Saturday
12/21/19 – Blue Christmas
/Longest
Night Service - Sidney UMC
Sermon Title: “Why We Gather Tonight”
Old Testament
Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7
New Testament
Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39
Gospel Lesson:
John 16:31-33
Welcome again, to this our Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service.
Who here has never been to a Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service?
Well let me read to you all a short explanation of what a Blue
Christmas or Longest Night Service is. This description is taken from www.umcdiscipleship.org,
and it says:
“Blue?
Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is
up and cheery for the Christmas holiday. Dealing with the death of a loved one,
facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living
with cancer or some other dis-ease that puts a question mark over the future,
and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for
many people in our congregations and communities. There is a growing
attentiveness to the needs of people who are blue at Christmas. Increasing
numbers of churches are creating sacred space for people living through dark
times. Such services are reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding
out healing and hope”. “Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest
night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice.
There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional
feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some
connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus'
resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the struggle with darkness
and grief faced by those living with loss” (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/blue-christmaslongest-night-worship-with-those-who-mourn).
Tonight, December 21st, 2019, is the first day
of the season of winter. This day is also the winter solstice. What is the winter
solstice? Here is one explanation that I found:
“The winter
solstice (or hibernal solstice), also known as midwinter, is
an astronomical phenomenon marking the day
with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice).
So tonight, on this the first day of the season of winter,
or the winter solstice, we have the shortest day of daylight all year. Or
another way to phrase it, is that tonight is the “Longest Night” of the year.
Since
some are feeling “blue” or not overly cheery this time of the year, and since
tonight is the “Longest Night” of the year, we gather to bring the light of
Jesus Christ into the darkness. As my sermon title says this is “Why we gather
tonight.”
When
describing the nature of who God is. There are three words throughout the Bible
that best describe God. These words are Life, Light, and Love. Once again these
words are Life, Light, and Love. On this the Longest Night of the year, Jesus
reminds us in John 8:12, when he says:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn.
8:12, NRSV).
Tonight is the Longest Night, and a
cold night, but Jesus Christ is the light of the world. As long as his light is
in us, then the darkness will not overcome. He is also the source of Life and Love.
In looking at our scripture reading from
Psalm 80:1-7 for tonight, we hear that the people of Israel are crying out to
God to restore them and to give them new hope (Ps. 80:1-7, NRSV). How many of
us have every cried out to God for restoration and hope? I know that I have,
and friends, as my sermon title for tonight says once again, this is “Why we
gather tonight.”
In our reading once again from the
Apostle Paul’s Epistle or letter to the Hebrews for tonight, Paul writes in 10:32-39
“But recall those earlier days when,
after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes
being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners
with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and
you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you
yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore,
abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that
when you have done the will
of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet “in a very little while, the
one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live
by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.” But we are not
among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and
so are saved” (Heb. 10:32-39,
NRSV).
The Apostle Paul reminds us that many people
have suffered, and that many people have suffered for their faith in Christ. Whatever
we are suffering or have suffered, God is with us. Jesus is with us, and He will
be with us for eternity, if we place our trust in him.
In our very short gospel lesson from John
16:31-33 for tonight, Jesus reminds us of suffering and persecution. Jesus once
again tells us in this gospel lesson:
“Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is
coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home,
and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I
have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face
persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (Jn. 16:31-33, NRSV).
The
promise of Jesus Christ is that he will always be with us. Yet Jesus doesn’t
promise us that we won’t suffer, that won’t have hardship, or that we won’t
struggle. Whatever we have faced or are facing, Jesus is with us, and we are
with each other. Jesus, the light of the world, He is with us on this the Longest
Night of the year.
So
we gather on this, the Longest Night of this year to declare that the light of Christ
overcomes the darkness. We gather, amidst our fears, our troubles, and our
sufferings, to comfort and love one another, to worship God, and to know that Christ
is with us. This is “Why we gather tonight.”
I
would like to share a story with you all about suffering and bringing light
into the darkness. This story is called “The Cave People,” by Rev. Max Lucado. Here
is how it goes:
“LONG
AGO, OR maybe not so long ago, there was a tribe in a dark, cold cavern. The
cave dwellers would huddle together and cry against the chill. Loud and long
they wailed. It was all they did. It was all they knew to do. The sounds in the
cave were mournful, but the people didn't know it, for they had never known
joy. The spirit in the cave was death, but the people didn't know it, for they
had never known life. But then, one day, they heard a different voice. "I
have heard your cries," it announced. "I have felt your chill and
seen your darkness. I have come to help." The cave people grew quiet. They
had never heard this voice. Hope sounded strange to their ears. "How can
we know you have come to help?" "Trust me," he answered. "I
have what you need." The cave people peered through the darkness at the
figure of the stranger. He was stacking something, then stooping and stacking
more.
"What are
you doing?" one cried, nervous. The stranger didn't answer.
"What
are you making?" one shouted even louder. Still no response.
"Tell
us!" demanded a third. The visitor stood and spoke in the direction of the
voices. "I have what you need." With that he turned to the pile at
his feet and lit it. Wood ignited, flames erupted, and light filled the cavern.
The
cave people turned away in fear. "Put it out!" they cried. "It
hurts to see it." "Light always hurts before it helps," he
answered. "Step closer. The pain will soon pass." "Not I,"
declared a voice. "Nor I," agreed a second. "Only a fool would
risk exposing his eyes to such light." The stranger stood next to the
fire. "Would you prefer the darkness? Would you prefer the cold? Don't
consult your fears. Take a step of faith." For a long time no one spoke.
The people hovered in groups covering their eyes. The fire builder stood next
to the fire. "It's warm here," he invited. "He's right,"
one from behind him announced. "It's warmer." The stranger turned and
saw a figure slowly stepping toward the fire. "I can open my eyes
now," she proclaimed. "I can see." "Come closer,"
invited the fire builder. She did. She stepped into the ring of light.
"It's so warm!" She extended her hands and sighed as her chill began
to pass. "Come, everyone! Feel the warmth," she invited.
"Silence,
woman!" cried one of the cave dwellers. "Dare you lead us into your
folly? Leave us. Leave us and take your light with you." She turned to the
stranger. "Why won't they come?" "They choose the chill, for
though it's cold, it's what they know. They'd rather be cold than change."
"And
live in the dark?" "And live in the dark." The now-warm woman
stood silent. Looking first at the dark, then at the man. "Will you leave
the fire?" he asked. She paused, then answered, "I cannot. I cannot
bear the cold." Then she spoke again. "But nor can I bear the thought
of my people in darkness."
"You
don't have to," he responded, reaching into the fire and removing a stick.
"Carry this to your people. Tell them the light is here, and the light is
warm. Tell them the light is for all who desire it." And so she took the
small flame and stepped into the shadows”.
Tonight
is the Longest Night of the year, and our Blue Christmas Service. Even though
many of us have suffered, or are suffering, I can’t imagine what life would be
like without the love of God, and the light of Jesus Christ. Imagine, like the
story said, knowing only darkness, and no light or warmth. On this the Longest Night
of year, this our Blue Christmas, the light of Christ will defeat the darkness.
No matter how hurt, broken, or how much suffering we have endured, the light of
Christ is with us tonight and for eternity.
We
are empowered then to leave here, like the story that I just read, and to bring
light and warmth to the world through Jesus Christ. Despite all our wounds, our
struggles, and our sufferings, this is “Why we gather tonight.” We gather to
pray, to cry, to light candles, to comfort each other, to worship God, to cry
out to Him, and to put our trust in Jesus Christ, the light of the world. This
my friends, my brothers and sisters, is “Why we gather tonight.” Amen.
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