Ministry Matters: "The good news of Christmas | A passion for justice | Herod in trouble" in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 19 December 2016-------
The good news of Christmas by Alex JoynerOn Christmas, I need some help to see the Incarnation as God’s new thing. There’s comfort in looking back, particularly when the realities of the present seem uncertain or dark. But is Christmas just a nostalgic trip back to childhood, or is it about seeing the world as it really is: God-infused and ever capable of wonder and transformation? Don’t we need new eyes in our tired old world, and real good news instead of the fake news we decry?
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Bigstock/HUBARENKABeyond the coconut bon-bon
I’ll admit it. When I saw the coconut bon-bon in the cellophane bag, I felt a flutter in my heart. My wife and I had just enjoyed a Christmas program at the little frame church in the woods down the road from our home on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The angels wore tinsel halos and shuffled uncertainly beneath their cardboard wings, the shepherds knelt awkwardly in their bathrobes with their wooden crooks, and the choir sang “Do You Hear What I Hear?” If you have expectations for what a Christmas program looks like, they hit every note — right down to the traditional handing out of candy at the end of the night.
As a district superintendent in The United Methodist Church, I know the dangers of nostalgia. Whenever we start looking back on a golden period of the church, we run the risk of not being able to see the new thing that God is doing. I had been resisting the pull pretty well until I saw that bon-bon, and suddenly my mind went racing back to the warm, acrid smell of the oil stove in my grandmother’s living room, next to which was a dish that at Christmas time contained — you guessed it — coconut bon-bons.
So on Christmas, I need some help to see the Incarnation as God’s new thing. There’s comfort in looking back, particularly when the realities of the present seem uncertain or dark. But is Christmas just a nostalgic trip back to childhood, or is it about seeing the world as it really is: God-infused and ever capable of wonder and transformation? Don’t we need new eyes in our tired old world, and real good news instead of the fake news we decry?
A distressing first Christmas
The images of the first Christmas that we find comforting would have been distressing to many people in Roman-occupied Palestine. There were the circumstances of the pregnancy, which were so inexplicable and upsetting that Joseph gave thought to quietly letting Mary go before their marriage (Matthew 1:19). Mary herself recognized how God’s action in the birth would upend the expectations of the world, and she sang of how God “pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly” (Luke 1:52). King Herod, as Matthew depicts him, sits uneasily on his throne as magi come looking for another king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-3), and then he conspires to kill all the children of Bethlehem when the magi don’t deliver an address for the newborn (2:16-18). All is calm and all is bright in our carols, but the Nativity scene contained a lot of drama.
Jesus, in the way he entered the world, undercut a lot of assumptions about the Messiah. As his life and ministry revealed, it was difficult for those around him to see him as the hope for Israel. Those hopes were shaped by traditional understandings of how power would be wielded and by a certain kind of wistfulness for former days when Israel was a strong and independent nation with a legendary ruler. Jesus may have come in the line of King David, but his message was all about the new thing God was doing.
The world in a bowl of soup
You might say that Christmas is a test for our eyes. What do we see in the story of the Incarnation? Is it only an affirmation of what we’ve always believed, or does it still have the capacity to surprise us?
In 1976, author Annie Dillard wrote “A Christmas Story” for Harper’s Magazine in which she imagined a scene at a great banquet. A table “as long as a river” stretched down the middle of a great hall at which many guests were gathered. They all got the same dish: a soup “made of so many ingredients it seemed to contain all other dishes.”
The host of the feast watched from a balcony and was disturbed that no one was really seeing the excellence of the soup. He pulled back a curtain and let his gaze fall on a single old man who instantly felt “an overwhelming sense of power.” As he looked into his bowl, he saw all the riches that led to this soup: the carrots growing in the field, the workers harvesting and scrubbing the produce, the fish in the ocean and the birds in the air.
The host let the curtain fall shut, and the man blinked. “I see now . . . that this is truly an excellent soup, praise God,” he said. Then he joined the dancers at the great feast.
Far be it from me to reduce a rich story to a single point, but in Dillard’s vision I see the wonder of the Incarnation revealing God’s presence in the world in startling new ways. Christmas can open our eyes to the richness already present and to God’s work already begun. It can also invite us to participate in what God is doing in the world — to join the dance.
Real good news
In the days following the recent presidential election, there was a lot of discussion of “fake news” — online articles that purport to be truthful but bear little relation to reality. Such articles can be found at both ends of the political spectrum, and they serve not to inform but to reinforce convictions we hold anyway. In an opinion piece for The New York Times, Kenan Malik sought to explain the popularity of these articles. He says, “Politics has always relied on more than just facts about the world. It rests also [upon] an ideological framework through which to interpret facts.”
In contrast, Christians rely on a deeper framework of “good news” to interpret the facts of the world. God’s entry into the world in Jesus is an invitation to see a more profound story at work in history. In God’s story, marginal places can be the birthplace of saviors, and the hopes of downtrodden peoples can be restored through the birth of a child. This news — real good news — challenges all the other frames that would claim to be truth for us. They also invite us to see the world through the lens of the hope that’s within us because of our faith.
The fire in the well
Deep in the instructions given to Israel’s priests is a command to keep a continuous fire burning on the altar of God’s sanctuary (Leviticus 6:12-13). In the Apocrypha, the story is told of how the fire was preserved at the time of the Babylonian exile. Second Maccabees 1:19–2:1 records that as the people were preparing for deportation, the prophet Jeremiah ordered them to take some of the fire with them while the priests hid the remaining fire in a dry well.
When the Temple was rebuilt after long years of exile, Nehemiah sent some of the priests’ descendants back to the well. They didn’t find the fire, but they did discover a mysterious thick liquid. When they poured out the liquid on the wood for the sacrifice, it blazed up into a great fire. Later, they poured it on some large stones, and they, too, burst into flame.
Somewhere beneath the nostalgia of Christmas is a concentrated hope for a new day. We long to see that the tired old world has the capacity to shine once again with restored brilliance and to reveal itself as God-filled. Like the fire hidden in the ruins of the old Temple, there’s the potential for a great blaze. With the right eyes, we can see that new thing even in the old stories and traditions. And God will burst in again.
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A passion for justice by Jeanne Torrence FinleyNow I realize that his book may have influenced me far more than I’d ever given him credit. Bishop Smith had articulated for me the connection between faith and social justice. Years passed before I discovered our United Methodist Social Principles and long tradition of involvement in social justice causes. Then I began to wonder, How is a passion for justice taught and nurtured?
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BigstockThe whole gospel
When I entered Candler School of Theology at Emory University, I was assigned as a work-study secretary to retired bishop John Owen Smith, the “Churchman in Residence.” As bishop of the Atlanta Area in 1968, he had presided over the merger of the black Georgia Conference with the historically white North and South Georgia Conferences.
Bishop Smith was writing a book called Give the Whole Gospel a Chance, and my job was to transcribe it from his dictation. Bishop Smith, firmly in the tradition of John Wesley, wanted Christians to connect personal piety and social justice. He knew that loving God and neighbor meant not only helping suffering people but also challenging the situations and systems that harmed them in the first place. At age 26, I didn’t fully appreciate the importance of his message.
Now I realize that his book may have influenced me far more than I’d ever given him credit. Bishop Smith had articulated for me the connection between faith and social justice. Years passed before I discovered our United Methodist Social Principles and long tradition of involvement in social justice causes. Then I began to wonder, How is a passion for justice taught and nurtured?
Bishop Smith’s passion for justice came both from his study of the prophets, particularly Amos, Micah, Jeremiah and Isaiah and his understanding of Jesus’ teaching and ministry. He was also profoundly influenced by John Wesley’s concern for the social issues of his day — poverty, inadequate education and medical care for the poor, and slavery.
Biblical justice
Some people who are passionate about justice acquired that passion from the Bible. The Old Testament pair of words for justice are mishpat and tzadeqah. (There are different forms and spellings of these two words.) Mishpat, which occurs more than 200 times in various forms in the Hebrew Old Testament, means treating people equitably, giving people their due, whether that’s punishment, protection or care. It often means caring for or defending orphans, widows, the poor and immigrants — the most vulnerable members of a society.
Tzadeqah also means being just, but it’s often translated as “being righteous.” To modern ears the word righteous refers to private morality, but in the Old Testament it means living in right relationships. The righteous person conducts all relationships with equity, generosity and fairness. The two words frequently appear together in the Bible as justice and righteousness.
Another Hebrew word for justice is shalom, which also refers to peace, wholeness (in the sense of well-being), security and the restoration of broken relationships. God’s desire for humankind is shalom. Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, explains that justice is “about repairing broken relationships both with other people and to structures — of courts and punishments, money and economics, land and resources, and kings and rulers.”
Justice is also a major theme in the New Testament, although English translations often make that difficult to see. Following the lead of the King James Version, many modern English versions of the Bible use the word righteousness in place of the Greek word for justice in translating the New Testament, even though they often translate tsedek [another form of tzadeqah] as justice in the Old Testament.
The Law and the Prophets
The Israelite law called for remembering the stranger, the foreigner, the orphan and the widow — the people most vulnerable to hunger and poverty. Deuteronomy 24:19-22 required the Israelites to leave grain in the fields and grapes on the vine at harvest time for the foreigners, orphans and widows. Verse 22 states the reason for this practice: “Remember how you were a slave in Egypt. That’s why I am commanding you to do this thing.”
Other laws required lending to those in need without charging interest (Exodus 22:25), cancelling debts every seventh year (Deuteronomy 15:1-2, 7-11) and observing a year of Jubilee every 50th year in order that property be returned to the family of the original owner (Leviticus 25:10). This law was intended to ensure that no family would go hungry.
The prophets spoke passionately about God’s vision of justice and wholeness for all creation. They knew that God requires both charity and justice, and justice can often be accomplished only through changing public policy. The prophets had the view that nations, as well as individuals, will be judged by the way they treat the weakest and most vulnerable among them.
Jesus’ passion for justice
The justice ethic of Jesus was profoundly influenced by the Hebrew Scriptures. In the synagogue at Nazareth at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus read aloud from the prophet Isaiah:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus’ passion for justice led him to reach out to those on the margins of society — the poor, women, children, Samaritans, lepers, tax collectors and prostitutes. In addition, Jesus taught us to love not only our neighbors (defined as anyone in need in Luke 10:25-37) but also our enemies (Matthew 5:44). In both the Old and New Testament, God’s intention is justice, particularly for the most vulnerable of society.
Empathy and compassion
How is it that the justice demands of the Bible are so easily overlooked in our day? Have we simply ignored the message of the prophets or overlooked Jesus’ passion for justice? Is the problem that we haven’t the capacity to imagine how oppressed people might feel?
Empathy — the capacity to imagine how the experiences of others might feel — precedes the compassion that leads to action. Philosopher Rick Lewis says that a “way to see the importance of empathy is to ask what happens when it fails.” He cites acts of terrorism as examples and asks, “How could anyone be prepared to cause such intense pain to other human beings — the innocent victims and their families — except through a catastrophic failure of the imagination? It is as if the [terrorists] are so selfishly wrapped up in their own grievances, ideals and sacrifice — their own drama — that they forget about the pain they will cause.” He notes that “having a reasonable degree of empathy at least for those immediately around them saves people from selfishness and barbarity.”
Worship and justice
Don Saliers, professor emeritus of worship and theology at Emory University, has written and spoken widely about the relationship of worship and ethics. By ethics, he means “a concrete way of life” that is shaped by “a continuing remembrance of the vision” of “the covenant community in Hebrew Scripture, and the followers of Jesus in the New Testament.” This “remembrance” is mediated through communal prayer, Scripture, the proclaimed Word, music and the sacraments.
In this way, worship can reorient our lives and convert “the heart and social imagination to the rule and reign of God that Jesus proclaims and embodies.” Over time, these acts of worship can hold before us God’s vision of shalom for all humankind and for the earth itself and evoke in us a passion for justice.
Making the connection
If we’re willing to “give the whole gospel a chance,” we can learn, teach, and nurture a passion for justice. The process involves being shaped by the Law and prophets of the Old Testament and the example and teachings of Jesus through study and worship. It also involves practicing the empathy that leads to compassion and then to action. Then we’re in a better position to make the connection between faith and justice and to encourage others to do so.
Be sure to check out FaithLink, a weekly downloadable discussion guide for classes and small groups.
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Christmas: Herod in trouble by William H. WillimonMatthew begins his Gospel ironically. Jesus is born in Bethlehem, City of David, fulfillment of the messianic hopes of Israel. And yet the first to recognize and to worship him are the magi, Gentile stargazing magicians, immigrants from the east. An even greater irony: compromised, corrupted, lackey-for-the-oppressive-Romans Herod, though he knew little of the scriptures knows enough to be “troubled” along with nine-out-of-ten Judeans. What does the future hold? Can a baby threaten the government? Is there some other operative in history other than the empire?
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Bigstock/Inked PixelsAfter Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him.[Matthew 2:1-3 CEB]
Matthew begins his Gospel ironically. Jesus is born in Bethlehem, City of David, fulfillment of the messianic hopes of Israel. And yet the first to recognize and to worship him are the magi, Gentile stargazing magicians, immigrants from the east. An even greater irony: compromised, corrupted, lackey-for-the-oppressive-Romans Herod, though he knew little of the scriptures knows enough to be “troubled” along with nine-out-of-ten Judeans. What does the future hold? Can a baby threaten the government? Is there some other operative in history other than the empire?
The Feast of the Nativity, Christmas, could be the most “political” time of the Christian year. Matthew doesn’t give us the babe lying sweetly in the manger with adoring shepherds and singing angels. Instead, Matthew gives us once powerful Herod trembling in his boots, cowering like a frightened rabbit, terrified by the thought of this bombshell of a baby. There’s a new king in town who rules not from the Herod Tower in Jerusalem but from a stable in backwoods Bethlehem, welcomed not by the biblical scholars at the temple but rather by immigrant nonbelievers from the East.
Eventually, Herod will get his act together, move decisively, and ensure national security — his troops will slaughter Judean boy babies (Matt 2:16-18). That’s what kings do when national sovereignty is threatened. The state’s answer to just about any problem? Violence.
Matthew’s claim: that baby, who causes consternation among Herod and his ilk, that infant who gathered about him those whom Herod oppressed, that baby and his people are now dismantling Herod’s empire stone by stone without raising an army or firing a shot.
This Christmas, here I am trembling, along with my whole congregation, due to political reasons. We’ve elected a new president who is moving decisively to surround himself with a frightening group of rogues who promise to make the empire great again through a militarization of American democracy. We tremble. What fresh outrage shall occur after Christmas?
Matthew’s Christmas story suggests that we ought to be trembling not out of fear at Trump, but by the prospect of God With Us, God’s Anointed Messiah, God getting what God wants through a baby and his presaged revolution.
Herod got so many things wrong, bloodily wrong, during his administration. This one thing he got right: Jesus means “God saves,” and God’s salvation is not just personal; it’s political, a divine shake up, an assertion that God’s truth shall not be mocked by any human power, that God, not nations, rules the world and determines the future.
I can’t join those Christians who respond to the current political climate with calls for civility, unity, harmony and healing of our nation. Matthew’s story says to me that ours may be time, not for pacification, but for resistance and revolt. We ought to be more fearful of missing out on God’s revolution than afraid of Herod’s reprisals.
I say that not simply because I think the Trump administration will be bad for America but because I’m a citizen of that baptized band who believe that the Babe of Bethlehem is the only true sovereign and that Jesus’s people, though marginalized and ridiculed by the powerful, are God’s politics.
I know a woman who has spent hours writing letters to every Muslim in her town saying, “You are a valued, child of God. Here’s my phone number. Let me know if I can be helpful to you in this time. Our president does not speak for me. I speak to you in the name of Christ who loves you and has given me responsibility for you.”
Herod trembles.
I heard a priest who said the Sunday after the election, “OK. America has elected a president. Fine. But the most important, decisive election was when God elected us to be light and salt to the world. Lying is wrong! Hate speech is wrong! Adultery is wrong! Let’s try to live so that people might look at us and see something that America is not. God has chosen us to witness. What a great time to obey God and not human authority! Acts 5:29.”
Herod trembles.
So, Troubled Christmas to you, Herod. Thanks for reminding us, without intending to do so, that the Babe at Bethlehem is not only gift, joy, but also threat. Teach us, Saint Matthew, again to tremble before the one who is King of Kings, Lord of Lords and he shall reign forever, and ever, hallelujah!
William H. Willimon is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at the Divinity School, Duke University. He is recently retired after serving eight years as Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church. Bishop Willimon is the author of Fear of the Other from Abingdon Press, and Pulpit Resource, a homiletical weekly published in partnership with Abingdon Press and Ministry Matters.
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When there is no future
By Mark LockardBigstock/Perfect LazybonesMy inability to change frustrates me. Recently, I’ve tried to avoid looking at Twitter or news feeds immediately upon waking. I used to tell myself that there was some good reason for doing so. Maybe I’d awaken to read which new national tragedy had befallen us while I slept; maybe the world is on fire and I need to be warned; maybe aliens are at the door and I should get dressed.
But more often, I see what I’ve always seen, which is what you’ve always seen: maddening politics, inane entertainment news, and some sports talk. The sports talk is fine. Last week, my eyes adjusted in the middle of reading a New York Times article detailing the North Carolina legislature’s newest unsettling actions. Having lost the governorship to a Democrat after a protracted post-election battle, they decided it prudent to strip the governor’s office of several key powers, including the ability to oversee state colleges and their trustee appointments.
If irony wasn’t dead, I’d say how ironic it was that in the midst of this season of Advent, in which we look to the nebulous future, a time-not-yet shaped by our ability to be patient and hopeful and tense and a bit sorrowful about what we cannot see but hope we shall soon see, our societal life is filled with those for whom there is no future.
Immediacy is king in politics. Moves like the one in North Carolina mirror so many other political actions and conversations that they begin to run together. Surely our memory is not so short as to have forgotten the debate over the “nuclear option,” in which Senate Democrats were faced with option to neuter the filibuster so as to fast track certain decisions with a simple majority. A primary element of that argument was that such an action might be appealing now, but could (and most certainly would) be used by the GOP when it arose to power once more. We should, said some, think of ourselves as the future minority party and consider what powers we’d want in that situation. Such caution only kept Senate Dems from amending some filibuster rules, not all (though the changes that did pass will almost certainly come back to haunt them now).
Still, that kind of cautious thinking requires an acknowledgment of the future, which we collectively appear to have set on fire.
While conservatives are usually the ones making headlines for this kind of news, liberals are far from blameless, lest you think shortsightedness prefers red or blue. Resting assured that you have someone's support because you've historically had it — even though you've done little to nothing to see that support as an agreement from a human who has real human struggles and needs real human things from you — is as warped as anything I can think of. Couple that inflated ego with a decade-long unwillingness to stop the erosion of your influence and effectiveness on a local level despite believing in your moral superiority, and you've got a medically-diagnosable lack of imagination.
But imagination requires an acknowledgment of the future, which we threw out the window after we set it on fire.
Flaming acknowledgments aside, our current political reality couldn’t be much more opposed to our religious season if it tried. If Christians are to be people of hope, we must be those who consider a future, for hope is predicated on the to-be-but-not-yet. That’s future talk. Advent is a time of hope set against sorrow, a time when we feel both and therefore seek resolution and reconciliation in the coming of Christ. Christ is born into our brokenness; that’s what Emmanuel, “God with us,” is all about. Not “God watching over us,” or “God up ahead of us,” but with us in all our present maladies.
One of those maladies is clearly our political climate, which isn’t some separate realm from our daily life. Politics is a complicated way to frame the simple idea that people live together and have to figure that out. Throwing out the notion of a future, then, becomes a disastrous way to handle our togetherness. We can look to one example: For those of us passionate about our planet and the health of its natural environment, this inability to couple current tension with the possibility of future resolution (good or bad) has been our long-running source of high blood pressure. “How can you not look toward the not-yet and see the potential? The flourishing or the reckoning?” we cry.
This is the mode in which all our politicking now operates. Folks who feel no good future awaits them begin to see the lack of potential as no future at all; their decisions then become those defined by no possibility. And if there’s no possibility, why not burn it all down and see what happens? Why not operate as if today’s victory is ultimate?
It’s hard to be an Advent person right now, with the world seemingly antagonistic to the long view. But our faith is of the not-yet, of the to-be, of the possible but not inevitable. Which makes it all the more important to put our hands to the plow right now. Waiting is not stagnant, after all. Waiting is the sprinter hiked on the starting blocks. True patience is a tense state, one fraught with preparation and more activity than can be seen. Waiting with an eye on the almost-but-not-quite is combative and upending. Let us be ready. Let us be against those with no future in mind. Let us be Advent people.
This article originally appeared on Disembodied Beard. Reprinted with permission.
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The Voice: Lessons for the mainline church
By Rebekah Simon-PeterAdam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys and Blake Shelton. Photo by Trae Patton, courtesy NBCI’m not much for reality TV. But many a Monday night I can be found in front of the TV watching aspiring vocalists sing their way into the hearts of America. Yup, I am hooked on The Voice. The live finals were last week. Like millions of other Americans, I stayed up way too late waiting to see who won.
What I love most about the show are the blind auditions. At an early stage in the game, a dizzying array audition for a spot on a team where they’ll be coached by a pop culture superstar like Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys or Blake Shelton. Unlike American Idol or America’s Got Talent, these coaches initially can’t see the singers. Their backs are turned to them as they audition. They don’t know the singer’s age, height, weight, attractiveness, fashion style, body shape, skin color or story. They’re simply responding to the singer’s voice.
A lucky few dozen make the cut. Over the course of the season, they adopt fancy clothes and learn stage moves. But it’s always the unique quality of their voice that takes center stage.
There’s an important lesson here for the mainline Christian church. We have a unique and compelling voice. Now more than ever we must claim and develop it.
For too long others have used their voices to speak for all of Christianity. On the one side, we have people who preach fear and hate under the guise of love. And exclusion under the guise of faith. On the other side, we have those who preach abundance without accountability. And grace without growth.
We in the mainline church have been endowed with a unique voice. It’s time for us to sing our own song — loud and proud.
We know who we are. We are the church of the community. If your church is like most mainline Christian churches, you perform funerals no one else will touch. You offer love where others offer judgment. You dole out food and financial assistance and flood buckets like nobody’s business. You welcome in the weird, the worried and the waylaid. Everybody gets a hug.
That’s well and good. But are you using your full range? Are you hitting all the notes you can? Are you drawing upon all the color and depth available to you?
When we’re at our best, you can’t beat our preaching, music, Bible studies, outreach, justice-work and pastoral care. It’s informed by head and heart; personal piety and social justice; gospel and world. At our best, we’re tops at critical thinking, nuanced theology and the ability to offer more than stock answers. We even know how to change our minds! And our hearts.
We have a history of ultimately getting on the right side of social issues: from the treatment of debtors to addicts, and the poor to the mentally ill. From slavery to women’s right to vote. From the equal humanity of all ages and races to equal civil rights.
All of this contributes mightily to the richness of our voice. At our best, we’re not knee-jerk people.
This is more important than ever in a season highlighted by Donald Trump. Knee-jerk reactions aren’t going to cut it. If the incoming president means to make good on campaign promises to deport millions, scapegoat immigrants, isolate Muslims and a host of other indignities, then no voice is more important than ours.
This is our chance to really belt it out! To sing our rich and nuanced song. No more bowing out while others portend to showcase the faith on our behalf. This is our chance to strut our stuff: love and rational thought; mercy and prophesy.
No need to lower our voices if ethnic profiling is proffered as good social policy. Or if the almighty dollar seems to trump the common good.
Yes, there’s a downside to our primarily white, middle-class, well-educated constituency — at least in North America. We’re a bit stodgy. We’re not terribly diverse. We’re on the older side. We’re not all that hip. We disagree amongst ourselves on human sexuality, interpretation of the Bible and other areas. I take us to task on a lot of this in other posts.
But here’s the upside: We have privilege. We have power. We have connections. We can use all of that for the greater good.
If we use our unique and compelling voice.
Mainline church, don’t be afraid to audition. Sing your song — loud and proud. If we give it our all, I’d say we have a really good chance of winning this season.
Not sure how to engage these conversations? Join me at Discipleship Ministries for a webinar on Why Churches Should Discuss Politics: How to Talk Politics in your Church Without Being Unchristian on January 23, 2pm Central Time.
Rebekah Simon-Peter blogs at rebekahsimonpeter.com. She is the author of The Jew Named Jesus and Green Church.
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The perfect gift? Your words.
By David StaalBigstock/avemarioTo give an appropriate answer is a joy; how good is a word at the right time! — Proverbs 15:23
Estimates indicate the average adult vocabulary includes over 40,000 words. From this vast reservoir, we make thousands of combinations to articulate and share thoughts all day every day. Too frequently, though, I’m careless or random — messages flow from me like water spraying from a fractured pipe. Yet, with so many words at my disposal, surely I can do better. In fact, I am determined to do exactly that.
Why do I care so much?
Because even the simplest messages can make really big differences. And while some might seem unimportant and easy, others will remain with us for a very long time. Words can serve as wonderful gifts; they cost nothing but are potentially priceless. Especially for someone close.
My wife’s dad and I shared the same first name, which for many years felt like our only common ground. The rich love he felt for his daughter compelled him to tolerate me. He did it well. My value rose considerably with the arrival of our children, Dave’s grandchildren. As fellow dads, our relationship gelled. Two cancer battles, first mine then his, created an even greater common bond. I won mine (so far). Dave is gone.
And I sure miss him.
When the cancer spread to his esophagus, everyone knew the end drew near. Especially Dave. At the time, I worked on a church staff, so he selected me to officiate his funeral service—an event he insisted on arranging. So for six months, I regularly showed up at his house for lengthy planning sessions that included just the two of us. At some point, our time together turned a corner and he began to share his life’s every detail. Age failed to claim his memory, so we spent hour upon hour discussing dreams, failures, victories, regrets, relationships, and life perspectives polished to a clarity that comes only by eternity’s rapid approach.
While our relationship began with distance years earlier, we became tight in those concluding months. What a treasure it was to share love while he was still alive.
In what would be our final time together, Dave looked over his bent and torn yellow legal pad on which he made notes about the service and to-do items. Most lines contained names of people we agreed he needed to meet with and say something to before he departed. He updated me on the last of those meetings, we discussed how to work the Purdue University fight song into his funeral service, and he set down his pen. “Looks like we did it all,” he said, signaling that we had reached our planning marathon’s finish line.
“No, there’s one more thing,” I replied.
“The service is done, and I did everything we talked about,” Dave said.
“Well, it’s something I want you to know as the final thing we talk about,” I said. We both knew the inevitable would happen soon.
I took a deep breath and said, “I promise to love your daughter well — and to never stop.”
A long, quiet, holy moment later, during our unusually lengthy hug farewell, he whispered, “I know you will.”
Words can serve treasured gifts, but only when shared. Who needs a word from you?
*Portions of this article are an excerpt from the book Show Up: Step out of your story and into someone else’s (Dust Jacket Press, 2016) by David Staal.
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Why the new 'Star Wars' movie could use some moral clarity
By Charles C. Camosy / Religion News ServiceFelicity Jones plays Jyn Erso in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm(RNS) The headline in Time Magazine referred to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as “efficient and gray.”
The Huffington Post kicked it up a notch claiming, “(t)he entire film is about gray areas.”
Screen Rant explained that Rogue One is the most “real” of the Star Wars movies “because of morally grey areas.”
Director Gareth Edwards definitely had moral ambiguity in mind when making the film. The narrative behind his creative choices is, for many, so obviously true that it hardly needs mentioning. It goes something like this:
Those who came before us were naive and simplistic people. They believed in good and evil, light and dark. But today we are sophisticated. We have nuance. Instead of invoking stark concepts that give us easy answers, we have grown more comfortable living in the gray. Unlike those who went before us, we don’t mind moral ambiguity.
Edwards uses this narrative when naming the development of Star Wars:
“When they first made Star Wars in the 70s,” said Edwards, “the world maybe felt a bit simpler.” But “with the internet and global connection,” he said, “we know deep down that it’s not as simple as that.”
Maybe.
Or maybe movies and TV shows are being created with morally gray ideas and characters because that’s what makes entertainment companies money. From Breaking Bad to House of Cards to Iron Man, audiences love characters for their good and evil.
And though we like to think of ourselves as more sophisticated than folks from “the 70s,” in truth this fascination with grayness and ambiguity can be found in the literary works of most societies. From Greek drama to Shakespeare to Mark Twain, the protagonists of the classics often have multiple layers and levels of moral complexity and ambiguity.
Donnie Yen, center, plays Chirrut Îmwe in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Photo courtesy of LucasfilmGeorge Lucas’ Star Wars is no exception.He builds his main story arc around the moral complexity and ambiguity of Anakin Skywalker, his turn to Darth Vader, and the belief of Anakin’s wife and child that there is still redemptive good in him.
Han Solo is a shady hero who also drives the film while displaying substantial moral ambiguities. Lando Calrissian is in a similar gray zone, going from Judas at the end of The Empire Strikes Back to Rebel Alliance general in Return of the Jedi. Perhaps the most heroic Jedi of them all, Obi-Wan Kenobi, misleads Luke about his father and refuses to tell him that Princess Leia is his sister. The Rebels kill millions of innocent workers when they destroy the second Death Star battle station.
But while we might be interested in morally gray people, often the very evaluations that pronounce them such require clear moral judgments about actions. Indeed, some actions require the very simple judgments of “light side = good” and “dark side = bad” of George Lucas’ original trilogy.
Spoiler alert: In Rogue One, the first scene with Cassian Andor — who drives much of the film’s action as a Rebel intelligence officer — sees him murder one of his informants in cold blood. It is a disturbing look at his character, and it stains him throughout the film. We know he is a cold-blooded murderer, and though he does mostly good things in the rest of the film, he can never fully be “a good guy.”
But judging Cassian’s moral ambiguity as a character requires our rejecting moral ambiguity about his action: intentionally killing the innocent. There is no circumstance that justifies such a horrific act, just as there is no circumstance that justifies genocide, torture or slavery.
The original Star Wars trilogy was at pains to condemn all of these actions: the genocide of the people of Alderaan by the first Death Star, the torture of Han by Vader in Cloud City, and the enslavement of Leia by Jabba the Hutt.
So, if Rogue One is a story about morally complex characters, it falls within a well-established literary tradition. If, however, the message of the film goes beyond this to overturning previously black/white judgments about certain actions (like killing), then that is something new. And it is very bad.
At a time when war crimes in Aleppo are calling out for clear moral condemnation from the world community, we need to be holding onto our black and white, unambiguous moral judgments with all our strength.
Edwards acknowledged that Lucas’ goal in making Star Wars was to provide “a life lesson for kids.”
We live in a culture obsessed with the gray of moral relativism. In light of these considerations, Star Wars has a moral responsibility to live up to its longtime charge of teaching children that, while people often have various levels of ambiguity, the same cannot be said of certain gravely evil actions that should be always and everywhere condemned.
Reject the dark side. Follow the light. No exceptions.
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Pastoral care for the holiday blues, 2016
By William H. WillimonBigstock/endomotionSeasoned pastors know to be prepared this time of year to minister to the so-called “Holiday Blues” or “December Depression” — that ennui that occurs in many people who feel let down during Christmas. While others are celebrating the nativity full of joy to the world, Holiday Blues sufferers feel the pain of some recent loss or experience conflict in their families and find that the realities of the holiday don’t meet their expectations.
This year’s Christmas depression is aggravated by the current political climate. The birth of the Prince of Peace, the feast of the nativity and our yearly celebration of the incarnation signal that we are less than four weeks away from the inauguration of Donald Trump. The possibility that this Yuletide might not live up to my warm memories of Christmas produces less anxiety in me this year than my angst of having to endure Christmas dinner with a cousin who — in spite of the Donald’s misogyny, racism, xenophobia and crackpot tweets — voted for Trump and is glad to loudly tell you why.
Pastors, clear your calendars after the Christmas Eve lessons and carols; Epiphany will be a rough ride. Your people need you in their time of trial.
Inherent in the peculiar nature of Christian ministry is the paradox that the worst of times for God’s people can be the best of times for our pastoral care of God’s people. Could the onslaught of Trumpism be an opportunity for a redemption and reclamation of the church’s mission? A time for teaching and testimony?
I thought it ludicrous when someone responded to my recent Ministry Matters post (in which I may have criticized the president-elect for his philandering and lying) by reminding me that the Lord had worked through flawed and imperfect human beings before and might well be doing so again through the Donald. Talk about messed up biblical interpretation!
Then I remembered Isaiah 10. The guy’s inane comment made more sense. Yes! Just as God sent the Assyrians to punish and chastise Israel, so God is exercising wrath against America through Trump. It’s been ever so long since I had pondered Isaiah 10. Behold! The Donald has improved my Bible study.
In a time when the ascendency of Herod, I mean Donald, casts down the spirits of many, let’s offer pastoral care to our people by reminding them that Jesus Christ is Lord and all other presumed lordlets are not. God’s answer to what’s wrong with America is not government of the right or the left led by Donald or Hillary but Christ’s body in motion, demonstrating to the world the power of a people congregated not by their fears and hates but by the convening and commissioning of Christ.
I met a woman who hands a printed card to anyone she meets who might be an undocumented person. The card has her name, address and phone number on it. She says to them, “If anyone, anywhere, anytime, threatens you or someone you love with deportation or incarceration, you call me immediately. I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do, but Jesus has sent me to stand with you and to speak up for you. Don’t be afraid!”
Fear not! I bring you tidings of great joy. I predict that thousands of our churches and millions of United Methodists will rediscover the boldness and joy of discipleship in an otherwise fearful and depressing time. I know a church that baptized an immigrant family from Afghanistan. Just before the water was poured over their heads, the pastor said, “Church, if we baptize ’em then we’ve got to protect ’em. God calls us to offer more than initial hospitality; we’ve got to promise God long-term generosity and relationship with these who God has sent to us.” Some of the pastor’s people said for the first time they understood what baptism is all about.
If millions lose their health care, we must be there to take up the slack. If Trump’s picks for the EPA and the HHS do what they say they will do in attacking the creation and cutting social services, we have got to speak out and act up. If Trump’s militarized cabinet gets belligerent with American power, God has handed us a fresh mission, a time to bear witness.
A special object for our care will be those who will inevitably become disillusioned with Trump. Many voted for Trump thinking that he was an answer to their problems, a savior who could fix their uncertain future and secure them from their fears. He has promised to scrap universal health care and replace it with something better, to bring back millions of lost jobs, to rebuild infrastructure without raising taxes and so on. Of course, he will be unable to keep these promises, and his bumbling could damage the lives of millions of our most vulnerable citizens. What will become of the people who wrongly put their trust in Trump once it becomes clear that he can’t keep the promises he made?
Some of Israel’s most vibrant and deeply faithful prophetic testimony was offered precisely during Israel’s darkest days. Many of the prophets asserted God’s faithfulness during times when there was little evidence for hope or trust in the day’s headlines. Let their prophetic witness be our model as we minister to those in fear and pain, offering them faithfully non-anxious leadership in an anxious time. So, in your post-election, pre-inauguration, yuletide blues, lift up your hearts! We lift them up to the Lord.
Will Willimon’s bold book Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love (Abingdon Press) is being used in hundreds of congregations to think like Christians about issues of xenophobia, hospitality and fear of others.
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7 of the most exciting things a pastor experiences
By Ron EdmondsonBigstock/gstockstudioThere are many common factors pastors seem to get excited about in their work. Pastors get to see the best and worst of life, but there are so many positive things we get to experience.
Obviously, seeing someone become a follower of Christ or get baptized have to rank as highlights of the pastor’s experience. This is what we are called to do. But, those experiences aren’t unique to pastors. Every believer, hopefully, gets excited about seeing people’s entry into faith. This is the call of the church — not only pastors.
So, my list of the most exciting things a pastor experiences consists of things which may be more unique to the work of pastors. I’m not saying only pastors get excited about these experiences, but to pastors, these are especially exciting. I am certain different pastors will have different answers.
Here are seven of the most exciting things pastors experience:
A child who loves church.
Children are the future of the church! Jesus loves the little children — and so should we. I love when a little child leads “them” to church — when I hear from a parent, “They woke up this morning excited it is Sunday!” That thrills me! I have little to do with the experience our children have a church; this is driven by other staff and volunteers (for whom I am eternally grateful), but when a child loves church, I know the parent is sure to be excited also. And our future as an individual church is brighter.
Note-takers and truth-livers.
Seeing someone follow a message closely gives me goosebumps of humility. Hearing pages of the Bible turn — that’s priceless. Even better, seeing people actually live the truths they are learning — don’t even get me started. When people start to understand the principles of grace and live out their faith individually, I feel we truly are living our mission of making disciples.
Sacrificial givers.
Whether in time, resources or talents, the church is built on people willing to invest in her work. The generous giver — who gives with no strings attached, and especially not seeking personal recognition — is a sure way to make a pastor smile, maybe even dance. And, honestly, there's always a minority who really learn and practice the principle and joy of giving, which may be what makes it so exciting when it happens. When I see a man or woman in the parking lot or a baby-rocker in preschool, or someone who says “Pastor, I’m here to help you any way I can,” I'm encouraged to keep going. Their enthusiasm for serving others encourages me.
Visitors and people who invite them.
Visitors — could we grow the church and sustain it long-term without them? Of course not. Every person in the church today, unless they were born into it, started as a visitor. Every new church member and every new opportunity to add someone to our discipleship efforts starts with a single visit. I love people who invite. I love those who come when invited (and statistics are in our favor that they will come if they are invited). I just want to hug them all. (I promise though not to hug you on your first visit — or ever if you prefer, because I want you to visit. Visit. Visit. Visit.) But, one of my favorite things on Sunday is meeting visitors and on Mondays following up on visitors.
True disciple-making.
Those who invest in others, to genuinely help them grow in their faith — and those who are truly becoming disciples — thrill me! Those who help people understand the principles of grace and truth, whether through individual mentoring or leading Bible studies, help me know we are doing more than going through the motions. We are living the mission of the church.
New people joining the church.
It’s not just because I like church growth, which I do. It’s because I know the church is a family and every pastor loves when the family grows. When people who have been visiting start coming more often, and eventually decide this is the church family — WOW! Exciting! I may try to look like it’s a normal day — I don’t want you to think we are desperate for new members, or scare you as I shout real loud, but inside, I’m bursting with joy.
When the church is the church!
I am encouraged when I hear someone is in the hospital and a church member has already made a visit, without being asked. I get excited when I hear needs within the church have already been met, because someone took it upon themselves to help. When individual church members are concerned more about those outside the church coming to faith than their personal comfort inside the church, I know we are being the church! When the church behaves like we were called to behave, without a staff member or me having to lead the effort, I’m energized. Elated. Blessed.
There is my list.
Pastors, what would you add?
Ron Edmondson blogs at RonEdmondson.com.
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This Sunday, December 25, 2016This bin includes materials for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Note: The lectionary offers three sets of readings for Christmas Eve/Day. Any of the three is appropriate for use at any Christmas Eve or Day worship service. Most worship elements provide here may be used for both.
Color: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sunday, 25 December 2016
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20
Scripture Text: Isaiah 9:2 (3) You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice in your presence
as if rejoicing at harvest time,
the way men rejoice
when dividing up the spoil.
3 (4) For the yoke that weighed them down,
the bar across their shoulders,
and their driver’s goad
you have broken as on the day of Midyan[’s defeat].
4 (5) For all the boots of soldiers marching
and every cloak rolled in blood
is destined for burning,
fuel for the fire.
5 (6) For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us;
dominion will rest on his shoulders,
and he will be given the name
Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor
Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom
[Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God,
Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace],
6 (7) in order to extend the dominion
and perpetuate the peace
of the throne and kingdom of David,
to secure it and sustain it
through justice and righteousness
henceforth and forever.
The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot
will accomplish this.
7 (8) Adonai sent a word to Ya‘akov,
and it has fallen on Isra’el.
Psalm 96:1 Sing to Adonai a new song!
Sing to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Sing to Adonai, bless his name!
Proclaim his victory day after day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his wonders among all peoples!
4 For Adonai is great, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared more than all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but Adonai made the heavens.
6 In his presence are honor and majesty;
in his sanctuary, strength and splendor.
7 Give Adonai his due, you families from the peoples;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
8 give Adonai the glory due to his name;
bring an offering, and enter his courtyards.
9 Worship Adonai in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “Adonai is king!”
The world is firmly established, immovable.
He will judge the peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad;
let the sea roar, and everything in it;
12 let the fields exult and all that is in them.
Then all the trees in the forest will sing
13 before Adonai, because he has come,
he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly
and the peoples with his faithfulness.
Titus 2:11 For God’s grace, which brings deliverance, has appeared to all people. 12 It teaches us to renounce godlessness and worldly pleasures, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives now, in this age; 13 while continuing to expect the blessed fulfillment of our certain hope, which is the appearing of the Sh’khinah of our great God and the appearing of our Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. 14 He gave himself up on our behalf in order to free us from all violation of Torah and purify for himself a people who would be his own, eager to do good.
Luke 2:1 Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria. 3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y’hudah, 5 to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; 7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.
8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, 9 when an angel of Adonai appeared to them, and the Sh’khinah of Adonai shone around them. They were terrified; 10 but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God:
14 “In the highest heaven, glory to God!
And on earth, peace among people of good will!”
15 No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that Adonai has told us about.” 16 Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 17 Upon seeing this, they made known what they had been told about this child; 18 and all who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart. 20 Meanwhile, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen; it had been just as they had been told.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 9:2-7
Verse 2
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The people — Israel and Judah.
Darkness — The expression is general and so may well comprehend both calamity and ignorance, idolatry and profaneness, in which those parts were eminently involved.
Have seen — Shall see at the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 3
[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Thou hast — Thou hast made good thy promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed, by gathering in the Gentiles to the Jews.
Before thee — In thy presence, and in the place of thy worship.
Verse 4
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
The yoke — His burdensome yoke.
The staff — The staff or staves by which he was forced to carry burdens upon his shoulders.
The rod — Wherewith he beat him.
Oppressor — Of all his oppressors, but especially of sin and the devil.
As — When God destroyed the Midianites in so admirable a manner by three hundred men.
Verse 5
[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Noise — With the triumphant exclamations of the conqueror, and the bitter lamentations of the conquered, and the different cries of the same persons, sometimes conquering, and sometimes conquered.
Blood — With great difficulty and slaughter.
But — But this victory which God's people shall have over all their enemies, shall be more terrible to their adversaries, whom God will utterly consume, as it were by fire.
Verse 6
[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
For — Having spoken of the glorious light, and joy, and victory of God's people, he now proceeds to shew the ground of it.
Us — Unto us Jews, of whom Christ was born, and to whom he was primarily sent.
A child — The Messiah by the consent of interpreters, not only Christian, but Jewish: for so the ancient Hebrew doctors understood the place, and particularly the Chaldee paraphrast; although the latter Jews, out of opposition to Christ, wrest it to Hezekiah. Which extravagant conceit, as it hath no foundation in this or any other text of scripture, so it is fully confuted by the following titles, which are such as cannot without blasphemy and nonsense be ascribed to Hezekiah, nor indeed to any mere mortal man, as we shall see.
Is born — Or, shall be born, as the prophets generally speak.
The government — Of God's people, to whom he is given.
Shoulders — Upon him, or in his hands. He mentions shoulders, because great burdens are commonly laid upon men's shoulders.
His name — This is not to be taken for a description of his name, but of his glorious nature and qualities.
Wonderful counsellor — And so Christ is, because he hath been the counsellor of his church in all ages, and the author and giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets, and hath gathered and enlarged, and preserved his church, by admirable counsels and methods of his providence, and, in a word, hath in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3.
Mighty God — This title can agree to no man but Christ, who was God as well as man, to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament. And it is a true observation, that this Hebrew word El is never used in the singular number, of any creature, but only of the almighty God.
The father — The father of eternity. Who, though as man he was then unborn, yet was and is from everlasting to everlasting.
Verse 7
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
No end — His peaceable and happy government shall be extended to all the ends of the earth.
The throne — Which was promised to David, and to his seed for ever.
For ever — From the beginning of it to all eternity.
The zeal — This great work shall be brought to pass by almighty God, out of that fervent affection which he hath to his own glory, to the honour of his son, and to his people.
Psalm 96
(Read all of Psalm 96)
Verse 1
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
O sing — Upon this new and great occasion, not the removal of the ark, but the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 4
[4] For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Gods — The gods of the nations, as the next verse expounds it.
Verse 6
[6] Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Before him — In his presence.
Verse 9
[9] O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Beauty — Cloathed with all the gifts and graces, which are necessary in God's worship.
Verse 10
[10] Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Reigneth — God hath now set up his kingdom in the world.
Established — The nations of the world shall by the means of it enjoy an established and lasting peace.
Verse 13
[13] Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Before — At the presence and approach of their Lord and Maker.
Cometh — To set up his throne among all the nations of the earth.
Titus 2:11-14
Verse 11
[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The saving grace of God — So it is in its nature, tendency, and design.
Hath appeared to all men — High and low.
Verse 12
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Instructing us — All who do not reject it.
That, having renounced ungodliness — Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God.
And worldly desires — Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness.
We should live soberly — In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections.
And righteously — Doing to all as we would they should do to us.
And godly — As those who are consecrated to God both in heart and life.
Verse 13
[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Looking — With eager desire. For that glorious appearing - Which we hope for.
Of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ — So that, if there be (according to the Arian scheme) a great God and a little God, Christ is not the little God, but the great one.
Verse 14
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who gave himself for us — To die in our stead.
That he might redeem us — Miserable bondslaves, as well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt, of all our sins.
Luke 2:1-20
(Read all of Luke 2)
Verse 2
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered — Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
To you — Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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or Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14
This Week's Lectionary
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Ministry Matters: "2016: Looking back / looking forward | 7 of the most frustrating things pastors" in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 26 December 2016
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2016: Looking back / looking forward by Rebekah Jordan Gienapp
Our days often pass so quickly that it’s difficult to remember what happened last month, let alone one year ago. As we look toward the new year, we have the chance to review and reflect on what important events have happened in the past year, both in our personal lives and in public life. While books could be written on all the events that have affected our nation and world in 2016, here are some of the most prominent.
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Bigstock / Olivier Le MoalMajor news events of 2016
Our days often pass so quickly that it’s difficult to remember what happened last month, let alone one year ago. As we look toward the new year, we have the chance to review and reflect on what important events have happened in the past year, both in our personal lives and in public life.
While books could be written on all the events that have affected our nation and world in 2016, here are some of the most prominent:
In the winter, news broke of the rapid spread of the Zika virus in Brazil and of its possible link to microcephaly in newborns. Here in the United States, a state of emergency was declared by the state of Michigan because of contaminated drinking water in Flint. The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia led to the Supreme Court only having eight of its nine Justice positions filled for the remainder of the year, after Senate Republicans announced they would not confirm any nomination made by President Obama.
In the spring, the world was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks. In a single week in March, at least 149 people were killed in four separate attacks in Lahore, Pakistan; Iskandariyah, Iraq; Brussels, Belgium; and Istanbul, Turkey. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for three of the four attacks, with the Pakistan attack being carried out by a Sunni militant group.
During the summer, many across the world were surprised by the outcome of a British election in which a majority voted for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. In the United States, Philando Castile was fatally shot by police in a traffic stop, and his fiancée began live streaming on Facebook seconds after the shooting. The same week, an ambush of Dallas police officers during a peaceful demonstration against police brutality ended with five officers dead and seven additional officers injured. While economic and health concerns about the Rio Olympics dominated its coverage before the actual event, the games went on without any major hitches.
In the fall, China and the United States, the world’s two largest carbon producers, joined other nations in ratifying the Paris climate agreement. About 600 Haitians died in Hurricane Matthew, and tens of thousands of people were left homeless there because of the storm. The Colombian government and the guerrilla group FARC signed a peace agreement, formally ending a half-century conflict that had left more than 220,000 people dead. The tumultuous and divisive US presidential election ended in Donald Trump being elected president, to the surprise of many pollsters.
'Do Not Fear, For I Am With You'
“Do not fear, for I am with you,” declares Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV). “Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
I take comfort in these words. Yet when I consider many of the things our country and world experienced in 2016 and how these experiences might continue to play out this year, one of my first emotions is fear.
Fear that hate speech and attacks on vulnerable people that spiked after the U.S. election will continue. Fear that when natural disasters strike the poorest nations, the world will not respond with enough generosity and justice. Fear that the actions of ISIS militants, as well as “self-radicalized” terrorists, will cause more of our brothers and sisters around the world to die. Fear that we will not adequately confront the crisis of persistent racism in our country. Fear that proposed policy changes will lead to refugees being turned away and people who are poor losing access to critical services that allow them to survive.
Yet these very fears, and other concerns about the year ahead, offer the chance to deepen our trust in God and to discern our calling. Through our journeys of prayer, dialogue, relationship and faithful action, God is present with us, leading us from fear to hope.
Looking forward in hope
The hope that Christians proclaim isn’t one that says nothing bad will happen to us or to others. Rather, it’s a hope that declares that God is still at work within the world and even works through us.
In her book Becoming Wise, religious journalist Krista Tippett says that hope “has nothing to do with wishing. It references reality at every turn and reveres truth. . . . Hope, like every virtue, is a choice that becomes a practice that becomes spiritual muscle memory. It’s a renewable resource for moving through life as it is, not as we wish it to be.”
Perhaps one of the most important questions to consider as we begin 2017 is what practices in our life nourish hope and which ones diminish hope. For example, columnist Jana Reiss discovered that in the weeks after the presidential election, fasting from Facebook became a spiritual practice, allowing her more time for prayer and reading “actual books.”
Deepening our face-to-face relationships with others, not just those who are like us but especially those we have differences with, can become a surprising source of hope. Serving others in a spirit of learning and humility also causes us to work our spiritual hope muscles. Advocating for peace and justice in the face of violence and inequality can nourish hope, especially when we remember that God’s call is to be faithful even when we’re not successful.
Discerning kairos moments in 2017
In the Greek language, there are two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos time is chronological time that can be measured by tools such as clocks and calendars. Kairos time is the right or opportune time for something to be done, including the right time for God to act. As blogger Ardis Nelson points out, the birth of Jesus was such a kairos moment, “so significant that it separated chronological time into B.C. and A.D.”
One way to become ready for the kairos moments that God will present to us this year is to reflect on what those moments may have been in 2016. Which moments in your life seemed like opportune times through which God used you in service to others? In the major events of our nation and world, where did you see people responding to God’s kairos moments? Who were the people who, in the face of crisis, sensed God’s call to reach out to others in compassion and courage? Who spoke God’s truth when it was challenging to hear?
The lectionary’s Gospel lesson for this Sunday is Matthew 25:31-46. In this passage, Jesus tells of the day of judgment when the sheep will be separated from the goats. The sheep are those people who, without even realizing it, have ministered to the Son of Man by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and visiting the prisoners. The goats are those who, without knowing it, turned away from the Son of Man’s need by failing to welcome the stranger, give the thirsty something to drink or visit those who are sick or in prison.
This year will undoubtedly provide us — as individuals, as churches, and as communities — with countless opportunities to minister to Christ through relationships with our sisters and brothers in need. Relationships with people who are most vulnerable, the very people in whom Jesus told us that his presence can best be known, prepare us to sense kairos moments when God particularly needs us to act.
May God prepare our hearts, minds, and hands for the kairos moments of 2017.
Be sure to check out FaithLink, a weekly downloadable discussion guide for classes and small groups.
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7 of the most frustrating things pastors experience by Ron Edmondson
This post, and the opposite one I wrote before it actually began when I received this question on my blog: Ron: What do you think are some of the most frustrating things pastors experience?
Great question. I decided to first address some of the exciting things, but like most jobs, there are also frustrating things about being a pastor.
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Bigstock/stokketeThis post, and the opposite one I wrote before it actually began when I received this question on my blog:
Ron: What do you think are some of the most frustrating things pastors experience?
Great question. I decided to first address some of the exciting things, but like most jobs, there are also frustrating things about being a pastor. Leadership deals with people — different people, with different expectations, demands and opinions. And anytime there are differences in people there will be frustrations. This is true even among people who love each other greatly.
The actual question was about what is “most frustrating.” I had to think about the question. There are lots of little things which can frustrate me. I don’t understand why some people leave a room and don’t turn out the lights or how someone would ever put a toilet paper roll on which unfolds from the bottom. (Slight attempt at humor there.) But, those are small examples — not “most frustrating.” So I had to think a bit.
I should first mention I’m sharing frustrations, but I am not frustrated. I love the local church and I love my church. (I shouldn’t have to mention it, but I will.) I believe the church is the hope for the world. I am a proponent of the local, Bible-believing church. We are filled with imperfect people, but our mission is God-inspired, God-given and supposed to be God-glorifying.
With this disclosure, here is my reply of some of my most frustrating things I see as a pastor. Please understand, I’m simply being honest.
Seven of the most frustrating things pastors experience:
People who abuse their power or position.
I have witnessed this first hand in some churches where I have pastored, but even more so in churches where friends have been pastor. I know a couple of churches — as this is being written — where a few people in the church are literally controlling the church and causing potentially irreversible damage.
It always bothers me for people to abuse power, but even more so when it happens in the church. This includes, of course, when the pastor abuses power. Abuse of power is wrong regardless of who is doing so. Ultimately we are to follow Christ, but sometimes we can let positions and power get in the way of humility and obedience.
People who live opposite lives in and out of the church.
It is frustrating to me when people who have one church face and one community face. It gives the church a bad name. Many of my unchurched friends won’t come to church because they know someone who comes to church already. And they aren’t impressed. They know the person in the office on Monday morning is not the person who claims to be so wonderful on Sunday morning.
I should say that I’m not referring to new Christians, and certainly not those who are attending, but not yet believers. I’m talking about those who claim a history with truth but don’t exhibit truth in the way they live their life. They would shout Amen to “love one another” while sitting in the pew, but their actions outside the walls of the church say otherwise.
Rumors that spread with no basis of truth.
How many times have I been caught in the middle of this one? I once had to dispel a rumor that I was going to tear down the church’s steeple. I must admit, I’m not a fan of tradition for the sake of tradition, but I sorta like our steeple. Granted, our building looks very “churchy” and this can be an initial barrier to people coming. And, this is possibly where rumors start, because I’ve said similar before, but this means we must meet and embrace people outside the church, inviting them to join us. It never meant demolition. But, rumors like this spread rapidly in the right environment.
This is a minor example. When the rumors involve other people they can be very damaging to character and reputation. Gossip destroys a person’s witness.
Selfishness.
People who want what they want, even at the expense and inconvenience of others. These are people who will allow their personal preference to interfere with carrying out the ultimate mission of the church. They guard “their seats.” They protect “their programs.” They never complain about change — until it makes them uncomfortable. This one probably frustrates me because it has never seemed very biblical to me. I certainly can’t find it in Scripture.
Tradition for the sake of tradition.
Again, I’m not against tradition per se. I like meeting at a set time every week, for example. I love giving and receiving gifts at Christmas — let’s not stop this one. I get frustrated, however, with tradition that is adhered to only because of tradition — especially if it gets in the way of making disciples. If it’s biblical I’ll be the biggest proponent of it, but if it’s simply because we’ve always done it this way, I get frustrated with those who insist it never be changed, even if it is no longer effective in fulfilling the mission of the church.
Wasting time.
I’m on a mission. A number of years ago God called me out of the business world and into full-time vocational ministry. In the business world we knew we had no time to waste. Our livelihoods depended on efficient use of time and resources.
Now in ministry, I have a keen sense time is short and it moves faster than I can fathom. I don’t want to waste precious Kingdom time debating issues that simply don’t matter or doing activity which has little Kingdom impact.
Half-heartedness.
Perhaps, just perhaps, I got this one from Jesus. He called it being lukewarm. I sense it when the Spirit of God is obviously active in the room, but people who have claimed to be Christians for years look at me as if it’s a typical Sunday. I see it when people are more concerned if the rules were followed than they are excited about lives that are changing. I notice it when people choose to get involved only when it’s convenient for their schedule. I sense it when someone has been in the church for many years, but hasn’t grown deeper and more passionately in love with Christ than when they began attending. Some days I wish we were a ballgame — with bleachers and a favorite team. Then maybe they’d get excited.
So, there’s my honest list. While I am confessing frustrations, can I tell you the person who is staring at the phone when the light turns green or pulls out in front of me then drives ten miles under the speed limit frustrates me also — greatly. I feel better getting this off my chest. I guess I should remind readers I’m human. Just as things frustrate you, they frustrate me.
But, let me share again, I love the local church. And, I learned years ago — actually I was convicted years ago — that I must also love the people of the local church. Even if someone or something someone does frustrates me, I must love them too. And, I strive to do so.
And, a word to my fellow pastors, I know that when I'm allowing frustrations to control me more than what the Spirit of God wants to do in and through me, I need to take a break, rest and renew my soul.
Ron Edmondson blogs at RonEdmondson.com.
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Bearing Christ this Christmas by Kira Schlesinger
One of the themes of Advent and Christmas is pregnancy. There are the obvious pregnancies of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John, but there is also the metaphorical pregnancy and birth of the Kingdom of God that Paul writes about in Romans when he talks about all of creation groaning in childbirth. “Pregnant” not only means “with child” but also “full of meaning, significant.” Our waiting in Advent is pregnant, anticipatory, active. Like a family expecting a new child, we prepare our hearts as well as our physical space, decorating our homes and churches in anticipation of the Christ Child as well as the Second Coming of Christ. However, as preachers and educators, we should be careful and sensitive in talking about the theme of pregnancy as it relates to Advent and Christmas.
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Bigstock/KamiraOne of the themes of Advent and Christmas is pregnancy. There are the obvious pregnancies of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John, but there is also the metaphorical pregnancy and birth of the Kingdom of God that Paul writes about in Romans when he talks about all of creation groaning in childbirth. “Pregnant” not only means “with child” but also “full of meaning, significant.” Our waiting in Advent is pregnant, anticipatory, active. Like a family expecting a new child, we prepare our hearts as well as our physical space, decorating our homes and churches in anticipation of the Christ Child as well as the Second Coming of Christ.
However, as preachers and educators, we should be careful and sensitive in talking about the theme of pregnancy as it relates to Advent and Christmas. For many women, difficult pregnancies, struggles with infertility, and miscarriages are part of their stories. In women under 35, the miscarriage rate is 20%, or one in five pregnancies, and it increases for women over 35. While miscarriages are heartbreakingly common, there is still a lot of silence and shame around pregnancy loss. The biblical narratives emphasizing miraculous pregnancies either in older women (like Sarah) or women thought to be infertile (like Hannah) can be painful for women experiencing challenges around child-bearing.
Certainly, a woman’s ability to support the earliest stages of human life and bring forth that life into the world should be blessed and celebrated, but it is also not a universal experience for women. Some women do not feel called to motherhood. Others might be called to singleness or might not find a partner until they are past their childbearing years, and some have medical complications that make a successful pregnancy nearly impossible. When churches lift up pregnancy and motherhood as the ideal expression of womanhood, it excludes those for whom it is not a possibility and causes pain for women who long to be mothers by birth and cannot be.
In our day and age, families are frequently challenging and complex, and our families consist of more than blood relations. Families are formed by adoption, the blending of divorced families, and even groups of dear friends. On the fourth Sunday of Advent in the Revised Common Lectionary this year, we were reminded of Joseph’s important role in Jesus’ life, not as a giver of his DNA, but as an adopted father and a righteous man. God forms families in all kinds of ways. As important as blood relatives are, Christians sometimes forget that we are part of a new and different family, one entered into by baptism and constituted by sharing the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Let us be sensitive to the myriad ways that families are formed and particularly to the pain and sensitivity of those who long to give birth but are unable. Especially around the holidays, wounds and losses around family can be raw. We remember that Jesus was born into the midst of a complicated family situation where nothing was certain, but Mary and Joseph were faithful nonetheless. Emmanuel, “God with Us,” is born through all of us. As St. Ambrose of Milan writes, “Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith.”
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Celebrating hope By Rose Taylor
Bigstock/Sergey PetermanMany traditions have been established around the celebration of the new year, as well as many superstitions. For example, making resolutions is a New Year’s Day tradition, and eating black-eyed peas for good luck is a superstition. Christian communities also have their traditions regarding the new year. Many African American churches hold Watchnight Services that begin around 10:00 p.m. on December 31st and last through midnight on January 1st. They incorporate the celebration of slaves being emancipated. Watchnight Services originated with the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. Services celebrating the new year in The United Methodist Church are called Covenant Renewal services and often take place on the first Sunday of the new year. Both the Watchnight and Covenant Renewal services provide opportunities for confession and promises to submit oneself to God’s will. Believers trust that God will be present with them in the coming year regardless of the events that may occur.
A not so Happy New Year
A very different attitude was held in the ancient world. Their gods were untrustworthy and unpredictable. One never knew when he or she might incur the wrath of one of the gods. As a result of this fear of wrath, the present-day tradition of making resolutions for the new year began in the ancient world as a bargaining tool with the gods. The new year was not a cause for celebration nor a time to anticipate the days ahead with joy, hope, and faith. Instead, any celebration was for the sake of pleasing the capricious gods who were incapable of being pleased.
Resolve to do good and celebrate life
Although Christians participate in New Year’s Day celebrations that have origins of ancient tradition and superstition, we celebrate a new year in which we face challenges with hope while seeking new opportunities to do good and celebrate life. Our God is true, faithful, just, and merciful. We do not have to be frightened of God nor bargain with God. God will be with us, working for our good each day of the new year.
Question of the day: What are your feelings about the beginning of a new year?
Focal scriptures: Romans 8:35-39; Galatians 6:9-10; Psalm 63:3-4Romans 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? 36 As the Tanakh puts it,
“For your sake we are being put to death all day long,
we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”[Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:23(22)]
37 No, in all these things we are super-conquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.
Galatians 6:9 So let us not grow weary of doing what is good; for if we don’t give up, we will in due time reap the harvest. 10 Therefore, as the opportunity arises, let us do what is good to everyone, and especially to the family of those who are trustingly faithful.
Psalm 63:3 (2) I used to contemplate you in the sanctuary,
seeing your power and glory;
4 (3) for your grace is better than life.
My lips will worship you.
For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.
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Let's keep Herod in Christmas
By Brett Younger
Matthew 2:12-23
Twenty-seven Christmases ago I was the new pastor of a Baptist church in Indiana. I decided we would have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service—the first ever. I wanted everything to be perfect. It almost was. Snow fell that afternoon. A junior in high school, Melody, played “What Child Is This” on the flute. Three generations—a grandmother, her daughter, and granddaughter—lit the Advent candles. We sang the carols “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Away in a Manger,” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” We read the story—Mary, Joseph, the baby, and the manger. I remember thinking: This is a Hallmark card of a worship service. This is as picture-perfect a Christmas moment as any church has ever known.
That’s when Danny’s beeper went off. Danny was a member of the volunteer fire department. When his beeper sounded—as it often did— Danny ran out of the sanctuary. We had gotten used to it, but it was still disconcerting. Then we started singing “Silent Night.” As we got to “Wondrous Star, lend thy light,” Danny ran back in and shouted that church member Bob’s mother’s house was on fire. Bob’s family ran after Danny. Danny’s wife got up and left. Everyone had to choose between listening to the preacher’s sermon or slipping out one by one and going to a big fire. By the time I got Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the crowd— and I use that term loosely—was made up of those who were waiting for a ride home and those who had fallen asleep. That’s not how Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services are supposed to turn out. Tragedies should wait until January, because they don’t fit our ideas about Christmas.
That’s why King Herod doesn’t fit the Christmas story. The horrifying sequence of events in Matthew’s Gospel doesn’t feel like it belongs in the Christmas story. The most difficult part to cast in the Christmas pageant is King Herod. Walmart sells a variety of plastic Nativity scenes for the yard, but there are no glow-in-the-dark King Herods. No Christmas card has this verse from Matthew on the front: “A voice was heard in Ramah, / wailing and loud lamentation” (Matthew 2:18). This part of the story may not seem to fit, but we need to hear it. Like a lot of stories, we have to hear the whole story or we get the story wrong.
Every true story admits that even in the midst of blinking decorations and flickering candles, darkness threatens the light. Ignoring the darkness is ignoring reality. We leave King Herod out of the Christmas story because we think we’re supposed to keep the hardships of the real world away from Christmas. Matthew says that Christmas came in the days of King Herod. King Herod was like Joseph Stalin. He executed his favorite wife, his brother-in-law, and three of his sons because he thought they wanted his crown.
We usually imagine angels speaking in soft, reassuring tones. The angel in Joseph’s dream shouted: “Wake up! Hurry! Run!” They escaped to Egypt. They were far from home, but the baby was safe.
Tragically, not everyone was safe. Herod’s order was the death of every boy in Bethlehem two years old and younger. Matthew can’t find words terrifying enough to describe the horror, so he borrows words from the prophet Jeremiah: “wailing and loud lamentation, / Rachel weeping for her children; / she refused to be consoled, because they are no more” (v. 18).
The first Christmas was soldiers with swords in the streets; mothers clutching their babies, hiding in the closet, trying not to breathe too loudly, and begging their infants not to cry. There aren’t many questions more impossible to answer than, “Why couldn’t the angel have warned them too?” Even the birth of the new King didn’t stop the suffering.
It’s not surprising that we skip this part of the story. It’s easy to understand why there’s no carol in our hymnal about the slaughter of the innocents. Perhaps there should be, because we need to understand that Christmas is God’s response to our sorrows.
My second Christmas as pastor of Central Baptist Church, I got a phone call from the county hospital on December 23. The night before, an unwed teenager had given birth to a stillborn baby. The social worker wanted me to lead a graveside service the next morning. She explained that they would normally have the service a day later or at least in the afternoon, but she “didn’t want the girl to associate this experience with Christmas.” The teenager had visited our church a few times. Marilyn (not her real name) was fifteen and had been raped by her grandfather. Christmas Eve was miserable. The snow had been on the ground for more than a week. It had rained and so the snow wasn’t pretty. The temperature was in the twenties. It was threatening to rain again. Marilyn’s older sister brought her straight from the hospital. Their parents didn’t come; they blamed Marilyn for what had happened. There were six of us there: Marilyn, her sister, the funeral director, two women from our church, and me. I knew what I had been told: “We don’t want her to associate this experience with Christmas.” I kept thinking about the story that Matthew tells. Christmas is mothers crying because their children have died: “wailing and loud lamentation . . . [refusing] to be consoled, because they are no more.” If we have to stand at a graveside on Christmas Eve, we need to remember the hope that comes with Christmas.
The part of this story that we’re used to leaving out—the sadness, suffering, and death—is most important. It’s the hard part that explains why this child is a holy child.
When we remember the story, we need to remember all of the story. God comes to the worst places and the most painful circumstances to share our suffering, to care for us in the midst of tragedy. Christ has come to bear our sorrows. We have not been left alone.
This holy season is the promise that God’s joy is deeper than our sadness, that ultimately life is more powerful than death, and that the light shines even in the darkness.-------
Can I give silently or must I mention my faith?
By Christy Thomas
BigstockDear Thoughtful Pastor: In this season of giving, which is really an all year affair, it is OK to love and help people, even to save their physical lives, without urging them to become Christians? Is it OK, as a Christian, for me not to mention my own faith as I give of myself and my means? Is it enough and appropriate to let the giving speak for itself? Jesus did this at times, didn’t he? I’m not sure. Please let me know what you think.
First, I want to commend you for your generosity and willingness to help others. Doing so is absolutely basic to the Christian faith. Those who call themselves Christian but live as though there is no larger obligation to the world of the needy are standing on a quicksand-laced foundation.
Second, I think you have asked questions that many others would echo: How do we model Jesus in our giving? Is giving necessarily linked with an invitation into Christian faith? Must we be verbal witnesses as well as material givers? Can people adequately see our faith from our actions?
It’s hard to draw a direct, “this is what you should do every time” answer from the Bible because Jesus’ interactions with others changed depending on the circumstances of the encounters. I decided, therefore, to start with the ideal: the group of sayings found in Matthew 5-7. This section is generally known as the “Sermon on the Mount” mainly because the scene was set on a small mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s extremely important because it sets out more clearly than any other scriptures what the “kingdom of heaven” looks like.
There’s one section devoted entirely to generosity toward others, Matthew 6:1-4. “Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.”
Jesus makes it clear here: Give, but give in ways that draw absolutely no attention to yourself. The phrase “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” is particularly important. I think what Jesus is saying here works this way, “Don’t worry if you gave something yesterday with your right hand, because if you left hand wants to give to the same cause or person today, it should be free to do so.”
In other words, don’t keep tallies. Just give and do so quietly.
Now, let’s bring this to the specifics of your question: Do we need to tell people that they need to have faith in Jesus when we offer gifts or support? Could it be that such a demand is a part of “tallying up” gifts?
Can we even offer words intended to bring people to faith in Jesus while without bringing attention to yourself? That seems to be the core of these instructions. The rest of this chapter goes on to talk about how to pray without bringing attention to ourselves and how to fast, also without bringing attention to ourselves.
Jesus appears to suggest that silent generosity, as well as hidden prayer and fasting, have far more effectiveness that the kind of generosity with an agenda of specific belief requirements attached.
Let’s dream for a moment what a world of extraordinarily generous but anonymous givers would look like. It’s very possible that many university and church buildings might not be built, since a large percentage are named after wealthy donors. Possibly some of the many charitable foundations that are named after their mega-rich founders may not exist.
But . . . again, assuming extreme generosity, maybe there would far more creative, even more effective giving when people chose to give in a way that does not draw attention to themselves.
Because of my work, I am privileged to know a number of extremely generous givers who would be utterly embarrassed if the extent of their philanthropy were generally known. It seems to me that much genuine goodness flows from them in an infectious manner — their very lack of name recognition seems to inspire more freedom to give. Indeed, their left hands don’t know what their rights hand are doing — and the world is made better because of it.
So yes, give without words. Give freely. Be the blessing. That is the major call upon all of us.
Email questions to thoughtfulpastor@gmail.com. A version of this column appeared in the Friday December 16, 2016 print and online editions of The Denton Record Chronicle. Christy blogs at Patheos.
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A frugal pope buys his own shoes
By Josephine McKenna / Religion News Service
The shoes of Pope Francis are seen as he conducts a general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on March 16, 2013. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Max RossiROME (RNS) As cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, he took the subway. Then as pope, he went out to buy his own eyeglasses. And now he picked up a pair of shoes.
Pope Francis caused a sensation after he left the Vatican late Tuesday (Dec. 20) and showed up in a pharmacy in the heart of Rome.
Shop assistants and customers were astonished to see the 80-year-old pontiff there to purchase a pair of orthopedic shoes he needs to relieve pain caused by chronic sciatica.
The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics blessed an employee's crucifix and happily posed for selfies and videos.
Rome resident Martina Duarte posted her delight on her Facebook page with a video of the pope and the caption: "A Tuesday with the Pope ... my love I am incredibly proud of you!"
“A pope who goes to buy himself a pair of orthopedic shoes is like any citizen. A man among the people!” tweeted another fan.
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La Trotto @paola_trotto
Il Papa che va a comprarsi un paio di scarpe ortopediche, come un qualsiasi cittadino. Un uomo fra gli uomini. #PapaFrancesco
4:46 AM - 21 Dec 2016
Since his election in 2013 the former Jorge Bergoglio has made a point of leading a simple life, shunning the opulent papal apartments for a modest room in his residence, carrying his own briefcase and traveling in a simple Ford Fiesta.-------
Trump continues inaugural prayer service tradition
By Adelle M. Banks / Religion News Service
The Washington National Cathedral interior framed through a stone detail on the cathedral's balcony on June 12, 2015. RNS photo by Sally MorrowWASHINGTON (RNS) President-elect Donald Trump plans to attend an inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, following the tradition of many past presidents.
The National Prayer Service, set for Jan. 21, the day after the swearing-in, is the last of the official inaugural events announced Wednesday (Dec. 21) by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
“The Inaugural Prayer Service is a moment for our next president to pause and contemplate the incredible responsibility he has been entrusted with and to listen as the faith community offers prayers for the office of the president,” said Kevin Eckstrom, the cathedral’s chief communications officer, in a statement.
Trump’s planned presence at the cathedral comes after a divisive campaign in which 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for him and religious leaders of a range of faiths expressed concern about his stated plans to register Muslims and ban Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S.
Details of the service at the cathedral are not yet available but an Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman confirmed that Cardinal Donald Wuerl plans to attend.
“He’s been involved in some of the planning,” said archdiocesan spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi of Wuerl. “It’s still in the early stages.”
The cathedral has been the site of inaugural prayer services since 1933, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was first inaugurated. In more recent times, it's most consistently been the location of such services since President Reagan's inauguration in 1985. However, President Clinton chose Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church for his inaugural services.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Square from the White House, has often been the choice for a private service for the president-elect on the morning of the swearing-in.
Hayden Bryan, the church’s executive director for operations, said Trump is expected to attend a service there on Jan. 20.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has announced that it will sing at the swearing-in, marking its sixth time for such a performance.
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Wesley found the service rich and meaningful, as expressed in his Journal: "Many mourned before God, and many were comforted" (April 1756); "It was, as usual, a time of remarkable blessing" (October 1765). "It was an occasion for a variety of spiritual experiences ... I do not know that ever we had a greater blessing. Afterwards many desired to return thanks, either for a sense of pardon, for full salvation, or for a fresh manifestation of His graces, healing all their backslidings" (January 1, 1775). In London these services were usually held on New Year's Day. Around the country the Covenant Service was conducted whenever John Wesley visited the Methodist Societies.
After the time of Wesley several versions of the Covenant Service were developed, gradually giving Wesley's material less place in the total service. The present service follows our Basic Pattern of worship, enables the congregation to participate more fully, and updates language. Most significant, the liturgy beginning with the Invitation is taken directly from Wesley's service of 1780.
The heart of the service, focused in the Covenant Prayer, requires persons to commit themselves to God. This covenant is serious and assumes adequate preparation for and continual response to the covenant. Leaders of worship must take seriously the need to prepare the congregation for this service, possibly through study sessions and prayer.
The leaders must also assume responsibility to assist persons to be faithful to the covenant, possibly through meetings for spiritual discipline.
The Covenant Service is most commonly held on New Year's Eve or Day and therefore is sometimes called a Watch Night Service. Historically, a Watch Night Service would be three hours or longer, including readings from Scripture and hymn singing. This Covenant Service would also be appropriate on one of the Sundays After the Epiphany, during Lent, on a church anniversary, or during a revival or preaching mission. Ideally, the service should be used only once a year on the same Sunday. Red is an appropriate color for paraments and vestments.
Individual copies of the Covenant Service are recommended for all worshipers so that they may sign and keep them as reminders.
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ENTRANCE
GATHERING
GREETING
HYMN *Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine (UMH 606)
Charles Wesley wrote this hymn specifically for this service.
OPENING PRAYER*
O God, Searcher of all our hearts,
you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own.
As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace,
and to enter anew into covenant with you,
reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us.
Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being,
and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (DAVID TRIPP, ENGLAND, 20TH CENT.)
LITANY OF THANKSGIVING
The following or another litany of thanksgiving may be used:Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies.
O God, our Covenant Friend,
you have been gracious to us through all the years of our lives.
We thank you for your loving care,
which has filled our days and brought us to this time and place.
We praise your holy name, O God.
You have given us life and reason,
and set us in a world filled with your glory.
You have comforted us with family and friends,
and ministered to us through the hands of our sisters and brothers.
Verse 2
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The people — Israel and Judah.
Darkness — The expression is general and so may well comprehend both calamity and ignorance, idolatry and profaneness, in which those parts were eminently involved.
Have seen — Shall see at the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 3
[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Thou hast — Thou hast made good thy promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed, by gathering in the Gentiles to the Jews.
Before thee — In thy presence, and in the place of thy worship.
Verse 4
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
The yoke — His burdensome yoke.
The staff — The staff or staves by which he was forced to carry burdens upon his shoulders.
The rod — Wherewith he beat him.
Oppressor — Of all his oppressors, but especially of sin and the devil.
As — When God destroyed the Midianites in so admirable a manner by three hundred men.
Verse 5
[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Noise — With the triumphant exclamations of the conqueror, and the bitter lamentations of the conquered, and the different cries of the same persons, sometimes conquering, and sometimes conquered.
Blood — With great difficulty and slaughter.
But — But this victory which God's people shall have over all their enemies, shall be more terrible to their adversaries, whom God will utterly consume, as it were by fire.
Verse 6
[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
For — Having spoken of the glorious light, and joy, and victory of God's people, he now proceeds to shew the ground of it.
Us — Unto us Jews, of whom Christ was born, and to whom he was primarily sent.
A child — The Messiah by the consent of interpreters, not only Christian, but Jewish: for so the ancient Hebrew doctors understood the place, and particularly the Chaldee paraphrast; although the latter Jews, out of opposition to Christ, wrest it to Hezekiah. Which extravagant conceit, as it hath no foundation in this or any other text of scripture, so it is fully confuted by the following titles, which are such as cannot without blasphemy and nonsense be ascribed to Hezekiah, nor indeed to any mere mortal man, as we shall see.
Is born — Or, shall be born, as the prophets generally speak.
The government — Of God's people, to whom he is given.
Shoulders — Upon him, or in his hands. He mentions shoulders, because great burdens are commonly laid upon men's shoulders.
His name — This is not to be taken for a description of his name, but of his glorious nature and qualities.
Wonderful counsellor — And so Christ is, because he hath been the counsellor of his church in all ages, and the author and giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets, and hath gathered and enlarged, and preserved his church, by admirable counsels and methods of his providence, and, in a word, hath in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3.
Mighty God — This title can agree to no man but Christ, who was God as well as man, to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament. And it is a true observation, that this Hebrew word El is never used in the singular number, of any creature, but only of the almighty God.
The father — The father of eternity. Who, though as man he was then unborn, yet was and is from everlasting to everlasting.
Verse 7
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
No end — His peaceable and happy government shall be extended to all the ends of the earth.
The throne — Which was promised to David, and to his seed for ever.
For ever — From the beginning of it to all eternity.
The zeal — This great work shall be brought to pass by almighty God, out of that fervent affection which he hath to his own glory, to the honour of his son, and to his people.
Psalm 96
(Read all of Psalm 96)
Verse 1
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
O sing — Upon this new and great occasion, not the removal of the ark, but the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 4
[4] For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Gods — The gods of the nations, as the next verse expounds it.
Verse 6
[6] Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Before him — In his presence.
Verse 9
[9] O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Beauty — Cloathed with all the gifts and graces, which are necessary in God's worship.
Verse 10
[10] Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Reigneth — God hath now set up his kingdom in the world.
Established — The nations of the world shall by the means of it enjoy an established and lasting peace.
Verse 13
[13] Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Before — At the presence and approach of their Lord and Maker.
Cometh — To set up his throne among all the nations of the earth.
Titus 2:11-14
Verse 11
[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The saving grace of God — So it is in its nature, tendency, and design.
Hath appeared to all men — High and low.
Verse 12
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Instructing us — All who do not reject it.
That, having renounced ungodliness — Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God.
And worldly desires — Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness.
We should live soberly — In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections.
And righteously — Doing to all as we would they should do to us.
And godly — As those who are consecrated to God both in heart and life.
Verse 13
[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Looking — With eager desire. For that glorious appearing - Which we hope for.
Of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ — So that, if there be (according to the Arian scheme) a great God and a little God, Christ is not the little God, but the great one.
Verse 14
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who gave himself for us — To die in our stead.
That he might redeem us — Miserable bondslaves, as well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt, of all our sins.
Luke 2:1-20
(Read all of Luke 2)
Verse 2
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered — Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
To you — Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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or Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14
This Week's Lectionary
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sunday, 25 December 2016
or Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20
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Scripture Texts: Isaiah 62:6 I have posted watchmen
on your walls, Yerushalayim;
they will never fall silent,
neither by day nor by night.
You who call on Adonai,
give yourselves no rest;
7 and give him no rest till he restores Yerushalayim
and makes it a praise on earth.
8 Adonai has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“Never again will I give your grain
to your enemies as food;
nor will strangers drink your wine,
for which you worked so hard;
9 but those who harvest the grain will eat it
with praises to Adonai;
those who gathered the wine will drink it
in the courtyards of my sanctuary.”
10 Go on through, go on through the gates,
clear the way for the people!
Build up a highway, build it up!
Clear away the stones!
Raise a banner for the peoples!
11 Adonai has proclaimed to the end of the earth,
“Say to the daughter of Tziyon,
‘Here, your Salvation is coming!
Here, his reward is with him,
and his recompense is before him.’”
12 They will call them The Holy People,
The Redeemed of Adonai.
You will be called D’rushah [Sought-After],
‘Ir Lo Ne‘ezvah [City-No-Longer-Abandoned].
Psalm 97:1 Adonai is king, let the earth rejoice,
let the many coasts and islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
setting ablaze his foes on every side.
4 His flashes of lightning light up the world;
the earth sees it and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Adonai,
at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images will be put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols.
Bow down to him, all you gods!
8 Tziyon hears and is glad, Adonai;
the daughters of Y’hudah rejoice at your rulings.
9 For you, Adonai, most high over all the earth,
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love Adonai, hate evil!
He keeps his faithful servants safe.
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous;
and give thanks on recalling his holiness.
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love for mankind of God our Deliverer was revealed, 5 he delivered us. It was not on the ground of any righteous deeds we had done, but on the ground of his own mercy. He did it by means of the mikveh of rebirth and the renewal brought about by the Ruach HaKodesh, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Yeshua the Messiah, our Deliverer. 7 He did it so that by his grace we might come to be considered righteous by God and become heirs, with the certain hope of eternal life.
Luke 2:1 Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria. 3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y’hudah, 5 to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; 7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.
8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, 9 when an angel of Adonai appeared to them, and the Sh’khinah of Adonai shone around them. They were terrified; 10 but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God:
14 “In the highest heaven, glory to God!
And on earth, peace among people of good will!”
15 No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that Adonai has told us about.” 16 Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 17 Upon seeing this, they made known what they had been told about this child; 18 and all who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart. 20 Meanwhile, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen; it had been just as they had been told.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 62:6-12
Verse 6
[6] I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Day nor night — There shall be a vigilant and industrious ministry.
Ye — That is, are his servants. And here especially are meant his servants in ordinary, his remembrancers, such as put God in mind of his promise, and such as make the Lord to be remembered, putting his people in mind of him.
Verse 7
[7] And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
A praise — By sending the Messiah, and those labourers into his vineyard, whereby the church may be established, and settled on sure foundations, and so become a matter of praise to God. All the nations shall praise him for her.
Verse 9
[9] But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
But — Thou shalt not sow, and another reap, as formerly.
Courts — In my courts: holiness being put for God himself.
Verse 10
[10] Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Go through — It is doubled by way of emphasis. Go meet the Gentiles, whom God purposes to bring into the church.
Prepare — Let them not have any obstructions in their way.
Stones — That there be no stumbling-stone, or offence in their way.
Standard — An allusion to soldiers, that set up their standard that the army may know where to repair from all quarters.
Verse 11
[11] Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Zion — To Jerusalem, or the church.
Thy salvation — Thy saviour.
Reward — The reward due to the work.
Psalm 97
(Read all of Psalm 97)
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Isles — The Gentile nations, as this word, used Isaiah 42:4, is expounded, Matthew 12:21.
Verse 2
[2] Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Darkness — A dark cloud doth encompass him.
Verse 6
[6] The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Heavens — The angels, yea God himself from heaven.
Verse 7
[7] Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Confounded — Let them be ashamed of their folly.
Gods — All you whom the Gentiles have made the objects of their worship.
Verse 8
[8] Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
Zion — Thy people dwelling in Zion or Jerusalem, to whom Christ came.
Heard — The fame of thy judgments, and the setting up the kingdom of the Messiah.
Verse 11
[11] Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Light — Joy and happiness.
Sown — Is laid up for them.
Titus 3:4-7
Verse 4
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
When the love of God appeared — By the light of his Spirit to our inmost soul.
Verse 5
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Not by works — In this important passage the apostle presents us with a delightful view of our redemption. Herein we have, 1. The cause of it; not our works or righteousness, but "the kindness and love of God our Saviour." 2. The effects; which are, (1.) Justification; "being justified," pardoned and accepted through the alone merits of Christ, not from any desert in us, but according to his own mercy, "by his grace," his free, unmerited goodness. (2.) Sanctification, expressed by the laver of regeneration, (that is, baptism, the thing signified, as well as the outward sign,) and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; which purifies the soul, as water cleanses the body, and renews it in the whole image of God. 3. The consummation of all; - that we might become heirs of eternal life, and live now in the joyful hope of it.
Luke 2:1-20
(Read all of Luke 2)
Verse 2
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered — Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
To you — Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
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LONGING FOR PEACE by Brett Younger
Isaiah 9:2-7
We tend to romanticize Christmas, but we don’t do it on purpose. We are reasonable, logical, and hardheaded, but the magic of the season gets to us in spite of ourselves. Christmas lights, for instance, make us breathe a little faster and our eyes open a little wider. Not all lights, of course, are breathtaking and eye-opening. The ones in stores and on lampposts at the mall don’t count. The lights in front of houses, even the cheesiest ones, are the magical lights—multicolored blinking lights that drape small bushes and scale tall trees, ring wreaths on doors, and trace rectangles around windows. Lighted reindeer graze next to Santa in the hammock. Electric Frosties live next door to glow-in-the-dark Josephs and Marys that live next door to solemnly glowing candles.
We notice the lights, not only because they’re hard to miss, but because they give us the feeling that something important is on its way. We love lights, in part because we understand that the world is dark. We want to believe that life should be easy, but the obvious truth is that life is hard. Most of us have more medical tests in our future than in our past, more tears to come than we’ve already shed. The carefree days never last long enough.
Some of us worry about being alone. Will we spend our lives by ourselves? Others worry about family. Will our marriage get better? We’re afraid for our children. Will they turn out like we hope? We’re afraid that our parents are growing old. How are we going to care for them? We worry about our health. Some of us are growing old too. Life is hard. The world is dark. The state of the world leads us to pessimism. The world is at war and no one has an exit strategy. So many bad things happen that we become numb to the suffering of others. We’ll spend most of our lives hoping for a better day and a better world.
When Isaiah wanted to speak to our deepest longings, the prophet chose light as the symbol because he knew how dark the world can be. Zebulun and Naphtali, the tribes Isaiah addresses in chapter 9, were in a hopeless situation. These were the two northernmost tribes of Israel. Whenever anyone invaded they were the first and last to bear the brunt of it. When the Assyrians overran Israel, they decided to annex these two tribes. Naphtali and Zebulun were cut off from the rest of Israel, separated from their countries and their families. What possible word of encouragement can Isaiah offer? What can he say that will bring hope?
Isaiah believed that the chaos of the world would be answered by the birth of a child. He preaches, “I know things are dismal. The enemy has killed people you loved and taken your land, but listen to this. A child will be born. This child will make things right. You live in darkness, but take hope, for a light is shining. Your despair will become joy. Your oppressors will be driven away, their battle gear destroyed. This One who comes will be a wonderful counselor—acting as a true friend, a mighty God—ruling in power, an everlasting Father—caring for you, the Prince of Peace—bringing harmony to a war-torn world. His Kingdom will last forever. Peace will come in the child that will be born.”
It’s such a magnificent vision that it seems more like a fantasy than a promise. In time, one night when the world wasn’t looking, the prophet’s dream became flesh. In the middle of the dreariest of winters, God promised spring.
In Paris in the 1920s, Pablo Picasso was asked to paint the portrait of the young poet Gertrude Stein. After months of work, Picasso unveiled the painting. People were shocked. The portrait resembled Miss Stein, but showed her as old, wise, and strong; not the young, uncertain woman that they knew. When they said, “But that doesn’t look like her,” Picasso responded, “It will one day.” And it happened. The artist had a vision of what she would look and be like one day and framed the vision in his painting.
Isaiah framed his vision in his prophecy. A light will overcome the darkness. People will rejoice. The oppressors will be overthrown. The kingdom of Christ will be peaceful and just. The hurting people in Zebulun and Naphtali must have said, “But that doesn’t look like the world.” Isaiah responded, “It will one day.”
Because of Christ, the world will be better than it is now. Peace will overcome hostility. Love will defeat hatred. Fears will become laughter. One day, everything Isaiah hoped for will be. One day we will not learn war anymore. One day those committed to the vision that Isaiah saw, the way of Christ, and the promise of peace will be proven right.
Martin Luther King, Jr., preached that though violence may end the lives of murderers, liars, and haters, violence cannot end murder, lies, or hate. Only light can end darkness. Only love can end hate.
One day, the light will overcome the darkness. We don’t pay enough attention to dreams as big as Isaiah’s or promises as wide as God’s peace. We listen instead to tiny, empty promises. We neglect the deepest longing of our hearts.
This day invites us to dream of the peace God promises. Every now and then we catch a glimpse: when a young father takes his newborn daughter into his arms for the first time; when a troubled couple falls in love again; when a family makes a pilgrimage to the bedside of a dying loved one and feels an unexplainable peace; when a single woman comes home to her solitary dwelling not as a place of emptiness but as a nest sheltered under the wing of God; when the lights that surround Christmas shine into the darkest places in our lives; when followers of Christ courageously seek peace. God invites us to believe in this child and the person he grew up to be, to believe in the power of God to bring light into our darkness and peace to our world.… read more-------
WORSHIP FOR KIDS: CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY by Carolyn C. Brown
Christmas Eve—Day
Note: The lectionary offers three sets of readings for Christmas Eve/Day. The readings are identical in each of the three cycles. In this series, Year A offers the second Christmas Proper (texts from the Roman Shepherd's Mass held at dawn on Christmas Day); Year B offers the third Christmas Proper (texts for later in the day or on the Sunday following Christmas); Year C offers the first Christmas Proper (the traditional texts for Christmas Eve). Any of the three is appropriate for use at any Christmas Eve or Day worship service.
The lessons of the Third Proper include no telling of the Christmas story, but only theological statements about its significance. While they are not the first choice for congregations which include large numbers of children, neither are they totally inaccessible to children. Children, though unable to appreciate the intellectual points of these texts, do respond to their awe in the face of God with us. Carefully planned liturgical presentation of the texts offers more to children than does the sermon. Review Years A and C for additional ideas for Christmas Eve/Day.
From a Child's Point of View
Gospel: John 1:1-14. Older children are interested in the fact that while Matthew and Luke begin their good news about Jesus with stories about his birth, Mark starts with Jesus as a man, and John introduces us to Jesus with a poem about who Jesus is. With this information, they are ready to listen for what John tells us about Jesus.
To understand what they hear, they need to be told that "the Word" was sort of a code word for Jesus. Everything the Word was or did, John said that Jesus was or did. Thus prepared, children can learn from the poem that Jesus was with God at Creation, that Jesus is the source of all life, that Jesus was not accepted by many people he met, and that Jesus makes us God's children. The most intriguing of these statements is that Jesus and God are one and that Jesus was at the beginning and will be at the end. On Christmas, children need to hear that no one understands how these things can be. They are mysteries truths that we know but cannot explain. The New Revised Standard Version offers the best translation of the Prologue for children.
Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12). Verses 1-4 answer the question, "Why is Jesus important?" by stating that God spoke to us through Jesus. The writer notes that this was not the only time God had spoken and mentions prophets and angels as examples of God's other efforts. Children recognize that God speaks to us also through the Bible, through the beauty of the natural world, and through other people (often teachers). When they hear some of the things described that God told us through Jesus, they agree that God spoke to us most clearly in Jesus.
The comparison of Jesus to the angels is rather peripheral for Christmas Eve. But children are curious about angels, and if the optional verses are read dramatically, with pauses between the related quotes and careful inflection within the quotes, children grasp the writer's point. The Good News Bible is the easiest translation for children to understand.
Psalm: Psalms 98. Children will catch occasional phrases in this praise psalm. Particularly, they will hear the opening call to sing to God, who has done marvelous things; the familiar call to make a joyful noise (verse 4) with songs and instruments (verses 4-6); and the call for seas and hills to join in the praise (verses 7-8). These concrete praises are easy for children to own as their response to the events of Christmas.
Old Testament: Isaiah 52:7-10. This text is too complicated for children, especially on Christmas. Its images baffle concrete thinkers and require knowledge of the Exile and Return. This one is for the grown-ups.
Watch Words
For children, Word is simply a code word for Jesus. Christmas Eve or Day is not the time to use or introduce Logos.
Let the Children Sing
"Joy to the World!" (based on Psalms 98) , "O Come, All Ye Faithful," and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" express the triumph of Christ come to earth that is found in the texts. All three carols are, however, filled with long words exultation and strange phrases "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see." Because children generally learn Christmas carols by hearing them rather than by reading them, there are often misconceptions. Children respond more to the feel of the music than to the meaning of the words. So if you sing them, keep the tempo and sound bright and strong.
Even nonreaders can join in on the repeated lines of "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice."
The Liturgical Child
1. Since these lessons assume knowledge of the Christmas story, present the story in tableau before the service begins. Invite worshipers to arrive early enough to stop by a live nativity scene outside or to get a close look at a tableau in the chancel. If this is done in the sanctuary, replace the prelude with carol singing. Sing the first verse of story-telling carols that are familiar to children. Something to do while waiting for worship to begin is appreciated both by children, fueled with Christmas sugar and excitement, and by the adults who sit with them.
2. To set the mood of quiet wonder, begin with a soloist walking slowly down the center aisle (perhaps carrying a candle), singing "I Wonder as I Wander" or "What Child Is This?"
3. Light the four Advent candles and the Christ candle, saying:
Tonight we light the four candles of Advent waiting. We light one for the people who waited for hundreds of years for God's Messiah. We light one for Mary and Joseph waiting for Jesus to be born. We light one for all the waiting we have done getting ready for this night. We light one for all the people who are still waiting tonight for God's love and justice and peace. But tonight, we can finally light the Christ Candle. Jesus is born! The Messiah has come! So let us all say, "Merry Christmas!"
4. If you celebrate Holy Communion, introduce it as the feast table of King Jesus. Describe what people are wearing as they gather tonight in different climates. Name some of the different languages they are using to sing and pray. Then point out that all of them are worshiping the same King Jesus, who is Lord of the whole world. Identify the words of institution as words addressed to all these different people who love Jesus and are loved by Jesus.
5. Read Psalm 98 in the New Revised Standard Version as the Charge and Benediction. Conclude with, "Merry Christmas! Indeed!" or "Let all the people say,`Merry Christmas! Amen.' "
Sermon Resources
Remember that on Christmas Eve or Day, few children follow any sermon. They participate more fully in liturgy that is planned with their excitment and concerns in mind.
With several Chrismons, illustrate the nature of Christ as outlined in these texts. Point them out in their places on the tree with a flashlight beam. Alpha and Omega stand for Jesus' presence at both the beginning and the end of time. The stars stand for the light Jesus brought to the world. The crowns stand for Jesus' rule of the world. Crosses remind us that Jesus' rule is based on his forgiving love and death.
Adapted from Forbid Them Not: Involving Children in Sunday Worship © Abingdon Press… read more-------
WORSHIP CONNECTION: DECEMBER 25, 2016 by Nancy C. Townley
Theme
The Power of the Light
Scripture References
Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12); John 1: 1-14
The Day of Christmas has finally arrived. The long-awaited Messiah is among us. All during Advent we celebrated the coming of God’s true Light into the world. First as an unlit candle, that in darkness we would reflect on our needs; secondly as the first candle is lighted reminding us of hope and a flash light is used as a guiding beam to direct our journey; thirdly we used the image of the lantern focusing on God drawing us to God’s self; fourthly the light was given by a table lamp which reminded us of the warmth and comfort of love and light in God’s presence. On Christmas eve we shared the lights with others as we lighted a host of candles; and today, all the other lights have gone and are replaced with Christmas lights, multicolored to remind us of the infinite ways in which God’s precious Light enters our lives. This is a time of Celebration and great Joy. The darkness has been banished. Praise be to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
Premise
The imprint of God’s love is everywhere. We have focused on light. John’s wonderful words remind us of the intentionality of God in offering us God’s Son. God’s love is incarnate in the Word and the world. The beautiful words from Isaiah and Psalm 98 are a celebration of the joy of receiving the good news from God. And the wonderful letter to the Hebrews again reminds us that God will do everything possible to redeem God’s people. This is our joy. It is only the beginning of the new life, filled with light.
Christmas Object
Today the object featured are a string or several strings of multicolored Christmas Lights, representing the multitude of ways God has given God’s light to our lives.
Music Suggestions
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"
"When Christmas Morn Is Dawning"
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"
"Love Came Down at Christmas
"Joy to the World"
"On This Day Earth Shall Ring"
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
"O Holy Spirit, Root of Life"
"Shine, Jesus, Shine"
Calls to Worship
Call to Worship #1
L: Rejoice! Happy Christmas to everyone!
P: Happy Christmas to you also!
L: Christ our Savior is born.
P: God’s Light is poured into the world.
L: O Come, let us celebrate this wonderful gift.
P: Let us praise God with shouts of joy and singing!
Call to Worship #2
L: The world was once in darkness
P: Now we have God’s Light, Jesus to shine on us.
L: The words and promises of God are all true!
P: God has given us the best gift of all!
L: Rejoice! God is with us!
P: Praise be to God! AMEN.
Call to Worship #3
[From THE FAITH WE SING, using the song on p. 2098, you might consider this celebration of the birth of Jesus as a call to worship]
Choir (singing): The virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin Mary had a baby boy; the virgin Mary had a baby boy and they say that his name is Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh, yes! Believer! Oh, es! Believer! He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom.
L: And the angels sang of his coming to frightened shepherds.
P: And we heard the angels’ song and came running to greet him.
Congregation and Choir: The angels sang when the baby was born, the angels sang when the baby was born, the angels sang when the baby was born, and they say that his name is Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh, yes! Believer!, Oh, yes! Believer! He come from the glory, he come from the glorious Kingdom.
L: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
P: He came to us as light to banish our darkness and the darkness has never overcome the light.
Congregation and Choir: The Shepherds came where the baby was born, the shepherds came where the baby was born, the shepherds came where the baby ws born, and they say that his name is Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh, yes! Believer! Oh yes! Believer! He come from the glory, he come from the glorious Kingdom.
L: Christ our true light is here!
P: Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel has come to us this day!
Call to Worship #4:
L:. Welcome to this Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
P: We are happy to be here today.
L: We have traveled far to get to this point.
P: And all the way God has guided us.
L: Praise be to God who has given us the true Light.
P: May that Light shine on us, in us and through us now and forever. AMEN.
Prayers, Litany, Benediction
Opening Prayer
The celebration of Christmas has just begun. Even though many of us have gone through the gift giving and receiving, have feasted with family and friends, there is yet another gift which has been given. You, O Loving God, have wrapped the gift of your Son Jesus Christ around our lives. The light of your love through him is shining brightly. It is not a harsh light, but a multitude of bright colors that remind us of the wondrous ways you love us. Open our hearts and spirits as we hear the words of your holy scriptures, and the beautiful music. Bring us to you with such joy that it will seem as though our feet aren’t even touching ground. AMEN.
The Christmas Light
Theme for bulletin insert: The Advent lights have gone and are now replaced by these brilliant Christmas Lights. Each light, offering its own colors, is a brilliant reminder of God’s love for us incarnate in Jesus Christ. We have kept our Christ Candle on our worship center so that you may understand the power of the One who came to us to teach us anew of God’s love and to draw us to God once more.
L: The true light is shining in the world. It is the Light of our beloved Savior Jesus Christ. We light this Christ candle and remember how much Jesus loves us.
Congregation/Choir (singing): "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so!"
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, you have sent your Son to us to show us the way. Even when we have turned our backs, followed our own paths, you offer us Light. Forgive us when we are so willful and stubborn. Forgive us when we think more about ourselves and our comforts than we think of reaching out to others. Remind us again that Jesus witnessed to us the Light of Love that serves, guides and heals. Thank you for loving us so much that you would give us this most precious gift. And when we again falter and fail, lift us again with your gentle touch. Pour the Light into our lives once more, that finally, we will fully understand the power and depth of your love for us. AMEN.
Pastoral Prayer
It is interesting, O God of Miracles and Light, that we think of Christmas Day as the final destination for the journey on which we have embarked. Advent was the time of preparation, a time to examine our lives, our hopes, our fears. It was a time to place our trust in your never-failing love and to move again toward you, through the darkness to your Light. We are exhausted from our preparation for this season. The demands of the world have been heavy. But we are here to hear again the powerful reminder of your love which was intended for us throughout all of time. In the beginning of all creation your Light was given to illuminate the majesty of this place; your light shined forth through the lives of the prophets, and most especially through Jesus your Son.
We are bathed in that light on this day and reminded that this journey has now begun. For once the light has been given, it cannot be hidden.....it pours out of those whom it has touched. Send us forth into this world in service to the Light.
Healing and Comforting God, we have spoken aloud and within our hearts the names of people and situations which need your loving touch. Our hearts ache for those who are ill and for those who mourn. We feel that we cannot do enough for them, but we trust in your comforting love to be with them on this journey. For those who feel lost and alone, seeking God, we ask that you help us to reach out to them with your good news of great and abiding love. For all the situations in our world this day, where there is warfare, oppression, strife, all the hideous ways in which your beloved people can suffer, God , please lay your hand of healing love on them. Help them to feel your powerful presence with them, guiding and strengthening. These things which we have spoken with our lips and our hearts we offer in confidence of your eternal love and in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Litany
L: Look at the lights! Aren’t they beautiful?
P: We always thought of Christmas Lights as a secular celebration item.
L: Ah, but God is in all things!
P: The Light is in the world. It is not a separate thing to be hidden away.
L: The Light of God cannot be hidden! We are called to bear that light.
P: We, with our many gifts and talents, are being summoned by God to tell the good news.
L: This is a happy day! God wants us to proclaim the great joy which is given to all people.
P: That Jesus Christ is Born! Hallelujah!
Benediction, Blessing, Commission:
L: Go now, bringing the joy of God’s love with you to all that you meet. Remember that God is with you in all you do. Rejoice, dear people, for God’s Light has come for the whole world. Go in peace and may God’s glorious peace always go with you. AMEN.
Artistic Elements
[Note: It will be important to include in your worship bulletin a brief description of the meaning of this worship visual setting]
SURFACE:.Remove the risers that have been placed during advent, with the exception of a riser in the center back portion of the worship center. The tall Christ Candle will be placed on this riser.
FABRIC:Cover the worship center with white or gold cloth, making sure that it puddles down onto the floor in front of the worship center
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE: If people have not removed their poinsettias and other Christmas flowers from the church the night before, surround the worship center with these lovely gifts of flowers. If the plants have been removed, Place holly, ivy, and evergreen branches on the worship center.
CANDLES: Place the large white Christ Candle on the riser in the center back of the worship center.
ROCKS & WOOD: Rocks and wood are not suggested for this setting.
OTHER: Christmas lights, multicolored, not white only, should be lavishly strung on the worship center and even down the front of the center so that they create a burst of colored light. Weave the greenery around the lights so that the wires are hidden. Affix the connecting wire to the back of the worship center, if possible so that it doesn’t show.… read more-------
SERMON OPTIONS: DECEMBER 25, 2016
The Beautiful Feet
John 1:1-14
You’ll have to pardon my indulgence today, because I’m not going to talk about an angelic proclamation of the birth of our Lord, and we won’t delve into the theological significance of the shepherds or the wise men who came from the East to see Jesus. Instead, I want to talk not so much about the sublime but about the ordinary; not necessarily about the perfect but about the imperfect; and not so much about the transcendent but about the down-to-earth, the concrete, the messy, the smelly, and the awkward. I want to talk to you about feet—about your feet, my feet, and our feet—feet that have chosen to move and have their being as announcers of good news and as publishers of peace and salvation within the context of a specific time and place.
Babylon was one such specific time and place. The Israelites were captive there, and their history was, unfortunately, not too dissimilar to that of some of our countrymen and women. The Israelites were enslaved and oppressed in Babylon and were made scapegoats for a government suffused with material lust and impregnated by the devils of classism and racism. Formerly a free people, the Israelites were now slaves, fourth-class citizens relegated to the ghetto part of town. Clamoring desperately for God’s liberating presence and power, the Israelites feared that God had abandoned them.
But God had not abandoned them, nor had God turned a deaf ear to their supplication. Instead, the despondent cry of a people for their Messiah thundered through creation and pierced the heart of God. Lo and behold, upon a mountaintop, there appeared the beautiful feet of the bearer of a new message proclaiming a new hope—calling forth a new vision, a new song, announcing a new story where the introduction, the climax, and the end are permeated, supported, and moved on by the knowledge that our God reigns!
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Isa. 52:7 NIV), the writer exclaims! Suddenly the smelly, ordinary, funny-looking things called feet are described as beautiful! The sublime imbues the ordinary, the perfect the imperfect, and the divine becomes concrete and tangible. The feet are beautiful because they are bearers of good news to a wasted people, to a people languishing in despair. God has come to Zion, and salvation is finally at hand.
Centuries later, the image of beautiful feet appears again, this time in the New Testament Scriptures. Romans 10:15 speaks of the beautiful feet of those who follow the new Messenger sent to proclaim the good news of redemption—not just for Zion, but for all humanity. Unlike Isaiah, the Romans passage names the Messenger: Jesus the Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us. The sublime was incarnated in the ordinary and became good news!
Being a messenger is not an easy task, especially when feet are involved. Compared with beautiful eyes or capable hands, feet often go unnoticed and unappreciated. Yet in scripture’s upside down, paradoxical perspective, the feet—not the head—are beautiful.
This divine topsy-turvy way of seeing and doing things is good news for people who normally go unnoticed except by those who see them as commodities, for those who are viewed like the old work boots we wear and dispose of when the soles wear out. In God’s scheme of things, the feet are beautiful, not because of their high social standing, but because they bear the message of esperanza: of light in the midst of darkness, of forgiveness and liberation from the social divisions that constantly vie for our attention and distance us from God. The feet are beautiful because they proclaim that you and I have been liberated from the bondage of sin. We are freed to follow in Christ’s footsteps, delivered from the need to hate, enabled to love those who cannot or will not love us, released from the chains of greed, and set free to give even to those who cannot give back.
“Rise up and rejoice!” they proclaim. We are liberated from the bonds of self-centeredness, freed to be with the hurting in our families, neighborhoods, and churches. We need no longer be bound up and paralyzed by despair. The Hope that came to us this Christmas Day has become our salvation. Today Christ bids you and me to see ourselves anew so that we can also see the world, our situations, and others anew. This, my brothers and sisters, is cause for, as we say in our barrios, fiesta.
Feet without honor, unknown by name.
They are my father’s brown feet, daring to preach God’s word and speak against inequalities from the pulpit in Small Town, USA. They are my mother’s little feet, proclaiming strength and courage to alcoholics who didn’t think they had any other choice or anyone who even cared. They are the white feet of my Colombian friend and Anglo brother whose way of honoring others speaks wonders about God’s mercy and grace. They are the black feet of my Dominican and Haitian brothers and sisters, who plead for us to live out the kind of incarnational love that is impartial and unconditionally faithful. They are the feet of our children who challenge us to be color blind as they go off to play with whosoever will give them space. They are the feet of our abuelitas (grandmothers) who take the time to give us a glimpse of God’s special care amid the hustle and bustle of our hurried lives. They are the feet of our teenagers who stand up against the pressure for conformity to the dictates of this generation’s “in group”—feet that don’t win accolades or medals, but feet that love the Lord and love those for whom Jesus came this Christmas Day. They are the feet of former drug addicts and pimps who respond to God’s gift of love through Jesus Christ by daring to make a difference in our inner cities and barrios. They are feet that stick out in their classrooms because they teach with love and conviction. They are the hands that spin the wheels of a wheelchair, generating boldness and vigor for God’s precious gift of life. They are feet that dance with the lonely, lead the wavering, and dare to stand firm against injustice.
Are they just feet? No! They are beautiful feet, embracing the spirit of Christmas and living out the good news—whatever the context might be. The ordinary has become sublime.
If we underestimate the challenge and the cost to those who call themselves sons and daughters of God—that is, familia—then we cannot comprehend the depth of God’s gift of love through Jesus Christ. Oppressed peoples know all too well that there is no fiesta without struggle. Isaiah’s Jerusalem would not be rebuilt without trouble. The bloodshed of innocent babies, and the suffering of their loved ones, would accompany the birth of the Christ Child.
And then there are Jesus’ feet. John 1:11 reminds us that Jesus’ beautiful feet were spat upon, stepped on, crushed, and finally nailed to a tree by the very ones Jesus came to save. These are the feet we have chosen to follow, and as Jesus reminds us, the servant is not greater than the master. Proclaiming Jesus as Lord means that our feet, too, might be stepped on, spat upon, or even crushed by those who reject God’s gift of love. Certainly they will suffer the pain of indifference and be pierced by rejection.
Yet as surely as we know pain, Scripture says we shall also know joy. As Mary anointed Jesus, so God will send someone to soothe our aching and swollen feet with sweet perfume and to dry them with her hair. The beautiful feet of Jesus not only experienced the torture of execution, they also experienced the power of resurrection. The Christmas story is a call to a journey of proclamation, an invitation to join God’s messengers of good tidings to a hurting and hurtful world. It is a journey worth taking, a path worth following.
May God bless your skinny, flat, big, small, brown, white, red, or black feet. May they be called beautiful. (Zaida Maldonado Perez)
The Light Has Come
John 1:1-14
It is hard to believe that there could be someone in the world today who doesn’t know anything about Christmas. But imagine, with me, that such persons exist and you run into them just before Christmas. Perhaps they are from a foreign country where there are no Christians and they have never heard about this holiday. Or perhaps they have lived in isolation their whole lives and have never been exposed to this joyous celebration. They look around them and they see so many different sights. People scurrying about with brightly colored packages. They see bright multicolored lights hanging everywhere. Everyone seems to be cheerful and they greet one another with a smile. The children are all excited and you hear people singing beautiful songs. In their hearts they wonder or perhaps they cry out loud, “What is this all about?” “What is going on here?”
What would you tell them? Where would you start? Would you talk about the decorated Christmas trees? Or would you tell them about the tradition of exchanging gifts? Or perhaps you would share a story about Santa Claus and his amazing flying reindeer? Maybe you want to share something about the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of the Christ Child. Again the question, “Where do I begin?”
One way to express the true meaning of Christmas is to share that Christmas is the celebration of light coming into the world. One doesn’t have to look far to see the visible lights that are symbols of the season. There are the electric lights on Christmas trees and houses and that are at every store and street corner. I remember as a child going on trips to view the Christmas lights with my parents. We would ride to a trailer park where all the residents had to agree to put lights on their trailers. The park was situated on a hillside, and as far as the eye could see there were lights. In the center of the park was an enormous Christmas tree that was also lit up, and choirs would sing under the glowing branches.
Other visible lights are the candles that burn in many of our homes and that are an integral part of our Christmas worship. In many churches there are Advent wreaths with their glowing candles, and many churches have candlelight services on Christmas Eve.
There are the lights that twinkle in people’s eyes during this season. We especially see it in the eyes of the children as they anticipate Christmas morning and in the eyes of adults as they reflect upon the wonderful memories of Christmases past.
The Christmas story is full of events that are filled with light. The Christmas story begins with the visit of the angel Gabriel to a young woman named Mary. When we read about the appearance of angels we are usually told that they are surrounded by a bright light and they are dazzling in appearance. Later in the Christmas story, after the baby Jesus is born in Bethlehem, shepherds out in the fields see first one angel and then a multitude of angels accompanied by a bright light. We are told that these shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks in the night. They probably had a fire and torches to see with and to ward off any predators. In the stable, or perhaps cave, where Christ was born, I envision the light of lamps and torches. Then there is the star that gave light and guidance to the wise travelers from the East.
There is a beautiful theme of light running throughout the Bible. The very first commandment of God is, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). God later spoke to Moses through the light of a burning bush and commanded him to go back to Egypt to set God’s chosen people free. When they were delivered and wandering out in the wilderness, God made God’s presence and protection known in a pillar of fire. God spoke to his servant Isaiah and told him to prophesy, “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” (Isaiah 9:2). In Isaiah 60:1 we read, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”
At Christmas we celebrate the coming of this light into the world just as it was prophesied by Isaiah. In our scripture passage for today, John writes, “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:4- 5). The baby whose birth we celebrate came to bring us all light. Jesus came to light a world filled with darkness.
Christmas also reminds us that there is a light that shines in all of us. This light always burns brighter at Christmas. We are called to be children of light and to let our lights shine. This baby would grow up and later would teach us, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are once again reminded that the “Light” has come. Jesus has come to you and me. Jesus has come to bring light to a world full of darkness. This light shines in all of our hearts and it dispels the darkness in our own lives. We may take this light and share it and always remember that the darkness can never overcome it. May all the twinkling lights that we see about us remind us that Christmas is the celebration of the light that has come into the world. (Neil Epler)
The Word Became Flesh
John 1:1-14
My youngest son was born on Christmas Day at 2:48 P.M.—a time that brought unspeakable joy to my mathematician husband. The clock said 2:48 (two to the first power—2, two to the second power—4, and two to the third power—8). Needless to say, this put my husband in mathematical heaven.
This baby, like my first son, would change my life and the life of my husband. Neither of us took it lightly that he was born on Christmas Day, and just as we did with our other children, we had great visions of how he would change the world and how he would make a difference for justice in the universe. Though I would probably have fallen short of Mary’s Magnificat, I could very well have stood in the street both times that I was pregnant and shouted great revolutionary predictions for change in the world order. Most mothers feel this way.
I say “most,” because motherhood is not always a welcome event for women—especially not for poor, unwed mothers, engaged to be married, who find themselves pregnant by someone other than their intended spouse. In a place where choice is possible, such a woman might choose not to bear a child.
I often wonder what the world would say if today Jesus were to come to such a woman. Perhaps a woman like some of the women I have met in the homeless shelters or the dinner programs or in the soup kitchens. What would happen if God chose them to bear a child? How differently would the world react? Would there be wise men coming from faraway just to see this child, no doubt living in one of the ghettos of the inner city, or in the barrios, or on the reservations, or in the Appalachian mountains, or in a trailer park? Is this generation ready for a Christ who would come under these circumstances?
It is on this Christmas Day that we should reflect on the story in which the “Word became flesh.” It is the embodiment of the Word in the form of Jesus that we celebrate. And what has that Word been through the ages? The Word has been consistent. Whether it found its place in the Ma’at of the Egyptians, the Code of Hammurabi, or the Hebrew Bible, God has made known through many manifestations, that it is the oppressed, those that are held captive, the widow, the orphan, that deserve preferential treatment.
God’s option for the poor and the oppressed comes through once again as this Christmas story emerges. This is not a story about gifts of material wealth. Indeed, it is just the opposite. It is about a gift of spiritual wealth, a gift so rich in spirit that it draws wise men and sages from near and far to witness the presence of the world’s greatest paradox. A king born in a manger, a pregnant virgin, a son of God born of humans, a fully divine and a fully human baby. This paradox continues to confound the wise. So they come looking but not knowing why God chose a manger and a poor Palestinian girl to bear the labor pains that would give birth to a child who would change the world.
If in this day and time God chose once again to bring forth Christ in the womb of the welfare mother, the prostitute, the crack addict, the homeless woman, the mentally disabled, the physically disabled, the poor, the destitute, ask yourself, this Christmas Day where would you go to find him? Do you know where these women are in your community? Do you know how to find them? If you knew, would you go and seek them out? If you knew that Jesus was their newborn baby, would you be afraid to go to the housing projects to see him, to the prison, to the barrios, to the ghettos, to the reservation? How much more different today is that trip than the one taken to the manger by the three wise men long ago?
Christmas is a time for joy, but at what expense are we joyous? As you open the gifts, as you repeat the story, remember that God chose Mary to bear Jesus. (Laverne M. Gill)… read more-------
WORSHIP CONNECTION: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 2) by Nancy C. Townley
Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service
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WORSHIP CONNECTION: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 1) by Nancy C. Townley
Christmas Eve
Color: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
CALLS TO WORSHIP
Call to Worship #1
L: It’s Christmas Eve! How quickly this time has come upon us!
P: We are breathless. Still so much to be done.
L: Calm your spirits. Take time to hear the wondrous news.
P: Open our ears to hear Mary’s Story
L: Believe in the good news!
P: We believe and rejoice! God’s love is here with us! AMEN.
Call to Worship #2
L: All through this season of Advent, we have encountered Hope, Peace and Joy and Love
P: Today we will hear the story of God's wonderful love.
L: Today we will be challenged to believe in all that God can do.
P: Open our hearts, Lord, that we may be ready for your love. AMEN.
Call to Worship #3
[Using THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2095, "Star-Child", have the music sung as directed below]
L: Through time and space, in the blink of the eye, the love of God stretched forth in the life of a young girl, asking that she be part of God’s great plan of Salvation.
P: Her name was Mary. She was not of wealth or power. She was a person, just like you and me.
Soloist: Sing verse 1 of "Star-child"
L: The Good News came first to the lowly.
P: Even today, we believe that good news often comes only to the mighty. How wrong we are!
Duet/solo: sing verse 2 of "Star-Child"
L: In a world where hatred and fear was commonplace, the Christ Child would be born.
P: Fear and Hatred are far too commonplace in our world. May the Christ Child come anew into our hearts today.
Choir: sing verse 5 of "Star-Child"
PRAYERS, LITANY/READING, BENEDICTION
Opening Prayer
Lord, remind us that, like Mary, each one of us is a bearer of your Good News. We are called to proclaim hope, peace, joy, and love in your name. Open our hearts and our spirits today to receive with great joy the love that you have for us. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we are so excited. Christmas Eve is here. We are impatient to hear the whole story. Slow us down again, Lord. As we hear Mary say "Yes!" to God’s good news, help us to remember that God continually calls us to be those who will bear the good news to those in need. Forgive us when we forget to do that. Heal our wounds and bind up our spirits. Enable us to go into your world offering our lives, our gifts, our talents, for your glory. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.
Words of Assurance
God’s love and faithfulness have been at work in you. You are healed and forgiven. Rejoice in God’s love. AMEN.
Pastoral Prayer
Lord, we can’t quite imagine what it must have been like for Mary, to hear God’s request and to respond, unconditionally with "Yes!" We have a tendency to put conditions on everything. We want to know what we have to do, how long this will take, what’s in it for us, what are the projected outcomes. Forgive us for our faithlessness, Lord. Slow us down, and cause us to take time to really consider the wonderful ways you have always worked in our lives. As we have come before you with concerns on our hearts for our families, friends, and world, remind us that your presence is with us and your healing love comforts and restores us. Open our hearts and our ears to the cries of those in need. Let us use our talents and resources to help others. Give us courage, energy, and enthusiasm as we work for you in this world. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Litany/Reading
L: God promised to save God’s world.
P: And the people believed.
L: God sent the prophets to remind them of the covenant of trust and love.
P: And the people believed.
L: In the fullness of time, God’s promise became incarnate in the life of Mary.
P: Mary and Joseph believed.
L: Those who were the least and the lost received good news.
P: And they believed.
L: We are called to open our hearts, spirits, and minds to God’s Good News
P: That, believing, we may be witnesses to God’s great love. AMEN.
Benediction/Blessing
God asks us if we will be God’s people. Our hearts want to shout yes! Go into the world, feeling God’s healing presence in your lives. Tell others about God’s love. Do not be afraid! God is truly with you. AMEN.… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 4) by Bill Hoppe
COLOR: White or Gold
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
THEME IDEAS
Darkness is overcome by light; despair gives way to hope; prisoners are freed; and death is vanquished by the promise of salvation. These are the life- and history-changing forces set in motion by the birth of a child—a child born to a poor Jewish couple, in an obscure town, in a backwater province of the Roman empire. On this night, we eagerly await the arrival of light, hope, freedom, and salvation, as we hear again the beloved story told and retold for generations: Christ is born! Alleluia!
INVITATION AND GATHERING
Call to Worship (Isaiah 9, Luke 2)
Good news! Unspeakable joy!
A great light has burst forth,
overcoming the darkness!
A child is born for us—a son has been given!
Bringing a kingdom of endless peace,
we shall call him Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God!
Come, let us see what God has brought us!
Let us see what the Lord has done!
Glory to God in the highest!
And on earth, peace and goodwill to all!
Opening Prayer (Psalm 96, Isaiah 9, Titus 2)
Holy One,
you have appeared in the flesh,
bringing redemption to all,
your glory is made known in this newborn child,
this living, blessed hope.
Tonight we sing a new song—
a song of justice, righteousness, and endless peace.
Gift of God, beautiful Christ-child,
we welcome you!
Let love be born anew in our hearts
on this joyous night. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 9, Titus 2, Luke 2)
Lord, we have lived far too long
in dark places of our own making.
We have walled ourselves in,
shut the world out,
and held ourselves captive
to our fear and failings.
Free us from this place, Lord.
Return us to a life in your presence,
where we may face the trials of this world
with you by our side.
Restore your light to our eyes,
that we may behold anew
your love in our lives.
Hear us and help us, we pray.
We wait in eager anticipation,
for the glory of your salvation this night. Amen.
Words of Assurance (Isaiah 9, Luke 2)
Rejoice and be glad:
Your burdens are lifted, your captivity is ended!
The Lord’s great light pierces the darkness:
breaching the walls of our prisons,
revealing the way of true freedom.
Light, love, and salvation have come to us this night.
Christ is born, and with Christ, we are born anew!
Amen.
Introduction to the Word (Luke 2)
Over two thousand years ago, a weary world awaited its promised savior. At the appointed time, a governor’s order sent the messiah’s parents from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Imagine, a decree of the Roman empire becomes the means to fulfill God’s prophecies. Timeless stories, timeless truths, timeless love: our messiah has come! Christ is here!
Response to the Word (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Your glory shines around us, Lord;
your light banishes the darkness.
We join the angels and all the heavenly host,
worshiping you with songs of heartfelt praise.
All creation shouts the good news of great joy:
chains are broken, burdens are lifted,
wounds are healed.
This is God’s doing.
Let the world rejoice in the goodness of the Lord! Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION
Offering Prayer (Psalm 96)
Blessed Lord,
you have given us your greatest gift—
your very Word come to earth,
to live with us and through us;
you have filled us with your grace and truth—
your holy child sent to free us from our bonds.
How can we repay such divine generosity?
Receive our thanks and praise.
As you have given to us,
so now we share your gifts and your grace
with a world in need.
May this offering help bring your light and love
to those who still wander in darkness. Amen.
SENDING FORTH
Benediction (Isaiah 9, Luke 2)
A child has been born for us.
God’s grace has been given to us.
From a stable in Bethlehem our savior has come.
We have seen the glory of the Lord,
revealed in the face of the Christ child.
We can hardly contain our amazement.
Tell the world. Treasure the story.
Ponder it in your heart.
We will Glorify and praise God,
for all we have heard and seen!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ has come!
Amen!
CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS
Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Let all people sing praises to the Lord.
Let the whole world give glory to the Lord.
Let heaven rejoice. Let the whole world rejoice.
We sing for joy. The Lord is coming.
The Lord is coming. Christ is coming.
Christ is coming. Christ is here. Hallelujah!
Praise Sentences (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Let the heavens rejoice!
Let the earth rejoice in exaltation!
Let the seas roar and the trees shout for joy!
The Lord is coming to bring righteousness and truth.
God’s light has overcome the darkness!
The light shines upon us, around us, and through us.
Sing to the Lord and bless God’s name!
Salvation has come! Christ has come!… read more
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WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 3) by Laura Jaquith Bartlett
Christmas Eve 2015 (Option 3)
COLOR: White or Gold
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
THEME IDEAS
The message of God’s incarnate love is so powerful in the familiar Luke story that even the once-a-year church folks get it time and time again. We are called to make sure that visitors and regulars alike hear the compelling invitation to live in the light that God has shined into the darkness. This means not just hearing the Christmas story, but telling its good news to others until we ourselves become reflections of Christ’s light throughout the year.
INVITATION AND GATHERING
Call to Worship (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Luke 2)
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
Celebrate the coming of the Light.
O sing to the Lord a new song,
God’s salvation is at hand.
Celebrate the coming of Salvation.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.
Celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace.
I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.
Celebrate the coming of Christ!
Opening Prayer (Isaiah 9)
God of light and love,
shine upon us this Christmas Eve
and in the year ahead.
Guide us out of darkness
and into your joyous light.
May our lives reflect your glorious love,
that others may see your Christmas Spirit in us,
each and every day of our lives. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Titus 2, Luke 2)
God of Joy,
we come to celebrate again
the arrival of Love Incarnate
here in our very midst.
Your glorious arrival
is enough to cause the forests to sing for joy,
yet we still find reasons to complain and sigh.
Your light of salvation
is bright enough to illuminate
every corner of our lives,
yet we still find ourselves shrouded
in worry and doubt.
Your gift of Love
is big enough for the whole world,
yet we still find ourselves resentful
that your love extends to those
whom we deem to be unworthy.
God, you invite us into the light of the stable
where the overlooked and forgotten have gathered
to celebrate the miracle of your love.
Give us the strength and courage
to join you at the manger. Amen.
Words of Assurance (Luke 2)
Do not be afraid!
Hear the good news of great joy for all people:
a savior has been born this night for you!
Passing the Peace of Christ (Luke 2)
As you greet those around you, offer these words:
“Hear the good news!”
Respond in kind:
“A Savior is born!”
Prayer of Preparation (Luke 2)
Surprising God,
open our ears to hear this familiar story
as if for the first time.
Open our eyes to see the diverse cast
gathered at the manger.
Open our hearts to the power of your love
as revealed in this amazing story.
Open our lives to the possibility of transformation,
as we encounter once again
God-With-Us, Emmanuel. Amen.
Response to the Word (Isaiah 9, Titus 2, Luke 2)
A child has been born to us.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
A savior has been given to us.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
The grace of God has appeared in human form.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
Salvation has come to all the earth.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION
Invitation to the Offering
(To be spoken by the worship leader, but not printed)
There is a sentiment among some churches that taking an offering on Christmas Eve is inappropriate. The feeling goes that it’s presumptuous, if not downright rude, for us to expect guests to come to a Christmas celebration and then be asked to put money in the offering plate. But we have a different perspective here. We are so grateful . . . so excited . . . so changed by the love that God has shown us in the gift of Jesus Christ, that we simply can’t walk away from here without responding. The same God who chose to come to earth as a tiny baby invites us to shine the light of love into the world. Through our gifts this night, we have the opportunity to say thank you; to say yes to life and salvation; to say, “Glory to God in the highest heavens!”
Offering Prayer (Luke 2)
Dear God,
we cannot thank you enough
for the gift of your Son.
Through your grace,
you have given us everything,
including our very lives.
On this night,
we celebrate the miracle of Christmas!
But when the candles are blown out,
when the ringing of the bells has ceased
when the angels and shepherds have gone home,
may we continue to shine your light into the world
through the giving of these offerings.
And so we offer you yet another gift:
our partnership to build your reign here on earth.
Amen.
SENDING FORTH
Benediction (Luke 2)
Do not be afraid.
We go forth with courage!
Share the good news.
We go into the world
to proclaim tidings of great joy!
A savior has been born to you.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS
Contemporary Gathering Words (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96)
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Joy to the World!
Tell everyone about God’s amazing miracle.
Joy to the World!
A child has been born who is the Prince of Peace.
Joy to the World!
The light of God’s love shines
throughout the universe.
Joy to the World!
Praise Sentences (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96)
Hear the good news: a child has been born for us!
He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with truth.
Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012, © 2011 Abingdon Press… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 2) by Joanne Carlson Brown
Christmas Eve
COLOR: White
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
THEME IDEAS
The magic of this night is the magic of promises fulfilled: the magic of light bursting on darkness, the magic of a baby’s cry and a mother’s tender love, the magic of angels singing glorias to shepherds, the magic of God coming to earth to dwell among us. It is important to keep hold of this sense of magic as we tell the old familiar story from passages people know by heart. Something special, something incredible happens tonight. Rejoice, for our salvation has come!
INVITATION AND GATHERING
Call to Worship
A light shining in the darkness . . .
What could it be?
The sound of angels’ wings . . .
What could it mean?
A baby born in a stable . . .
Who could it be?
Come to Bethlehem and see.
Opening Prayer
O wondrous God of the stars,
we come tonight with breathless wonder
to see the babe who will change our lives.
We hear the names “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Prince of Peace,”
and we are in awe.
You have touched the earth this night
with your unconditional love.
Touch us—
touch our hearts and minds and souls.
May we never tire of this story.
May we never take it for granted.
Make this night magical again. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Prayer of Confession
It’s Christmas Eve again, God.
We’re barely ready for it.
So much to do to get ready—
gifts to buy and wrap, parties to attend,
trees to trim, houses to decorate.
We’re in a whirlwind of activity.
In the midst of the busyness
we sometimes miss what it is all about—
you coming to earth—Emmanuel—God-with-us.
Help us hear anew
your promises of hope and salvation and love
as we sing our familiar carols.
Forgive us for forgetting the magic of this night,
for focusing on ourselves and what we need to do
instead of on the miracle of Jesus’ birth.
Rock us out of our complacency.
Let us hear angel voices,
see shepherds hurrying to a stable,
feel the baby’s soft breath on our cheeks,
and ponder in our hearts what all this means
for the world, for us.
Words of Assurance
God’s love knows no bounds.
Love comes down at Christmas—
a love so deep and so profound
that nothing will ever be the same again.
Know that this love is come for you—
to touch you, to heal you, to forgive you,
to make you whole.
Passing the Peace of Christ
This night no one is a stranger. All are joined together as one family through the miracle of the birth of one small baby. Let us share our joy and excitement at being present when God reaches down to touch the earth. Let us reach out and touch each other in love incarnate.
Response to the Word
God, we see your light shining in the darkness.
We hear the Christmas Angels.
We behold your promises fulfilled
in the birth of this wondrous child.
May this magical story become real in our lives.
THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION
Invitation to the Offering
Come now and kneel before the Christ child. Bring all that you are and all that you have. Offer your gifts in wonder and surprise and awe. Offer your gifts in joy and delight.
Invitation to Communion
This is a magical night. God-with-us has come to touch our world, our lives. God-with-us has come to bring us out of darkness into a glorious light. God-with-us invites us now to come to the table, believing in the promises of God fulfilled tonight. Here we hear angels, and see shepherds, and are transformed by a baby. Here love is offered, and love is found, in the sharing of bread and cup. Here we find our journey’s end and its beginning.
Offering Prayer
There are so many things
to be thankful for tonight, God.
Receive these tokens of our gratitude
for your love incarnate
in the babe of Bethlehem.
May they become God-with-us for all the world.
May they breathe magic back into a world
that needs a sense of wonder and joy.
SENDING FORTH
Benediction
Go now in wonder.
Go to bring light to those in darkness,
joy to those who can find no joy,
magic to a world steeped in realism.
Go with the songs of angels in your ears,
and the love of God in your hearts.
Go and spread the word—
the babe of Bethlehem is born for all.
CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS
Contemporary Gathering Words
Welcome to this most magical night
when angels and shepherds mingle
and the birth of a baby changes the world.
We come to celebrate with joy and wonder.
Celebrate the light that shines all around us.
We will sing and praise our most wondrous God.
Let us kneel before the Christ child,
who makes God’s promises come true.
Praise Sentences
Unto us a child is born.
Unto us a child is given.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 1) by Bryan Schneider-Thomas
Color: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
Theme Ideas
Christmas Eve is a night of joyful celebration, a night to shout and sing the coming of Jesus. This is not an empty celebration that should leave us exhausted, but rather a deeply filled celebration that looks beyond the actual birth of Christ. The reading from Titus reminds us that the celebration of Jesus' birth is just the beginning. The mystery of God with us is contained not only in birth, but also in suffering, death, and resurrection.
Call to Worship (Luke 2)
Augustus and Quirinius—
ancient names that seem odd to today's ears...
characters in an ancient story
that we long to hear.
Nazareth and Bethlehem—
distant towns we know little about...
places our hearts long for,
because of the One who traveled there.
We gather together to hear once more,
a story so ancient and yet so current,
so distant and yet so near.
We come to hear the story
of God coming to us.
Call to Worship (Psalm 96)
Ascribe to the Lord honor and majesty.
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord praise upon praise.
For God, the Lord, has come to us.
In flesh, the Mighty One dwells with us.
Contemporary Gathering Words (Isaiah 9)
Darkness—we who walk in darkness
have seen a great light:
a light that is a joy for all the earth,
a light that announces new life.
In joy we greet this light.
In this light we see that our savior has come.
Contemporary Gathering Words (Isaiah 9)
A child has been born for us,
whose name is called:
Wonderful Counselor—
Good Shepherd,
Deliverer,
Lamb of God,
The Word;
Mighty God—
First and Last,
Author of Life,
Morning Star,
The Light;
Everlasting Father—
Bread of Life,
Resurrection and Life,
Light of the World,
The Vine;
Prince of Peace—
Chief Cornerstone,
Lord of lords,
King of kings,
The Way.
He is Immanuel. God with us!
Opening Prayer (Titus 2)
Grace of God,
you have brought salvation to all,
by the giving of yourself.
In your sacrifice of love,
you have redeemed us.
May we live lives that glorify you,
as we celebrate your birth
into this world. Amen.
Opening Prayer (Luke 2)
Holy God,
in days of old
you sent your angels
to tell shepherds the good news:
"To you is born this day a Savior,
the Messiah, the Lord."
Help us hear with the shepherds this good news,
that we too may glorify and praise you
for all that we have seen and heard. Amen.
Celebration of Christ's Birth
(The following could be used in conjunction with the Taizé chant, "Jubilate Coeli," or other simple song of joy.)
Heaven sings:
sing of creation and life;
sing of love and light.
Earth sings:
join the chorus, tell the story of salvation.
Let all welcome the Messiah.
Sun and moon proclaim the message of divine light.
Ocean waves tell of life-giving water.
Forests rustle with Spirit-filled wind.
Field and vineyard give fruit for a heavenly feast.
All peoples marvel at what they see and hear.
Join with all of creation in praise.
Sing of God's deeds of power and grace.
For Jesus Christ is born this day:
the One who was foretold by the prophets,
and promised in ages past;
the One who would triumph over death,
and bring us life;
the One who would forgive our sin,
and heal our wounds;
the One who would show us the kingdom of God,
and how we might live.
Born to set us free ...
Born to give us life ...
Born as a gift ...
Heaven sings and earth rejoices:
Jesus Christ is born.
Benediction (Isaiah 9, Titus 2)
In darkness we arrived.
In light we now leave.
Though once we stumbled,
we now walk with confidence.
Rise up and go, for the grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation to all.
May the light of Christ lead us forevermore.
Benediction (Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Go, singing a song to the God of our salvation.
Sing of mighty deeds and glory.
Join the heavenly chorus and sing:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace."
Sing of God's salvation from day to day.
Jesus Christ is born today!… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: DECEMBER 25, 2016
Bigstock/Jorisvo
Christmas Day
Color: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12); John 1: 1-14
Call to Worship
L: We who dwelled in shadows have seen a great light:
P: Glory from heaven embraces the earth, like a mother's arms around a newborn child,
L: Tucking the earth in folds of peace, like a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes,
P: Laying the earth in the cradle of truth, like a baby entrusted to a manger.
L: As the cry of a baby splits the air, uniting the songs of shepherds and angels,
P: Let us give thanks for the birth of a child, through whose young life salvation shines!
Invocation
O God, place your trumpets in our hands, and we will make a mighty sound! For unto the world a child is born; unto the world a savior is given. His hands will split the yoke of our burdens; his knee will snap the rod of our afflictions. He will establish peace upon the earth, breaking the bow and shattering the spear, casting the boots of each tramping warrior into the leaping flames.
You have struck the spark, Lord. The refiner's fire is kindled in the darkness; an ember glows in the silent night. Unto the world a child is born; unto the world a savior is given. Place your trumpets in our hands, and we shall call the world to peace!
Litany
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the honor due God's name—
P: The honor of a scandalous love, a love that kept Joseph by Mary's side when she became great with child!
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the majesty due God's name—
P: The majesty of a lowly manger, a manger that cradled a tiny savior when no room was found in the inn!
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the power due God's name—
P: The power of a simple shepherd, a shepherd who first beheld the One whose name was announced by a heavenly choir!
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the beauty due God's name—
P: The beauty of two ordinary parents, the parents who watched the magi kneel and pondered these things in their wondering hearts!
A: Honor! Majesty! Power! Beauty! Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the glory due God's name!
Prayer for One Voice
O God, we have waited long in the fields of night, keeping watch over the flocks, looking for signs of the morning. And what a sign you have given! The birth of a child! The birth of a savior! The birth of new life! Through your tender mercy, a new day has dawned, giving light to us who sit in darkness and dwell in the shadow of death, revealing the path of righteousness and guiding our feet into the way of peace.
This child who has been born among us—he is the one with whom you will be well pleased.17 And he has been born not among the mighty, but the lowly; not among the ruling, but the ruled; not among the rich, but the poor; not among the favored, but the outcast.
He is not the messiah we had expected from you, Lord. But there is the star dancing above the stall, and there is the angelic choir singing overhead: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace!" All creation celebrates the sign that has come to the natior.s, the salvation that has come to the peoples. The night has been broken; how can we doubt? The dawn is here; how can we not view the world in a different light?
We have run from the fields to see this thing that has happened; we have seen with our eyes—help us to understand with our hearts! O God, help us to know the time of our visitation, so that when the child, become a man, draws near to the place of our habitation, his heart might not be broken; that, instead of weeping, he might rejoice, saying, "Now you have learned the things that make for peace!"
Benediction
Somewhere in the night of our lives, a baby cries, and that cry is our hope. The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of our world. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace!
From Litanies and Other Prayers, Copyright © Abingdon Press.read more
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Christmas Day – White or Gold
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 1:1-14
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
proclaiming shalom, bringing good news
of good things, announcing salvation
and saying to Tziyon, “Your God is King!”
8 Listen! Your watchmen are raising their voices,
shouting for joy together.
For they will see, before their own eyes,
Adonai returning to Tziyon.
9 Break out into joy! Sing together,
you ruins of Yerushalayim!
For Adonai has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Yerushalayim!
10 Adonai has bared his holy arm
in the sight of every nation,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Psalm 98:(0) A psalm:
(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
2 Adonai has made known his victory;
revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
3 remembered his grace and faithfulness
to the house of Isra’el.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Adonai with the lyre,
with the lyre and melodious music!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the shofar,
shout for joy before the king, Adonai!
7 Let the sea roar, and everything in it;
the world, and those living in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before Adonai, for he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.
Hebrews 1:1 In days gone by, God spoke in many and varied ways to the Fathers through the prophets. 2 But now, in the acharit-hayamim, he has spoken to us through his Son, to whom he has given ownership of everything and through whom he created the universe. 3 This Son is the radiance of the Sh’khinah, the very expression of God’s essence, upholding all that exists by his powerful word; and after he had, through himself, made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of HaG’dulah BaM’romim.[Hebrews 1:3 Psalm 110:1]
4 So he has become much better than angels, and the name God has given him is superior to theirs.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing made had being.
4 In him was life,
and the life was the light of mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not suppressed it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light.
9 This was the true light,
which gives light to everyone entering the world.
10 He was in the world — the world came to be through him —
yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to his own homeland,
yet his own people did not receive him.
12 But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God.
14 The Word became a human being and lived with us,
and we saw his Sh’khinah,
the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 52:7-10
Verse 7
[7] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
The mountains — Of Judea, to which these glad tidings were brought, and from which they were spread abroad into other countries.
Of him — Or, of them; the singular number being put for the plural.
Returneth — In the days of the Messiah, God did discover and exercise his dominion over the world far more eminently than ever he had done from the beginning of the world until that time.
Verse 8
[8] Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
Thy watchmen — Thy ministers, who descry the approach of this heavenly king.
Lift up thy voice — To give notice to all people of these glad tidings; and by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious day.
Eye — Distinctly and familiarly, their eyes beholding the eyes of this king of glory. They shall be eye and ear-witnesses of the words and works of Christ, and therefore their testimony shall be more certain and valuable.
Bring again — When God shall complete the work of bringing his church out of captivity.
Psalm 98
(Read all of Psalm 98)
Verse 2
[2] The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah: which was hitherto reserved was a secret among the Jews, yea was not throughly known by the most of the Jews themselves.
Righteousness — His faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise.
Hebrews 1:1-4
(Read all of Hebrews 1)
Verse 1
[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
God, who at sundry times — The creation was revealed in the time of Adam; the last judgment, in the time of Enoch: and so at various times, and in various degrees, more explicit knowledge was given.
In divers manners — In visions, in dreams, and by revelations of various kinds. Both these are opposed to the one entire and perfect revelation which he has made to us by Jesus Christ. The very number of the prophets showed that they prophesied only "in part." Of old - There were no prophets for a large tract of time before Christ came, that the great Prophet might be the more earnestly expected.
Spake — A part is put for the whole; implying every kind of divine communication.
By the prophets — The mention of whom is a virtual declaration that the apostle received the whole Old Testament, and was not about to advance any doctrine in contradiction to it.
Hath in these last times — Intimating that no other revelation is to be expected.
Spoken — All things, and in the most perfect manner.
By his Son — Alone. The Son spake by the apostles. The majesty of the Son of God is proposed, 1. Absolutely, by the very name of Son, verse 1, and by three glorious predicates,-"whom he hath appointed," "by whom he made," who "sat down;" whereby he is described from the beginning to the consummation of all things, Hebrews 1:2,3 2. Comparatively to angels, Hebrews 1:4. The proof of this proposition immediately follows: the name of Son being proved, Hebrews 1:5; his being "heir of all things," Hebrews 1:6-9; his making the worlds, Hebrews 1:10-12 his sitting at God's right hand, Hebrews 1:13, etc.
Verse 2
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Whom he hath appointed heir of all things — After the name of Son, his inheritance is mentioned. God appointed him the heir long before he made the worlds, Ephesians 3:11; Proverbs 8:22, etc. The Son is the firstborn, born before all things: the heir is a term relating to the creation which followed, Hebrews 1:6.
By whom he also made the worlds — Therefore the Son was before all worlds. His glory reaches from everlasting to everlasting, though God spake by him to us only "in these last days."
Verse 3
[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Who sat down — The third of these glorious predicates, with which three other particulars are interwoven, which are mentioned likewise, and in the same order, Colossians 1:15,17,20.
Who, being — The glory which he received in his exaltation at the right hand of the Father no angel was capable of; but the Son alone, who likewise enjoyed it long before.
The brightness of his glory — Glory is the nature of God revealed in its brightness.
The express image — Or stamp. Whatever the Father is, is exhibited in the Son, as a seal in the stamp on wax.
Of his person — Or substance. The word denotes the unchangeable perpetuity of divine life and power.
And sustaining all things — Visible and invisible, in being.
By the word of his power — That is, by his powerful word.
When he had by himself — Without any Mosaic rites or ceremonies.
Purged our sins — In order to which it was necessary he should for a time divest himself of his glory. In this chapter St. Paul describes his glory chiefly as he is the Son of God; afterwards, Hebrews 2:6, etc., the glory of the man Christ Jesus. He speaks, indeed, briefly of the former before his humiliation, but copiously after his exaltation; as from hence the glory he had from eternity began to be evidently seen. Both his purging our sins, and sitting on the right hand of God, are largely treated of in the seven following chapters.
Sat down — The priests stood while they ministered: sitting, therefore, denotes the consummation of his sacrifice. This word, sat down, contains the scope, the theme, and the sum, of the epistle.
Verse 4
[4] Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
This verse has two clauses, the latter of which is treated of, Hebrews 1:5; the former, Hebrews 1:13. Such transpositions are also found in the other epistles of St. Paul, but in none so frequently as in this. The Jewish doctors were peculiarly fond of this figure, and used it much in all their writings. The apostle therefore, becoming all things to all men, here follows the same method. All the inspired writers were readier in all the figures of speech than the most experienced orators.
Being — By his exaltation, after he had been lower than them, Hebrews 2:9.
So much higher than the angels — It was extremely proper to observe this, because the Jews gloried in their law, as it was delivered by the ministration of angels. How much more may we glory in the gospel, which was given, not by the ministry of angels, but of the very Son of God! As he hath by inheritance a more excellent name - Because he is the Son of God, he inherits that name, in right whereof he inherits all things His inheriting that name is more ancient than all worlds; his inheriting all things, as ancient as all things.
Than they — This denotes an immense pre-eminence. The angels do not inherit all things, but are themselves a portion of the Son's inheritance, whom they worship as their Lord.
John 1:1-14
(Read all of John 1)
Verse 1
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
In the beginning — (Referring to Genesis 1:1, and Proverbs 8:23.) When all things began to be made by the Word: in the beginning of heaven and earth, and this whole frame of created beings, the Word existed, without any beginning. He was when all things began to be, whatsoever had a beginning.
The Word — So termed Psalms 33:6, and frequently by the seventy, and in the Chaldee paraphrase. So that St. John did not borrow this expression from Philo, or any heathen writer. He was not yet named Jesus, or Christ. He is the Word whom the Father begat or spoke from eternity; by whom the Father speaking, maketh all things; who speaketh the Father to us. We have, in John 1:18, both a real description of the Word, and the reason why he is so called. He is the only begotten Son of the Father, who is in the bosom of the Father, and hath declared him. And the Word was with God - Therefore distinct from God the Father. The word rendered with, denotes a perpetual tendency as it were of the Son to the Father, in unity of essence. He was with God alone; because nothing beside God had then any being.
And the Word was God — Supreme, eternal, independent. There was no creature, in respect of which he could be styled God in a relative sense. Therefore he is styled so in the absolute sense. The Godhead of the Messiah being clearly revealed in the Old Testament, ( Jeremiah 23:7; Hosea 1:6; Psalms 23:1,) the other evangelists aim at this, to prove that Jesus, a true man, was the Messiah. But when, at length, some from hence began to doubt of his Godhead, then St. John expressly asserted it, and wrote in this book as it were a supplement to the Gospels, as in the Revelation to the prophets.
Verse 2
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
The same was in the beginning with God — This verse repeats and contracts into one the three points mentioned before. As if he had said, This Word, who was God, was in the beginning, and was with God.
Verse 3
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
All things beside God were made, and all things which were made, were made by the Word. In John 1:1,2 is described the state of things before the creation: John 1:3, In the creation: John 1:4, In the time of man's innocency: John 1:5, In the time of man's corruption.
Verse 4
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
In him was life — He was the foundation of life to every living thing, as well as of being to all that is.
And the life was the light of men — He who is essential life, and the giver of life to all that liveth, was also the light of men; the fountain of wisdom, holiness, and happiness, to man in his original state.
Verse 5
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
And the light shineth in darkness — Shines even on fallen man; but the darkness - Dark, sinful man, perceiveth it not.
Verse 6
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
There was a man — The evangelist now proceeds to him who testified of the light, which he had spoken of in the five preceding verses.
Verse 7
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
The same came for (that is, in order to give) a testimony - The evangelist, with the most strong and tender affection, interweaves his own testimony with that of John, by noble digressions, wherein he explains the office of the Baptist; partly premises and partly subjoins a farther explication to his short sentences. What St. Matthew, Mark, and Luke term the Gospel, in respect of the promise going before, St. John usually terms the testimony, intimating the certain knowledge of the relator; to testify of the light - Of Christ.
Verse 9
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Who lighteth every man — By what is vulgarly termed natural conscience, pointing out at least the general lines of good and evil. And this light, if man did not hinder, would shine more and more to the perfect day.
Verse 10
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He was in the world — Even from the creation.
Verse 11
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
He came — In the fulness of time, to his own - Country, city, temple: And his own - People, received him not.
Verse 12
[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
But as many as received him — Jews or Gentiles; that believe on his name - That is, on him. The moment they believe, they are sons; and because they are sons, God sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Verse 13
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Who were born — Who became the sons of God, not of blood - Not by descent from Abraham, nor by the will of the flesh - By natural generation, nor by the will of man - Adopting them, but of God - By his Spirit.
Verse 14
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Flesh sometimes signifies corrupt nature; sometimes the body; sometimes, as here, the whole man.
We beheld his glory — We his apostles, particularly Peter, James, and John, Luke 9:32.
Grace and truth — We are all by nature liars and children of wrath, to whom both grace and truth are unknown. But we are made partakers of them, when we are accepted through the Beloved. The whole verse might be paraphrased thus: And in order to raise us to this dignity and happiness, the eternal Word, by a most amazing condescension, was made flesh, united himself to our miserable nature, with all its innocent infirmities. And he did not make us a transient visit, but tabernacled among us on earth, displaying his glory in a more eminent manner, than even of old in the tabernacle of Moses. And we who are now recording these things beheld his glory with so strict an attention, that we can testify, it was in every respect such a glory as became the only begotten of the Father. For it shone forth not only in his transfiguration, and in his continual miracles, but in all his tempers, ministrations, and conduct through the whole series of his life. In all he appeared full of grace and truth: he was himself most benevolent and upright; made those ample discoveries of pardon to sinners, which the Mosaic dispensation could not do: and really exhibited the most substantial blessings, whereas that was but a shadow of good things to come.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
-------Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 1:1-14
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
proclaiming shalom, bringing good news
of good things, announcing salvation
and saying to Tziyon, “Your God is King!”
8 Listen! Your watchmen are raising their voices,
shouting for joy together.
For they will see, before their own eyes,
Adonai returning to Tziyon.
9 Break out into joy! Sing together,
you ruins of Yerushalayim!
For Adonai has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Yerushalayim!
10 Adonai has bared his holy arm
in the sight of every nation,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Psalm 98:(0) A psalm:
(1) Sing a new song to Adonai,
because he has done wonders.
His right hand, his holy arm
have won him victory.
2 Adonai has made known his victory;
revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
3 remembered his grace and faithfulness
to the house of Isra’el.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
4 Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Adonai with the lyre,
with the lyre and melodious music!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the shofar,
shout for joy before the king, Adonai!
7 Let the sea roar, and everything in it;
the world, and those living in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
let the mountains sing together for joy
9 before Adonai, for he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.
Hebrews 1:1 In days gone by, God spoke in many and varied ways to the Fathers through the prophets. 2 But now, in the acharit-hayamim, he has spoken to us through his Son, to whom he has given ownership of everything and through whom he created the universe. 3 This Son is the radiance of the Sh’khinah, the very expression of God’s essence, upholding all that exists by his powerful word; and after he had, through himself, made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of HaG’dulah BaM’romim.[Hebrews 1:3 Psalm 110:1]
4 So he has become much better than angels, and the name God has given him is superior to theirs.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing made had being.
4 In him was life,
and the life was the light of mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not suppressed it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was Yochanan. 7 He came to be a testimony, to bear witness concerning the light; so that through him, everyone might put his trust in God and be faithful to him. 8 He himself was not that light; no, he came to bear witness concerning the light.
9 This was the true light,
which gives light to everyone entering the world.
10 He was in the world — the world came to be through him —
yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to his own homeland,
yet his own people did not receive him.
12 But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God.
14 The Word became a human being and lived with us,
and we saw his Sh’khinah,
the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 52:7-10
Verse 7
[7] How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
The mountains — Of Judea, to which these glad tidings were brought, and from which they were spread abroad into other countries.
Of him — Or, of them; the singular number being put for the plural.
Returneth — In the days of the Messiah, God did discover and exercise his dominion over the world far more eminently than ever he had done from the beginning of the world until that time.
Verse 8
[8] Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
Thy watchmen — Thy ministers, who descry the approach of this heavenly king.
Lift up thy voice — To give notice to all people of these glad tidings; and by way of exultation, to sing forth the praises of God for this glorious day.
Eye — Distinctly and familiarly, their eyes beholding the eyes of this king of glory. They shall be eye and ear-witnesses of the words and works of Christ, and therefore their testimony shall be more certain and valuable.
Bring again — When God shall complete the work of bringing his church out of captivity.
Psalm 98
(Read all of Psalm 98)
Verse 2
[2] The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah: which was hitherto reserved was a secret among the Jews, yea was not throughly known by the most of the Jews themselves.
Righteousness — His faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise.
Hebrews 1:1-4
(Read all of Hebrews 1)
Verse 1
[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
God, who at sundry times — The creation was revealed in the time of Adam; the last judgment, in the time of Enoch: and so at various times, and in various degrees, more explicit knowledge was given.
In divers manners — In visions, in dreams, and by revelations of various kinds. Both these are opposed to the one entire and perfect revelation which he has made to us by Jesus Christ. The very number of the prophets showed that they prophesied only "in part." Of old - There were no prophets for a large tract of time before Christ came, that the great Prophet might be the more earnestly expected.
Spake — A part is put for the whole; implying every kind of divine communication.
By the prophets — The mention of whom is a virtual declaration that the apostle received the whole Old Testament, and was not about to advance any doctrine in contradiction to it.
Hath in these last times — Intimating that no other revelation is to be expected.
Spoken — All things, and in the most perfect manner.
By his Son — Alone. The Son spake by the apostles. The majesty of the Son of God is proposed, 1. Absolutely, by the very name of Son, verse 1, and by three glorious predicates,-"whom he hath appointed," "by whom he made," who "sat down;" whereby he is described from the beginning to the consummation of all things, Hebrews 1:2,3 2. Comparatively to angels, Hebrews 1:4. The proof of this proposition immediately follows: the name of Son being proved, Hebrews 1:5; his being "heir of all things," Hebrews 1:6-9; his making the worlds, Hebrews 1:10-12 his sitting at God's right hand, Hebrews 1:13, etc.
Verse 2
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Whom he hath appointed heir of all things — After the name of Son, his inheritance is mentioned. God appointed him the heir long before he made the worlds, Ephesians 3:11; Proverbs 8:22, etc. The Son is the firstborn, born before all things: the heir is a term relating to the creation which followed, Hebrews 1:6.
By whom he also made the worlds — Therefore the Son was before all worlds. His glory reaches from everlasting to everlasting, though God spake by him to us only "in these last days."
Verse 3
[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Who sat down — The third of these glorious predicates, with which three other particulars are interwoven, which are mentioned likewise, and in the same order, Colossians 1:15,17,20.
Who, being — The glory which he received in his exaltation at the right hand of the Father no angel was capable of; but the Son alone, who likewise enjoyed it long before.
The brightness of his glory — Glory is the nature of God revealed in its brightness.
The express image — Or stamp. Whatever the Father is, is exhibited in the Son, as a seal in the stamp on wax.
Of his person — Or substance. The word denotes the unchangeable perpetuity of divine life and power.
And sustaining all things — Visible and invisible, in being.
By the word of his power — That is, by his powerful word.
When he had by himself — Without any Mosaic rites or ceremonies.
Purged our sins — In order to which it was necessary he should for a time divest himself of his glory. In this chapter St. Paul describes his glory chiefly as he is the Son of God; afterwards, Hebrews 2:6, etc., the glory of the man Christ Jesus. He speaks, indeed, briefly of the former before his humiliation, but copiously after his exaltation; as from hence the glory he had from eternity began to be evidently seen. Both his purging our sins, and sitting on the right hand of God, are largely treated of in the seven following chapters.
Sat down — The priests stood while they ministered: sitting, therefore, denotes the consummation of his sacrifice. This word, sat down, contains the scope, the theme, and the sum, of the epistle.
Verse 4
[4] Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
This verse has two clauses, the latter of which is treated of, Hebrews 1:5; the former, Hebrews 1:13. Such transpositions are also found in the other epistles of St. Paul, but in none so frequently as in this. The Jewish doctors were peculiarly fond of this figure, and used it much in all their writings. The apostle therefore, becoming all things to all men, here follows the same method. All the inspired writers were readier in all the figures of speech than the most experienced orators.
Being — By his exaltation, after he had been lower than them, Hebrews 2:9.
So much higher than the angels — It was extremely proper to observe this, because the Jews gloried in their law, as it was delivered by the ministration of angels. How much more may we glory in the gospel, which was given, not by the ministry of angels, but of the very Son of God! As he hath by inheritance a more excellent name - Because he is the Son of God, he inherits that name, in right whereof he inherits all things His inheriting that name is more ancient than all worlds; his inheriting all things, as ancient as all things.
Than they — This denotes an immense pre-eminence. The angels do not inherit all things, but are themselves a portion of the Son's inheritance, whom they worship as their Lord.
John 1:1-14
(Read all of John 1)
Verse 1
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
In the beginning — (Referring to Genesis 1:1, and Proverbs 8:23.) When all things began to be made by the Word: in the beginning of heaven and earth, and this whole frame of created beings, the Word existed, without any beginning. He was when all things began to be, whatsoever had a beginning.
The Word — So termed Psalms 33:6, and frequently by the seventy, and in the Chaldee paraphrase. So that St. John did not borrow this expression from Philo, or any heathen writer. He was not yet named Jesus, or Christ. He is the Word whom the Father begat or spoke from eternity; by whom the Father speaking, maketh all things; who speaketh the Father to us. We have, in John 1:18, both a real description of the Word, and the reason why he is so called. He is the only begotten Son of the Father, who is in the bosom of the Father, and hath declared him. And the Word was with God - Therefore distinct from God the Father. The word rendered with, denotes a perpetual tendency as it were of the Son to the Father, in unity of essence. He was with God alone; because nothing beside God had then any being.
And the Word was God — Supreme, eternal, independent. There was no creature, in respect of which he could be styled God in a relative sense. Therefore he is styled so in the absolute sense. The Godhead of the Messiah being clearly revealed in the Old Testament, ( Jeremiah 23:7; Hosea 1:6; Psalms 23:1,) the other evangelists aim at this, to prove that Jesus, a true man, was the Messiah. But when, at length, some from hence began to doubt of his Godhead, then St. John expressly asserted it, and wrote in this book as it were a supplement to the Gospels, as in the Revelation to the prophets.
Verse 2
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
The same was in the beginning with God — This verse repeats and contracts into one the three points mentioned before. As if he had said, This Word, who was God, was in the beginning, and was with God.
Verse 3
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
All things beside God were made, and all things which were made, were made by the Word. In John 1:1,2 is described the state of things before the creation: John 1:3, In the creation: John 1:4, In the time of man's innocency: John 1:5, In the time of man's corruption.
Verse 4
[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
In him was life — He was the foundation of life to every living thing, as well as of being to all that is.
And the life was the light of men — He who is essential life, and the giver of life to all that liveth, was also the light of men; the fountain of wisdom, holiness, and happiness, to man in his original state.
Verse 5
[5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
And the light shineth in darkness — Shines even on fallen man; but the darkness - Dark, sinful man, perceiveth it not.
Verse 6
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
There was a man — The evangelist now proceeds to him who testified of the light, which he had spoken of in the five preceding verses.
Verse 7
[7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
The same came for (that is, in order to give) a testimony - The evangelist, with the most strong and tender affection, interweaves his own testimony with that of John, by noble digressions, wherein he explains the office of the Baptist; partly premises and partly subjoins a farther explication to his short sentences. What St. Matthew, Mark, and Luke term the Gospel, in respect of the promise going before, St. John usually terms the testimony, intimating the certain knowledge of the relator; to testify of the light - Of Christ.
Verse 9
[9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Who lighteth every man — By what is vulgarly termed natural conscience, pointing out at least the general lines of good and evil. And this light, if man did not hinder, would shine more and more to the perfect day.
Verse 10
[10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He was in the world — Even from the creation.
Verse 11
[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
He came — In the fulness of time, to his own - Country, city, temple: And his own - People, received him not.
Verse 12
[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
But as many as received him — Jews or Gentiles; that believe on his name - That is, on him. The moment they believe, they are sons; and because they are sons, God sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Verse 13
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Who were born — Who became the sons of God, not of blood - Not by descent from Abraham, nor by the will of the flesh - By natural generation, nor by the will of man - Adopting them, but of God - By his Spirit.
Verse 14
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Flesh sometimes signifies corrupt nature; sometimes the body; sometimes, as here, the whole man.
We beheld his glory — We his apostles, particularly Peter, James, and John, Luke 9:32.
Grace and truth — We are all by nature liars and children of wrath, to whom both grace and truth are unknown. But we are made partakers of them, when we are accepted through the Beloved. The whole verse might be paraphrased thus: And in order to raise us to this dignity and happiness, the eternal Word, by a most amazing condescension, was made flesh, united himself to our miserable nature, with all its innocent infirmities. And he did not make us a transient visit, but tabernacled among us on earth, displaying his glory in a more eminent manner, than even of old in the tabernacle of Moses. And we who are now recording these things beheld his glory with so strict an attention, that we can testify, it was in every respect such a glory as became the only begotten of the Father. For it shone forth not only in his transfiguration, and in his continual miracles, but in all his tempers, ministrations, and conduct through the whole series of his life. In all he appeared full of grace and truth: he was himself most benevolent and upright; made those ample discoveries of pardon to sinners, which the Mosaic dispensation could not do: and really exhibited the most substantial blessings, whereas that was but a shadow of good things to come.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
or Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20
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Scripture Texts: Isaiah 62:6 I have posted watchmen
on your walls, Yerushalayim;
they will never fall silent,
neither by day nor by night.
You who call on Adonai,
give yourselves no rest;
7 and give him no rest till he restores Yerushalayim
and makes it a praise on earth.
8 Adonai has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“Never again will I give your grain
to your enemies as food;
nor will strangers drink your wine,
for which you worked so hard;
9 but those who harvest the grain will eat it
with praises to Adonai;
those who gathered the wine will drink it
in the courtyards of my sanctuary.”
10 Go on through, go on through the gates,
clear the way for the people!
Build up a highway, build it up!
Clear away the stones!
Raise a banner for the peoples!
11 Adonai has proclaimed to the end of the earth,
“Say to the daughter of Tziyon,
‘Here, your Salvation is coming!
Here, his reward is with him,
and his recompense is before him.’”
12 They will call them The Holy People,
The Redeemed of Adonai.
You will be called D’rushah [Sought-After],
‘Ir Lo Ne‘ezvah [City-No-Longer-Abandoned].
Psalm 97:1 Adonai is king, let the earth rejoice,
let the many coasts and islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him,
setting ablaze his foes on every side.
4 His flashes of lightning light up the world;
the earth sees it and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Adonai,
at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images will be put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols.
Bow down to him, all you gods!
8 Tziyon hears and is glad, Adonai;
the daughters of Y’hudah rejoice at your rulings.
9 For you, Adonai, most high over all the earth,
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 You who love Adonai, hate evil!
He keeps his faithful servants safe.
He rescues them from the power of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous;
and give thanks on recalling his holiness.
Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love for mankind of God our Deliverer was revealed, 5 he delivered us. It was not on the ground of any righteous deeds we had done, but on the ground of his own mercy. He did it by means of the mikveh of rebirth and the renewal brought about by the Ruach HaKodesh, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Yeshua the Messiah, our Deliverer. 7 He did it so that by his grace we might come to be considered righteous by God and become heirs, with the certain hope of eternal life.
Luke 2:1 Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria. 3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y’hudah, 5 to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; 7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.
8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, 9 when an angel of Adonai appeared to them, and the Sh’khinah of Adonai shone around them. They were terrified; 10 but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God:
14 “In the highest heaven, glory to God!
And on earth, peace among people of good will!”
15 No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that Adonai has told us about.” 16 Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 17 Upon seeing this, they made known what they had been told about this child; 18 and all who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart. 20 Meanwhile, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen; it had been just as they had been told.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 62:6-12
Verse 6
[6] I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Day nor night — There shall be a vigilant and industrious ministry.
Ye — That is, are his servants. And here especially are meant his servants in ordinary, his remembrancers, such as put God in mind of his promise, and such as make the Lord to be remembered, putting his people in mind of him.
Verse 7
[7] And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
A praise — By sending the Messiah, and those labourers into his vineyard, whereby the church may be established, and settled on sure foundations, and so become a matter of praise to God. All the nations shall praise him for her.
Verse 9
[9] But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
But — Thou shalt not sow, and another reap, as formerly.
Courts — In my courts: holiness being put for God himself.
Verse 10
[10] Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Go through — It is doubled by way of emphasis. Go meet the Gentiles, whom God purposes to bring into the church.
Prepare — Let them not have any obstructions in their way.
Stones — That there be no stumbling-stone, or offence in their way.
Standard — An allusion to soldiers, that set up their standard that the army may know where to repair from all quarters.
Verse 11
[11] Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Zion — To Jerusalem, or the church.
Thy salvation — Thy saviour.
Reward — The reward due to the work.
Psalm 97
(Read all of Psalm 97)
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Isles — The Gentile nations, as this word, used Isaiah 42:4, is expounded, Matthew 12:21.
Verse 2
[2] Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
Darkness — A dark cloud doth encompass him.
Verse 6
[6] The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Heavens — The angels, yea God himself from heaven.
Verse 7
[7] Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Confounded — Let them be ashamed of their folly.
Gods — All you whom the Gentiles have made the objects of their worship.
Verse 8
[8] Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
Zion — Thy people dwelling in Zion or Jerusalem, to whom Christ came.
Heard — The fame of thy judgments, and the setting up the kingdom of the Messiah.
Verse 11
[11] Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Light — Joy and happiness.
Sown — Is laid up for them.
Titus 3:4-7
Verse 4
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
When the love of God appeared — By the light of his Spirit to our inmost soul.
Verse 5
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Not by works — In this important passage the apostle presents us with a delightful view of our redemption. Herein we have, 1. The cause of it; not our works or righteousness, but "the kindness and love of God our Saviour." 2. The effects; which are, (1.) Justification; "being justified," pardoned and accepted through the alone merits of Christ, not from any desert in us, but according to his own mercy, "by his grace," his free, unmerited goodness. (2.) Sanctification, expressed by the laver of regeneration, (that is, baptism, the thing signified, as well as the outward sign,) and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; which purifies the soul, as water cleanses the body, and renews it in the whole image of God. 3. The consummation of all; - that we might become heirs of eternal life, and live now in the joyful hope of it.
Luke 2:1-20
(Read all of Luke 2)
Verse 2
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered — Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
To you — Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
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LONGING FOR PEACE by Brett YoungerIsaiah 9:2-7
We tend to romanticize Christmas, but we don’t do it on purpose. We are reasonable, logical, and hardheaded, but the magic of the season gets to us in spite of ourselves. Christmas lights, for instance, make us breathe a little faster and our eyes open a little wider. Not all lights, of course, are breathtaking and eye-opening. The ones in stores and on lampposts at the mall don’t count. The lights in front of houses, even the cheesiest ones, are the magical lights—multicolored blinking lights that drape small bushes and scale tall trees, ring wreaths on doors, and trace rectangles around windows. Lighted reindeer graze next to Santa in the hammock. Electric Frosties live next door to glow-in-the-dark Josephs and Marys that live next door to solemnly glowing candles.
We notice the lights, not only because they’re hard to miss, but because they give us the feeling that something important is on its way. We love lights, in part because we understand that the world is dark. We want to believe that life should be easy, but the obvious truth is that life is hard. Most of us have more medical tests in our future than in our past, more tears to come than we’ve already shed. The carefree days never last long enough.
Some of us worry about being alone. Will we spend our lives by ourselves? Others worry about family. Will our marriage get better? We’re afraid for our children. Will they turn out like we hope? We’re afraid that our parents are growing old. How are we going to care for them? We worry about our health. Some of us are growing old too. Life is hard. The world is dark. The state of the world leads us to pessimism. The world is at war and no one has an exit strategy. So many bad things happen that we become numb to the suffering of others. We’ll spend most of our lives hoping for a better day and a better world.
When Isaiah wanted to speak to our deepest longings, the prophet chose light as the symbol because he knew how dark the world can be. Zebulun and Naphtali, the tribes Isaiah addresses in chapter 9, were in a hopeless situation. These were the two northernmost tribes of Israel. Whenever anyone invaded they were the first and last to bear the brunt of it. When the Assyrians overran Israel, they decided to annex these two tribes. Naphtali and Zebulun were cut off from the rest of Israel, separated from their countries and their families. What possible word of encouragement can Isaiah offer? What can he say that will bring hope?
Isaiah believed that the chaos of the world would be answered by the birth of a child. He preaches, “I know things are dismal. The enemy has killed people you loved and taken your land, but listen to this. A child will be born. This child will make things right. You live in darkness, but take hope, for a light is shining. Your despair will become joy. Your oppressors will be driven away, their battle gear destroyed. This One who comes will be a wonderful counselor—acting as a true friend, a mighty God—ruling in power, an everlasting Father—caring for you, the Prince of Peace—bringing harmony to a war-torn world. His Kingdom will last forever. Peace will come in the child that will be born.”
It’s such a magnificent vision that it seems more like a fantasy than a promise. In time, one night when the world wasn’t looking, the prophet’s dream became flesh. In the middle of the dreariest of winters, God promised spring.
In Paris in the 1920s, Pablo Picasso was asked to paint the portrait of the young poet Gertrude Stein. After months of work, Picasso unveiled the painting. People were shocked. The portrait resembled Miss Stein, but showed her as old, wise, and strong; not the young, uncertain woman that they knew. When they said, “But that doesn’t look like her,” Picasso responded, “It will one day.” And it happened. The artist had a vision of what she would look and be like one day and framed the vision in his painting.
Isaiah framed his vision in his prophecy. A light will overcome the darkness. People will rejoice. The oppressors will be overthrown. The kingdom of Christ will be peaceful and just. The hurting people in Zebulun and Naphtali must have said, “But that doesn’t look like the world.” Isaiah responded, “It will one day.”
Because of Christ, the world will be better than it is now. Peace will overcome hostility. Love will defeat hatred. Fears will become laughter. One day, everything Isaiah hoped for will be. One day we will not learn war anymore. One day those committed to the vision that Isaiah saw, the way of Christ, and the promise of peace will be proven right.
Martin Luther King, Jr., preached that though violence may end the lives of murderers, liars, and haters, violence cannot end murder, lies, or hate. Only light can end darkness. Only love can end hate.
One day, the light will overcome the darkness. We don’t pay enough attention to dreams as big as Isaiah’s or promises as wide as God’s peace. We listen instead to tiny, empty promises. We neglect the deepest longing of our hearts.
This day invites us to dream of the peace God promises. Every now and then we catch a glimpse: when a young father takes his newborn daughter into his arms for the first time; when a troubled couple falls in love again; when a family makes a pilgrimage to the bedside of a dying loved one and feels an unexplainable peace; when a single woman comes home to her solitary dwelling not as a place of emptiness but as a nest sheltered under the wing of God; when the lights that surround Christmas shine into the darkest places in our lives; when followers of Christ courageously seek peace. God invites us to believe in this child and the person he grew up to be, to believe in the power of God to bring light into our darkness and peace to our world.… read more-------
WORSHIP FOR KIDS: CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY by Carolyn C. BrownChristmas Eve—Day
Note: The lectionary offers three sets of readings for Christmas Eve/Day. The readings are identical in each of the three cycles. In this series, Year A offers the second Christmas Proper (texts from the Roman Shepherd's Mass held at dawn on Christmas Day); Year B offers the third Christmas Proper (texts for later in the day or on the Sunday following Christmas); Year C offers the first Christmas Proper (the traditional texts for Christmas Eve). Any of the three is appropriate for use at any Christmas Eve or Day worship service.
The lessons of the Third Proper include no telling of the Christmas story, but only theological statements about its significance. While they are not the first choice for congregations which include large numbers of children, neither are they totally inaccessible to children. Children, though unable to appreciate the intellectual points of these texts, do respond to their awe in the face of God with us. Carefully planned liturgical presentation of the texts offers more to children than does the sermon. Review Years A and C for additional ideas for Christmas Eve/Day.
From a Child's Point of View
Gospel: John 1:1-14. Older children are interested in the fact that while Matthew and Luke begin their good news about Jesus with stories about his birth, Mark starts with Jesus as a man, and John introduces us to Jesus with a poem about who Jesus is. With this information, they are ready to listen for what John tells us about Jesus.
To understand what they hear, they need to be told that "the Word" was sort of a code word for Jesus. Everything the Word was or did, John said that Jesus was or did. Thus prepared, children can learn from the poem that Jesus was with God at Creation, that Jesus is the source of all life, that Jesus was not accepted by many people he met, and that Jesus makes us God's children. The most intriguing of these statements is that Jesus and God are one and that Jesus was at the beginning and will be at the end. On Christmas, children need to hear that no one understands how these things can be. They are mysteries truths that we know but cannot explain. The New Revised Standard Version offers the best translation of the Prologue for children.
Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12). Verses 1-4 answer the question, "Why is Jesus important?" by stating that God spoke to us through Jesus. The writer notes that this was not the only time God had spoken and mentions prophets and angels as examples of God's other efforts. Children recognize that God speaks to us also through the Bible, through the beauty of the natural world, and through other people (often teachers). When they hear some of the things described that God told us through Jesus, they agree that God spoke to us most clearly in Jesus.
The comparison of Jesus to the angels is rather peripheral for Christmas Eve. But children are curious about angels, and if the optional verses are read dramatically, with pauses between the related quotes and careful inflection within the quotes, children grasp the writer's point. The Good News Bible is the easiest translation for children to understand.
Psalm: Psalms 98. Children will catch occasional phrases in this praise psalm. Particularly, they will hear the opening call to sing to God, who has done marvelous things; the familiar call to make a joyful noise (verse 4) with songs and instruments (verses 4-6); and the call for seas and hills to join in the praise (verses 7-8). These concrete praises are easy for children to own as their response to the events of Christmas.
Old Testament: Isaiah 52:7-10. This text is too complicated for children, especially on Christmas. Its images baffle concrete thinkers and require knowledge of the Exile and Return. This one is for the grown-ups.
Watch Words
For children, Word is simply a code word for Jesus. Christmas Eve or Day is not the time to use or introduce Logos.
Let the Children Sing
"Joy to the World!" (based on Psalms 98) , "O Come, All Ye Faithful," and "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" express the triumph of Christ come to earth that is found in the texts. All three carols are, however, filled with long words exultation and strange phrases "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see." Because children generally learn Christmas carols by hearing them rather than by reading them, there are often misconceptions. Children respond more to the feel of the music than to the meaning of the words. So if you sing them, keep the tempo and sound bright and strong.
Even nonreaders can join in on the repeated lines of "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice."
The Liturgical Child
1. Since these lessons assume knowledge of the Christmas story, present the story in tableau before the service begins. Invite worshipers to arrive early enough to stop by a live nativity scene outside or to get a close look at a tableau in the chancel. If this is done in the sanctuary, replace the prelude with carol singing. Sing the first verse of story-telling carols that are familiar to children. Something to do while waiting for worship to begin is appreciated both by children, fueled with Christmas sugar and excitement, and by the adults who sit with them.
2. To set the mood of quiet wonder, begin with a soloist walking slowly down the center aisle (perhaps carrying a candle), singing "I Wonder as I Wander" or "What Child Is This?"
3. Light the four Advent candles and the Christ candle, saying:
Tonight we light the four candles of Advent waiting. We light one for the people who waited for hundreds of years for God's Messiah. We light one for Mary and Joseph waiting for Jesus to be born. We light one for all the waiting we have done getting ready for this night. We light one for all the people who are still waiting tonight for God's love and justice and peace. But tonight, we can finally light the Christ Candle. Jesus is born! The Messiah has come! So let us all say, "Merry Christmas!"
4. If you celebrate Holy Communion, introduce it as the feast table of King Jesus. Describe what people are wearing as they gather tonight in different climates. Name some of the different languages they are using to sing and pray. Then point out that all of them are worshiping the same King Jesus, who is Lord of the whole world. Identify the words of institution as words addressed to all these different people who love Jesus and are loved by Jesus.
5. Read Psalm 98 in the New Revised Standard Version as the Charge and Benediction. Conclude with, "Merry Christmas! Indeed!" or "Let all the people say,`Merry Christmas! Amen.' "
Sermon Resources
Remember that on Christmas Eve or Day, few children follow any sermon. They participate more fully in liturgy that is planned with their excitment and concerns in mind.
With several Chrismons, illustrate the nature of Christ as outlined in these texts. Point them out in their places on the tree with a flashlight beam. Alpha and Omega stand for Jesus' presence at both the beginning and the end of time. The stars stand for the light Jesus brought to the world. The crowns stand for Jesus' rule of the world. Crosses remind us that Jesus' rule is based on his forgiving love and death.
Adapted from Forbid Them Not: Involving Children in Sunday Worship © Abingdon Press… read more-------
WORSHIP CONNECTION: DECEMBER 25, 2016 by Nancy C. TownleyTheme
The Power of the Light
Scripture References
Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12); John 1: 1-14
The Day of Christmas has finally arrived. The long-awaited Messiah is among us. All during Advent we celebrated the coming of God’s true Light into the world. First as an unlit candle, that in darkness we would reflect on our needs; secondly as the first candle is lighted reminding us of hope and a flash light is used as a guiding beam to direct our journey; thirdly we used the image of the lantern focusing on God drawing us to God’s self; fourthly the light was given by a table lamp which reminded us of the warmth and comfort of love and light in God’s presence. On Christmas eve we shared the lights with others as we lighted a host of candles; and today, all the other lights have gone and are replaced with Christmas lights, multicolored to remind us of the infinite ways in which God’s precious Light enters our lives. This is a time of Celebration and great Joy. The darkness has been banished. Praise be to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
Premise
The imprint of God’s love is everywhere. We have focused on light. John’s wonderful words remind us of the intentionality of God in offering us God’s Son. God’s love is incarnate in the Word and the world. The beautiful words from Isaiah and Psalm 98 are a celebration of the joy of receiving the good news from God. And the wonderful letter to the Hebrews again reminds us that God will do everything possible to redeem God’s people. This is our joy. It is only the beginning of the new life, filled with light.
Christmas Object
Today the object featured are a string or several strings of multicolored Christmas Lights, representing the multitude of ways God has given God’s light to our lives.
Music Suggestions
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"
"When Christmas Morn Is Dawning"
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"
"Love Came Down at Christmas
"Joy to the World"
"On This Day Earth Shall Ring"
"Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
"O Holy Spirit, Root of Life"
"Shine, Jesus, Shine"
Calls to Worship
Call to Worship #1
L: Rejoice! Happy Christmas to everyone!
P: Happy Christmas to you also!
L: Christ our Savior is born.
P: God’s Light is poured into the world.
L: O Come, let us celebrate this wonderful gift.
P: Let us praise God with shouts of joy and singing!
Call to Worship #2
L: The world was once in darkness
P: Now we have God’s Light, Jesus to shine on us.
L: The words and promises of God are all true!
P: God has given us the best gift of all!
L: Rejoice! God is with us!
P: Praise be to God! AMEN.
Call to Worship #3
[From THE FAITH WE SING, using the song on p. 2098, you might consider this celebration of the birth of Jesus as a call to worship]
Choir (singing): The virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin Mary had a baby boy; the virgin Mary had a baby boy and they say that his name is Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh, yes! Believer! Oh, es! Believer! He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom.
L: And the angels sang of his coming to frightened shepherds.
P: And we heard the angels’ song and came running to greet him.
Congregation and Choir: The angels sang when the baby was born, the angels sang when the baby was born, the angels sang when the baby was born, and they say that his name is Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh, yes! Believer!, Oh, yes! Believer! He come from the glory, he come from the glorious Kingdom.
L: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
P: He came to us as light to banish our darkness and the darkness has never overcome the light.
Congregation and Choir: The Shepherds came where the baby was born, the shepherds came where the baby was born, the shepherds came where the baby ws born, and they say that his name is Jesus. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. He come from the glory, he come from the glorious kingdom. Oh, yes! Believer! Oh yes! Believer! He come from the glory, he come from the glorious Kingdom.
L: Christ our true light is here!
P: Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel has come to us this day!
Call to Worship #4:
L:. Welcome to this Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
P: We are happy to be here today.
L: We have traveled far to get to this point.
P: And all the way God has guided us.
L: Praise be to God who has given us the true Light.
P: May that Light shine on us, in us and through us now and forever. AMEN.
Prayers, Litany, Benediction
Opening Prayer
The celebration of Christmas has just begun. Even though many of us have gone through the gift giving and receiving, have feasted with family and friends, there is yet another gift which has been given. You, O Loving God, have wrapped the gift of your Son Jesus Christ around our lives. The light of your love through him is shining brightly. It is not a harsh light, but a multitude of bright colors that remind us of the wondrous ways you love us. Open our hearts and spirits as we hear the words of your holy scriptures, and the beautiful music. Bring us to you with such joy that it will seem as though our feet aren’t even touching ground. AMEN.
The Christmas Light
Theme for bulletin insert: The Advent lights have gone and are now replaced by these brilliant Christmas Lights. Each light, offering its own colors, is a brilliant reminder of God’s love for us incarnate in Jesus Christ. We have kept our Christ Candle on our worship center so that you may understand the power of the One who came to us to teach us anew of God’s love and to draw us to God once more.
L: The true light is shining in the world. It is the Light of our beloved Savior Jesus Christ. We light this Christ candle and remember how much Jesus loves us.
Congregation/Choir (singing): "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so!"
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, you have sent your Son to us to show us the way. Even when we have turned our backs, followed our own paths, you offer us Light. Forgive us when we are so willful and stubborn. Forgive us when we think more about ourselves and our comforts than we think of reaching out to others. Remind us again that Jesus witnessed to us the Light of Love that serves, guides and heals. Thank you for loving us so much that you would give us this most precious gift. And when we again falter and fail, lift us again with your gentle touch. Pour the Light into our lives once more, that finally, we will fully understand the power and depth of your love for us. AMEN.
Pastoral Prayer
It is interesting, O God of Miracles and Light, that we think of Christmas Day as the final destination for the journey on which we have embarked. Advent was the time of preparation, a time to examine our lives, our hopes, our fears. It was a time to place our trust in your never-failing love and to move again toward you, through the darkness to your Light. We are exhausted from our preparation for this season. The demands of the world have been heavy. But we are here to hear again the powerful reminder of your love which was intended for us throughout all of time. In the beginning of all creation your Light was given to illuminate the majesty of this place; your light shined forth through the lives of the prophets, and most especially through Jesus your Son.
We are bathed in that light on this day and reminded that this journey has now begun. For once the light has been given, it cannot be hidden.....it pours out of those whom it has touched. Send us forth into this world in service to the Light.
Healing and Comforting God, we have spoken aloud and within our hearts the names of people and situations which need your loving touch. Our hearts ache for those who are ill and for those who mourn. We feel that we cannot do enough for them, but we trust in your comforting love to be with them on this journey. For those who feel lost and alone, seeking God, we ask that you help us to reach out to them with your good news of great and abiding love. For all the situations in our world this day, where there is warfare, oppression, strife, all the hideous ways in which your beloved people can suffer, God , please lay your hand of healing love on them. Help them to feel your powerful presence with them, guiding and strengthening. These things which we have spoken with our lips and our hearts we offer in confidence of your eternal love and in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Litany
L: Look at the lights! Aren’t they beautiful?
P: We always thought of Christmas Lights as a secular celebration item.
L: Ah, but God is in all things!
P: The Light is in the world. It is not a separate thing to be hidden away.
L: The Light of God cannot be hidden! We are called to bear that light.
P: We, with our many gifts and talents, are being summoned by God to tell the good news.
L: This is a happy day! God wants us to proclaim the great joy which is given to all people.
P: That Jesus Christ is Born! Hallelujah!
Benediction, Blessing, Commission:
L: Go now, bringing the joy of God’s love with you to all that you meet. Remember that God is with you in all you do. Rejoice, dear people, for God’s Light has come for the whole world. Go in peace and may God’s glorious peace always go with you. AMEN.
Artistic Elements
[Note: It will be important to include in your worship bulletin a brief description of the meaning of this worship visual setting]
SURFACE:.Remove the risers that have been placed during advent, with the exception of a riser in the center back portion of the worship center. The tall Christ Candle will be placed on this riser.
FABRIC:Cover the worship center with white or gold cloth, making sure that it puddles down onto the floor in front of the worship center
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE: If people have not removed their poinsettias and other Christmas flowers from the church the night before, surround the worship center with these lovely gifts of flowers. If the plants have been removed, Place holly, ivy, and evergreen branches on the worship center.
CANDLES: Place the large white Christ Candle on the riser in the center back of the worship center.
ROCKS & WOOD: Rocks and wood are not suggested for this setting.
OTHER: Christmas lights, multicolored, not white only, should be lavishly strung on the worship center and even down the front of the center so that they create a burst of colored light. Weave the greenery around the lights so that the wires are hidden. Affix the connecting wire to the back of the worship center, if possible so that it doesn’t show.… read more-------
SERMON OPTIONS: DECEMBER 25, 2016The Beautiful Feet
John 1:1-14
You’ll have to pardon my indulgence today, because I’m not going to talk about an angelic proclamation of the birth of our Lord, and we won’t delve into the theological significance of the shepherds or the wise men who came from the East to see Jesus. Instead, I want to talk not so much about the sublime but about the ordinary; not necessarily about the perfect but about the imperfect; and not so much about the transcendent but about the down-to-earth, the concrete, the messy, the smelly, and the awkward. I want to talk to you about feet—about your feet, my feet, and our feet—feet that have chosen to move and have their being as announcers of good news and as publishers of peace and salvation within the context of a specific time and place.
Babylon was one such specific time and place. The Israelites were captive there, and their history was, unfortunately, not too dissimilar to that of some of our countrymen and women. The Israelites were enslaved and oppressed in Babylon and were made scapegoats for a government suffused with material lust and impregnated by the devils of classism and racism. Formerly a free people, the Israelites were now slaves, fourth-class citizens relegated to the ghetto part of town. Clamoring desperately for God’s liberating presence and power, the Israelites feared that God had abandoned them.
But God had not abandoned them, nor had God turned a deaf ear to their supplication. Instead, the despondent cry of a people for their Messiah thundered through creation and pierced the heart of God. Lo and behold, upon a mountaintop, there appeared the beautiful feet of the bearer of a new message proclaiming a new hope—calling forth a new vision, a new song, announcing a new story where the introduction, the climax, and the end are permeated, supported, and moved on by the knowledge that our God reigns!
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” (Isa. 52:7 NIV), the writer exclaims! Suddenly the smelly, ordinary, funny-looking things called feet are described as beautiful! The sublime imbues the ordinary, the perfect the imperfect, and the divine becomes concrete and tangible. The feet are beautiful because they are bearers of good news to a wasted people, to a people languishing in despair. God has come to Zion, and salvation is finally at hand.
Centuries later, the image of beautiful feet appears again, this time in the New Testament Scriptures. Romans 10:15 speaks of the beautiful feet of those who follow the new Messenger sent to proclaim the good news of redemption—not just for Zion, but for all humanity. Unlike Isaiah, the Romans passage names the Messenger: Jesus the Christ, Emmanuel, God with Us. The sublime was incarnated in the ordinary and became good news!
Being a messenger is not an easy task, especially when feet are involved. Compared with beautiful eyes or capable hands, feet often go unnoticed and unappreciated. Yet in scripture’s upside down, paradoxical perspective, the feet—not the head—are beautiful.
This divine topsy-turvy way of seeing and doing things is good news for people who normally go unnoticed except by those who see them as commodities, for those who are viewed like the old work boots we wear and dispose of when the soles wear out. In God’s scheme of things, the feet are beautiful, not because of their high social standing, but because they bear the message of esperanza: of light in the midst of darkness, of forgiveness and liberation from the social divisions that constantly vie for our attention and distance us from God. The feet are beautiful because they proclaim that you and I have been liberated from the bondage of sin. We are freed to follow in Christ’s footsteps, delivered from the need to hate, enabled to love those who cannot or will not love us, released from the chains of greed, and set free to give even to those who cannot give back.
“Rise up and rejoice!” they proclaim. We are liberated from the bonds of self-centeredness, freed to be with the hurting in our families, neighborhoods, and churches. We need no longer be bound up and paralyzed by despair. The Hope that came to us this Christmas Day has become our salvation. Today Christ bids you and me to see ourselves anew so that we can also see the world, our situations, and others anew. This, my brothers and sisters, is cause for, as we say in our barrios, fiesta.
Feet without honor, unknown by name.
They are my father’s brown feet, daring to preach God’s word and speak against inequalities from the pulpit in Small Town, USA. They are my mother’s little feet, proclaiming strength and courage to alcoholics who didn’t think they had any other choice or anyone who even cared. They are the white feet of my Colombian friend and Anglo brother whose way of honoring others speaks wonders about God’s mercy and grace. They are the black feet of my Dominican and Haitian brothers and sisters, who plead for us to live out the kind of incarnational love that is impartial and unconditionally faithful. They are the feet of our children who challenge us to be color blind as they go off to play with whosoever will give them space. They are the feet of our abuelitas (grandmothers) who take the time to give us a glimpse of God’s special care amid the hustle and bustle of our hurried lives. They are the feet of our teenagers who stand up against the pressure for conformity to the dictates of this generation’s “in group”—feet that don’t win accolades or medals, but feet that love the Lord and love those for whom Jesus came this Christmas Day. They are the feet of former drug addicts and pimps who respond to God’s gift of love through Jesus Christ by daring to make a difference in our inner cities and barrios. They are feet that stick out in their classrooms because they teach with love and conviction. They are the hands that spin the wheels of a wheelchair, generating boldness and vigor for God’s precious gift of life. They are feet that dance with the lonely, lead the wavering, and dare to stand firm against injustice.
Are they just feet? No! They are beautiful feet, embracing the spirit of Christmas and living out the good news—whatever the context might be. The ordinary has become sublime.
If we underestimate the challenge and the cost to those who call themselves sons and daughters of God—that is, familia—then we cannot comprehend the depth of God’s gift of love through Jesus Christ. Oppressed peoples know all too well that there is no fiesta without struggle. Isaiah’s Jerusalem would not be rebuilt without trouble. The bloodshed of innocent babies, and the suffering of their loved ones, would accompany the birth of the Christ Child.
And then there are Jesus’ feet. John 1:11 reminds us that Jesus’ beautiful feet were spat upon, stepped on, crushed, and finally nailed to a tree by the very ones Jesus came to save. These are the feet we have chosen to follow, and as Jesus reminds us, the servant is not greater than the master. Proclaiming Jesus as Lord means that our feet, too, might be stepped on, spat upon, or even crushed by those who reject God’s gift of love. Certainly they will suffer the pain of indifference and be pierced by rejection.
Yet as surely as we know pain, Scripture says we shall also know joy. As Mary anointed Jesus, so God will send someone to soothe our aching and swollen feet with sweet perfume and to dry them with her hair. The beautiful feet of Jesus not only experienced the torture of execution, they also experienced the power of resurrection. The Christmas story is a call to a journey of proclamation, an invitation to join God’s messengers of good tidings to a hurting and hurtful world. It is a journey worth taking, a path worth following.
May God bless your skinny, flat, big, small, brown, white, red, or black feet. May they be called beautiful. (Zaida Maldonado Perez)
The Light Has Come
John 1:1-14
It is hard to believe that there could be someone in the world today who doesn’t know anything about Christmas. But imagine, with me, that such persons exist and you run into them just before Christmas. Perhaps they are from a foreign country where there are no Christians and they have never heard about this holiday. Or perhaps they have lived in isolation their whole lives and have never been exposed to this joyous celebration. They look around them and they see so many different sights. People scurrying about with brightly colored packages. They see bright multicolored lights hanging everywhere. Everyone seems to be cheerful and they greet one another with a smile. The children are all excited and you hear people singing beautiful songs. In their hearts they wonder or perhaps they cry out loud, “What is this all about?” “What is going on here?”
What would you tell them? Where would you start? Would you talk about the decorated Christmas trees? Or would you tell them about the tradition of exchanging gifts? Or perhaps you would share a story about Santa Claus and his amazing flying reindeer? Maybe you want to share something about the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of the Christ Child. Again the question, “Where do I begin?”
One way to express the true meaning of Christmas is to share that Christmas is the celebration of light coming into the world. One doesn’t have to look far to see the visible lights that are symbols of the season. There are the electric lights on Christmas trees and houses and that are at every store and street corner. I remember as a child going on trips to view the Christmas lights with my parents. We would ride to a trailer park where all the residents had to agree to put lights on their trailers. The park was situated on a hillside, and as far as the eye could see there were lights. In the center of the park was an enormous Christmas tree that was also lit up, and choirs would sing under the glowing branches.
Other visible lights are the candles that burn in many of our homes and that are an integral part of our Christmas worship. In many churches there are Advent wreaths with their glowing candles, and many churches have candlelight services on Christmas Eve.
There are the lights that twinkle in people’s eyes during this season. We especially see it in the eyes of the children as they anticipate Christmas morning and in the eyes of adults as they reflect upon the wonderful memories of Christmases past.
The Christmas story is full of events that are filled with light. The Christmas story begins with the visit of the angel Gabriel to a young woman named Mary. When we read about the appearance of angels we are usually told that they are surrounded by a bright light and they are dazzling in appearance. Later in the Christmas story, after the baby Jesus is born in Bethlehem, shepherds out in the fields see first one angel and then a multitude of angels accompanied by a bright light. We are told that these shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks in the night. They probably had a fire and torches to see with and to ward off any predators. In the stable, or perhaps cave, where Christ was born, I envision the light of lamps and torches. Then there is the star that gave light and guidance to the wise travelers from the East.
There is a beautiful theme of light running throughout the Bible. The very first commandment of God is, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). God later spoke to Moses through the light of a burning bush and commanded him to go back to Egypt to set God’s chosen people free. When they were delivered and wandering out in the wilderness, God made God’s presence and protection known in a pillar of fire. God spoke to his servant Isaiah and told him to prophesy, “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” (Isaiah 9:2). In Isaiah 60:1 we read, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”
At Christmas we celebrate the coming of this light into the world just as it was prophesied by Isaiah. In our scripture passage for today, John writes, “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:4- 5). The baby whose birth we celebrate came to bring us all light. Jesus came to light a world filled with darkness.
Christmas also reminds us that there is a light that shines in all of us. This light always burns brighter at Christmas. We are called to be children of light and to let our lights shine. This baby would grow up and later would teach us, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
As we celebrate Christmas Day, we are once again reminded that the “Light” has come. Jesus has come to you and me. Jesus has come to bring light to a world full of darkness. This light shines in all of our hearts and it dispels the darkness in our own lives. We may take this light and share it and always remember that the darkness can never overcome it. May all the twinkling lights that we see about us remind us that Christmas is the celebration of the light that has come into the world. (Neil Epler)
The Word Became Flesh
John 1:1-14
My youngest son was born on Christmas Day at 2:48 P.M.—a time that brought unspeakable joy to my mathematician husband. The clock said 2:48 (two to the first power—2, two to the second power—4, and two to the third power—8). Needless to say, this put my husband in mathematical heaven.
This baby, like my first son, would change my life and the life of my husband. Neither of us took it lightly that he was born on Christmas Day, and just as we did with our other children, we had great visions of how he would change the world and how he would make a difference for justice in the universe. Though I would probably have fallen short of Mary’s Magnificat, I could very well have stood in the street both times that I was pregnant and shouted great revolutionary predictions for change in the world order. Most mothers feel this way.
I say “most,” because motherhood is not always a welcome event for women—especially not for poor, unwed mothers, engaged to be married, who find themselves pregnant by someone other than their intended spouse. In a place where choice is possible, such a woman might choose not to bear a child.
I often wonder what the world would say if today Jesus were to come to such a woman. Perhaps a woman like some of the women I have met in the homeless shelters or the dinner programs or in the soup kitchens. What would happen if God chose them to bear a child? How differently would the world react? Would there be wise men coming from faraway just to see this child, no doubt living in one of the ghettos of the inner city, or in the barrios, or on the reservations, or in the Appalachian mountains, or in a trailer park? Is this generation ready for a Christ who would come under these circumstances?
It is on this Christmas Day that we should reflect on the story in which the “Word became flesh.” It is the embodiment of the Word in the form of Jesus that we celebrate. And what has that Word been through the ages? The Word has been consistent. Whether it found its place in the Ma’at of the Egyptians, the Code of Hammurabi, or the Hebrew Bible, God has made known through many manifestations, that it is the oppressed, those that are held captive, the widow, the orphan, that deserve preferential treatment.
God’s option for the poor and the oppressed comes through once again as this Christmas story emerges. This is not a story about gifts of material wealth. Indeed, it is just the opposite. It is about a gift of spiritual wealth, a gift so rich in spirit that it draws wise men and sages from near and far to witness the presence of the world’s greatest paradox. A king born in a manger, a pregnant virgin, a son of God born of humans, a fully divine and a fully human baby. This paradox continues to confound the wise. So they come looking but not knowing why God chose a manger and a poor Palestinian girl to bear the labor pains that would give birth to a child who would change the world.
If in this day and time God chose once again to bring forth Christ in the womb of the welfare mother, the prostitute, the crack addict, the homeless woman, the mentally disabled, the physically disabled, the poor, the destitute, ask yourself, this Christmas Day where would you go to find him? Do you know where these women are in your community? Do you know how to find them? If you knew, would you go and seek them out? If you knew that Jesus was their newborn baby, would you be afraid to go to the housing projects to see him, to the prison, to the barrios, to the ghettos, to the reservation? How much more different today is that trip than the one taken to the manger by the three wise men long ago?
Christmas is a time for joy, but at what expense are we joyous? As you open the gifts, as you repeat the story, remember that God chose Mary to bear Jesus. (Laverne M. Gill)… read more-------
WORSHIP CONNECTION: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 2) by Nancy C. Townley
Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20.
[Tonight’s Christmas Eve Service is based on the song “Star-Child” by Shirley Elena Murray, which is found in THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2095. The worship service focuses on those who are drawn to the Christ; and each group is represented by people costumed appropriately. In this service, directions are given for entrances and costuming; many readers are used, so this will require a rehearsal or two.]
Prelude
Procession of Liturgists, Pastor, Choir, etc.
Choral Introit “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” verse 1, UMH #211
Christmas Greetings by the Pastor
Call to Worship
L: He’s coming! He’s coming! The Savior of the World is coming!
P: Let us prepare our hearts to greet him!
L: He comes to each one of us, healing and restoring our lives!
P: Praise be to God for God’s mighty gift to us.
L: O Come, Prince of Peace, bring your light to us!
P: We are ready to receive you in our lives! AMEN.
***Hymn #234 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (UMH)
Lighting of Advent Candles
Reader 1:
We light the first Advent Candle: the candle of watching and waitin,g for we have searched and waited for our Savior to come to us.
Reader 2:
We light the second Advent Candle: the candle of preparation as we have prepared our hearts to receive the Savior.
Reader 3:
We light the third Advent Candle: the candle of beholding and believing because we have seen the mighty power and love of God in our lives.
Reader 4:
We light the fourth Advent Candle: the candle of rejoicing because we have been blessed with the good news of God’s love for all God’s people!
Pastor:
Now the time is near! The One who will save us, brings God’s light into our world. We light this Christ Candle in celebration of God’s most precious gift to us - our Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Opening Prayer (Unison):
Glorious God, who presents us with the most precious of gifts, we praise you for all your blessings in our lives. Tonight we have come to this place, in the midst of a busy time. We might not even have everything ready at home, yet we have come, because we ourselves need to be ready. Work in our hearts this night, preparing us for your presence. Work in our lives that we may reach out to others in comfort and compassion; work in our world that the darkness that has encompassed it may be dispelled by the brightness of your love and your Gift. In faith and expectation, we pray. AMEN.
Scripture:
Luke 2:1-20 : The Story of the Nativity
Introduction to Offering by the Pastor
Tonight we come with our hopes and our dreams. We come as little children. We come because for some of us it is tradition for the whole family to go to church on Christmas Eve. Some have come out of curiosity. Some come because of loneliness. We are here in this place, waiting on tiptoes for something to happen. We come offering our lives and bringing our gifts. In the spirit of this night, let us receive our Christmas offering
Offertory Music
Chorus of Praise and Thanksgiving UMH p. 295
Dedication of our Christmas gift offering
Choral Anthem or Special Music
Pastor:
Come, people. Come with us this night. Come not only to the stable but also to the world. Come to the world of both long ago and now. Come bringing your hopes and your fears, your joys and sorrows. Come, for God is ready; the stage of our lives is set.
STAR-CHILD: A presentation in sight and sound
[Have the organist play the music to “Star-Child” twice through.]
Reader 1:
There is nothing false about Christmas, nothing hokey or make believe. It’s the real thing. It is forgiveness for people who need forgiveness and life for those who have none. It is strength to fight temptation that is cruel and to do the thing that is right when it is hard to do. It is the hope of life in the face of death that is crudely real. It is God in the straw [pause]. Are you ready to come to the manger and to the cross? [pause] Can you let go of the Christmas Nativity scenes of your past and see the event with new eyes?
[Mary and Joseph come forward. Mary is carrying the infant Jesus. When she gets to the chancel, she places him in the manger. She is seated on the bench that is covered with burlap. Joseph stands behind her, looking at the child.]
Choir: Singing verse 1 of “Star-Child”
Reader 2:
[very happily] This is what we hoped for; this is the scene we love. The young mother with her newborn child, gently placing him in the manger, and Joseph, the proud father, looking on in wonder and love. We could stay here for a long time, gazing on this scene. Most of us may wish we had a special camera to capture not only the picture but the feeling. We are so happy to see this scene. [pause] But perhaps there is more . . .
[Four children, dressed in ragged clothes, bruised and barefoot, looking as though they lived on the street, come down the center aisle and approach the manger. One of the children sits on the floor to the front right of the manger, the other children kneel behind this child, staying close to one another.]
Choir: Singing verse 2 of “Star-Child”
Reader 3:
We really didn’t expect to see street children at the manger. After all, isn’t it supposed to be shepherds. They were the poorest of the poor in Jesus’ day. But we are caught in a dilemma. You see, the name Emmanuel, given to Jesus and proclaimed by the angels, means “God with us”--not just long ago, but right now. Who are the poorest now? [pause] Perhaps the poorest of the poor, the young ones who have been hurt, beaten, abused, need to be at the manger.
[4 older adults enter from the left side of the chancel and walk toward the manger. Two chairs are placed there, covered in brown burlap and burgundy cloth for the older women. The men will stand behind them, as they all look at the manger]
Choir: Singing verse 3 of “Star-Child”
Reader 4:
[puzzled, questioning] Just a minute! I thought we might have some adult shepherds here, you know, keeping track of the children, the little sheep. Teenagers are great for the part. They are mostly in their adult height and look older than the little ones who so often have been shepherds. But what are we going to do about these new arrivals? What are these older people doing at the manger? Haven’t they seen enough Christmases to know better? [pause] Or is Christmas really for everyone--for all those who have had many Christmases and for whom life has given a variety of experiences? They bring to the manger a wondrous array of experiences and gifts. Perhaps, just perhaps, it is right.
[Three children, dressed in very fancy clothes, carrying lovely gifts wrapped in fancy paper and having large bows, enter from the right side of the chancel. They approach the manger. Two of the children kneel by the manger and the third child stands behind them.]
Choir: Singing verse 4 of “Star-Child”
Reader 5:
Look at this scene. [pause] These fancy-dressed children look out of place. Where do they fit in? They have everything that they want, and they keep asking for more, as if more will take the place of the emptiness that can exist in their lives. [pause] The trinkets and toys won’t help. They just won’t be enough. And all the bright ribbons and pretty packages cannot deliver to them the peace that this Christ child comes to bring. [pause] Yes, it is right for them to be here. They need to be here, for they, too, are beloved.
[Six robed figures enter--three from the right and three from the left. They carry candles adorned with white and gold streamers. They move toward the manger scene and form a semi-circle behind the scene. The pastor enters the semi-circle at the center and takes the light from the Christ Candle. She/He lights the candles of the robed figures on each side.]
Choir: Singing verse 5 of “Star-Child”
Pastor: God’s stupendous sign--a child in a manger, a Light given for our darkness. [pause] Just when we thin that we have understood it all, we are surprised again. We are included--there is room for us in this picture, at this manger, in God’s house--there is always room.
Let us raise our voices in song:
*** “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” UMH #218
*** “Angels from the Realms of Glory” UMH #220
*** “O Little Town of Bethlehem” UMH #230
Pastor:
Do you feel the spirit yet? Not the spirit of a childhood Christmas, but the spirit of God with us? [pause] It’s here, among us right now. It is in the faces of each of the people in our unique Nativity scene. It is in your faces!
The light of God is given for you--given to you--and by you it is given to others.
[The choir may receive the light from those in the semi-circle or it may be given to specially designated persons who then distribute it to the congregation.]
Let us sing together.
“Silent Night” UMH #239
[It is a good idea to have this printed on the back of the worship bulletin so that people are not struggling with a hymnal and a lighted candle.]
Benediction/Blessing
Closing Music
ARTISTIC ELEMENTS
Because this service is based on a special piece of music, the setting changes from the usual display of poinsettias and candles adorning the worship area. They may be used in the sanctuary, but the focus will be on a special living Nativity scene.
You will need:
Some sort of Manger, with hay or burlap into which the Christ Child will be placed
A bench for Mary--covered in burlap
Two chairs for the Older adults, covered in burlap and burgundy cloth
Doll wrapped in soft blanket for Mary to place in manger.
Three brightly wrapped gifts complete with bows for the children in verse 4
Candles for the congregation
Larger candles for the semi-circle
A large candle for the Pastor
Advent candles and the Christ candle
Costuming:
Ragged and dirty clothes, some makeup for the children in verse 2
Fancy clothes for the children in verse 4
Adult witnesses in verse 3 can wear their usual clothing
Six choir robes or other robes for the group in the semi-circle
Joseph and Mary may be in the usual traditional dress of ancient times or you might consider having them in modern dress.… read more
-------WORSHIP CONNECTION: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 1) by Nancy C. TownleyChristmas Eve
Color: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
CALLS TO WORSHIP
Call to Worship #1
L: It’s Christmas Eve! How quickly this time has come upon us!
P: We are breathless. Still so much to be done.
L: Calm your spirits. Take time to hear the wondrous news.
P: Open our ears to hear Mary’s Story
L: Believe in the good news!
P: We believe and rejoice! God’s love is here with us! AMEN.
Call to Worship #2
L: All through this season of Advent, we have encountered Hope, Peace and Joy and Love
P: Today we will hear the story of God's wonderful love.
L: Today we will be challenged to believe in all that God can do.
P: Open our hearts, Lord, that we may be ready for your love. AMEN.
Call to Worship #3
[Using THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2095, "Star-Child", have the music sung as directed below]
L: Through time and space, in the blink of the eye, the love of God stretched forth in the life of a young girl, asking that she be part of God’s great plan of Salvation.
P: Her name was Mary. She was not of wealth or power. She was a person, just like you and me.
Soloist: Sing verse 1 of "Star-child"
L: The Good News came first to the lowly.
P: Even today, we believe that good news often comes only to the mighty. How wrong we are!
Duet/solo: sing verse 2 of "Star-Child"
L: In a world where hatred and fear was commonplace, the Christ Child would be born.
P: Fear and Hatred are far too commonplace in our world. May the Christ Child come anew into our hearts today.
Choir: sing verse 5 of "Star-Child"
PRAYERS, LITANY/READING, BENEDICTION
Opening Prayer
Lord, remind us that, like Mary, each one of us is a bearer of your Good News. We are called to proclaim hope, peace, joy, and love in your name. Open our hearts and our spirits today to receive with great joy the love that you have for us. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we are so excited. Christmas Eve is here. We are impatient to hear the whole story. Slow us down again, Lord. As we hear Mary say "Yes!" to God’s good news, help us to remember that God continually calls us to be those who will bear the good news to those in need. Forgive us when we forget to do that. Heal our wounds and bind up our spirits. Enable us to go into your world offering our lives, our gifts, our talents, for your glory. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.
Words of Assurance
God’s love and faithfulness have been at work in you. You are healed and forgiven. Rejoice in God’s love. AMEN.
Pastoral Prayer
Lord, we can’t quite imagine what it must have been like for Mary, to hear God’s request and to respond, unconditionally with "Yes!" We have a tendency to put conditions on everything. We want to know what we have to do, how long this will take, what’s in it for us, what are the projected outcomes. Forgive us for our faithlessness, Lord. Slow us down, and cause us to take time to really consider the wonderful ways you have always worked in our lives. As we have come before you with concerns on our hearts for our families, friends, and world, remind us that your presence is with us and your healing love comforts and restores us. Open our hearts and our ears to the cries of those in need. Let us use our talents and resources to help others. Give us courage, energy, and enthusiasm as we work for you in this world. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
Litany/Reading
L: God promised to save God’s world.
P: And the people believed.
L: God sent the prophets to remind them of the covenant of trust and love.
P: And the people believed.
L: In the fullness of time, God’s promise became incarnate in the life of Mary.
P: Mary and Joseph believed.
L: Those who were the least and the lost received good news.
P: And they believed.
L: We are called to open our hearts, spirits, and minds to God’s Good News
P: That, believing, we may be witnesses to God’s great love. AMEN.
Benediction/Blessing
God asks us if we will be God’s people. Our hearts want to shout yes! Go into the world, feeling God’s healing presence in your lives. Tell others about God’s love. Do not be afraid! God is truly with you. AMEN.… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 4) by Bill HoppeCOLOR: White or Gold
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
THEME IDEAS
Darkness is overcome by light; despair gives way to hope; prisoners are freed; and death is vanquished by the promise of salvation. These are the life- and history-changing forces set in motion by the birth of a child—a child born to a poor Jewish couple, in an obscure town, in a backwater province of the Roman empire. On this night, we eagerly await the arrival of light, hope, freedom, and salvation, as we hear again the beloved story told and retold for generations: Christ is born! Alleluia!
INVITATION AND GATHERING
Call to Worship (Isaiah 9, Luke 2)
Good news! Unspeakable joy!
A great light has burst forth,
overcoming the darkness!
A child is born for us—a son has been given!
Bringing a kingdom of endless peace,
we shall call him Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God!
Come, let us see what God has brought us!
Let us see what the Lord has done!
Glory to God in the highest!
And on earth, peace and goodwill to all!
Opening Prayer (Psalm 96, Isaiah 9, Titus 2)
Holy One,
you have appeared in the flesh,
bringing redemption to all,
your glory is made known in this newborn child,
this living, blessed hope.
Tonight we sing a new song—
a song of justice, righteousness, and endless peace.
Gift of God, beautiful Christ-child,
we welcome you!
Let love be born anew in our hearts
on this joyous night. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 9, Titus 2, Luke 2)
Lord, we have lived far too long
in dark places of our own making.
We have walled ourselves in,
shut the world out,
and held ourselves captive
to our fear and failings.
Free us from this place, Lord.
Return us to a life in your presence,
where we may face the trials of this world
with you by our side.
Restore your light to our eyes,
that we may behold anew
your love in our lives.
Hear us and help us, we pray.
We wait in eager anticipation,
for the glory of your salvation this night. Amen.
Words of Assurance (Isaiah 9, Luke 2)
Rejoice and be glad:
Your burdens are lifted, your captivity is ended!
The Lord’s great light pierces the darkness:
breaching the walls of our prisons,
revealing the way of true freedom.
Light, love, and salvation have come to us this night.
Christ is born, and with Christ, we are born anew!
Amen.
Introduction to the Word (Luke 2)
Over two thousand years ago, a weary world awaited its promised savior. At the appointed time, a governor’s order sent the messiah’s parents from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Imagine, a decree of the Roman empire becomes the means to fulfill God’s prophecies. Timeless stories, timeless truths, timeless love: our messiah has come! Christ is here!
Response to the Word (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Your glory shines around us, Lord;
your light banishes the darkness.
We join the angels and all the heavenly host,
worshiping you with songs of heartfelt praise.
All creation shouts the good news of great joy:
chains are broken, burdens are lifted,
wounds are healed.
This is God’s doing.
Let the world rejoice in the goodness of the Lord! Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION
Offering Prayer (Psalm 96)
Blessed Lord,
you have given us your greatest gift—
your very Word come to earth,
to live with us and through us;
you have filled us with your grace and truth—
your holy child sent to free us from our bonds.
How can we repay such divine generosity?
Receive our thanks and praise.
As you have given to us,
so now we share your gifts and your grace
with a world in need.
May this offering help bring your light and love
to those who still wander in darkness. Amen.
SENDING FORTH
Benediction (Isaiah 9, Luke 2)
A child has been born for us.
God’s grace has been given to us.
From a stable in Bethlehem our savior has come.
We have seen the glory of the Lord,
revealed in the face of the Christ child.
We can hardly contain our amazement.
Tell the world. Treasure the story.
Ponder it in your heart.
We will Glorify and praise God,
for all we have heard and seen!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ has come!
Amen!
CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS
Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Let all people sing praises to the Lord.
Let the whole world give glory to the Lord.
Let heaven rejoice. Let the whole world rejoice.
We sing for joy. The Lord is coming.
The Lord is coming. Christ is coming.
Christ is coming. Christ is here. Hallelujah!
Praise Sentences (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Let the heavens rejoice!
Let the earth rejoice in exaltation!
Let the seas roar and the trees shout for joy!
The Lord is coming to bring righteousness and truth.
God’s light has overcome the darkness!
The light shines upon us, around us, and through us.
Sing to the Lord and bless God’s name!
Salvation has come! Christ has come!… read more
-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 3) by Laura Jaquith BartlettChristmas Eve 2015 (Option 3)
COLOR: White or Gold
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
THEME IDEAS
The message of God’s incarnate love is so powerful in the familiar Luke story that even the once-a-year church folks get it time and time again. We are called to make sure that visitors and regulars alike hear the compelling invitation to live in the light that God has shined into the darkness. This means not just hearing the Christmas story, but telling its good news to others until we ourselves become reflections of Christ’s light throughout the year.
INVITATION AND GATHERING
Call to Worship (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Luke 2)
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
Celebrate the coming of the Light.
O sing to the Lord a new song,
God’s salvation is at hand.
Celebrate the coming of Salvation.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us.
Celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace.
I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.
Celebrate the coming of Christ!
Opening Prayer (Isaiah 9)
God of light and love,
shine upon us this Christmas Eve
and in the year ahead.
Guide us out of darkness
and into your joyous light.
May our lives reflect your glorious love,
that others may see your Christmas Spirit in us,
each and every day of our lives. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96, Titus 2, Luke 2)
God of Joy,
we come to celebrate again
the arrival of Love Incarnate
here in our very midst.
Your glorious arrival
is enough to cause the forests to sing for joy,
yet we still find reasons to complain and sigh.
Your light of salvation
is bright enough to illuminate
every corner of our lives,
yet we still find ourselves shrouded
in worry and doubt.
Your gift of Love
is big enough for the whole world,
yet we still find ourselves resentful
that your love extends to those
whom we deem to be unworthy.
God, you invite us into the light of the stable
where the overlooked and forgotten have gathered
to celebrate the miracle of your love.
Give us the strength and courage
to join you at the manger. Amen.
Words of Assurance (Luke 2)
Do not be afraid!
Hear the good news of great joy for all people:
a savior has been born this night for you!
Passing the Peace of Christ (Luke 2)
As you greet those around you, offer these words:
“Hear the good news!”
Respond in kind:
“A Savior is born!”
Prayer of Preparation (Luke 2)
Surprising God,
open our ears to hear this familiar story
as if for the first time.
Open our eyes to see the diverse cast
gathered at the manger.
Open our hearts to the power of your love
as revealed in this amazing story.
Open our lives to the possibility of transformation,
as we encounter once again
God-With-Us, Emmanuel. Amen.
Response to the Word (Isaiah 9, Titus 2, Luke 2)
A child has been born to us.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
A savior has been given to us.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
The grace of God has appeared in human form.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
Salvation has come to all the earth.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION
Invitation to the Offering
(To be spoken by the worship leader, but not printed)
There is a sentiment among some churches that taking an offering on Christmas Eve is inappropriate. The feeling goes that it’s presumptuous, if not downright rude, for us to expect guests to come to a Christmas celebration and then be asked to put money in the offering plate. But we have a different perspective here. We are so grateful . . . so excited . . . so changed by the love that God has shown us in the gift of Jesus Christ, that we simply can’t walk away from here without responding. The same God who chose to come to earth as a tiny baby invites us to shine the light of love into the world. Through our gifts this night, we have the opportunity to say thank you; to say yes to life and salvation; to say, “Glory to God in the highest heavens!”
Offering Prayer (Luke 2)
Dear God,
we cannot thank you enough
for the gift of your Son.
Through your grace,
you have given us everything,
including our very lives.
On this night,
we celebrate the miracle of Christmas!
But when the candles are blown out,
when the ringing of the bells has ceased
when the angels and shepherds have gone home,
may we continue to shine your light into the world
through the giving of these offerings.
And so we offer you yet another gift:
our partnership to build your reign here on earth.
Amen.
SENDING FORTH
Benediction (Luke 2)
Do not be afraid.
We go forth with courage!
Share the good news.
We go into the world
to proclaim tidings of great joy!
A savior has been born to you.
Glory to God in the highest heaven!
CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS
Contemporary Gathering Words (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96)
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Joy to the World!
Tell everyone about God’s amazing miracle.
Joy to the World!
A child has been born who is the Prince of Peace.
Joy to the World!
The light of God’s love shines
throughout the universe.
Joy to the World!
Praise Sentences (Isaiah 9, Psalm 96)
Hear the good news: a child has been born for us!
He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with truth.
Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012, © 2011 Abingdon Press… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 2) by Joanne Carlson BrownChristmas Eve
COLOR: White
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
THEME IDEAS
The magic of this night is the magic of promises fulfilled: the magic of light bursting on darkness, the magic of a baby’s cry and a mother’s tender love, the magic of angels singing glorias to shepherds, the magic of God coming to earth to dwell among us. It is important to keep hold of this sense of magic as we tell the old familiar story from passages people know by heart. Something special, something incredible happens tonight. Rejoice, for our salvation has come!
INVITATION AND GATHERING
Call to Worship
A light shining in the darkness . . .
What could it be?
The sound of angels’ wings . . .
What could it mean?
A baby born in a stable . . .
Who could it be?
Come to Bethlehem and see.
Opening Prayer
O wondrous God of the stars,
we come tonight with breathless wonder
to see the babe who will change our lives.
We hear the names “Wonderful Counselor,”
“Mighty God,” “Prince of Peace,”
and we are in awe.
You have touched the earth this night
with your unconditional love.
Touch us—
touch our hearts and minds and souls.
May we never tire of this story.
May we never take it for granted.
Make this night magical again. Amen.
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
Prayer of Confession
It’s Christmas Eve again, God.
We’re barely ready for it.
So much to do to get ready—
gifts to buy and wrap, parties to attend,
trees to trim, houses to decorate.
We’re in a whirlwind of activity.
In the midst of the busyness
we sometimes miss what it is all about—
you coming to earth—Emmanuel—God-with-us.
Help us hear anew
your promises of hope and salvation and love
as we sing our familiar carols.
Forgive us for forgetting the magic of this night,
for focusing on ourselves and what we need to do
instead of on the miracle of Jesus’ birth.
Rock us out of our complacency.
Let us hear angel voices,
see shepherds hurrying to a stable,
feel the baby’s soft breath on our cheeks,
and ponder in our hearts what all this means
for the world, for us.
Words of Assurance
God’s love knows no bounds.
Love comes down at Christmas—
a love so deep and so profound
that nothing will ever be the same again.
Know that this love is come for you—
to touch you, to heal you, to forgive you,
to make you whole.
Passing the Peace of Christ
This night no one is a stranger. All are joined together as one family through the miracle of the birth of one small baby. Let us share our joy and excitement at being present when God reaches down to touch the earth. Let us reach out and touch each other in love incarnate.
Response to the Word
God, we see your light shining in the darkness.
We hear the Christmas Angels.
We behold your promises fulfilled
in the birth of this wondrous child.
May this magical story become real in our lives.
THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION
Invitation to the Offering
Come now and kneel before the Christ child. Bring all that you are and all that you have. Offer your gifts in wonder and surprise and awe. Offer your gifts in joy and delight.
Invitation to Communion
This is a magical night. God-with-us has come to touch our world, our lives. God-with-us has come to bring us out of darkness into a glorious light. God-with-us invites us now to come to the table, believing in the promises of God fulfilled tonight. Here we hear angels, and see shepherds, and are transformed by a baby. Here love is offered, and love is found, in the sharing of bread and cup. Here we find our journey’s end and its beginning.
Offering Prayer
There are so many things
to be thankful for tonight, God.
Receive these tokens of our gratitude
for your love incarnate
in the babe of Bethlehem.
May they become God-with-us for all the world.
May they breathe magic back into a world
that needs a sense of wonder and joy.
SENDING FORTH
Benediction
Go now in wonder.
Go to bring light to those in darkness,
joy to those who can find no joy,
magic to a world steeped in realism.
Go with the songs of angels in your ears,
and the love of God in your hearts.
Go and spread the word—
the babe of Bethlehem is born for all.
CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS
Contemporary Gathering Words
Welcome to this most magical night
when angels and shepherds mingle
and the birth of a baby changes the world.
We come to celebrate with joy and wonder.
Celebrate the light that shines all around us.
We will sing and praise our most wondrous God.
Let us kneel before the Christ child,
who makes God’s promises come true.
Praise Sentences
Unto us a child is born.
Unto us a child is given.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: CHRISTMAS EVE 2016 (OPTION 1) by Bryan Schneider-ThomasColor: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20
Theme Ideas
Christmas Eve is a night of joyful celebration, a night to shout and sing the coming of Jesus. This is not an empty celebration that should leave us exhausted, but rather a deeply filled celebration that looks beyond the actual birth of Christ. The reading from Titus reminds us that the celebration of Jesus' birth is just the beginning. The mystery of God with us is contained not only in birth, but also in suffering, death, and resurrection.
Call to Worship (Luke 2)
Augustus and Quirinius—
ancient names that seem odd to today's ears...
characters in an ancient story
that we long to hear.
Nazareth and Bethlehem—
distant towns we know little about...
places our hearts long for,
because of the One who traveled there.
We gather together to hear once more,
a story so ancient and yet so current,
so distant and yet so near.
We come to hear the story
of God coming to us.
Call to Worship (Psalm 96)
Ascribe to the Lord honor and majesty.
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord praise upon praise.
For God, the Lord, has come to us.
In flesh, the Mighty One dwells with us.
Contemporary Gathering Words (Isaiah 9)
Darkness—we who walk in darkness
have seen a great light:
a light that is a joy for all the earth,
a light that announces new life.
In joy we greet this light.
In this light we see that our savior has come.
Contemporary Gathering Words (Isaiah 9)
A child has been born for us,
whose name is called:
Wonderful Counselor—
Good Shepherd,
Deliverer,
Lamb of God,
The Word;
Mighty God—
First and Last,
Author of Life,
Morning Star,
The Light;
Everlasting Father—
Bread of Life,
Resurrection and Life,
Light of the World,
The Vine;
Prince of Peace—
Chief Cornerstone,
Lord of lords,
King of kings,
The Way.
He is Immanuel. God with us!
Opening Prayer (Titus 2)
Grace of God,
you have brought salvation to all,
by the giving of yourself.
In your sacrifice of love,
you have redeemed us.
May we live lives that glorify you,
as we celebrate your birth
into this world. Amen.
Opening Prayer (Luke 2)
Holy God,
in days of old
you sent your angels
to tell shepherds the good news:
"To you is born this day a Savior,
the Messiah, the Lord."
Help us hear with the shepherds this good news,
that we too may glorify and praise you
for all that we have seen and heard. Amen.
Celebration of Christ's Birth
(The following could be used in conjunction with the Taizé chant, "Jubilate Coeli," or other simple song of joy.)
Heaven sings:
sing of creation and life;
sing of love and light.
Earth sings:
join the chorus, tell the story of salvation.
Let all welcome the Messiah.
Sun and moon proclaim the message of divine light.
Ocean waves tell of life-giving water.
Forests rustle with Spirit-filled wind.
Field and vineyard give fruit for a heavenly feast.
All peoples marvel at what they see and hear.
Join with all of creation in praise.
Sing of God's deeds of power and grace.
For Jesus Christ is born this day:
the One who was foretold by the prophets,
and promised in ages past;
the One who would triumph over death,
and bring us life;
the One who would forgive our sin,
and heal our wounds;
the One who would show us the kingdom of God,
and how we might live.
Born to set us free ...
Born to give us life ...
Born as a gift ...
Heaven sings and earth rejoices:
Jesus Christ is born.
Benediction (Isaiah 9, Titus 2)
In darkness we arrived.
In light we now leave.
Though once we stumbled,
we now walk with confidence.
Rise up and go, for the grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation to all.
May the light of Christ lead us forevermore.
Benediction (Psalm 96, Luke 2)
Go, singing a song to the God of our salvation.
Sing of mighty deeds and glory.
Join the heavenly chorus and sing:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace."
Sing of God's salvation from day to day.
Jesus Christ is born today!… read more-------
WORSHIP ELEMENTS: DECEMBER 25, 2016Bigstock/Jorisvo
Christmas Day
Color: White or Gold
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 52: 7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12); John 1: 1-14
Call to Worship
L: We who dwelled in shadows have seen a great light:
P: Glory from heaven embraces the earth, like a mother's arms around a newborn child,
L: Tucking the earth in folds of peace, like a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes,
P: Laying the earth in the cradle of truth, like a baby entrusted to a manger.
L: As the cry of a baby splits the air, uniting the songs of shepherds and angels,
P: Let us give thanks for the birth of a child, through whose young life salvation shines!
Invocation
O God, place your trumpets in our hands, and we will make a mighty sound! For unto the world a child is born; unto the world a savior is given. His hands will split the yoke of our burdens; his knee will snap the rod of our afflictions. He will establish peace upon the earth, breaking the bow and shattering the spear, casting the boots of each tramping warrior into the leaping flames.
You have struck the spark, Lord. The refiner's fire is kindled in the darkness; an ember glows in the silent night. Unto the world a child is born; unto the world a savior is given. Place your trumpets in our hands, and we shall call the world to peace!
Litany
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the honor due God's name—
P: The honor of a scandalous love, a love that kept Joseph by Mary's side when she became great with child!
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the majesty due God's name—
P: The majesty of a lowly manger, a manger that cradled a tiny savior when no room was found in the inn!
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the power due God's name—
P: The power of a simple shepherd, a shepherd who first beheld the One whose name was announced by a heavenly choir!
L: Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the beauty due God's name—
P: The beauty of two ordinary parents, the parents who watched the magi kneel and pondered these things in their wondering hearts!
A: Honor! Majesty! Power! Beauty! Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, the glory due God's name!
Prayer for One Voice
O God, we have waited long in the fields of night, keeping watch over the flocks, looking for signs of the morning. And what a sign you have given! The birth of a child! The birth of a savior! The birth of new life! Through your tender mercy, a new day has dawned, giving light to us who sit in darkness and dwell in the shadow of death, revealing the path of righteousness and guiding our feet into the way of peace.
This child who has been born among us—he is the one with whom you will be well pleased.17 And he has been born not among the mighty, but the lowly; not among the ruling, but the ruled; not among the rich, but the poor; not among the favored, but the outcast.
He is not the messiah we had expected from you, Lord. But there is the star dancing above the stall, and there is the angelic choir singing overhead: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace!" All creation celebrates the sign that has come to the natior.s, the salvation that has come to the peoples. The night has been broken; how can we doubt? The dawn is here; how can we not view the world in a different light?
We have run from the fields to see this thing that has happened; we have seen with our eyes—help us to understand with our hearts! O God, help us to know the time of our visitation, so that when the child, become a man, draws near to the place of our habitation, his heart might not be broken; that, instead of weeping, he might rejoice, saying, "Now you have learned the things that make for peace!"
Benediction
Somewhere in the night of our lives, a baby cries, and that cry is our hope. The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of our world. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace!
From Litanies and Other Prayers, Copyright © Abingdon Press.read more
Ministry Matters: "2016: Looking back / looking forward | 7 of the most frustrating things pastors" in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 26 December 2016-------
2016: Looking back / looking forward by Rebekah Jordan GienappOur days often pass so quickly that it’s difficult to remember what happened last month, let alone one year ago. As we look toward the new year, we have the chance to review and reflect on what important events have happened in the past year, both in our personal lives and in public life. While books could be written on all the events that have affected our nation and world in 2016, here are some of the most prominent.
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Bigstock / Olivier Le MoalMajor news events of 2016
Our days often pass so quickly that it’s difficult to remember what happened last month, let alone one year ago. As we look toward the new year, we have the chance to review and reflect on what important events have happened in the past year, both in our personal lives and in public life.
While books could be written on all the events that have affected our nation and world in 2016, here are some of the most prominent:
In the winter, news broke of the rapid spread of the Zika virus in Brazil and of its possible link to microcephaly in newborns. Here in the United States, a state of emergency was declared by the state of Michigan because of contaminated drinking water in Flint. The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia led to the Supreme Court only having eight of its nine Justice positions filled for the remainder of the year, after Senate Republicans announced they would not confirm any nomination made by President Obama.
In the spring, the world was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks. In a single week in March, at least 149 people were killed in four separate attacks in Lahore, Pakistan; Iskandariyah, Iraq; Brussels, Belgium; and Istanbul, Turkey. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for three of the four attacks, with the Pakistan attack being carried out by a Sunni militant group.
During the summer, many across the world were surprised by the outcome of a British election in which a majority voted for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. In the United States, Philando Castile was fatally shot by police in a traffic stop, and his fiancée began live streaming on Facebook seconds after the shooting. The same week, an ambush of Dallas police officers during a peaceful demonstration against police brutality ended with five officers dead and seven additional officers injured. While economic and health concerns about the Rio Olympics dominated its coverage before the actual event, the games went on without any major hitches.
In the fall, China and the United States, the world’s two largest carbon producers, joined other nations in ratifying the Paris climate agreement. About 600 Haitians died in Hurricane Matthew, and tens of thousands of people were left homeless there because of the storm. The Colombian government and the guerrilla group FARC signed a peace agreement, formally ending a half-century conflict that had left more than 220,000 people dead. The tumultuous and divisive US presidential election ended in Donald Trump being elected president, to the surprise of many pollsters.
'Do Not Fear, For I Am With You'
“Do not fear, for I am with you,” declares Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV). “Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
I take comfort in these words. Yet when I consider many of the things our country and world experienced in 2016 and how these experiences might continue to play out this year, one of my first emotions is fear.
Fear that hate speech and attacks on vulnerable people that spiked after the U.S. election will continue. Fear that when natural disasters strike the poorest nations, the world will not respond with enough generosity and justice. Fear that the actions of ISIS militants, as well as “self-radicalized” terrorists, will cause more of our brothers and sisters around the world to die. Fear that we will not adequately confront the crisis of persistent racism in our country. Fear that proposed policy changes will lead to refugees being turned away and people who are poor losing access to critical services that allow them to survive.
Yet these very fears, and other concerns about the year ahead, offer the chance to deepen our trust in God and to discern our calling. Through our journeys of prayer, dialogue, relationship and faithful action, God is present with us, leading us from fear to hope.
Looking forward in hope
The hope that Christians proclaim isn’t one that says nothing bad will happen to us or to others. Rather, it’s a hope that declares that God is still at work within the world and even works through us.
In her book Becoming Wise, religious journalist Krista Tippett says that hope “has nothing to do with wishing. It references reality at every turn and reveres truth. . . . Hope, like every virtue, is a choice that becomes a practice that becomes spiritual muscle memory. It’s a renewable resource for moving through life as it is, not as we wish it to be.”
Perhaps one of the most important questions to consider as we begin 2017 is what practices in our life nourish hope and which ones diminish hope. For example, columnist Jana Reiss discovered that in the weeks after the presidential election, fasting from Facebook became a spiritual practice, allowing her more time for prayer and reading “actual books.”
Deepening our face-to-face relationships with others, not just those who are like us but especially those we have differences with, can become a surprising source of hope. Serving others in a spirit of learning and humility also causes us to work our spiritual hope muscles. Advocating for peace and justice in the face of violence and inequality can nourish hope, especially when we remember that God’s call is to be faithful even when we’re not successful.
Discerning kairos moments in 2017
In the Greek language, there are two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos time is chronological time that can be measured by tools such as clocks and calendars. Kairos time is the right or opportune time for something to be done, including the right time for God to act. As blogger Ardis Nelson points out, the birth of Jesus was such a kairos moment, “so significant that it separated chronological time into B.C. and A.D.”
One way to become ready for the kairos moments that God will present to us this year is to reflect on what those moments may have been in 2016. Which moments in your life seemed like opportune times through which God used you in service to others? In the major events of our nation and world, where did you see people responding to God’s kairos moments? Who were the people who, in the face of crisis, sensed God’s call to reach out to others in compassion and courage? Who spoke God’s truth when it was challenging to hear?
The lectionary’s Gospel lesson for this Sunday is Matthew 25:31-46. In this passage, Jesus tells of the day of judgment when the sheep will be separated from the goats. The sheep are those people who, without even realizing it, have ministered to the Son of Man by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and visiting the prisoners. The goats are those who, without knowing it, turned away from the Son of Man’s need by failing to welcome the stranger, give the thirsty something to drink or visit those who are sick or in prison.
This year will undoubtedly provide us — as individuals, as churches, and as communities — with countless opportunities to minister to Christ through relationships with our sisters and brothers in need. Relationships with people who are most vulnerable, the very people in whom Jesus told us that his presence can best be known, prepare us to sense kairos moments when God particularly needs us to act.
May God prepare our hearts, minds, and hands for the kairos moments of 2017.
Be sure to check out FaithLink, a weekly downloadable discussion guide for classes and small groups.
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7 of the most frustrating things pastors experience by Ron EdmondsonThis post, and the opposite one I wrote before it actually began when I received this question on my blog: Ron: What do you think are some of the most frustrating things pastors experience?
Great question. I decided to first address some of the exciting things, but like most jobs, there are also frustrating things about being a pastor.
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Bigstock/stokketeThis post, and the opposite one I wrote before it actually began when I received this question on my blog:
Ron: What do you think are some of the most frustrating things pastors experience?
Great question. I decided to first address some of the exciting things, but like most jobs, there are also frustrating things about being a pastor. Leadership deals with people — different people, with different expectations, demands and opinions. And anytime there are differences in people there will be frustrations. This is true even among people who love each other greatly.
The actual question was about what is “most frustrating.” I had to think about the question. There are lots of little things which can frustrate me. I don’t understand why some people leave a room and don’t turn out the lights or how someone would ever put a toilet paper roll on which unfolds from the bottom. (Slight attempt at humor there.) But, those are small examples — not “most frustrating.” So I had to think a bit.
I should first mention I’m sharing frustrations, but I am not frustrated. I love the local church and I love my church. (I shouldn’t have to mention it, but I will.) I believe the church is the hope for the world. I am a proponent of the local, Bible-believing church. We are filled with imperfect people, but our mission is God-inspired, God-given and supposed to be God-glorifying.
With this disclosure, here is my reply of some of my most frustrating things I see as a pastor. Please understand, I’m simply being honest.
Seven of the most frustrating things pastors experience:
People who abuse their power or position.
I have witnessed this first hand in some churches where I have pastored, but even more so in churches where friends have been pastor. I know a couple of churches — as this is being written — where a few people in the church are literally controlling the church and causing potentially irreversible damage.
It always bothers me for people to abuse power, but even more so when it happens in the church. This includes, of course, when the pastor abuses power. Abuse of power is wrong regardless of who is doing so. Ultimately we are to follow Christ, but sometimes we can let positions and power get in the way of humility and obedience.
People who live opposite lives in and out of the church.
It is frustrating to me when people who have one church face and one community face. It gives the church a bad name. Many of my unchurched friends won’t come to church because they know someone who comes to church already. And they aren’t impressed. They know the person in the office on Monday morning is not the person who claims to be so wonderful on Sunday morning.
I should say that I’m not referring to new Christians, and certainly not those who are attending, but not yet believers. I’m talking about those who claim a history with truth but don’t exhibit truth in the way they live their life. They would shout Amen to “love one another” while sitting in the pew, but their actions outside the walls of the church say otherwise.
Rumors that spread with no basis of truth.
How many times have I been caught in the middle of this one? I once had to dispel a rumor that I was going to tear down the church’s steeple. I must admit, I’m not a fan of tradition for the sake of tradition, but I sorta like our steeple. Granted, our building looks very “churchy” and this can be an initial barrier to people coming. And, this is possibly where rumors start, because I’ve said similar before, but this means we must meet and embrace people outside the church, inviting them to join us. It never meant demolition. But, rumors like this spread rapidly in the right environment.
This is a minor example. When the rumors involve other people they can be very damaging to character and reputation. Gossip destroys a person’s witness.
Selfishness.
People who want what they want, even at the expense and inconvenience of others. These are people who will allow their personal preference to interfere with carrying out the ultimate mission of the church. They guard “their seats.” They protect “their programs.” They never complain about change — until it makes them uncomfortable. This one probably frustrates me because it has never seemed very biblical to me. I certainly can’t find it in Scripture.
Tradition for the sake of tradition.
Again, I’m not against tradition per se. I like meeting at a set time every week, for example. I love giving and receiving gifts at Christmas — let’s not stop this one. I get frustrated, however, with tradition that is adhered to only because of tradition — especially if it gets in the way of making disciples. If it’s biblical I’ll be the biggest proponent of it, but if it’s simply because we’ve always done it this way, I get frustrated with those who insist it never be changed, even if it is no longer effective in fulfilling the mission of the church.
Wasting time.
I’m on a mission. A number of years ago God called me out of the business world and into full-time vocational ministry. In the business world we knew we had no time to waste. Our livelihoods depended on efficient use of time and resources.
Now in ministry, I have a keen sense time is short and it moves faster than I can fathom. I don’t want to waste precious Kingdom time debating issues that simply don’t matter or doing activity which has little Kingdom impact.
Half-heartedness.
Perhaps, just perhaps, I got this one from Jesus. He called it being lukewarm. I sense it when the Spirit of God is obviously active in the room, but people who have claimed to be Christians for years look at me as if it’s a typical Sunday. I see it when people are more concerned if the rules were followed than they are excited about lives that are changing. I notice it when people choose to get involved only when it’s convenient for their schedule. I sense it when someone has been in the church for many years, but hasn’t grown deeper and more passionately in love with Christ than when they began attending. Some days I wish we were a ballgame — with bleachers and a favorite team. Then maybe they’d get excited.
So, there’s my honest list. While I am confessing frustrations, can I tell you the person who is staring at the phone when the light turns green or pulls out in front of me then drives ten miles under the speed limit frustrates me also — greatly. I feel better getting this off my chest. I guess I should remind readers I’m human. Just as things frustrate you, they frustrate me.
But, let me share again, I love the local church. And, I learned years ago — actually I was convicted years ago — that I must also love the people of the local church. Even if someone or something someone does frustrates me, I must love them too. And, I strive to do so.
And, a word to my fellow pastors, I know that when I'm allowing frustrations to control me more than what the Spirit of God wants to do in and through me, I need to take a break, rest and renew my soul.
Ron Edmondson blogs at RonEdmondson.com.
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Bearing Christ this Christmas by Kira SchlesingerOne of the themes of Advent and Christmas is pregnancy. There are the obvious pregnancies of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John, but there is also the metaphorical pregnancy and birth of the Kingdom of God that Paul writes about in Romans when he talks about all of creation groaning in childbirth. “Pregnant” not only means “with child” but also “full of meaning, significant.” Our waiting in Advent is pregnant, anticipatory, active. Like a family expecting a new child, we prepare our hearts as well as our physical space, decorating our homes and churches in anticipation of the Christ Child as well as the Second Coming of Christ. However, as preachers and educators, we should be careful and sensitive in talking about the theme of pregnancy as it relates to Advent and Christmas.
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Bigstock/KamiraOne of the themes of Advent and Christmas is pregnancy. There are the obvious pregnancies of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John, but there is also the metaphorical pregnancy and birth of the Kingdom of God that Paul writes about in Romans when he talks about all of creation groaning in childbirth. “Pregnant” not only means “with child” but also “full of meaning, significant.” Our waiting in Advent is pregnant, anticipatory, active. Like a family expecting a new child, we prepare our hearts as well as our physical space, decorating our homes and churches in anticipation of the Christ Child as well as the Second Coming of Christ.
However, as preachers and educators, we should be careful and sensitive in talking about the theme of pregnancy as it relates to Advent and Christmas. For many women, difficult pregnancies, struggles with infertility, and miscarriages are part of their stories. In women under 35, the miscarriage rate is 20%, or one in five pregnancies, and it increases for women over 35. While miscarriages are heartbreakingly common, there is still a lot of silence and shame around pregnancy loss. The biblical narratives emphasizing miraculous pregnancies either in older women (like Sarah) or women thought to be infertile (like Hannah) can be painful for women experiencing challenges around child-bearing.
Certainly, a woman’s ability to support the earliest stages of human life and bring forth that life into the world should be blessed and celebrated, but it is also not a universal experience for women. Some women do not feel called to motherhood. Others might be called to singleness or might not find a partner until they are past their childbearing years, and some have medical complications that make a successful pregnancy nearly impossible. When churches lift up pregnancy and motherhood as the ideal expression of womanhood, it excludes those for whom it is not a possibility and causes pain for women who long to be mothers by birth and cannot be.
In our day and age, families are frequently challenging and complex, and our families consist of more than blood relations. Families are formed by adoption, the blending of divorced families, and even groups of dear friends. On the fourth Sunday of Advent in the Revised Common Lectionary this year, we were reminded of Joseph’s important role in Jesus’ life, not as a giver of his DNA, but as an adopted father and a righteous man. God forms families in all kinds of ways. As important as blood relatives are, Christians sometimes forget that we are part of a new and different family, one entered into by baptism and constituted by sharing the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Let us be sensitive to the myriad ways that families are formed and particularly to the pain and sensitivity of those who long to give birth but are unable. Especially around the holidays, wounds and losses around family can be raw. We remember that Jesus was born into the midst of a complicated family situation where nothing was certain, but Mary and Joseph were faithful nonetheless. Emmanuel, “God with Us,” is born through all of us. As St. Ambrose of Milan writes, “Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith.”
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Celebrating hope By Rose TaylorBigstock/Sergey PetermanMany traditions have been established around the celebration of the new year, as well as many superstitions. For example, making resolutions is a New Year’s Day tradition, and eating black-eyed peas for good luck is a superstition. Christian communities also have their traditions regarding the new year. Many African American churches hold Watchnight Services that begin around 10:00 p.m. on December 31st and last through midnight on January 1st. They incorporate the celebration of slaves being emancipated. Watchnight Services originated with the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. Services celebrating the new year in The United Methodist Church are called Covenant Renewal services and often take place on the first Sunday of the new year. Both the Watchnight and Covenant Renewal services provide opportunities for confession and promises to submit oneself to God’s will. Believers trust that God will be present with them in the coming year regardless of the events that may occur.
A not so Happy New Year
A very different attitude was held in the ancient world. Their gods were untrustworthy and unpredictable. One never knew when he or she might incur the wrath of one of the gods. As a result of this fear of wrath, the present-day tradition of making resolutions for the new year began in the ancient world as a bargaining tool with the gods. The new year was not a cause for celebration nor a time to anticipate the days ahead with joy, hope, and faith. Instead, any celebration was for the sake of pleasing the capricious gods who were incapable of being pleased.
Resolve to do good and celebrate life
Although Christians participate in New Year’s Day celebrations that have origins of ancient tradition and superstition, we celebrate a new year in which we face challenges with hope while seeking new opportunities to do good and celebrate life. Our God is true, faithful, just, and merciful. We do not have to be frightened of God nor bargain with God. God will be with us, working for our good each day of the new year.
Question of the day: What are your feelings about the beginning of a new year?
Focal scriptures: Romans 8:35-39; Galatians 6:9-10; Psalm 63:3-4Romans 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? 36 As the Tanakh puts it,
“For your sake we are being put to death all day long,
we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.”[Romans 8:36 Psalm 44:23(22)]
37 No, in all these things we are super-conquerors, through the one who has loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, 39 neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord.
Galatians 6:9 So let us not grow weary of doing what is good; for if we don’t give up, we will in due time reap the harvest. 10 Therefore, as the opportunity arises, let us do what is good to everyone, and especially to the family of those who are trustingly faithful.
Psalm 63:3 (2) I used to contemplate you in the sanctuary,
seeing your power and glory;
4 (3) for your grace is better than life.
My lips will worship you.
For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.
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Let's keep Herod in Christmas By Brett YoungerMatthew 2:12-23
Twenty-seven Christmases ago I was the new pastor of a Baptist church in Indiana. I decided we would have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service—the first ever. I wanted everything to be perfect. It almost was. Snow fell that afternoon. A junior in high school, Melody, played “What Child Is This” on the flute. Three generations—a grandmother, her daughter, and granddaughter—lit the Advent candles. We sang the carols “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Away in a Manger,” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” We read the story—Mary, Joseph, the baby, and the manger. I remember thinking: This is a Hallmark card of a worship service. This is as picture-perfect a Christmas moment as any church has ever known.
That’s when Danny’s beeper went off. Danny was a member of the volunteer fire department. When his beeper sounded—as it often did— Danny ran out of the sanctuary. We had gotten used to it, but it was still disconcerting. Then we started singing “Silent Night.” As we got to “Wondrous Star, lend thy light,” Danny ran back in and shouted that church member Bob’s mother’s house was on fire. Bob’s family ran after Danny. Danny’s wife got up and left. Everyone had to choose between listening to the preacher’s sermon or slipping out one by one and going to a big fire. By the time I got Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the crowd— and I use that term loosely—was made up of those who were waiting for a ride home and those who had fallen asleep. That’s not how Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services are supposed to turn out. Tragedies should wait until January, because they don’t fit our ideas about Christmas.
That’s why King Herod doesn’t fit the Christmas story. The horrifying sequence of events in Matthew’s Gospel doesn’t feel like it belongs in the Christmas story. The most difficult part to cast in the Christmas pageant is King Herod. Walmart sells a variety of plastic Nativity scenes for the yard, but there are no glow-in-the-dark King Herods. No Christmas card has this verse from Matthew on the front: “A voice was heard in Ramah, / wailing and loud lamentation” (Matthew 2:18). This part of the story may not seem to fit, but we need to hear it. Like a lot of stories, we have to hear the whole story or we get the story wrong.
Every true story admits that even in the midst of blinking decorations and flickering candles, darkness threatens the light. Ignoring the darkness is ignoring reality. We leave King Herod out of the Christmas story because we think we’re supposed to keep the hardships of the real world away from Christmas. Matthew says that Christmas came in the days of King Herod. King Herod was like Joseph Stalin. He executed his favorite wife, his brother-in-law, and three of his sons because he thought they wanted his crown.
We usually imagine angels speaking in soft, reassuring tones. The angel in Joseph’s dream shouted: “Wake up! Hurry! Run!” They escaped to Egypt. They were far from home, but the baby was safe.
Tragically, not everyone was safe. Herod’s order was the death of every boy in Bethlehem two years old and younger. Matthew can’t find words terrifying enough to describe the horror, so he borrows words from the prophet Jeremiah: “wailing and loud lamentation, / Rachel weeping for her children; / she refused to be consoled, because they are no more” (v. 18).
The first Christmas was soldiers with swords in the streets; mothers clutching their babies, hiding in the closet, trying not to breathe too loudly, and begging their infants not to cry. There aren’t many questions more impossible to answer than, “Why couldn’t the angel have warned them too?” Even the birth of the new King didn’t stop the suffering.
It’s not surprising that we skip this part of the story. It’s easy to understand why there’s no carol in our hymnal about the slaughter of the innocents. Perhaps there should be, because we need to understand that Christmas is God’s response to our sorrows.
My second Christmas as pastor of Central Baptist Church, I got a phone call from the county hospital on December 23. The night before, an unwed teenager had given birth to a stillborn baby. The social worker wanted me to lead a graveside service the next morning. She explained that they would normally have the service a day later or at least in the afternoon, but she “didn’t want the girl to associate this experience with Christmas.” The teenager had visited our church a few times. Marilyn (not her real name) was fifteen and had been raped by her grandfather. Christmas Eve was miserable. The snow had been on the ground for more than a week. It had rained and so the snow wasn’t pretty. The temperature was in the twenties. It was threatening to rain again. Marilyn’s older sister brought her straight from the hospital. Their parents didn’t come; they blamed Marilyn for what had happened. There were six of us there: Marilyn, her sister, the funeral director, two women from our church, and me. I knew what I had been told: “We don’t want her to associate this experience with Christmas.” I kept thinking about the story that Matthew tells. Christmas is mothers crying because their children have died: “wailing and loud lamentation . . . [refusing] to be consoled, because they are no more.” If we have to stand at a graveside on Christmas Eve, we need to remember the hope that comes with Christmas.
The part of this story that we’re used to leaving out—the sadness, suffering, and death—is most important. It’s the hard part that explains why this child is a holy child.
When we remember the story, we need to remember all of the story. God comes to the worst places and the most painful circumstances to share our suffering, to care for us in the midst of tragedy. Christ has come to bear our sorrows. We have not been left alone.
This holy season is the promise that God’s joy is deeper than our sadness, that ultimately life is more powerful than death, and that the light shines even in the darkness.-------
Can I give silently or must I mention my faith? By Christy ThomasBigstockDear Thoughtful Pastor: In this season of giving, which is really an all year affair, it is OK to love and help people, even to save their physical lives, without urging them to become Christians? Is it OK, as a Christian, for me not to mention my own faith as I give of myself and my means? Is it enough and appropriate to let the giving speak for itself? Jesus did this at times, didn’t he? I’m not sure. Please let me know what you think.
First, I want to commend you for your generosity and willingness to help others. Doing so is absolutely basic to the Christian faith. Those who call themselves Christian but live as though there is no larger obligation to the world of the needy are standing on a quicksand-laced foundation.
Second, I think you have asked questions that many others would echo: How do we model Jesus in our giving? Is giving necessarily linked with an invitation into Christian faith? Must we be verbal witnesses as well as material givers? Can people adequately see our faith from our actions?
It’s hard to draw a direct, “this is what you should do every time” answer from the Bible because Jesus’ interactions with others changed depending on the circumstances of the encounters. I decided, therefore, to start with the ideal: the group of sayings found in Matthew 5-7. This section is generally known as the “Sermon on the Mount” mainly because the scene was set on a small mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s extremely important because it sets out more clearly than any other scriptures what the “kingdom of heaven” looks like.
There’s one section devoted entirely to generosity toward others, Matthew 6:1-4. “Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.”
Jesus makes it clear here: Give, but give in ways that draw absolutely no attention to yourself. The phrase “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” is particularly important. I think what Jesus is saying here works this way, “Don’t worry if you gave something yesterday with your right hand, because if you left hand wants to give to the same cause or person today, it should be free to do so.”
In other words, don’t keep tallies. Just give and do so quietly.
Now, let’s bring this to the specifics of your question: Do we need to tell people that they need to have faith in Jesus when we offer gifts or support? Could it be that such a demand is a part of “tallying up” gifts?
Can we even offer words intended to bring people to faith in Jesus while without bringing attention to yourself? That seems to be the core of these instructions. The rest of this chapter goes on to talk about how to pray without bringing attention to ourselves and how to fast, also without bringing attention to ourselves.
Jesus appears to suggest that silent generosity, as well as hidden prayer and fasting, have far more effectiveness that the kind of generosity with an agenda of specific belief requirements attached.
Let’s dream for a moment what a world of extraordinarily generous but anonymous givers would look like. It’s very possible that many university and church buildings might not be built, since a large percentage are named after wealthy donors. Possibly some of the many charitable foundations that are named after their mega-rich founders may not exist.
But . . . again, assuming extreme generosity, maybe there would far more creative, even more effective giving when people chose to give in a way that does not draw attention to themselves.
Because of my work, I am privileged to know a number of extremely generous givers who would be utterly embarrassed if the extent of their philanthropy were generally known. It seems to me that much genuine goodness flows from them in an infectious manner — their very lack of name recognition seems to inspire more freedom to give. Indeed, their left hands don’t know what their rights hand are doing — and the world is made better because of it.
So yes, give without words. Give freely. Be the blessing. That is the major call upon all of us.
Email questions to thoughtfulpastor@gmail.com. A version of this column appeared in the Friday December 16, 2016 print and online editions of The Denton Record Chronicle. Christy blogs at Patheos.
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A frugal pope buys his own shoes By Josephine McKenna / Religion News ServiceThe shoes of Pope Francis are seen as he conducts a general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on March 16, 2013. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Max RossiROME (RNS) As cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, he took the subway. Then as pope, he went out to buy his own eyeglasses. And now he picked up a pair of shoes.
Pope Francis caused a sensation after he left the Vatican late Tuesday (Dec. 20) and showed up in a pharmacy in the heart of Rome.
Shop assistants and customers were astonished to see the 80-year-old pontiff there to purchase a pair of orthopedic shoes he needs to relieve pain caused by chronic sciatica.
The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics blessed an employee's crucifix and happily posed for selfies and videos.
Rome resident Martina Duarte posted her delight on her Facebook page with a video of the pope and the caption: "A Tuesday with the Pope ... my love I am incredibly proud of you!"
“A pope who goes to buy himself a pair of orthopedic shoes is like any citizen. A man among the people!” tweeted another fan.
Follow
La Trotto @paola_trottoIl Papa che va a comprarsi un paio di scarpe ortopediche, come un qualsiasi cittadino. Un uomo fra gli uomini. #PapaFrancesco
4:46 AM - 21 Dec 2016
Since his election in 2013 the former Jorge Bergoglio has made a point of leading a simple life, shunning the opulent papal apartments for a modest room in his residence, carrying his own briefcase and traveling in a simple Ford Fiesta.-------
Trump continues inaugural prayer service tradition By Adelle M. Banks / Religion News ServiceThe Washington National Cathedral interior framed through a stone detail on the cathedral's balcony on June 12, 2015. RNS photo by Sally MorrowWASHINGTON (RNS) President-elect Donald Trump plans to attend an inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, following the tradition of many past presidents.
The National Prayer Service, set for Jan. 21, the day after the swearing-in, is the last of the official inaugural events announced Wednesday (Dec. 21) by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
“The Inaugural Prayer Service is a moment for our next president to pause and contemplate the incredible responsibility he has been entrusted with and to listen as the faith community offers prayers for the office of the president,” said Kevin Eckstrom, the cathedral’s chief communications officer, in a statement.
Trump’s planned presence at the cathedral comes after a divisive campaign in which 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for him and religious leaders of a range of faiths expressed concern about his stated plans to register Muslims and ban Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S.
Details of the service at the cathedral are not yet available but an Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman confirmed that Cardinal Donald Wuerl plans to attend.
“He’s been involved in some of the planning,” said archdiocesan spokeswoman Chieko Noguchi of Wuerl. “It’s still in the early stages.”
The cathedral has been the site of inaugural prayer services since 1933, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was first inaugurated. In more recent times, it's most consistently been the location of such services since President Reagan's inauguration in 1985. However, President Clinton chose Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church for his inaugural services.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Square from the White House, has often been the choice for a private service for the president-elect on the morning of the swearing-in.
Hayden Bryan, the church’s executive director for operations, said Trump is expected to attend a service there on Jan. 20.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has announced that it will sing at the swearing-in, marking its sixth time for such a performance.
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COVENANT RENEWAL SERVICE
In 1663 Richard Alleine, a Puritan, published Vindiciae Pietatis: or, “A Vindication of Godliness in the Greater Strictness and Spirituality of It”. In 1753, it was again published in John Wesley's A Christian Library. Wesley used one chapter, "The Application of the Whole," on Monday, August 11, 1755, in what probably was the first real celebration of the Covenant Service in the Methodist movement.Wesley found the service rich and meaningful, as expressed in his Journal: "Many mourned before God, and many were comforted" (April 1756); "It was, as usual, a time of remarkable blessing" (October 1765). "It was an occasion for a variety of spiritual experiences ... I do not know that ever we had a greater blessing. Afterwards many desired to return thanks, either for a sense of pardon, for full salvation, or for a fresh manifestation of His graces, healing all their backslidings" (January 1, 1775). In London these services were usually held on New Year's Day. Around the country the Covenant Service was conducted whenever John Wesley visited the Methodist Societies.
After the time of Wesley several versions of the Covenant Service were developed, gradually giving Wesley's material less place in the total service. The present service follows our Basic Pattern of worship, enables the congregation to participate more fully, and updates language. Most significant, the liturgy beginning with the Invitation is taken directly from Wesley's service of 1780.
The heart of the service, focused in the Covenant Prayer, requires persons to commit themselves to God. This covenant is serious and assumes adequate preparation for and continual response to the covenant. Leaders of worship must take seriously the need to prepare the congregation for this service, possibly through study sessions and prayer.
The leaders must also assume responsibility to assist persons to be faithful to the covenant, possibly through meetings for spiritual discipline.
The Covenant Service is most commonly held on New Year's Eve or Day and therefore is sometimes called a Watch Night Service. Historically, a Watch Night Service would be three hours or longer, including readings from Scripture and hymn singing. This Covenant Service would also be appropriate on one of the Sundays After the Epiphany, during Lent, on a church anniversary, or during a revival or preaching mission. Ideally, the service should be used only once a year on the same Sunday. Red is an appropriate color for paraments and vestments.
Individual copies of the Covenant Service are recommended for all worshipers so that they may sign and keep them as reminders.
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ENTRANCE
GATHERING
GREETING
HYMN *Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine (UMH 606)
Charles Wesley wrote this hymn specifically for this service.
1. Come, let us use the grace divine, and all with one accord,
in a perpetual covenant join ourselves to Christ the Lord;
Give up ourselves, thru Jesus' power, his name to glorify;
and promise, in this sacred hour, for God to live and die.
2. The covenant we this moment make be ever kept in mind;
we will no more our God forsake, or cast these words behind.
We never will throw off the fear of God who hears our vow;
and if thou art well pleased to hear, come down and meet us now.
3. Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, let all our hearts receive,
present with thy celestial host the peaceful answer give;
to each covenant the blood apply which takes our sins away,
and register our names on high and keep us to that day!
O God, Searcher of all our hearts,
you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own.
As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace,
and to enter anew into covenant with you,
reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us.
Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being,
and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (DAVID TRIPP, ENGLAND, 20TH CENT.)
LITANY OF THANKSGIVING
The following or another litany of thanksgiving may be used:Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies.
O God, our Covenant Friend,
you have been gracious to us through all the years of our lives.
We thank you for your loving care,
which has filled our days and brought us to this time and place.
We praise your holy name, O God.
You have given us life and reason,
and set us in a world filled with your glory.
You have comforted us with family and friends,
and ministered to us through the hands of our sisters and brothers.
R: Amen!
You have filled our hearts with a hunger after you,
and have given us your peace.
You have redeemed us, and called us to a high calling in Christ Jesus.
You have given us a place in the fellowship of your Spirit
and the witness of your Church.
and have given us your peace.
You have redeemed us, and called us to a high calling in Christ Jesus.
You have given us a place in the fellowship of your Spirit
and the witness of your Church.
R: Amen!
You have been our light in darkness
and a rock of strength in adversity and temptation.
You have been the very Spirit of joy in our joys
and the all–sufficient reward in all our labors.
You have been our light in darkness
and a rock of strength in adversity and temptation.
You have been the very Spirit of joy in our joys
and the all–sufficient reward in all our labors.
R: Amen!
You remembered us when we forgot you.
You followed us even when we tried to flee from you.
You met us with forgiveness when we returned to you.
For all your patience and overflowing grace.
You remembered us when we forgot you.
You followed us even when we tried to flee from you.
You met us with forgiveness when we returned to you.
For all your patience and overflowing grace.
R: Amen!
PROCLAMATION
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON (S)
These lessons may be interspersed with hymns and psalms:A covenant renewalDeuteronomy 31:9 Then Moshe wrote down this Torah and gave it to the cohanim, the descendants of Levi who carried the ark with the covenant of Adonai, and to all the leaders of Isra’el. (LY: iv) 10 Moshe gave them these orders: “At the end of every seven years, during the festival of Sukkot in the year of sh’mittah, 11 when all Isra’el have come to appear in the presence of Adonai at the place he will choose, you are to read this Torah before all Isra’el, so that they can hear it. 12 Assemble the people — the men, the women, the little ones and the foreigners you have in your towns — so that they can hear, learn, fear Adonai your God and take care to obey all the words of this Torah; 13 and so that their children, who have not known, can hear and learn to fear Adonai your God, for as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Yarden to possess.”
Renewal of covenant
2 Kings 23:1 Then the king summoned all the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, and they assembled with him. 2 The king went up to the house of Adonai with all the men of Y’hudah, all those living in Yerushalayim, the cohanim, the prophets and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing everything written in the scroll of the covenant that had been found in the house of Adonai. 3 The king stood on the platform and made a covenant in the presence of Adonai to live following Adonai, observing his mitzvot, instructions and regulations wholeheartedly and with all his being, so as to confirm the words of the covenant written in this scroll. All the people stood, pledging themselves to keep the covenant.
Renewal of covenant
2 Chronicles 34:29 Then the king summoned and assembled all the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim. 30 The king went up to the house of Adonai with all the men of Y’hudah, those living in Yerushalayim, the cohanim, the L’vi’im and all the people, both great and small; and he read in their hearing everything written in the scroll of the covenant that had been found in the house of Adonai. 31 The king stood in his place and made a covenant in the presence of Adonai to live following Adonai, observing his mitzvot, instructions and laws wholeheartedly and with all his being, so as to perform the words of the covenant written in this scroll. 32 Then, after he had all the people in Yerushalayim and Binyamin stand in affirmation of it, the inhabitants of Yerushalayim acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.
Jeremiah 31:31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. 32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”
Psalm 50:(0) A psalm of Asaf:
PROCLAMATION
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE LESSON (S)
These lessons may be interspersed with hymns and psalms:A covenant renewalDeuteronomy 31:9 Then Moshe wrote down this Torah and gave it to the cohanim, the descendants of Levi who carried the ark with the covenant of Adonai, and to all the leaders of Isra’el. (LY: iv) 10 Moshe gave them these orders: “At the end of every seven years, during the festival of Sukkot in the year of sh’mittah, 11 when all Isra’el have come to appear in the presence of Adonai at the place he will choose, you are to read this Torah before all Isra’el, so that they can hear it. 12 Assemble the people — the men, the women, the little ones and the foreigners you have in your towns — so that they can hear, learn, fear Adonai your God and take care to obey all the words of this Torah; 13 and so that their children, who have not known, can hear and learn to fear Adonai your God, for as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Yarden to possess.”
Renewal of covenant
2 Kings 23:1 Then the king summoned all the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, and they assembled with him. 2 The king went up to the house of Adonai with all the men of Y’hudah, all those living in Yerushalayim, the cohanim, the prophets and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing everything written in the scroll of the covenant that had been found in the house of Adonai. 3 The king stood on the platform and made a covenant in the presence of Adonai to live following Adonai, observing his mitzvot, instructions and regulations wholeheartedly and with all his being, so as to confirm the words of the covenant written in this scroll. All the people stood, pledging themselves to keep the covenant.
Renewal of covenant
2 Chronicles 34:29 Then the king summoned and assembled all the leaders of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim. 30 The king went up to the house of Adonai with all the men of Y’hudah, those living in Yerushalayim, the cohanim, the L’vi’im and all the people, both great and small; and he read in their hearing everything written in the scroll of the covenant that had been found in the house of Adonai. 31 The king stood in his place and made a covenant in the presence of Adonai to live following Adonai, observing his mitzvot, instructions and laws wholeheartedly and with all his being, so as to perform the words of the covenant written in this scroll. 32 Then, after he had all the people in Yerushalayim and Binyamin stand in affirmation of it, the inhabitants of Yerushalayim acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.
33 Yoshiyahu removed all the abominable idols from all the territories belonging to the people of Isra’el, and he made everyone in Isra’el serve Adonai their God. Throughout his lifetime, they did not stop following Adonai, the God of their ancestors.
A new covenantJeremiah 31:31 (32) It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by their hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt; because they, for their part, violated my covenant, even though I, for my part, was a husband to them,” says Adonai. 32 (33) “For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el after those days,” says Adonai: “I will put my Torah within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 (34) No longer will any of them teach his fellow community member or his brother, ‘Know Adonai’; for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest; because I will forgive their wickednesses and remember their sins no more.”
34 (35) This is what Adonai says,
who gives the sun as light for the day,
who ordained the laws for the moon and stars
to provide light for the night,
who stirs up the sea until its waves roar —
Adonai-Tzva’ot is his name:
Gathering of the faithfulPsalm 50:(0) A psalm of Asaf:
(1) The Mighty One, God, Adonai, is speaking,
summoning the world from east to west.
2 Out of Tziyon, the perfection of beauty,
God is shining forth.
3 Our God is coming and not staying silent.
With a fire devouring ahead of him
and a great storm raging around him,
4 he calls to the heavens above and to earth,
in order to judge his people.
5 “Gather to me my faithful,
those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge. (Selah)
7 “Listen, my people, I am speaking:
Isra’el, I am testifying against you,
I, God, your God.
8 I am not rebuking you for your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 I have no need for a bull from your farm
or for male goats from your pens;
10 for all forest creatures are mine already,
as are the animals on a thousand hills;
11 I know all the birds in the mountains;
whatever moves in the fields is mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
for the world is mine, and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer thanksgiving as your sacrifice to God,
pay your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me when you are in trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right do you have to proclaim my laws
or take my covenant on your lips,
17 when you so hate to receive instruction
and fling my words behind you?
18 When you see a thief, you join up with him,
you throw in your lot with adulterers,
19 you give your mouth free rein for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit;
20 you sit and speak against your kinsman,
you slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you do such things, should I stay silent?
You may have thought I was just like you;
but I will rebuke and indict you to your face.
22 Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to save you.
23 “Whoever offers thanksgiving
as his sacrifice honors me;
and to him who goes the right way
I will show the salvation of God.”
or (UMH 783)
Gathering of the faithful
5 “Gather to me my faithful,
those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge. (Selah)
7 “Listen, my people, I am speaking:
Isra’el, I am testifying against you,
I, God, your God.
8 I am not rebuking you for your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 I have no need for a bull from your farm
or for male goats from your pens;
10 for all forest creatures are mine already,
as are the animals on a thousand hills;
11 I know all the birds in the mountains;
whatever moves in the fields is mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you;
for the world is mine, and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer thanksgiving as your sacrifice to God,
pay your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me when you are in trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right do you have to proclaim my laws
or take my covenant on your lips,
17 when you so hate to receive instruction
and fling my words behind you?
18 When you see a thief, you join up with him,
you throw in your lot with adulterers,
19 you give your mouth free rein for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit;
20 you sit and speak against your kinsman,
you slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you do such things, should I stay silent?
You may have thought I was just like you;
but I will rebuke and indict you to your face.
22 Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to save you.
23 “Whoever offers thanksgiving
as his sacrifice honors me;
and to him who goes the right way
I will show the salvation of God.”
Call of holy living
1 Peter 1:1 From: Kefa, an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah
Matthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. 33 The ‘sheep’ he will place at his right hand and the ‘goats’ at his left.
To: God’s chosen people, living as aliens in the Diaspora — in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bythinia — 2 chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obeying Yeshua the Messiah and for sprinkling with his blood:
Grace and shalom be yours in full measure.
3 Praised be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who, in keeping with his great mercy, has caused us, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah from the dead, to be born again to a living hope, 4 to an inheritance that cannot decay, spoil or fade, kept safe for you in heaven. 5 Meanwhile, through trusting, you are being protected by God’s power for a deliverance ready to be revealed at the Last Time. 6 Rejoice in this, even though for a little while you may have to experience grief in various trials. 7 Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yeshua the Messiah.
8 Without having seen him, you love him. Without seeing him now, but trusting in him, you continue to be full of joy that is glorious beyond words. 9 And you are receiving what your trust is aiming at, namely, your deliverance.
10 The prophets, who prophesied about this gift of deliverance that was meant for you, pondered and inquired diligently about it. 11 They were trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of the Messiah in them was referring in predicting the Messiah’s sufferings and the glorious things to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that their service when they spoke about these things was not for their own benefit, but for yours. And these same things have now been proclaimed to you by those who communicated the Good News to you through the Ruach HaKodesh sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things!
13 Therefore, get your minds ready for work, keep yourselves under control, and fix your hopes fully on the gift you will receive when Yeshua the Messiah is revealed. 14 As people who obey God, do not let yourselves be shaped by the evil desires you used to have when you were still ignorant. 15 On the contrary, following the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in your entire way of life; 16 since the Tanakh says,
“You are to be holy because I am holy.”[1 Peter 1:16 Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7]
17 Also, if you are addressing as Father the one who judges impartially according to each person’s actions, you should live out your temporary stay on earth in fear. 18 You should be aware that the ransom paid to free you from the worthless way of life which your fathers passed on to you did not consist of anything perishable like silver or gold; 19 on the contrary, it was the costly bloody sacrificial death of the Messiah, as of a lamb without defect or spot. 20 God knew him before the founding of the universe, but revealed him in the acharit-hayamim for your sakes. 21 Through him you trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory; so that your trust and hope are in God.
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth, so that you have a sincere love for your brothers, love each other deeply, with all your heart. 23 You have been born again not from some seed that will decay, but from one that cannot decay, through the living Word of God that lasts forever. 24 For
all humanity is like grass,
all its glory is like a wildflower —
the grass withers, and the flower falls off;
25 but the Word of Adonai lasts forever.[1 Peter 1:25 Isaiah 40:6–8]
Moreover, this Word is the Good News which has been proclaimed to you.
Parable of talents
Matthew 25:14 “For it will be like a man about to leave home for awhile, who entrusted his possessions to his servants. 15 To one he gave five talents [equivalent to a hundred years’ wages]; to another, two talents; and to another, one talent — to each according to his ability. Then he left. 16 The one who had received five talents immediately went out, invested it and earned another five. 17 Similarly, the one given two earned another two. 18 But the one given one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time, the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the other five and said, ‘Sir, you gave me five talents; here, I have made five more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Excellent! You are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master’s happiness!’ 22 Also the one who had received two came forward and said, ‘Sir, you gave me two talents; here, I have made two more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Excellent! you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master’s happiness!’
24 “Now the one who had received one talent came forward and said, ‘I knew you were a hard man. You harvest where you didn’t plant and gather where you didn’t sow seed. 25 I was afraid, so I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here! Take what belongs to you!’ 26 ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ said his master, ‘So you knew, did you, that I harvest where I haven’t planted? and that I gather where I didn’t sow seed? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would at least have gotten back interest with my capital! 28 Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For everyone who has something will be given more, so that he will have more than enough; but from anyone who has nothing, even what he does have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless servant, throw him out in the dark, where people will wail and grind their teeth!’
Judgment of the nationsMatthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. 33 The ‘sheep’ he will place at his right hand and the ‘goats’ at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you made me your guest, 36 I needed clothes and you provided them, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the people who have done what God wants will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and make you our guest, or needing clothes and provide them? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 The King will say to them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you did these things for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did them for me!’
41 “Then he will also speak to those on his left, saying, ‘Get away from me, you who are cursed! Go off into the fire prepared for the Adversary and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 a stranger and you did not welcome me, needing clothes and you did not give them to me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison, and not take care of you?’ 45 And he will answer them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you refused to do it for the least important of these people, you refused to do it for me!’ 46 They will go off to eternal punishment, but those who have done what God wants will go to eternal life.”
Hymn/Song: "The Sheep and The Goats" by Keith Green
And when the Son, Man comes
And all the holy angel's with Him
Then shall He sit on His glorious throne
And He will divide the nations before Him
As a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats
And she shall put the sheep on His right
And the goats on His left
And He shall say to the sheep
Come ye, blessed of my Father
Inherit the Kingdom I have prepared for You
From the foundation of the world
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink
I was naked and you clothed me
I was a stranger and you invited me in
I was sick and I was in prison and you came to me
Thank you, enter into your rest
And they shall answer Him, yes, they shall answer Him
And they'll say, Lord, when?
When were You hungry, Lord
And we gave You something to eat?
Lord, when were You thirsty? I can't remember
And we gave You drink?
Huh, when were You naked, Lord, and we clothed You?
And Lord, when were You a stranger and we invited You in?
I mean, we invited lots of people in, Lord
I could never forget that face
And Lord, when were You sick and we visited You?
Or in prison, and we came to You? Lord, tell us?
In as much as You did it to the least of my brethren
You've done it unto me
Oh yes, as much as you've done it to the very least
Of my brethren, you've done it
You've done it unto me, enter into your rest
Then He shall turn to those on His left, the goats
Depart from me, You cursed ones, into everlasting fire
Prepared for the devil and His angels
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat
I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink
I was naked out in the cold, in exposure and you sent me away
I was a stranger and I knocked at your door
But you didn't open, you told me to go away
I was sick, racked in pain upon my bed
And I begged and prayed and pleaded
That You'd come but You didn't
I was in prison and I rotted there
I'd prayed that You'd come
I heard Your programs on the radio
I read Your magazines but You never came
Depart from me
Lord, there must be some mistake, when?
Lord, I mean, when were You hungry, Lord
And we didn't give You something to eat?
And Lord, when were You thirsty and we didn't give You drink?
I mean, that's not fair, well, would You like something now?
Would one of the angels like to go out
And get the Lord a hamburger and a coke?
Oh, You're not hungry, yeah, I lost my appetite too
Uh, Lord, uh, Lord, when were You naked
I mean, Lord, that's not fair either, Lord
We didn't know what size You wear
Oh Lord, when were You a stranger, Lord
You weren't one of those creepy people
Who used to come to the door, were You?
Oh Lord, that wasn't our ministry Lord
We just didn't feel led, You know?
Lord, when were You sick? What did you have, anyway?
Well, at least it wasn't fatal, oh, it was?
I'm sorry, Lord, I would have sent You a card
Lord, just one last thing we want to know
When were You in prison, Lord? What were You in for anyway?
I had a friend in Levenworth
Enough, in as much as you've not done it
Unto the least of my brethren
You've not done it unto me
In as much as you've not done it
Unto the least of my brethren
You've not done it unto me, depart from me
And these shall go away into everlasting fire
But the righteous into eternal life
And my friends, the only difference between the sheep
And the goats, according to this scripture
Is what they did and didn't do
Jesus is the true vine.
John 15:1
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
the Christian life is redeemed from sin and consecrated to God.
Through baptism, we have entered this life
and have been admitted into the new covenant
of which Jesus Christ is the Mediator.
He sealed it with his own blood, that it might last for ever.
On the one side, God promises to give us new life in Christ,
the Source and Perfecter of our faith.
On the other side, we are pledged
to live no more for ourselves but only for Jesus Christ,
who loved us and gave himself for us.
From time to time we renew our covenant with God,
especially when we reaffirm the Baptismal Covenant
and gather at the Lord's table.
Today, however, we meet, as the generations before us have met,
to renew the covenant that binds us to God.
Let us make this covenant of God our own.
Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him.
Christ has many services to be done.
Some are more easy and honorable,
others are more difficult and disgraceful.
Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests,
others are contrary to both.
In some we may please Christ and please ourselves.
But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ
except by denying ourselves.
It is necessary, therefore,
that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.
Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:Let me be your servant, under your command.
I will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your will in all things.
Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.
Lord, make me what you will.
I put myself fully into your hands:
put me to doing, put me to suffering,
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and with a willing heart
give it all to your pleasure and disposal.
Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants.
He is the source of all salvation to those who obey.
Christ will have no servants except by consent;
Christ will not accept anything except full consent
to all that he requires.
Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing.
Confirm this by a holy covenant.
To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to these admonitions:First, set apart some time, more than once,
to be spent alone before the Lord;
in seeking earnestly God's special assistance
and gracious acceptance of you;
in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant;
in searching your hearts
whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.
Consider what your sins are.
Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are,
and whether you, after having carefully considered them,
are willing to choose them all.
Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God.
Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.
Third, claim God's covenant,
rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength,
so you can keep your promise.
Trust not your own strength and power.
Fourth, resolve to be faithful.
You have given to the Lord your hearts,
you have opened your mouths to the Lord,
and you have dedicated yourself to God.
With God's power, never go back.
And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord.
Fall down on your knees, lift your hands toward heaven,
open your hearts to the Lord, as we pray:
COVENANT PRAYER
The people kneel or bow.O righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
see me as I fall down before you.
Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will,
for you have promised mercy to me
if I turn to you with my whole heart.
God requires that you shall put away all your idols.
I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all,
covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life.
Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world.
In your power
I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you.
For my own righteousness is riddled with sin,
unable to stand before you.
Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again
if you would let him.
Before all heaven and earth,
I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God.
I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion,
and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant,
to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.
God has given the Lord Jesus Christ
as the only way and means of coming to God.
Jesus, I do here on bended knees accept Christ
as the only new and living Way,
and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him.
O blessed Jesus, I come to you,
hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked,
unworthy even to wash the feet of your servants.
I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head.
I renounce my own worthiness,
and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness.
I renounce my own wisdom, and take you for my only guide.
I renounce my own will, and take your will as my law.
Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.
I do here covenant with you, O Christ,
to take my lot with you as it may fall.
Through your grace I promise
that neither life nor death shall part me from you.
God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.
I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden.
All your laws are holy, just, and good.
I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions,
promising that I will strive
to order my whole life according to your direction,
and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.
The almighty God searches and knows your heart.
O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today
without guile or reservation.
If any falsehood should be in it, guide me and help me to set it aright.
And now, glory be to you, O God the Father,
whom I from this day forward shall look upon as my God and Father.
Glory be to you, O God the Son,
who have loved me and washed me from my sins in your own blood,
and now is my Savior and Redeemer.
Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit,
who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.
O mighty God, the Lord Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you have now become my Covenant Friend.
And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant.
So be it.
And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
You are advised to make this covenant not only in your heart, but in word; not only in word, but in writing. Therefore, with all reverence, lay the service before the Lord as your act and deed. And when you have done this, sign it. Then keep it as a reminder of the holy agreement between God and you that you may remember it during doubts and temptations.
See also A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (UMH 607).
The pastor may now celebrate Holy Communion, the people using A Service of Word and Table III (UMH) or one of the musical settings (UMH) and the pastor using “The Great Thanksgiving for New Year, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord or Covenant Renewal” (UMBOW 58-59).
Otherwise, the service continues as follows:The Holy Eucharist/Communion
HYMN * Suggested from UMH:563/564 Father, We Thank you
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Copyright: “Covenant Renewal Service” Copyright © 1992 UMPH. Wesley Covenant Service abridged by Ole E. Borgen.-------
“I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. 4 Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.
5 “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
7 “If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. 8 This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.
SERMON OR HOMILYBrothers and sisters in Christ,
the Christian life is redeemed from sin and consecrated to God.
Through baptism, we have entered this life
and have been admitted into the new covenant
of which Jesus Christ is the Mediator.
He sealed it with his own blood, that it might last for ever.
On the one side, God promises to give us new life in Christ,
the Source and Perfecter of our faith.
On the other side, we are pledged
to live no more for ourselves but only for Jesus Christ,
who loved us and gave himself for us.
From time to time we renew our covenant with God,
especially when we reaffirm the Baptismal Covenant
and gather at the Lord's table.
Today, however, we meet, as the generations before us have met,
to renew the covenant that binds us to God.
Let us make this covenant of God our own.
WESLEY'S COVENANT SERVICE
INVITATIONCommit yourselves to Christ as his servants.Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him.
Christ has many services to be done.
Some are more easy and honorable,
others are more difficult and disgraceful.
Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests,
others are contrary to both.
In some we may please Christ and please ourselves.
But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ
except by denying ourselves.
It is necessary, therefore,
that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ.
Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:Let me be your servant, under your command.
I will no longer be my own.
I will give up myself to your will in all things.
Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.
Lord, make me what you will.
I put myself fully into your hands:
put me to doing, put me to suffering,
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and with a willing heart
give it all to your pleasure and disposal.
Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants.
He is the source of all salvation to those who obey.
Christ will have no servants except by consent;
Christ will not accept anything except full consent
to all that he requires.
Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing.
Confirm this by a holy covenant.
To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to these admonitions:First, set apart some time, more than once,
to be spent alone before the Lord;
in seeking earnestly God's special assistance
and gracious acceptance of you;
in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant;
in searching your hearts
whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.
Consider what your sins are.
Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are,
and whether you, after having carefully considered them,
are willing to choose them all.
Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God.
Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.
Third, claim God's covenant,
rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength,
so you can keep your promise.
Trust not your own strength and power.
Fourth, resolve to be faithful.
You have given to the Lord your hearts,
you have opened your mouths to the Lord,
and you have dedicated yourself to God.
With God's power, never go back.
And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord.
Fall down on your knees, lift your hands toward heaven,
open your hearts to the Lord, as we pray:
COVENANT PRAYER
The people kneel or bow.O righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
see me as I fall down before you.
Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will,
for you have promised mercy to me
if I turn to you with my whole heart.
God requires that you shall put away all your idols.
I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all,
covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life.
Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world.
In your power
I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you.
For my own righteousness is riddled with sin,
unable to stand before you.
Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again
if you would let him.
Before all heaven and earth,
I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God.
I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion,
and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant,
to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.
God has given the Lord Jesus Christ
as the only way and means of coming to God.
Jesus, I do here on bended knees accept Christ
as the only new and living Way,
and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him.
O blessed Jesus, I come to you,
hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked,
unworthy even to wash the feet of your servants.
I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head.
I renounce my own worthiness,
and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness.
I renounce my own wisdom, and take you for my only guide.
I renounce my own will, and take your will as my law.
Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.
I do here covenant with you, O Christ,
to take my lot with you as it may fall.
Through your grace I promise
that neither life nor death shall part me from you.
God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.
I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden.
All your laws are holy, just, and good.
I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions,
promising that I will strive
to order my whole life according to your direction,
and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.
The almighty God searches and knows your heart.
O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today
without guile or reservation.
If any falsehood should be in it, guide me and help me to set it aright.
And now, glory be to you, O God the Father,
whom I from this day forward shall look upon as my God and Father.
Glory be to you, O God the Son,
who have loved me and washed me from my sins in your own blood,
and now is my Savior and Redeemer.
Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit,
who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.
O mighty God, the Lord Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you have now become my Covenant Friend.
And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant.
So be it.
And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
You are advised to make this covenant not only in your heart, but in word; not only in word, but in writing. Therefore, with all reverence, lay the service before the Lord as your act and deed. And when you have done this, sign it. Then keep it as a reminder of the holy agreement between God and you that you may remember it during doubts and temptations.
See also A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (UMH 607).
The pastor may now celebrate Holy Communion, the people using A Service of Word and Table III (UMH) or one of the musical settings (UMH) and the pastor using “The Great Thanksgiving for New Year, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord or Covenant Renewal” (UMBOW 58-59).
Otherwise, the service continues as follows:The Holy Eucharist/Communion
HYMN * Suggested from UMH:563/564 Father, We Thank you
1. Father, we thank Thee who hast planted
Thy holy name within our hearts.
Knowledge and faith and life immortal
Jesus, Thy Son, to us imparts.
Thou, Lord, didst make all for Thy pleasure,
Didst give us food for all our days,
Giving in Christ the Bread eternal;
Thine is the pow'r, be Thine the praise.
2. Watch o'er Thy Church, O Lord, in mercy,
Save it from evil, guard it still,
Perfect it in Thy love, unite it,
Cleansed and conformed unto Thy will.
As grain, once scattered on the hillsides,
Was in this broken bread made one,
So from all lands Thy Church be gather'd
Into Thy kingdom by Thy Son.
117 O God, Our Help in Ages Past
1. Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
2. Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
6. Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!
698 God of The Ages
1. God of the ages, whose almighty hand
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
2. Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
in this free land with thee our lot is cast;
be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.
3. From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
be thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
thy true religion in our hearts increase;
thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
4. Refresh thy people on their toilsome way;
lead us from night to never-ending day;
fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
501 O Thou Who Camest from Above
1. O thou who camest from above
the fire celestial to impart,
kindle a flame of sacred love
on the mean altar of my heart!
2. There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return
in humble prayer and fervent praise.
3. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
to work, and speak, and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire,
and still stir up the gift in me.
4. Ready for all thy perfect will,
my acts of faith and love repeat;
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make the sacrifice complete.
561 Jesus, United by Thy Grace
1. Jesus, united by thy grace
and each to each endeared,
with confidence we seek thy face
and know our prayer is heard.
2. Help us to help each other, Lord,
each other's cross to bear;
let all their friendly aid afford,
and feel each other's care.
3. Up unto thee, our living Head,
let us in all things grow;
till thou hast made us free indeed
and spotless here below.
4. Touched by the lodestone of thy love,
let all our hearts agree,
and ever toward each other move,
and ever move toward thee.
5. To thee, inseparably joined,
let all our spirits cleave;
O may we all the loving mind
that was in thee receive.
6. This is the bond of perfectness,
thy spotless charity;
O let us, still we pray, possess
the mind that was in thee.
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING *DOWNLOAD This Document in Microsoft Word
Copyright: “Covenant Renewal Service” Copyright © 1992 UMPH. Wesley Covenant Service abridged by Ole E. Borgen.-------
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