December 22, 2002
Instead of a customary message this week, I invite you to use the following to have your own family worship time. Perhaps you will use this on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, with those you spend the evening or day with gathered ‘round the tree. I guarantee you this one thing: if you choose to use the following readings and reflections to make your holiday more meaningful this year, you will be changed. You will experience more awareness of Jesus’ birth amidst all the clutter and chaos our culture tags “Christmas.” That is my wish for you! (NOTE: I have printed all the scripture readings—New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible--in the copy for your convenience. You may choose to read it from your own favorite translation.)
SING ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROLS
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
REFLECTION: Wonder Child (Have a child or youth hold a baby doll wrapped in a blanket and stand as you read)
You are a wonder, child! Announced by heaven! Still I feel the presence of the Holy all about me. “Favor with God,” he said. A peasant girl finding favor with God? The angel said that I would bear a son and should name him Jesus, just like Joshua of old: “He who saves.” He said that you would be great, that God would give you the throne, that there would be no end to your reign.
But you are just a little baby, my baby, a poor baby. I can’t bear to see you lying in that feed trough. No son of mine should be treated so. But there’s no room. Sometimes it feels like there’s no room in the world for people like us—the destitute, the quiet in the land.
Yet my heart is on fire with hope…and fear. Great change is in the wind. I can feel it; I can see it in the stars. And you, my son, my Wonder Child, will be at the center of it. You will bring down the mighty and raise up the lowly. You will fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. In you all the promises of God will be fulfilled.
But how? What waits for us over that starry horizon? Joseph and I are just a couple of kids. I’m afraid, Lord! I’m afraid! I’m…I am the handmaiden of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.
Source: Pastor Dan Petry, Middlebury Church of the Brethren, Middlebury, IN
SING ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROLS
SCRIPTURE READING:
Luke 2:8-14 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
REFLECTION: Glory to God…
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Those were the words of a whole choir of angels sung as a praise to God for the greatest event in history—the Savior of the world was born. For ages, the Jews had waited for this. Some were waiting for a savior to deliver them from Roman rule, others hoped for a savior who would deliver them from their physical ailments.
But Jesus, although he came and healed their illnesses and established a new kingdom, delivered them from sin. He paid the price for sin and opened the way to God, not just for Jewish people, but for all people.
Even the shepherds, the lowest class of people on the earth at that time. Even kings, queens, princes and princesses. Even you. Even me. The good news was and is for all people, and the song of the angels still rings out today. The angels’ song that day is still a favorite today. It was the basis of ancient liturgical chants, modern choral works and traditional Christmas carols.
I love the second verse—it goes like this: “Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer? What great brightness did you see? What glad tidings did you hear?” Gloria! Gloria, in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest heaven! (song on p. 197, Hymnal, A Worship Book)
SING ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROLS
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 2:15-20
Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
REFLECTION: O COME, O COME, IMMANUEL
Immanuel means “God with us.” So when we say, “O come, O come, Immanuel,” we are asking God to come and be with us. “O come, O come, God, and be with us.” As one person reads the following litany, ask the rest of your gathering to respond each time with, “O come, O come, Immanuel”
Lift our eyes from earth to see the wonders of the heavens, the smiles on other faces.
O come, O come, Immanuel.
Fill each heart with carols of joy, songs of gladness.
O come, O come, Immanuel.
Make conflicts cease, fill each table with sufficient food, shelter all from winter cold.
O come, O come, Immanuel.
Bring healing to bodies and souls hurt by abuse, by addictions or by bitter words.
O come, O come, Immanuel.
Shower us with forgiveness and blessing, hope and laughter. Let your love clothe us as dew on the morning grass.
O come, O come, Immanuel.
Make us crazy enough to sing in the midst of troubles, to hope in the midst of doubts, and to light candles in the midst of darkness.
SING MORE OF YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROLS
CLOSING WORDS: JESUS’ WISH LIST
JESUS’ WISH LIST
Just as God's very being was given at Christmas, we are to give the heart of who we are to the Christ child.
There is just one item on Jesus' wish list, and it is of a personal nature. Before Jesus' birth, God required from two ordinary people similar gifts - the gifts of their very beings. Mary was chosen to participate in a singular and intimate way in this divine drama. She was elected to be the mother of this savior-child. It was within her body that human flesh grew together with the divine spark to create the infant Messiah.
Joseph, too, was asked to give his being - his identity as a descendant of David. His family name and his fatherly protection were the gifts of the self that Joseph openly bestowed on the baby Jesus.
So it is that Jesus continues to ask for this very personal gift from each of us each year as we celebrate his birth. Just as God's very being was given at Christmas, we are asked to do the same - to give ourselves to the Christ child, to give the heart of who we are to Jesus.
Jesus doesn't want your promise to attend church more regularly starting now, or your presence on more committees or volunteer boards, or your commitment of a certain percentage of your income to the church or other charities, or your full confession of all your wrongs and a promise to do more "rights," or your money, your time, your obedience, your subservience, your piety or your praise! Jesus wants YOU!
As you consider each gift you have carefully chosen, the wrapped in pretty paper, and given to each loved one on your list, please consider filling Jesus’ wish list. His request is one that only you can give and ironically, the only gift that keeps on giving. What will you give the Christ child this Christmas?
BENEDICTION (CLOSING)
May we, the innkeepers, find a place for our Lord.
May we be wise enough to follow a star.
May we be shepherds, open to the possibility of miracles.
May we find a kneeling place in the stable.
O come, O come, Emmanuel.
Enter here.
Enter now.
Find in us the angel's Hallelujah!
Amen!
