Sidney UMC - Epiphany of the Lord - 12/31/23 - Sermon - “Gifts Fit For A King!”

Sunday 12/31/23 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title: “Gifts Fit For A King!”                    

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6                                      

New Testament Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-12

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12

         So once again, we have decided to make this Sunday, “Epiphany of the Lord” Sunday. This is a special Sunday in the life of some Christian Churches and denominations where we place some focus on the Wise Men or Magi that visited Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We don’t need to have a separate Sunday to celebrate the Wise Men or Magi, but it developed through the worshiping tradition of the Christian Church.

          In fact, many scholars believe that the Wise Men might not have come to Jesus on the actual night of Jesus’ birth. Since the birth accounts of Jesus Christ are only found in the gospels of Luke and Matthew, we have different details about the birth of Christ, and the days that followed the birth of Christ.

For example, after chapter 1 in the gospel of Matthew giving us the genealogy from Abraham down to Jesus Christ, we have one of the two birth narratives of Jesus Christ, as we heard this morning. We hear of Jesus’ birth, and then, as our gospel reading says, once again, we have the three Wise Men or Magi visiting the Christ Child bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After our Matthew 2:1-12 reading for this morning ends, we then have Joseph and Mary taking Jesus to Egypt for safety. King Herod had ordered that all male children two years old and younger in and around Bethlehem be put to death. King Herod probably figured that this would be a good way to get rid of Jesus, as he felt that Jesus was a threat to his power. As the gospel of Matthew continues in chapter two, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus then return from Egypt. They move back to Nazareth, which is modern day Israel. Jesus then grew up in Nazareth. In chapter three of the gospel of Matthew, we then hear of John the Baptist, and at the end of Matthew chapter 3, John the Baptist baptizes his cousin Jesus.

          Since we have very little else written about Jesus’ life after his birth, other than Jesus being at the great temple in Jerusalem, during the Passover at age twelve, we basically have his birth, then his baptism at thirty-years old. This is why in some Christian Churches and Christian denominations we go from Jesus being born, to Jesus being baptized. It’s a little clunky sometimes I know, but this what we have been given in the scripture.

          So once again in the gospel of Matthew reading from 2:1-12 for this morning, we have Jesus’ birth, the three Wise Men coming, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing to Egypt, and later coming back to live once again in Nazareth.

          The second and other birth narrative of Jesus Christ, is in the gospel of Luke chapter 2. Like the gospel of Matthew, in chapter 3 of the gospel of Luke, we hear of John the Baptist. We hear of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, and another family lineage showing that Jesus is the savior or the Messiah. Now the difference in the second birth narrative of Jesus Christ in Luke 2 is that we have Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem to take part in the census. Everyone had to be counted and registered according Roman Emperor Ceaser Augustus. While in Bethlehem Mary goes into labor, and there is no room at the inn, and Mary gives birth in the stable, or maybe what was a cave of sorts. We then have shepherds from the fields coming to see Jesus, which are not mentioned in our Matthew 2 narrative of the birth of Christ for this morning. In the Luke account, Jesus is then circumcised at eight-days old, which is the Jewish religious custom for boys. Jesus is then presented at the temple. At the temple, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus meet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna. After this, the gospel of Luke says that the family returned to Nazareth, where they were from. Jesus was then raised in Nazareth, until he was baptized at age thirty by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Again, other than Jesus being at the great temple in Jerusalem at the age of twelve during the Jewish Passover, we have Jesus’ birth, then his baptism. This is why many churches celebrate the Wise Men coming, then go right to Jesus’ baptism.

          The actual calendar date of Epiphany, or the visit of the Wise Men is this Saturday January 6^th. The date of the Jesus’ Baptism or the “Baptism of the Lord” is next Sunday January 7^th. As a result of this, we decided to have “Epiphany of the Lord” Sunday today, as it would be awkward to have the Wise Men and Jesus’ birth on the same Sunday.

          In getting back to the two gospel accounts of Luke and Matthew discussing the birth of Christ, in our Matthew 2:1-12 reading for this morning, once again, it is the only account, once again, of the Wise Men or Magi coming to visit Jesus. What the gospel says however, is very interesting. In our gospel of Matthew 2:1-12 reading for this morning, it says in Matthew 2:11 of the three wise men’s arrival this, once again:

¹¹ On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt. 2:11, NRSV).

          You will notice that the gospel says of the three Wise Men that they entered the house. They did not come to the stable, or the manger. They entered the house. In the King James Version the Bible, Matthew 2:11 says:

¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh        (Mt. 2:11, KJV).

          So again, in the gospel of Matthew Jesus is born, the wise men come, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee to safety in Egypt, King Herod has all males two and younger in and around Bethlehem killed, and then Joseph, Mary, and Jesus come home to Nazareth where they had come from.

          In the second birth account in Luke’s gospel once again Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem to take part in the census. Everyone had to be counted and registered according Roman Emperor Ceaser Augustus. While in Bethlehem Mary goes into labor, and there is no room at the inn, and Mary gives birth in the stable, or maybe what was a cave of sorts. We then have shepherds from the fields coming to see Jesus. In the Luke account, Jesus is then circumcised at eight-days, which is the Jewish religious custom for boys. Jesus is then presented at the temple. At the temple, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus meet Simeon and the Prophetess Anna. After this, the gospel of Luke says that the family returned to Nazareth, where they were from. Jesus was then raised in Nazareth.

          I am repeating the birth narratives of Jesus of Matthew a Luke, to show that they are different, and that the two sets of information about Jesus’ birth have differences. As a result, some might say, “Well see the birth of Christ is not something we know all the details about!” Further, as I said in the gospel of Matthew reading for this morning, it says in 2:11, once again:

¹¹ On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt. 2:11, NRSV).

          With all this said, I believe that both the birth accounts of Jesus in Matthew and Luke are true, but I believe that the gospel writers emphasized or wrote about different details. If the Wise Men or Magi, came to the house though, then it probably was not the night of Jesus birth. I believe personally, that Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the great Temple in Jerusalem eight days after his birth, and then I think they returned to Bethlehem for a while. During this time, I think that the Wise Men came, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt, and then eventually they came home and headed back to Nazareth.

          Further if the Wise Men or Magi came the house, and if King Herod ordered the killing of all males in an around Jerusalem, as it says in our gospel of Matthew 2:1-12 reading for this morning, then could Jesus have been as old as two years old, when the Wise Men came right? I guess so.

          What I personally think happened over the years is that the church, and the first Christians married the two-birth narrative from the gospel of Luke and Matthew together, and just put all the details happening at the same time of the night of the birth of Jesus. Since most scholars believe that the Wise Men or Magi came later though, many Christian Churches and Christian denominations celebration the “Epiphany of the Lord” on a separate day from Christmas.

          I also guess it doesn’t really matter if all the shepherds, the wise man, and etc., all came at exactly the same time. What is important however, is that they came. What is important is that I believe that our nativity scenes that many of us have under our Christmas trees and in our houses are accurate, even if it didn’t necessarily all happen at the same time. When the gospels of Matthew and Luke were written there, I believe that the gospel writers we trying to get the details of Jesus’ birth correct. When combined, both birth narratives in Matthew and Luke seem to pull the whole story together.

          The coming of the Wise Men or Magi in the gospel of Matthew is also prophetic, as it was discussed in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. This is why we have our reading from Isaiah 60:1-6 for this morning. This reading says, once again in Isaiah 60:6:

⁶ A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord (Isa. 60:1-6, NRSV).

          This prophetic idea of Wise Men or Magi coming to bring gifts and to pay homage to the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Further, in our Isaiah 60:1-6 reading for this morning, once again, the gifts listed in Isaiah 60:6 are gold and frankincense. These, as my sermon title says, are “Gifts Fit For A King!” Certainly, there could have been more that three camels to, and there could have been an entourage of servants, camels, wagons, etc. In the gospel of Matthew 2:1-12 reading for this morning however, we here about the three wise men giving the gifts and paying homage.

          In our reading for this morning from Ephesians 3:1-12, once again, the Apostle Paul says that he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ. That is a servant of and for Jesus Christ, and our hope is in Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Given this, what are the appropriate gifts to give a king? What do you give to not only to a king, but to the King of Kings? What do you give to the savior of the world? What do you give to God in the flesh? A car? An Xbox? A gift card?

          According to our reading from Isaiah 60:1-6 for this morning, once again, you give gold and frankincense. Yet in our birth account of Christ in our gospel of Matthew 2:1-12 reading, the Wise Men bring an additional gift of Myrrh. So, of all the gifts that the Wise Men or Magi could have given Jesus, they give him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The question though, is why those gifts? Are these gifts, as my sermon title says, “Gifts Fit For A King!” They are indeed, and let me explain why gold, frankincense, and myrrh are “Gifts Fit For A King!”

          Here is some of the research I have done on why gold, frankincense, and myrrh are “Gifts Fit For A King!”

The theories generally break down into two groups:

1.    All three gifts are ordinary offerings and gifts given to a king. Myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable.

2.    The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.

o   This dates back to Origen in Contra Celsum: "gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God."

o   These interpretations are alluded to in the verses of the popular carol "We Three Kings" in which the magi describe their gifts. The last verse includes a summary of the interpretation: "Glorious now behold Him arise/King and God and sacrifice."

o   Sometimes this is described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi).

So, whether the Wise Men or Magi came the night that Jesus was born or later, they most

 certainly brough with them “Gifts Fit For a King!” Jesus was given the appropriate gifts

 for the King of King, Lord of Lords, God in the flesh, and the savior of the world. May

 we offer our hearts to Christ, which is the greatest gift we can give him. For today, on

 this “Epiphany of the Lord” the Wise Men bring “Gifts Fit For A King!” Amen.   

Sidney UMC - Christmas Eve - 12/24/23 - Sermon - “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!” (“The Eternal Truth” Series: Part 5 of 5)

                Sunday 12/24/23 – Christmas Eve - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:         “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!”                                              (“The Eternal Truth” Series: Part 5 of 5)    

Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7                                     

New Testament Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-20

          Welcome again, on this our Christmas Eve celebration and worship. This night of hope, of joy, of love, of peace, and this night of wonder. Tonight, Christmas Eve is a night that many of us have cherished for years. Maybe we have gone to Christmas Eve worship every year all of our lives. Maybe we have not been to many Christmas Eve worship services, or maybe we are coming here tonight after not going for a while, or even a long while.

          Whatever bring us to this church tonight, into this beautiful edifice, this Sidney United Methodist Church, we gather to hear about the birth of the one who changed the world forever. Arguably the most transformative figure that has ever crossed the horizon of this world, who is Jesus Christ. In fact, just last week when I was at the check out at Price Chopper here in Sidney, one or more of the magazines on the magazine racks at the checkout had a cover picture of Jesus on them.

          For centuries, countless people have loved and have followed Jesus Christ. This building exists because of Jesus Christ. Our congregation gathers for worship every Sunday, because of Jesus Christ. Blood, sweat, and tears built these buildings so that we might come here, pray, worship, fellowship, grow closer to God and to each other, and to learn to be more like Jesus. In world that has so many hurts and so much suffering, the answer is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

          Being a student of history and a student of the Christian faith, I am well aware of the failings that some Christians have had throughout our history. There have been times that people who professed to be Christians did and said terrible things. Yet, Jesus, our Lord and Savior is the truth that persists throughout time and space. I have never met anyone who has a problem with Jesus, but as I have said many times before, I have met many people that have had a problem with the church.

          After two-thousand years, people still seek after Jesus, to learn about him, and be like him. I remember seeing a lawn sign 5-10 years back, referencing the three wise men or magi that brought Jesus’ gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The sign said, “Wise Men still seek him”. There was a time in the history, and in general, where many people believed that Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh, and died for us. They were all in, and this believe strengthened them, and sustained them. We can sometimes lose this reality though, if we focus on the times that Christians failed to be like Jesus. Yet Jesus, always seems to pull us back.

Jesus is the answer, and the church needs to be a mission, not just an institution. All of this exists, so that we all might be more like Jesus. Every dedication placard, every name on stained glass window, ever remembrance, are the whispers of followers of Christ that went before us. All, as a gentle reminder to love our neighbor as ourselves, to serve others, to help, to care, and to love. Friends on this Christmas Eve, and in general, as we await the birth of the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the most transformative figure to ever walk this earth. So transformative that one-third of the world’s population are followers of Jesus, or Christians.

          Instead of just telling the story of Jesus birth though, I am here to proclaim that I believe, along with hundreds of millions of other people, and countless people over the centuries, that Jesus Christ is the greatest “Eternal Truth” that we have. In a world and in a culture, where truth can seem so flexible and so flimsy sometimes, historically as Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is eternally and forever, Lord and Savior. The love that God unleashed on the world nearly two-thousand years ago has and continues to change us all. All we have to do is decide if we will take the story and the hope of Jesus’ birth and live into it. We believe that in the end mercy, hope, faith, joy, and love will win, and evil, wickedness, and cruelty will be defeated. Tonight is the first ring of the bell of victory that the world can and does have hope for something better, greater, and eternal.

          Since our last Christmas Eve service, we have had a lot of deaths, drug overdoses, wars, and other loses. Coupled with this, as I have said, I am convinced that some people in our culture no longer believe in absolute or eternal truths. Instead, some might say that life has no meaning, and that we just go along to get along. I guess there is some truth to some of that, but for those of us who follow Christ, we have the “Eternal Truth” that he is with us. Whatever this world throws at me, whatever happens to me, to Sidney, to the Sidney area, I have the unshakable hope of Jesus Christ. For in the end, Christ will have the victory. This hope is offered to world, and it is free for the taking. For my dear friends, on this night, “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!” In a world that seems like sometimes we cannot make sense of so many things, where maybe we lose a little faith in humanity sometimes, we have the unchanging and unshakeable truth of Jesus Christ. Jesus is sovereign and his reign is eternal, and tonight “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!”

          This Eternal Truth is also truth that has been prophesized for centuries before Jesus was ever born. Most scholars would say that Jesus was probably not born on December 25^th, but December 25^th became the date that many Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christ’s birth a little later than we do, by a week or two. I suppose the date is not what is important, it is that it happened. For people who need hope, and feel like there is precious little, tonight “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!” The prophecies of the coming Messiah, of Jesus that go back centuries before Christ’s birth, and can be seen in scripture that from Isaiah 9:2-7. This scripture, written hundreds of years before Christ, says once again:

² The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. ³ You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. ⁴ For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵ For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this                       (Isa. 9:2-7, NRSV).

          Prophecy of the coming hope that we celebrate this night, as we declare tonight that “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!” This hope, this “Eternal Truth” however, is not just a stand-alone truth. It is not as if Jesus came to earth, did what he did, simply as some sort business transaction alone. Jesus did not just come to teach us, to love us, to heal us, and to die for us, but he came so that we would literally be like him. I have asked that churches that I have served many times, what if the whole world lived and loved like Jesus for twenty-four hours? What would this world look like? I hope that it would look like Jesus.

          In our reading from Titus 2:11-14 for tonight, we hear about the excitement and the hope of Jesus. Looking at this scripture, it says, once again:

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, ¹² training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds (Tit. 2:11-14, NRSV).

          Friends, on this night, how many of us want to see a better Sidney, a better Sidney area, and a better world. I know that I do, and because I believe in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ, I believe that “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!” Jesus comes to us on this night, but the question, will we come to him?

          In our gospel of Matthew lesson for tonight we hear one of the two narratives of the birth of Jesus. It is a narrative that includes all manner of people. If you were going to be born as God on earth, would you be born outside in a stable, or perhaps a cave or sorts? Would you want to give birth to baby, exposed the elements, to the smells of animals, and have everyone from the poorest to richest come to see you and your family.

          It is so easy to look at the story of Christmas, and just see it as part some people’s culture or tradition. Some of us like seeing the nativity scenes, and some us like the story of the birth of Jesus. I would submit to us all though, that the prophecies of Christ coming, the way he was born, the way he lived and loved, is all part of the blue print of what has and will continue to change humanity. Tonight is not just a bank transaction, it is the beginning something new, for tonight “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!”

          A friend of Melissa and I, Louise Lesh gave me a cute story that is so touching I want to read it to you all this evening. Louise goes to the Unadilla Presbyterian Church, and the story that Louise gave me is from a Presbyterian pastor in New Jersey. The story is called, “Moving in with Jesus: a grilled cheese parable”. Here is the story:

“Order please,” my 4-year-old asked, marker and notepad in hand. “I’ll take a grilled cheese,” I responded. She went to the play kitchen and returned a few minutes later with a plate of plastic food and wooden blocks. “Yummy,” I said, pretending to eat. “This is the best grilled cheese yet.” “Mommmmmmy,” she rolled her eyes, “that wasn’t grilled cheese.” “Oh … what was it?” At this, she launched into an epic story — a parable, if you will. “Well, you can’t eat grilled cheese because we don’t have any grilled cheese. The diner got really busy today. Everyone wanted grilled cheese! So, we made a lot of grilled cheese. Stacks and stacks of grilled cheese up to the sky! Then a giant, giant monster came. He ate up all the grilled cheese. Then the diner caught on fire and the monster ran away.”

Then this little storyteller said matter-of-factly, “And that’s why we had to move in with Jesus.” “Wait, what?” I said, stunned at this sudden plot twist. “You had to move in with Jesus?” “Yes. My brother and I slept in his nice, comfy bed.” “You took Jesus’ bed?” I said, a little appalled. “Where did Jesus sleep?” “In the attic,” she said. “He gave us his bed.” Then she cleared my dishes and went back to the play kitchen.

Scholars may disagree, but I believe this child of God has a pretty good grasp on incarnational theology. Isn’t “we moved in with Jesus” just a different way to say: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14)? So, if you have ears to hear, listen: when your grilled cheese is eaten by monsters, when your diner burns down, when your life gets turned upside down, Jesus is there. When we face hardship, injustice, division, grief, loss, and uncertainty, Jesus is there. As we move closer to Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus, I am finding much comfort in the mystery of the incarnation — that God chose to come down to this messy, chaotic, broken, and wounded world to live with us.

Modern English Bibles translate the beauty of John 1:14 differently:

• “The Word became flesh and made his home among us” (CEB)
• “And the Word became flesh and lived among us” (NRSV)
• “The Word became a human being” (NIRV)
• “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (KJV)
• “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (MSG)
• “That’s why we had to move in with Jesus” (New Revised Preschooler Version)

 

No matter what translation you choose, the truth remains: Jesus has moved into this world, into our neighborhood, into our homes. What will Jesus find in your home? If your home looks anything like mine, then it’s possible Jesus might find piles of laundry, unwashed dishes, and an array of items that don’t belong where they currently are. And yet … that’s exactly how Jesus finds us — some piles of grief, unwashed dreams, and an array of feelings that don’t belong where they currently are. The incarnation of Jesus Christ means that our everyday spaces are holy. This was always true for Jesus, who met people in homes during his earthly ministry. We have only a handful of biblical stories about Jesus inside a place of worship, but we have story after story of Jesus inside homes. Jesus visited Mary and Martha’s home (Luke 10:38-42). Jesus stayed at Zacchaeus’ home (Luke 19:5). Jesus healed at Peter’s home (Matthew 8:14-15). Jesus preached and healed in his own home in Capernaum (Mark 2:1-12). In Jesus’ own home, so many people crowded in that Jesus might’ve even given up his bed to them (he certainly gave up his roof). This Christmas, may Jesus move in right where you are. May God be “with you” in the beautiful mess. May God surprise us once again with the birth of something new, the wonder of a miracle, and the shimmer of an epiphany (https://pres-outlook.org/2023/12/moving-in-with-jesus-a-grilled-cheese-parable/#:~:text=1%3A14)%3F-,Isn't%20%E2%80%9Cwe%20moved%20in%20with%20Jesus%E2%80%9D%20just%20a,upside%20down%2C%20Jesus%20is%20there).

          Friends, tonight “Eternal Truth Is Among Us,” and while I have told the story of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve many times, I think the four-year old little girl making her mother pretend grilled cheese understands this night more than so many others. On this night, invite Jesus into your heart, into your, home, you’re your successes, into your failures, and rest easy know that “Eternal Truth Is Among Us!” Dear friends, may you have a blessed and wonderful Christ, and may the love of Jesus Christ be with us all. Merry Christmas! Amen.

Sidney UMC - Fourth Sunday of Advent - 12/24/23 - Sermon - “Jesus Mother!” (“The Eternal Truth” Series: Part 4 of 5)

Sunday 12/24/23 - Sidney UMC

Sermon Title:              “Jesus Mother!”                                                  (“The Eternal Truth” Series: Part 4 of 5)   

Old Testament Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16                             

New Testament Scripture: Romans 16:25-27

Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38

         Well happy almost Christmas Eve, once again! It is sort of strange that we are worshipping here this Sunday morning on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, only to be in Christmas Eve services tonight. Don’t worry though, you don’t even have to change your clothes to come to church tonight! So, right now, once again, is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and tonight is Christmas Eve. Seems a little crazy to me, but it is what it is!

          For the last three weeks of this our season of Advent, I have been preaching about the topic of “Eternal Truths,” which is what my sermon series through tonight is about. In a culture and in an era that once seemed to have unchanging truths, some truths are now rejected, or are optional. Truths that were harmful obviously are not good, but I am talking about things that most people just accepted as truth. Things like the existence of God, our trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in how we live and love.

          On this our Fourth Sunday of Advent, I believe that it is important for the Christian Church, maybe now more than ever, to declare the Eternal Truth of the hope of God we have in Jesus Christ. As many things are occurring in this world that seem so bad, and while there is so much good too, Christians historically have always had hope in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the center of our faith, our life, and the Eternal Truth that we follow.

          Since in some places it seems like that once bedrock truths, are sometimes being rejected, I believe that the Christian Church needs to proclaim the gospel. We need to let the world know that they are loved, and that Jesus came to this earth for us all. Jesus taught us a radical new way of living, loving, died for us, rose again, and will return one day in glory.

          Our beloved Sidney and the Sidney area has continued to have struggles from this time last year, but we still have this great community of faith. In good times, in bad times, and everything in between we can always draw on the hope of God in Jesus Christ. For centuries our brothers and sisters in the faith were changed, restored, and have served, loved, healed, forgave, and changed the world through Jesus Christ. The Eternal Truth of Jesus is what the church is, and I believe will continue to be the strength of our faith going forward.

          For nearly two-thousands years countless people have come to know Jesus, have followed Jesus, have sought to live like Jesus, have professed Jesus, and when this early life ended, went to be with Jesus. This is the faith of many of our ancestors, and this is the faith that has guides and sustained our lives. Even though Christians historically, believed that it is true that Jesus was God in the flesh and savior of the world, there are, as there always have been, various opinions.

          Yet, I know this much, beyond the centuries of collective believe, the chain of faith passes down for generations in Jesus Christ, and the hope that has changed the world, there is in addition to all of these sources of information that we have about Jesus Christ, as well. There is so much scholarship, history, and many other things for us to believe without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is Lord and Savior, but as I said there is another source. This source, is Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary, Jesus’ mother clearly believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the savior of the world. Mary carried in her womb the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Mary raised God in the flesh, and to me, clearly believed in her son being God in the flesh.

          I have always wanted to know how the power dynamics worked when Jesus was growing up. I mean did Mary just tell Jesus to do something, or was it different with Jesus. We know that Mary was right there at Jesus’ cross, as her little boy, the Messiah was tortured and crucified. We know that in the gospel of John in 19:26-27 when Jesus was dying on the cross, he looked down at his mother Mary and the beloved disciple, or John. In this moment, Jesus told his mother to behold John, and then told John his disciple to behold his mother (Jn. 19:26-27, NRSV).

          Jesus wanted to make sure that Mary was taken care of, and John 19:27 said that Mary went to live with the Apostle John on that very day. After this happened on the day Jesus was crucified on that first Good Friday, we have no real mention of Mary in the Bible. I would like to believe though that Mary was a strong leader in the first Christ Church. I would like to think that in the first Chirstian Church in the Book of Acts, that Mary offered an account of her son Jesus, the Messiah. I would like to think that Mary brought many people to faith in her son, as she was after all, “Jesus’ Mother”!

          I mean I can tell you about Jesus, another pastor or person can tell you about Jesus, a bishop could tell you about Jesus, but imagine Mary, Jesus’ mother telling you about Jesus. Someone who was a skeptic might say to Mary, “Well how do I know we can trust what you are telling us about Jesus?” Maybe Mary would reply jokingly, “Well I raised him and changed his diapers, so I would say I know a thing or two about him!" If there is one thing I know then, most mothers tell the truth about their kids. In fact, some mothers tell the truth to a fault. I believe that if Jesus was not Lord and Savior, that Mary would not have likely continued on with this belief.

          When comedian Robin Williams was still alive, he sometimes did comedy segments about the Bible, biblical characters, and even Jesus himself. In one of the Robin Williams shows, and I know I have said this joke many times, Robin Williams remarked that some people have questioned if Jesus was really born and raised Jewish. Robin Williams then said something like this about Jesus, “Let’s look at the facts. Jesus was thirty-years old, he lived at home, he worked in his father Joseph’s business, and his mother thought he was God’s gift. He’s Jewish!” This joke obviously has a lot of stereotypes that some Jewish men work in their dad’s business, live at home to long, and that Jewish mothers put their sons on a pedestal.

          Yet, I find that mothers often know there kids inside and out, and therefore my sermon title for this morning is “Jesus’ Mother”! If anyone knew who Jesus really was, it was Mary, and of course Joseph.

          Preparing this sermon also reminded me of meeting mothers and fathers. For those of us who are married or dating, perhaps you remember meeting the parents of your spouse or significant other. In fact, we have that movie with Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller that came out in the year 2,000, called “Meet the Parents.” Meeting the parents can be a tough venture for sure. For some of us, meeting the parents was great, and for some of us it was not so great. Some of us love our in-laws, and some maybe consider them outlaws, not in-laws!

          Before I wised up and married Melissa, I did go out with a few different girls when I was in college. My mother Susan met all of them. Every one she told me that she liked, and she said at the time that I made a good choice. Yet, when I would stop going with one of those girls, she would then tell me something like, “Oh honey, what were you thinking!” Now when my mother Susan met Melissa, it was different. We were at a restaurant, and Melissa had a leave for a few minutes. My mother then looked at me said, “Paul, if you don’t marry this one, I’ll kill you!”

          Well after this, Melissa and my mother Susan were thicker than thieves, and still are. I remember after that visit, Melissa would say things to me like, “your mother told me about that stupid thing you did in high school,” or other embarrassing stories. You see, mothers have the dirt on us don’t they. All mothers also seem to have that picture of us at two-years old playing in plastic kiddie pool with no clothes on. These same mothers then show this picture to the person that we bring home to meet our mother. Lucky us!

          I say all of this, to say, that in general, a mother knows her children. I believe that Mary knew her son Jesus, and knew him well. Mary believed that her son was the savior, and well beyond just the history, the faith, and all the scholarship, this makes sense to me.

          In our reading from 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 for this morning, God is talking to the Prophet Nathan, and asking the Prophet Nathan to tell the great King David to build a more permanent and durable home for the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant of Course housed the original Ten-Commandments. In this scripture, God also says that he had taken David from the fields, as common person. God made David a great king and even promised him an eternal dynasty. In fact, our 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 reading for this morning ends with 7:16 saying, once again:

¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16, NRSV). 

          God promised King David that his family name will become an eternal dynasty. One will come that will be much greater than King David, much greater than John the Baptist. This descendent of the great King David will be the Messiah, the savior of the world. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. This Messiah, this savior will be born where King David was born, in what is called the city of David, which is Bethlehem. Tonight, on Christmas Eve, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, decedent of the great King David, and the eternal ruler of the throne that God promised David. You know who knew about this? Jesus’ mother Mary.

          We have the proclamation of the hope and love of Jesus Christ, in our brief reading from Romans 16:25-27 for this morning. This scripture says once again, as the Apostle Paul end’s his letter to the Romans:

²⁵ Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages ²⁶ but is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen                         (Rom. 16:25-27, NRSV).

          In this benediction to the church in Rome, or the Romans, the Apostle Paul is saying that this prophecy, this belief in the coming Messiah or savior, has come true in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul said that the coming of Christ was made through the prophetic writings of old, like our reading for this morning from 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16. Now that prophecy has been fulfilled, may we live for Christ, live like Christ, and love like Christ.

          In our gospel lesson from Luke 1:26-38 for this morning, we have the story of Angel Gabriel coming to tell Mary that she would carry and bear the Christ-Child. Let’s hear what Luke 1:26-38 has to say to us this morning, once again:

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk. 1:26-33, NRSV).

          So, Mary is engaged to Joseph, and according to most scholars is probably only thirteen or fourteen years old. People did not live as long back then, so people, women especially married very young. In this case, Mary as the gospel of like 1:26-38 reading says, is not married yet, but engaged. So, the idea that this young unwed girl is going to have a child might seem a bit quite extreme. Further, not just any child. This child will be of line of the great King David, and will be the deliver, the Messiah, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

          In finishing this gospel of Luke reading 1:26-38 reading for this morning, the finishes in 1:34-38, say once again:

³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”  ³⁵ The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. ³⁶ And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her (Lk. 1:34-38, NRSV).

          This is the story of the “Immaculate Conception,” of the Angel Gabriel telling Mary she would bear the Christ-Child. I actually went to the site of the “Immaculate Conception” when I was in Israel and Palestine in 2014.

          Mary, the mother of Jesus, the “God-bearer,” tonight will bring the Prince of Peace, the hope of the nations into this weary world. Why do we think Jesus was our savior historically? Well, if the many other answers don’t convince you, you call always ask “Jesus’ Mother,” Mary. Amen.  

Sidney UMC - Thursday 12/21/23 – Blue Christmas /Longest Night Service - Sermon - "The Need For Hope and Peace!"

Thursday 12/21/23 – Blue Christmas

/Longest Night Service - Sidney UMC 

Sermon Title: “The Need For Hope and Peace!” 

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7                                       

New Testament Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39                                              

Gospel Lesson: John 16:31-33 

          Welcome friends to this our annual Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service. For those that have never been to one of these services before, let me give you a description of what this 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).

          This service is often also held on the first day of winter, or 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).

          This day, December 21^st, 2023 is the longest night of the year. This Blue Christmas/Longest Night service was created therefore, so that on this long, dark, and cold night, we can shine the light and the warmth of Christ everywhere.

In this season of Advent and very soon to be Christmas, I have been preaching a sermon series on “Eternal Truths,” or things that we as Christians believe to be universally and unconditionally true. Historically as Christians, we believe that Jesus was God in the flesh on earth, that he died for our sins, that he rose again, that he ascended to heaven, and that he will return one day in glory. Historically as Christians, we believe that God is always with us, and that after this life on earth ends, our eternity with God through Jesus Christ begins. While we believe these things historically as Christians, we also believe in the need to serve and love all people. We believe in feeding people, clothing people, helping people, and making the world better.

On this the longest and darkest night of the year, I am grateful that the light of Christ is brighter than any darkness. I am grateful on this the longest and darkest night of the year that we have gathered together, so that despite cold, darkness, and a shorter day, we can be together. You see, even in the midst of cold and darkness, God is with us. When it is a warm and long summer day, God is with us. Where ever we are, and whatever we are doing, God is with us. It is important for us to remember on this longest night of the year, on this our Blue Christmas, to remember that we are never alone. I am so grateful for the community of faith, for this Sidney community, this church, my family, and for Jesus Christ. For in darkness, in the longest night of year, God is with us.

As a Christian, and as a pastor, I am a child of resurrection. Christians are called to be boldly optimistic because we serve a boldly loving savior. So maybe you all, like me, have had moments these past few years of fear and anxiety? The best arrows we have in our spiritual quivers though, are love and hope. Fear can be strong, but hope is stronger. I have hope in the future of Sidney, the Tri-Town Area, and this world, because I have hope in Jesus Christ. This is also why my sermon for tonight is called, “The Need For Hope and Peace!”

For a Christian, historically, we are people of hope and people resurrection, because we have eternal hope in Jesus Christ. Since our Blue Christmas service last year, the war between Ukraine and Russia still rages on, with what seems to be no end in sight. Senseless killing and destruction continue. More recently, Israel is battling Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and this has resulted in massive death and destruction. Even though as Christians we are called to have hope and peace in Jesus Christ, it can still be hard sometimes to have hope and peace with some of what is going on in the world. Further, we have had recent deaths, drug overdoses, and other problems. Yet, as I said, as Christians we are people of hope and people of resurrection, because we have eternal hope in Jesus Christ. Our past does not need to define our future, as we have eternal hope in Jesus Christ.

On this the longest night of the whole year, we come here again, as in years past, to shine the light of Christ, and to say boldly that darkness will not win! In fact, as the gospel of John 1:5 says:

⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it       (Jn. 1:5, NRSV). 

          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, especially in these past few years. Yet, Jesus says he is the light of the world. May we allow his light, life, and love to fill us tonight, and always, and may we then share it with others, so that light will overcome the darkness, even on the longest night of the year. Following Jesus is not just believing in Jesus, it also living and loving like Jesus.

          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. For we need “Hope and Peace!”

          In our 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 does not promise us that we will not suffer, that we will not have hardships, or that we will not have struggles. How I wish that this were true, as some people sometimes unfortunately lose faith because they cannot reconcile the suffering and the pain of this world to a loving God. Even though we do not always have all the answers, Jesus calls us to be a light to others and to the world.

When we go forth from here tonight then, may we have more love, may we shine more light, and may we have more hope. Jesus is the light of the world, and even on the darkest night of the year, the light of Christ win! May the light of Christ sine in you boldly, for the world needs it now more than ever. For despite everything, we need “Hope and Peace!” Happy Blue Christmas, and may we shine our light on this the Longest Night of the year! Amen.