: God Has Come: Open your eyes and see God, Open your ears and hear God, open your mouths and tell about God, open your hearts and accept God.     

 We are ¾ of the way through the Season of Advent! 

            The Sanctuary is still beautifully decorated – the Chrismon tree is up and the Chrismons are in place – the garland and the wreaths are beautifully placed around the sanctuary and today the poinsettias are in place – and now three of the candles on the Advent Wreath have been lit.

            Yes – we are ¾ of the way through the Season of Advent!

             ¾ of the way through Advent – and that can only mean one thing –

Christmas is coming!

            Christmas is coming!

             Of course, all you have to do is look around you and you’ll know that Christmas is near. The beautiful Church decorations – the burning Advent candles —  the parties we are having parties and making plans for — the fact that the Joy Gift program is tonight — the fact that we are planning how to reach out to those in the community in need for Christmas – and all of the other activities that are taking place lets you know that Christmas is coming!

             In the world outside the church you can also tell that Christmas is coming! Newspapers are stuffed with flyers from stores advertising special sales – stores are decorated for Christmas – the sound of Christmas music can be heard in the stores – stores are full of shoppers – and the lights downtown on the Christmas tree and around the mall are shining brightly .  Television stations are showing Christmas specials – many that are heartwarming stories of love and laughter.

 Yes – Christmas is coming! 

            When you add in everything else December brings – decorating, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings, etc., etc. etc., — well – there is very little doubt that Christmas is indeed coming!

             Christmas is coming!

            These words can make children’s eyes get big with anticipation and excitement – and adults eyes get big with fear over all they have to do and not much time to do it in!

             Christmas is coming!

             But – wait – it’s not Christmas yet.

            Christmas is coming – but it is not here!

            Christmas is still a week and 2 days away – we are still in the Season of Advent!

            Advent is a season we overlook so many times as we rush to Christmas.

             Advent is not promoted by the world outside the church – the world that rushes to Christmas before Halloween is over – and so many times it is overlooked by churches also. But – even though it is overlooked many times – it is an important season for us.

Advent is a time for waiting for the coming of Christ – preparing our hearts and minds for Christ to come into our lives and change us.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to realize that Christ is with us – that God has come into our lives and our world – has changed us – and can change our world.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to see that God is active in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to hear God’s activity in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to proclaim the activity of God in our lives and in our world – and an opportunity to open our hearts and let God come again into our lives and change us.

Advent can be a time for:

Open eyes to see God

Open ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

and Open hearts to accept God

We’re looking at these aspects of the Season of Advent as we go through this Season this month. 

God has come!

            Open your eyes to see God

            Open your ears to hear God

            Open mouths to tell about God

            Open your hearts to accept God

            2 weeks ago we looked at Mark 13:32-37 and discovered that we need to be vigilant – keeping our eyes open to see that God is at work in our world.

            Last week we looked at Mark 1:1-8 and saw how we need to hear the good news that God has come into our world.

            Today we’re going to look at Luke 1:26-56 – and learn how we can open our mouths and proclaim the great things God has done.

            Listen to God’s word from Luke 1:26-56:

            God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

            Open your mouth and tell the good news!

love this time of year!

            I love to sing the carols, hymns, and other Christmas songs that we hear this time of year!

            I love to go to parties and laugh and talk and joke with friends and family.

            I love talking about what God has done for us through the birth of Christ.

            I love preaching this time of year and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ!

            This year I have loved the fact that the young people have been almost fighting for parts in the Joy Gift program and the Christmas Eve service – and speaking parts, no less!

            And yes – I admit it – I love eating the delicious food that seems to show up so much this time of year!

            You know – when I think about it – the things I love about this time of year – singing, laughing, talking, joking, preaching, eating – all have to do with my mouth!

            You probably know by now that I am one of those people who can’t seem to keep my mouth shut – it’s open most of the time.  I used to even sleep with my mouth open – but I think that now that I have my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea I may not open my mouth so much while asleep. 

I think that Sally is thankful for those few hours of silence!

But yea – I admit it — I like to use my mouth — and keep it open most of the time!

So – you might not too surprised when I say:

God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                       In our scripture passage from Luke 1 we have a young girl named Mary who had some wonderful news to tell – and who opened her mouth and told what she knew about God!

            To understand just how good the good news Mary opened her mouth and proclaimed was for her, we have to understand some things about Mary.

            Maybe imagining that you are Mary will help some.

            Imagine that you are Mary.

            You are poor — you live in Nazareth in the Roman province of Palestine — the year is somewhere around what we now term as 30AD — you have had a very humble upbringing.  You are not unusual or extraordinary in any way.  You are a very typical, poor, young Hebrew girl. 

            You live a very average life.  Like most girls your age, you are engaged to be married.  You are engaged to Joseph — a man somewhat older than you.  He is a carpenter, and you hope his business will continue to prosper.  You would love to not have to constantly worry if you will have enough flour to bake bread for the next day!

            In other words, you are a typical, poor, simple, ordinary Jewish girl — nothing extraordinary — and you feel that there isn’t much in store for you in life besides that of being a peasant in Nazareth. 

In a society dominated by males — a society that honored people with age – a society that put a lot of emphasis on where you lived – you — Mary – a young girl from Nazareth —   don’t see much hope for better days than the ones you are having now. 

Or at least that’s what you think.

            Then — the most surprising — unexpected thing happens. 

            One day an angel appears to you.  

The angel tells you that the Messiah — the one you and your people had prayed for for centuries — was finally coming.  The prayers of your people were going to be answered — and you were going to be the one to bring the Messiah into the world. 

            You are ecstatic with joy.

            The Messiah is coming!

            God is actually going to answer prayers!

            But — you be the one to bring the Messiah into the world?

            It made little sense.

            It is just too unexpected!

            Nobody expected the Messiah to be born of a poor — lowly — virgin!

            It was indeed unexpected!

            But — then you remember that God will come when — where — and to whom God chooses!

            You remember that throughout your peoples history God has come in unexpected ways and through unexpected people.  You praise God — and although you are confused and scared — you praise God for His surprising — unexpected — and wonderful ways. 

            God was going to break into the world through the coming of Jesus Christ.

            That was good news!

            But – the best news was that God was going to use an ordinary girl like Mary to bless all people!

            That was good news!

            In fact, that was the best news of all!

            That was news that Mary just could not keep to herself – so she rushes off to see her cousin Elizabeth – who also was part of this mysterious blessing God was bringing into the world – and breaks into a beautiful song of praise to God for all the great things God was doing!

            Mary knew that God was coming – and she

            Opened her mouth told the good news!

           She opened her mouth and told the good news!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

         Mary indeed had great news to share – God was coming! God was breaking into the world in a new and marvelous way! God was coming to save God’s people – and was going to do it in a way that was completely unexpected! In a society dominated by males – that honored the elderly – that put emphasis on where people lived – God was going to bless the entire world through her – a young girl in Nazareth. God was going to change the world – God was going to enter the world! This was great news – and Mary could not help but tell it!   

            Mary knew that God was coming – and she

            Opened her mouth told the good news!

            She opened her mouth and told the good news!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             God chose to “break all the rules” so to speak and chose to enter the world through a young, virgin girl from Nazareth. A nobody from nowhere – but God chose to make her somebody – God chose to make her the one to bring Him into the world.

            Wow!

            What great news that was!

            God was coming into the world – and was choosing a nobody from nowhere make it happen!

            Mary knew that God didn’t choose her to bring Him into the world because she was perfect – or sinless – or even more devoted than others.  Mary sensed that God chose her to bring His salvation into the world purely and simply because He chose to do so.

            The angel Gabriel called Mary “you who are highly favored” – and tells her “you have found favor with God”.  The truth is that Mary was not chosen by God because she deserved God’s favor, but she received favor because God chose her. God chose to take someone who had done nothing to deserve His favor and chose her to be His instrument to save all people.

            I believe that Mary sensed this – that Mary realized that God was choosing her – and was going to act in a new way to save all people through her —  

            Mary knew that God was coming – and she

            Opened her mouth told the good news!

            She opened her mouth and told the good news!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

              You know — Mary’s good news is still good news today!

            The great news that God has come – has changed our world – can change our lives – and give us salvation is the best news that we can ever know – and the best news that we can ever tell! The great news that God takes people who do not deserve His love and loves them – that God takes people who do not deserve to be saved and saves them – that God takes people who have done nothing to deserve to have their lives changed and changes them –- that God sees our world – and – although we have done nothing to deserve anything different makes things different – that God can take us “nobodies from nowhere” – so to speak – and make us His beloved children – purely and simply because that is what God chooses to do – is the greatest news we will ever know – the greatest new we will ever hear – and the greatest news we will ever tell!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             You know – they say that good new travels fast.

            When we hear that someone has had a baby – we want to tell everyone!

            When we hear that someone who was sick is now well – we want to tell everyone!

            When we eat at a good restaurant we want to make sure everyone knows about it!

            When we have good news to celebrate – we want to share it!

            But – what about the best news of all – the great news – the life changing news – the world changing news – that God has come and our lives and our world can be changed?

            You’d think we want to shout it from the rooftops!

            You’d think we would be like Mary – rushing out into the world and proclaiming the greatness of God – literally singing the glories of what God has done!

            Or at least that’s what you’d think – isn’t it?

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Too many times we pass up opportunity after opportunity to tell the good news that God has come into our lives – into our world – and that our lives and our world can never be the same again. At the precise moments that we need to be opening our mouths and telling the good news of what God has done we shut our mouths and don’t say a word. One of the best ways to get some of us to shut up is to ask us to share our testimony or to lead a group in prayer.  The most talkative person can suddenly be at a loss for words when they have an opportunity to talk about what God has done in their lives.

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Maybe you’ve heard the story about the shoe company that sent a salesperson into the jungles of Africa.  After a few days he radioed his boss that there was no way anyone could sell shoes to the natives.  The company brought that salesperson home – and sent another.  Within a few days he radioed his boss that he had sold over 200 pairs of shoes and needed more shoes sent to him as quickly as possible.  The boss became curious as to why the first salesman failed miserably and the second did so well.  It turned out that the first salesman went and saw that no one in the area wore shoes – and couldn’t see that he could convince them to do so.  When the second salesman saw that no one wore shoes, he seized the opportunity and sold his product!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Friends – too many times we are like the first salesman and not like the second!  We know that others need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ – the good news that God has come into our world and changed our lives and our world – the news that God has come and nothing has to be the same again – the news that God saves us – not because of who we are but because of who God is – the good news – the great life changing news of Jesus Christ – but we just can’t bring ourselves to tell them! We see the fact that the world needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ as a deterrent and not an opportunity.

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Friends – when it comes to talking about God – when it comes to telling the good news that God has come into our world and changed our lives and our world – when it comes to telling the news that God has come and lives can be changed – when it comes to telling the news that God loves us and saves us — we need to open our mouths and tell the good news!

            Mary had good news – great news – to tell – and rushed to tell the world what she knew about God.

            We have good news – great news to tell.

            You have good news – great news – to tell.

            Don’t keep it to yourself!

            Go – tell it – at work – at school – at the store – at the mall – everywhere — wherever God puts you —  tell the good news!

            God has come!

            Our lives can be changed!

            Our world can be changed!

            We can be different people!

            We can live differently!

            God loves us – not because of anything we’ve done to deserve it – but purely and simply because God has chosen to love us.

            God saves us from our sins — not because of anything we’ve done to deserve it – but purely and simply because God has chosen to save us.

             That’s the good news of Christmas! 

            That’s good news!

            That’s the good news that we need to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear!

            That’s the good news that we need to open our mouths to tell!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

 Amen

 

                       

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8

“Open Your Ears And Hear God”

December 9, 2007 Advent 2

Part 2 of Advent Series “God has come – open your eyes to see Him, your ears to hear Him, your mouths to tell about Him, your heart to receive Him”

We are halfway through the Season of Advent!

The Sanctuary is beautifully decorated – the Chrismon tree is up and the Chrismons are in place – the garland and the wreaths are beautifully placed around the sanctuary and now two of the candles on the Advent Wreath has been lit.

Yes – we are halfway through the Season of Advent!

Halfway through aAdvent – and that can only mean one thing – Christmas is coming!

Christmas is coming!

Of course, all you have to do is look around you and you’ll know that Christmas is near. The beautiful Church decorations – the burning Advent candles — the parties we are having parties and making plans for — the fact that the Joy Gift program is next week — the fact that we are planning how to reach out to those in the community in need for Christmas – and all of the other activities that are taking place lets you know that Christmas is coming!

In the world outside the church you can also tell that Christmas is coming! Newspapers are stuffed with flyers from stores advertising special sales – stores are decorated for Christmas – the sound of Christmas music can be heard in the stores – stores are full of shoppers – and the lights downtown on the Christmas tree and around the mall are shining brightly . Television stations are showing Christmas specials – many that are heartwarming stories of love and laughter.

Yes – Christmas is coming!

When you add in everything else December brings – decorating, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings, etc., etc. etc., — well – there is very little doubt that Christmas is indeed coming!

Christmas is coming!

These words can make children’s eyes get big with anticipation and excitement – and adults eyes get big with fear over all they have to do and not much time to do it in!

Christmas is coming!

But – wait – it’s not Christmas yet.

Christmas is coming – but it is not here!

Christmas is still four weeks away – we are still in the Season of Advent!

Advent is a season we overlook so many times as we rush to Christmas.

Advent is not promoted by the world outside the church – the world that rushes to Christmas before Halloween is over – and so many times it is overlooked by churches also. But – even though it is overlooked many times – it is an important season for us.

Advent is a time for waiting for the coming of Christ – preparing our hearts and minds for Christ to come into our lives and change us.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to realize that Christ is with us – that God has come into our lives and our world – has changed us – and can change our world.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to see that God is active in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to hear God’s activity in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to proclaim the activity of God in our lives and in our world – and an opportunity to open our hearts and let God come again into our lives and change us.

Advent can be a time for:

Open eyes to see God

Open ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

and Open hearts to accept God

We’re looking at these aspects of the Season of Advent as we go through this Season this month.

God has come!

Open your eyes to see God

Open your ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

Open your hearts to accept God

Last week we looked at Mark 13:32-37 and discovered that we need to be vigilant – keeping our eyes open to see that God is at work in our world.

Today we are going to look at opening our ears to hear God’s Good News as we read Mark 1:1-8:

Listen to God’s word.

One way you can tell it’s Advent is in the music you hear here in Church. The Choir is singing special Christmas music, the Praise Choir is practicing some special music for the season to help lead us in worship at the Joy Gift program and in worship, the hymns we’re singing in worship proclaim the message of Christ’s coming, and the wonderful preludes, offertories, and postludes George is playing have a special feel about them.

Yea – Advent is a time for special music here in the Church.

But – of course – this is also a time for special music for the world outside the Church, too! “The songs of the season” are everywhere! You may already have found yourself walking through a supermarket or a department store humming a Christmas song, only to realize that the reason you were humming it is that it was being played as “background music” over the store’s PA system. The songs of the season are everywhere, in offices and elevators, shopping malls and beauty parlors, spilling out over the radio and in dozens of television specials … and even on commercials. But — have you noticed that it is possible for a radio station, for example, to go through a whole fifteen minutes of “holiday selections” that have absolutely nothing to do with Jesus Christ?

Frosty the Snowman

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Silver Bells

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (actually the name of the song is “The Christmas Song”)

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Jingle Bells

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas (those who know me well know I’m partial to the version The Drifters recorded)

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas (Doris Reynolds has told me that’s one of Tripp’s favorites – and that you can play it 3 times between their house and Cain’s Barbecue restaurant)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (I’m partial to Bruce Springsteen’s version on this one)

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Have Yourself Merry Little Christmas

Christmas In Dixie

I’ve named a dozen right there–popular, all of them, and frequently played–yet none of them really mention Jesus Christ, who is supposed to be what this holiday season is all about. You know – unless you listen to WMHK – as I do – and enjoy their contemporary versions of Christian Christmas music — you can go through the entire month of December without really hearing a lot on the radio or on TV about Christ. You can go through Christmas without hearing a lot about the good news that God has come into our world – has changed our lives – and continues to work in our world and in our lives – even here and now. I will give credit to one of my favorite Christmas Specials on TV — A Charlie Brown Christmas — the highlight of which is when Linus takes center stage and recites the Christmas story from Luke 2, to a hushed and attentive audience that listens and then takes the message to heart – but there are few others that specifically mention the reason for the holiday.

The reason for Christmas – indeed for all we do in the Church – is the fact that God has come into our world and lives through Jesus Christ – and our world and our lives can be changed. That’s good news – great news – the best news ever – but – I’m afraid that it isn’t heard very often – even in December. Even in December the news gets drowned out by all the hubbub we find ourselves in the midst of. God has come – and we need to open our ears and hear God.

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

Our scripture passage for today tells Mark’s account of the work and ministry and message of John the Baptist. It’s quite a compelling story about a man and a compelling message he proclaimed. John told the people that God was about to come into their world and into their lives – and that they needed to open their ears – hear God’s message – repent – and hear God.

This was quite a message for the Hebrew people – for the Hebrew people had prayed for centuries for God to come into their lives in a new way –and now that those still living in the land promised to their ancestors were under Roman domination some prayed for freedom more fervently — while others were leading open revolts for freedom. Into this volatile mix came this fanatic on the with his unkempt appearance and strong message.

GOD IS COMING!

REPENT!

BE BAPTISED!

PREPARE THE WAY!

It certainly struck a chord with the people. Many who heard him responded and were baptized. They heard John’s message that God was coming into their world – and they changed their lives so they could live in God’s ways.

These were desperate people — at the end of their rope — almost to the point of giving up. They may have wondered:

Why should God come and change their lives?

And fanatical John kept shouting:

GOD IS COMING!

REPENT!

BE BAPTISED!

PREPARE THE WAY!

And the people kept coming to him – – and kept listening — and kept repenting — and kept being baptized — and kept having their lives changed — and kept hoping for God to come and change their lives in a new, real way.

GOD IS COMING!

REPENT!

BE BAPTISED!

PREPARE THE WAY!

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

We might think we have a distinct advantage over the people who originally heard and responded to John.

We know what happened next.

We know Christ came.

We know that God entered the world.

We know that the world was changed forever.

We may feel this gives us an advantage — but — does it?

I wonder.

At least they let the coming of God make a difference to them.

At least they let the coming of God change their lives.

At least they made a response to the promises of God to come into their lives and change them. At least they let their lives be changed.

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

But — you know — God still comes.

John’s message is still the same.

GOD IS COMING!

REPENT!

BE BAPTISED!

PREPARE THE WAY!

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

The people who first heard John’s message felt lost and alone. To them — John’s message was good news – it was life changing news. The time of feeling lost was over. God was coming to make a difference.

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

You know – even though we know that God has come into our world – even though we know the good news – the great news – the best news ever – that in Jesus Christ God has come into our world and has changed it – and can come into our lives and can change us – there are still people today who feel lost and desperate –many who may be yearning for some message of hope.

In fact – maybe your world seems like shattered dreams.

Maybe your marriage — family — relationships — are not what you had hoped they would be.

Maybe your job doesn’t hold the potential you may want for your family or for yourself.

Or maybe your retirement years are not what you had planned on their being.

Maybe your health is a problem for you instead of an asset.

Or maybe a friend or loved one is sick –- or dying – or maybe has recently died and you are grieving the loss.

Or — maybe you just look at the poverty — drugs — disease — violence — and tragedy in the world around you and wonder if there is any reason – any reason at all — for holding out hope for anything better.

Or — then again — maybe just the celebration — the stress — the importance placed on the “perfect Christmas” that is impossible to achieve — is too much for you.

Well if any of these – or any combination of these — be the case – then I have good news for you today.

Listen up – because I am going to tell you something that can be the best news you have ever heard —

and not just those of you who are hurting in one way or another – but all of you – indeed all of us – need to hear this good news – the best news ever.

Are you listening?

Are you ready to hear it?

Here it is:

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

Sometimes “bad news” can persuade us that there will never be any “good news”.

When my nephew Robert was 3 he would ask my sister every morning in December – “Has Santa come yet”?

“No – Santa will come in a few days” would be my sister’s answer.

Robert must have become discouraged and may have believed that Santa would never come – for on Christmas morning my sister woke him with the words:

“Robert – Santa came!”

“No – Santa come in a few days” he responded.

We can’t let “bad news” of our lives and our world make us deaf to the good news that God has come!

To us – and to all who feel lost — lonely — desperate – this message that God has come into our world and into our lives to change our world and to change us is indeed good news!

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

Hear God’s message!

Rejoice in the good news!

God has come!

Our world does not have to be the same!

God has come!

Our lives do not have to be the same!

God has come!

We can respond as those who responded to John did – by repenting – letting God change us – and living in God’s ways!

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

Not only is it up to us to hear and respond to this good news – it’s also to us to us to tell this good news to others.

It’s up to us to reach out to others with God’s loving presence as we share God’s presence and God’s love with others.

It’s up to us to see the needs of those who are poor – who are sick – who are hurting – and to give them the message that God has come – and their lives and their world can be changed.

It’s up to us to tell them – in words and actions —

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

God has come.

That’s the good news.

That’s the greatest news in the world – the greatest news for the world!

Hear it!

Make sure others can hear it!

Hear God – and God’s good news – even through the pain and sickness and sorrow in the world – because even though the world is filled with these things:

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

God has come.

That’s the good news.

That’s the greatest news in the world – the greatest news for the world!

Hear it!

Make sure that others can hear it!

Hear God – and God’s good news – through all the others sounds of the season that make no mention of Christ. Even though some may not want to acknowledge it—

God has come

Open your ears and hear God.

Open your ears and hear God.

Mark 13:32-37

Mark 13:32-37

Open Your Eyes and See God

December 2, 2007 (Advent 1)

Part 1 of 2007 Advent series – Open your eyes, ears, mouths and hearts – God has come!

             The Season of Advent has arrived!

            The Sanctuary is beautifully decorated – the Chrismon tree is up and the Chrismons are in place – the garland and the wreaths are beautifully placed around the sanctuary and one of the candles on the Advent Wreath has been lit.

            Yes – the Season of Advent has arrived!

             The Season of Advent has arrived – and that can only mean one thing – Christmas is coming!

            Christmas is coming!

             Of course, all you have to do is look around you and you’ll know that Christmas is near. The beautiful Church decorations – the burning Advent candle —  the parties we are having parties and making plans for — the fact that we are practicing for the Joy Gift program – the fact that we are planning how to reach out to those in the community in need for Christmas – and all of the other activities that are taking place lets you know that Christmas is coming!

             In the world outside the church you can also tell that Christmas is coming! Newspapers are stuffed with flyers from stores advertising special sales – stores are decorated for Christmas – the sound of Christmas music can be heard in the stores – stores are full of shoppers – and the lights downtown on the Christmas tree and around the mall are shining brightly .  Television stations are showing Christmas specials – many that are heartwarming stories of love and laughter.

            Yes – Christmas is coming!  

             When you add in everything else December brings – decorating, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings, etc., etc. etc., — well – there is very little doubt that Christmas is indeed coming!

             Christmas is coming!

            These words can make children’s eyes get big with anticipation and excitement – and adults eyes get big with fear over all they have to do and not much time to do it in!

             Christmas is coming!

             But – wait – it’s not Christmas yet.

            Christmas is coming – but it is not here!

            Christmas is still four weeks away – but the Season of Advent starts today!

            Advent is a season we overlook so many times as we rush to Christmas.

             Advent is not promoted by the world outside the church – the world that rushes to Christmas before Halloween is over – and so many times it is overlooked by churches also. But – even though it is overlooked many times – it is an important season for us.

Advent is a time for waiting for the coming of Christ – preparing our hearts and minds for Christ to come into our lives and change us.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to realize that Christ is with us – that God has come into our lives and our world – has changed us – and can change our world.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to see that God is active in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to hear God’s activity in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to proclaim the activity of God in our lives and in our world – and an opportunity to open our hearts and let God come again into our lives and change us.

Advent can be a time for:

Open eyes to see God

Open ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

and Open hearts to accept God

We’re going to look at these aspects of the Season of Advent as we go through this Season this month. 

God has come!

            Open your eyes to see God

            Open your ears to hear God

            Open mouths to tell about God

            Open your hearts to accept God

            Today we are going to look at opening our eyes to see God as we read Mark 13:32-37.

            Listen to God’s word.

                                    Our God is a God who comes

writes the Presbyterian poet Ann Weems in her book of poems Kneeling in Bethlehem. 

Our God is one who comes to us in a burning bush

in an angels song

in a newborn child.

Our God is one who can not be found

locked away in the church,

not even in the sanctuary.

 Our God will be where our God will be,

with no constraints,

no predictaility.

Our God lives where our God lives,

and destruction has no power

and not even death can stop

the living.

Our God will be born where our God will be born,

but there is no place to look for the one who will come to us.

When God is ready

God will come

even to a God-forsaken place

like a stable in Bethlehem.

Watch …

for you no not when God comes.

Watch, that you may be found

whenever

wherever

God comes.

Ann Weems    Kneeling in Bethlehem p.13

            Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God!

            God comes to us in the most surprising and unexpected ways – ways that we might overlook if we are not vigilant in our efforts to see and recognize the coming of God into our lives. If we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God, we might miss God altogether!

            God comes into our lives – and into our world! 

            Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God! 

         You know -- it is difficult to stay awake -- to stay alert -- when nothing is happening.  Sometimes it’s hard to keep our eyes open to the things going on around us – especially when it may appear that nothing all that important is going on.                   I have a friend who tells about his teenage son learning to drive.  He says that his son is so excited about learning to drive – he thinks that driving is the most exciting thing in the world.  My friend warned him, though, that the time would come when driving would seem routine.  He told him that, hard as it might be for him to imagine, the time would come when he would have to be careful not to fall asleep at the wheel.                  Even driving can become boring and routine after awhile.                 Have you ever been driving and found that you’ve gone miles without really paying attention to what was going on?                Have you ever been driving and suddenly realized that your car was bumping along the side of the road – or had someone honk their horn at you as you drifted into their lane? 

It’s a scary experience – although one many people have.  

       I almost had one of those experiences driving home from Camden Thanksgiving night. As I usually do at family Thanksgiving gatherings I had eaten way too much that day – and was drowsy.  Sally was already asleep in the passenger seat as we drove down I-20 heading to Florence.  About the time we approached the Bishopville exit I saw the blue of a Highway Patrol car flashing behind me.  Even though it was pulling another car, I suddenly found myself wide awake – eyes open – and alert.  I stayed that way the rest of the trip!

       Yea – it is difficult to stay awake -- to stay alert -- when it seems that nothing exciting is happening.  Sometimes it’s hard to keep our eyes open to the things going on around us.    And yet -- God comes to us in the most surprising and unexpected  ways – ways that we might overlook if we are not vigilant in our efforts to see and recognize the coming of God into our lives. If we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God, we might miss God altogether!

             God comes into our lives – and into our world!

           Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God! 

             Staying awake – staying focused – staying vigilant – especially when it seems that nothing is happening — is not easy.

                I’ve talked to Viet Nam vets who have told me that pulling guard duty at night in Vietnam was extremely difficult.  They would sit for long stretches of time --  trying to see into the darkness -- watching for an enemy that seldom came.  They had to stay awake -- to stay alert -- to watch -- but it was hard.  It wasn't that they wanted anything exciting to happen, because that could be deadly -- but the boredom was deadly too.

  God comes to us in the most surprising of ways – unexpected ways – ways that we might overlook if we are not vigilant in our efforts to see and recognize the coming of God into our lives. If we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God, we might miss God altogether! 

             God comes into our lives – and into our world!

             Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God! 

             In our scripture passage for today, Jesus calls on us to stay awake -- to stay

alert -- to keep watching.  He promises that He will return in glory – and then He says:  

34It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.   35"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "                The implication is that, if we are not vigilant – if we do not watch for the coming of God – we might miss God’s presence and miss the beautiful fact that God is with us and in our world. 

           God comes to us in the most surprising of ways and unexpected ways – ways that we might overlook if we are not vigilant in our efforts to see and recognize the coming of God into our lives. If we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God, we might miss God altogether!

            God comes into our lives – and into our world!

             Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God!

             It may have been easy for the first Christians to keep alert and watch for the return of Christ.  They thought He was coming back soon – so every day they could have kept alert and watched for signs of Jesus’ return and signs of God at work in their world. But – it may be much more difficult for us.  It’s been over 2,000 years since Jesus promised His return.  After that amount of time, do you think God still expects us to be vigilant – watchful – looking for signs that He is active in our world – here and now?  I believe so!  I believe that God still acts in the world – still does His will – and can still surprise us with His presence.

             I still believe that God comes to us in the most surprising of ways and unexpected ways – ways that we might overlook if we are not vigilant in our efforts to see and recognize the coming of God into our lives.

I still believe that — if we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God, we might miss God altogether!

            I believe that God comes into our lives – and into our world!

            I believe that – if we open our eyes – we can see God at work!

             Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God!

 Weems writes:

 When God is ready

God will come

even to a God-forsaken place

like a stable in Bethlehem.

            God comes to the strangest of places.

            God comes in the strangest and most unpredictable of ways.

            Can you see God’s presence in the world around you?

            Are your eyes open enough to see that God is with you – that God is with us – working His will in our world – here and now?

            Too many times we see only the bad in the world. We only see   the sin – the violence – the poverty – the problems.  We let these things blind us to the good – the love – the compassion – the solutions. Too many times we let the problems dull our senses and lull us to sleep – when Jesus has called us to be vigilant – to stay awake – and look for His presence in our world.  

God comes to us in the most surprising of ways and unexpected ways.

God comes to us in ways that we might overlook if we let the problems of the world keep us from being vigilant in our efforts to see how God comes into our lives.

God comes to us in ways that we might overlook if we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God at work.    

       God comes into our lives – and into our world!

      Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God!

             If we are not careful, we can miss God

                        in the smile of a friend

                        or the touch of a loved one

                        or the face of a child as they sing a Christmas Carol

                        or the excitement of children as they plan their Christmas program

                        or the excitement of giving things to others – not the mention the excitement of those we might be giving to —  

                        or the time a volunteer spends teaching someone  to read

                                    or mentoring a young person

                                    or doing something for someone who can’t do for themselves

                                    or helping people find peaceful solutions to their problems

                                    or giving a bag of groceries – or a hot meal – to someone in need — 

            In all these things, God is there!

            In all these things, God comes to us!

            We just have to open our eyes and see these things for what they are – for they are God’s activity in our world – they are God’s way of coming to us!

             God comes into our lives – and into our world!

             Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God!

            Not only do we need to see God at work in the world – but we need to be signs of God’s activity to the world.  We need to get involved in showing God and God’s love to others – so they can open their eyes and they can see that God is with them!  We need to get involved in the numerous things the Church is doing – from helping with the Christmas Workshop this afternoon to helping with the Joy Gift program practices to donating to our community outreach to helping shop for the families we are reaching out to – so many things that we are doing – all in God’s name – and God is using them all to work in our lives and in our world. See all these things as opportunities to see God at work and help others see God at work – see all these things as opportunities to:

             Open your eyes and see God!

            Open your eyes and see God!

 God comes to us in the most surprising of ways and unexpected ways.

God comes to us in ways that we might overlook if we let the problems of the world keep us from being vigilant in our efforts to see how God comes into our lives.

God comes to us in ways that we might overlook if we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God at work. 

 Sometimes we can find ourselves doubting that God is at work in our lives and in our world – but if we look around us with eyes of faith we will see that God is indeed active – God is indeed with us.

 I’m sure you’ve heard the story – but it needs to be told again and again.  It’s the story of a little girl named Virginia O’Hanlon whose friends told her that there was no Santa Claus.  She wrote the New York Sun Newspaper to see if they could tell her if there was or was not a Santa.

The famous response reads:        VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.           That’s how Santa is.           That’s also how God is. God comes to us in the most surprising of ways and unexpected ways. God comes to us in ways that we might overlook if we let the problems of the world keep us from being vigilant in our efforts to see how God comes into our lives.     God comes to us in ways that we might overlook if we do not make a concerted effort to open our eyes and see God at work.            Sometimes we can find ourselves doubting that God is at work in our lives and in our world – but if we look around us with eyes of faith we will see that God is indeed active – God is indeed with us.