December 21, 2008 Sermon
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Advent 4 - B
December 21, 2008 Emmanuel, San Angelo
2 Sam., Romans,
Tidings of Comfort and Joy abound at Emmanuel today. Everything is ready to go. There are 4 shopping days left if you count Wednesday morning for the procrastinators. Even the weather is Christmassy. Yet In our quirky way of doing things one candle still remains for us to light. If you look closely at the creche, one figure is missing. I always arrive at Advent IV feeling like the church is running out of time. Everyone else is proclaiming it, every place but here. The pressure is on. But for us that is OK. It is not Christmas yet. We still have time to stop...time to listen...time to ponder.
The readings for today have nothing directly to do with Christmas. The Old Testament is about King David. David wants to honor God by building a Temple in which to worship. In the second reading Paul gives no clue that he has even heard the story of baby Jesus. For Paul Christ is known through prophecy, the commandments and by faith. The Gospel reading from Luke does have Mary and the Angel, but even that is not the Christmas story, technically...it is the story of the Annunciation. So what are we supposed to learn?
In the first reading King David announces that God should have a proper place in which to dwell. He needs a house. This is a great example of the psychological term, "projection." David after all constructed himself a huge mansion, of imported wood, sparing no expense in its building. It had lavish appointments, art work, furniture, men and women servants in abundance, all of which are described in the Bible in 2 Samuel. However, only afterwards did David stop to think of God. Only afterwards did David consider the spiritual side of his life:
"Oh yeah, I was busy and forgot."
"Oh yeah, the reason for the season..."
As we all know, God doesn’t need our stuff. God is everywhere not just in pretty churches or fancy temples. God wants us, our heart our faithfulness, our dedication and obedience. In a wonderful word play God says to David:
"The Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever."
That is the tie-in.
To an insignificant village in an insignificant part of the world; to a woman named Miriam, engaged to be married; at a time when women were supposed to "know their place", an angel came to her and spoke to her, shattering all social conventions--but what the heck, it is an angel! Gabriel announces to Mary that the child she will carry will be conceived by means that are beyond anything she or we will ever understand.
I am convinced that had Luke written the story today he would have told it very differently. Most people today don't believe that God speaks in dreams, or through talking angels. I believe that God speaks loudly through our actions and through the connections we make with our fellow human beings. The action or inaction of Christians to address issues of social concern, war and inequality speak volumes about our faith. Seen in this way the story is not just about people long ago, but of all of us here and now. Mary, who said "Yes" to God, is nothing short of our example today.
The same life-giving Spirit present from the foundation of the earth wants nothing more than to enter our hearts today, and fill us with the love of Christ. With God nothing is impossible. We are all beloved of God. How important is the Message of Christ for those who dread the holidays or are burdened. What hope it can bring for people who struggle with their faith, or who have felt that they were outside the doors of traditional religion.
"Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."
By this time each year I get weary of waiting. I am ready to "get the show on the road." The greenery is up. The poinsettias are ready to be put out. We have held Christmas off as long as we could. I know that the best is yet to come...but for these last few moments we can still linger. As the Christmas rush envelops us, don't forget that God's gift for you is greater than any that you will find under your tree. God wants to take up residence in your heart and life.
"How can this be?" we might ask. Well, I won't give away the secret. That would spoil the surprise! We'll all just have to come back Wednesday night, Christmas Eve, and hear the rest of the story.
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Revised: 01/04/09