Christmas Day 25th December 2020

 Christmas Day

25^th December 2020

 

There have been many emotions throughout this Covid year – anger, uncertainty, confusion – but high up there, perhaps at the top, was and still is – fear. Fear of a 2nd wave – which did happen. Fear of a 3rd wave – we watch those daily numbers from the DHHS and breathe a sigh of relief when it’s zero again. Fear of catching or transmitting the virus – so we clean everything and wear masks when we think we might be vulnerable.

 

Fear, in the Bible, is the greatest attack on faith. Fear is what makes us look away from God and to our own strength. Whether it’s Covid 19 or Climate Change or whatever has caused fear in us – it’s easy to want to take control ourselves of the situation.  Luther said, in explaining the First Commandment – whatever you run to in time of fear is truly your God. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t do something but that our first response to any fear should be to turn to God in prayer. Because God promised – Jesus would be called Immanuel – God with us. Jesus promised – I am with your always to the end of the age.

 

So in any situation, let us turn first to the one who is Lord of Heaven and Earth. Isn’t that how we normally operate? When we purchase something and it breaks down we turn to our manufacturer’s warranty. We turn to the company that makes the product or the store that we bought it from. If we tinker with it first we can void the manufacturer;s warranty.

 

In many of the Christmas stories that we hear during Christmas period, we hear of God’s messengers, the angels, delivering this very message.  Do not be afraid.  When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce that his wife Elizabeth would become the mother of John the Baptist, even in her old age, Gabriel’s first words to him were, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard” Not long after, Gabriel appeared again, this time to Mary, to announce that she would be the mother of Jesus. And again his first words were, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God” And an angel appeared to Joseph, too. He was betrothed to Mary and it would have been understandable in those days if he had broken off the relationship with her, but the angel said, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”.

 

And finally, on Christmas Day, in glorious splendour and light, an angel appeared to the shepherds while they were tending their sheep and said to them, “Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord”. The story of Christmas is all about removing our fear and replacing it with faith and love. For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son. The faith of Elizabeth and Zechariah giving birth to John the Baptist. The faith of Mary and Joseph giving birth to the Son of God. The faith of the Shepherds that believed the angel’s message – let us go and see this thing that has been told to us. The faith of the Magi who travelled great distance to worship the newborn King of the Jews, even though they were not Jews themselves. And their faith that disobeyed Herod’s command to return and tell him where this child was and returned home via a different route.

 

There is so much fear in the world that influences how we live our lives. That’s not to say that we become irresponsible but that we turn to God first so that how we live our lives is not motivated by fear. We may in fact live no differently in our responses but we will live without the fear, trusting God that he is with us.

Do not be afraid.

We may still reduce our carbon footprint – wear our masks and sanitize everything – but not out of fear but out of respect and love for God and our neighbour – and that makes a big difference in how we live.

So may the Christmas message for you in this very different year – a year of uncertainties – a year of confusion – a year of concern – may it be a year that is not lived in fear but in joy knowing that God loves us so much that he would never abandon us.

The one who gave his one and only Son for you – surely would not let you do this on your own.

The message of Christmas is a message of great joy for all the people. Today your Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to all.

Christmas Eve 24th December 2020

 Christmas Eve

24^th December 2020

 

There are 2 major celebrations in the Church – Christmas and Easter. Last Easter none of us would have thought that we could not have had an Easter Service – Good Friday or Easter Sunday. As the pandemic progressed and hit a second wave in the 2nd half of the year there were warnings that Christmas might also be under threat. But here we are. Yes it’s a little bit different to previous years. In fact it’s somewhat symbolic of Mary and Joseph who had to give birth in a barn in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

Likewise we could not guarantee that there was going to be room in the church for our usual families and visitors.

This scene, of Mary and Joseph with nowhere to stay, has a ring to it in Jesus’ words in Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew: “‘I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’  Mary and Joseph were strangers, and no one invited them in. And those who shut their doors to Joseph as he looked for room for himself and his pregnant wife, didn’t realise it but they were shutting their doors on God. Remember how the people responded to Jesus in Matthew 25: ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.

 

 When they did not make room for that one pregnant everyday ordinary commoner girl, they did not make room for the maker of heaven and earth to be born among us. And yet, the story of Christmas is a story of good news of great joy for all people. It is not just for those fortunate to be surrounded by family tonight. The good news and joy is not just those who will celebrate by exchanging expensive gifts.  Christmas is exceedingly joyful good news for all people because in coming to Mary and Joseph who were themselves lost and left out, God turned the world upside down. For the Christmas story did not start with Mary and Joseph alone in that stable in Bethlehem. The Christmas story did not begin with the angel appearing to Mary, or even with the prophets who prophesised of the event centuries earlier.  The Christmas story began with God looking on creation, so lovingly made and so needlessly gone astray. For God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever believed in him would not perish but receive eternal life.

 

God’s bold and daring plan coming in human flesh – coming as a servant, not to be served but to serve, God sided with the oppressed and the outcasts, and showed it by coming first to poor and lowly family. The very thought of God, the creator of the universe and all life, becoming human in lowly circumstances is wondrous but unimaginable. Born to an unwed couple.

Born in the lowly circumstances of an animal feeding trough. Soon needing to flee in the middle of the night to avoid Herod’s death sentence – fleeing to Egypt where Israel were held captive as slaves for 400 years in the time of Moses. But it means that God knows you and loves you even as you are, whether you spend tonight alone or sleeping rough or in a house full of extended family.

 

The miracle of Immanuel, “God with us,” is that we see that even though Mary and Joseph may have been forsaken by others, they were never forgotten by God and even more important, God never abandoned those who abandoned him.

Jesus was raised by Mary and Joseph. They had no status other than being of the line of David The only thing they really had to offer was love for their baby Jesus.  Having nothing to offer but love is exactly what the creator of heaven and earth had in mind all along. Love of Jesus.

 

And we who gather today, gather in the light of God’s love. And that’s so important as we live in a world turn that has been transformed by a baby in a manger whether they realise it or not.  That the one who created heaven and earth and all that exists – once found in a stable, and now in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. As we ponder this miracle may it also turn our eyes to see our Lord also in the people in need all around us.  The hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the lonely.

And may we come to them in all their need just as our heavenly Father came to us in all our need in this baby born in a manger And it is this vision of the world that is indeed good news of great joy for all people.

Sermon 20th December 2020 – 4th Sunday in Advent Text: Luke 1:26-38 – God knows better

 Sermon 20^th December 2020 – 4^th Sunday in Advent

Text: Luke 1:26-38 – God knows better

 Even though much of the bible is what we call Patriarchal – that is heavily written from a male perspective where many women remain unnamed – Jairus’s daughter – Jephtha’s daughter – the woman at the well – the bleeding woman who touched Jesus’ cloak – just to mention a few. But here we have Luke highlighting the example of faith shown in Mary. Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel’s message of her giving birth to God’s Son - “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Compare this to her relative Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah’s response to the birth of John the Baptist - Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? As a result Zechariah is punished by not being able to speak until the birth of his son.

 But what an example of faith Mary showed - Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.

Just consider what Mary was about to face – rejection by her family and Joseph’s family. Rejection by the community and perhaps being stoned to death like the woman caught in adultery. Arrested and crucified for blasphemy claiming to be giving birth to the Son of God – just as Jesus was crucified for blasphemy for claiming to BE the Son of God. But Mary doesn’t go into defence mode but trusts God that if this is the way that he was going to restore Israel and the world that she would trust: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.

 This is not a gender matter but an indication that God chooses people whom he knows can do the task he has called them to do. Even though they might not think in any way they have the qualifications or surely there are people better suited – God knows exactly who it is that will do the work he has called them to do. So many in the bible didn’t think they were up to the task but God knew better. Moses pleaded with God – choose someone else – I can’t speak properly – God knew better.

Or there was Jonah – sent by God to preach to Nineveh. Jonah didn’t want to go so hopped onto a ship going the other direction – God knew better. Or Esther – asked by Mordecai to rescue the Jews from genocide. She was too frightened to confront the king but Mordecai reminded her that this is God’s doing and if she didn’t do it he would still get it done and that she had arisen “for such a time as this” – God didn’t choose someone else – God knew better. Or the prophet Jeremiah who said: “Alas, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But God knew better: “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. And when it came to Mary – a young, unmarried commoner – God knew better.

 And what about you? Does God know better? Has God maybe spoken to you but you’ve dismissed it? Maybe you’ve questioned some aspect of your Christian calling – or even your everyday life wondering what could God possible want with me or even do with me. Maybe you’ve questioned your age like Jeremiah – I’m too young – I’m too old. Maybe you’ve questioned your ability like Moses or Esther – send someone else. Or maybe you’ve fled the scene and avoided God’s call like Jonah. But you see, God knows better. As he told Jeremiah - “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;

 This is the central messages of Christmas and the candle of love. God LOVED the world so much that he sent his one and only son so we would not perish but receive eternal life. God has a special place in his heart and in his plan for you.

And there is never a point in your life where God has finished with you. That’s why Jesus last words before his ascension were “I am with you always – till the end of the age”. That’s why at the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy the angel said – he would be called Immanuel – which means God is with us. God’s love is eternal for you – God’s love is unconditional for you.

 We might rule ourselves out at times but the angel told Mary - For nothing will be impossible with God.” So don’t ever rule yourself out – don’t ever put yourself down – don’t ever rule out the plans God has for you. God knows better – he created you and you are so special to God – so loved by God – that he gave up his one and only Son JUST FOR YOU. That is the true Christmas miracle.

Sermon 13th December 2020 – 3rd Sunday in Advent Text: John 1:6-8, 19-28 – Reflecting the true light

 Sermon 13^th December 2020 – 3^rd Sunday in Advent

Text: John 1:6-8, 19-28 – Reflecting the true light

 

I was interested in reading last week that China landed a rocket on the moon and obtained some samples from the moon’s surface. I am always fascinated by moon travel and expeditions to other planets.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said that the worst thing humankind ever did was land a man on the moon.

Now, he says, everything is compare to that. We can land a man on the moon but I can’t get a decent cup of coffee. Or, as I heard recently, we can land a man on the moon but we can’t introduce reliable quarantine or contact tracing. I just love when it’s a full moon and in the early evening as it is rising it is so big you can see so much detail on it.

 

I’ve always thought that John the Baptist reminds me of the moon. He came rising onto the scene out of nowhere – from the wilderness – and told the people that he is not the light but was pointing the people to the light: He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. And that’s what the moon does. The light is not its own light but it merely reflects the light of the sun. And what’s interesting is that the sun is nowhere to be seen – it’s at the opposite end of the world. And yet it shines the sun bright enough to bring light in the deepest darkness.

 

And that’s what we are called to also be as Christians. Jesus says - “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. So just as John was a witness to the light, we are to be a witness to the light. The light of Christ. And we do that by reflecting the light of Christ in all that we do. Because people look at us and they don’t just judge us by the things we do or say but they judge God as well.

 

As we look to see how we are reflecting the light of God it is often helpful to look in the mirror to see what others are seeing. Quite often we don’t realise what we are reflecting. We might think we are looking okay – until we look in the mirror and see our shirt button isn’t done up or we have some breakfast remains on our face. We might think we are leading great examples of Christian living but it’s not important what we think but what others see in us. And that’s why Luther, when he wrote his Small Catechism, always asked the question when reflecting on the Ten Commandments – what does this mean. And in each of the commandments he always explained them in 2 parts – what we call acts of commission and acts of omission.

We break the commandments not just by what we do – acts of commission – but by what we don’t do – acts of omission.

 

Usually we’re pretty good at refraining from doing the wrong thing – acts of commission. Such as in the 5th Commandment – you shall not kill. What does this mean – we are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbour in any way. Yep, I can check that one off. But Luther continues – BUT – I am to help him in all his physical needs. That I’m not always so good at – look, I’m a little busy at the moment – can’t somebody else help you. Or the seventh commandment – you shall not steal – we are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbour’s money or property – check. BUT – we are to help him improve and protect his property and means of making a living. But I’ve got my own business to worry about – I have to make enough to pay my mortgage – my credit card – save up for my retirement. Can’t my neighbour get his act into gear? I’ve worked hard to get where I am – why can’t he?

 

Sometimes it’s not the light of what we are doing that is reflecting on people around us – but what we are NOT doing that people are taking notice of. As the old saying goes – all it takes for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing. Sometimes it’s the acts of omission that do the most harm. And so it can be a real struggle sometimes reflecting the light of Christ. And we need to remember that we will always be judged on the last thing we do – not by God but by others. We might spend our entire life helping our neighbour in need but one day someone will come up to us for help and we legitimately cannot help them – and that is what we will be judged on by them. They won’t care that you’ve helped out at every soup kitchen for the last 10 years – it’s that one time they needed help that they will judge you on.

 

And so it can be hard and challenging when we strive so hard and feel like we are not really reflecting the light God wants us to shine. And that’s when as Christians we can fall into the danger of not reflecting the light of Christ but trying to reflect our own light. A sort of – look at me – look at all the good things I’m doing. And that’s where John had to try hard to keep reminding people that he is NOT the light. He said – I’m not even Elijah or one of the prophets. I’m just one who is pointing you to the true light of Christ. St Paul shares with us how we CAN reflect God’s light which is not always in doing good works in order for the world to be impressed with our service. No, Paul says - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. What a freeing thing that is. Rejoice – pray – give thanks.

 

It’s so easy but it’s just as easy to reflect the opposite. To grumble about everything instead of rejoicing.

Like the Israelites who grumbled about their conditions rather than rejoicing that God had freed them from slavery in Egypt. And I must admit I was a bit like that coming out of restrictions. Instead of rejoicing that we were beating the virus and back at church, I was grumbling. How come we can only have 10 or 20 when cafes could have more. How come we have to wear masks in worship – rather than rejoicing that we were back and keeping people safe. Likewise, I became neglectful of giving thanks. That’s when I need to look at myself in the mirror and ask myself, what image am I reflecting to the world. What light am I shining? Am I shining my own light or Christ’s light?

 

So often we believe it is up to us to take the fight to the world. That it is up to us to defend the rights of God and the church. And often what happens is that we replace God’s light with our own. And that’s what John was avoiding – I’m not the Christ, I’m not Elijah – I’m not one of the prophets. In fact I’m not even worthy enough to untie the sandals of the one I’m pointing you to. Yes I know I want to defend God – I want to defend the church – I want to defend the name of Christ in a growing Godless world. But the best way I can do that is to rejoice in the midst of it all – give thanks in the midst of it all – and pray. And Paul says – pray without ceasing – because the challenges on the church and on God’s name are without ceasing. And in doing that you will be reflecting the light of Christ even if sometimes we don’t always live perfect lives. And even when that happens, we are assured by the Word of God: That the God of peace himself will sanctify you entirely; and your spirit and soul and body will be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

wThe one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Sermon 6th December 2020 – 2nd Sunday in Advent Text Mark 1:1-8 – Same story – different challenges

 Sermon 6^th December 2020 – 2^nd Sunday in Advent

Text Mark 1:1-8 – Same story – different challenges

 One of the challenges during Advent and Christmas is hearing the familiar story we all know.  Not that there’s anything wrong with the story but sometimes we sort of switch off – we’ve heard it all before – tell us something new. We all know the story. We’ve all seen the Christmas pageants and know the script.  We’ve seen the Nativity scenes with Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger, the cow, donkey, the sheep and shepherds. It’s become almost too familiar.  And what is the old saying – familiarity breeds contempt.

 The season of Advent prepares the way to Christmas through the wilderness making a straight path for Jesus which is usually hindered  by our busyness of shopping and preparing food and organising holidays. This year has different challenges hindering our preparations for Christmas.  During this time of reflection and contemplation we hear the good news of Jesus coming to us in the flesh and let the gospel sink more deeply into our lives of how the story of Jesus’ birth speaks to us differently this year. The story of Jesus may be familiar – it may be the same – but our lives are not the same this year. This year is a bit different, to say the least.

 

For many, this does not feel like the usual joyous march toward Christmas.  By now we have everything planned – we’ve contacted parents about roles for their children – we’ve got our play underway and being rehearsed, we’ve got the carols and readings all worked out. But not this year. We’re still trying to work out how we fit the usual crowds into one per 4 square metres and 1.5 metres apart. And how do we account for any visitors that may turn up? There is anything but a straight path to Christmas that John came to proclaim with many road blocks and potholes we are facing along the way.

 For almost the entirety of the year, we have all been a people anxious and waiting in the wilderness of lockdowns. For many Advent is still a wilderness experience in lockdown. For many there is no clear path forward. Advent and Christmas will not change but our life experiences have changed significantly this year.

This has been a year full of unprecedented experiences. Christmas may be the same familiar story but our lives this year are not. But while the harshness of wilderness may have confronted us this year as we experienced closed church buildings the ageless truth remained the same and it is what got us through.

When the angel announced to Mary and Joseph that Mary would give birth he said that this child would be called Immanuel – which means God is with us. And that has kept us going knowing that in the wilderness we were not alone.

 The season of Advent reminds us that no matter where we are or what experiences we are going through that God is with us in Jesus. The wilderness is an uncomfortable place if we are alone. Peter was writing to a Christian community who were in the wilderness – called The Diaspora. They too needed reminding that the Christmas story was a story of hope in times of wilderness. The wilderness can seem like an eternity when you are alone but Peter reminds us that with God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day.

Peter was writing to a Christian community experiencing persecution at the hands of the ruling empire. They were looking for Jesus’ return and immediate relief from their suffering.  But God does not always act in our timeline.  A thousand years is like a day, and a day is like a thousand years to God.  And when we are suffering the lonely nights can seem like an eternity in the wilderness as the Psalmist writes: Weeping may last for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

 

During Advent we are given a word of hope for the future while our present seems like wilderness The prophet John the Baptist proclaims in the wilderness a familiar message to a people who were in the wilderness themselves. Israel has been invaded by the Roman Empire.  John points away from himself and toward someone greater to come. John points to a hopeful future by promising one who will come baptizing, not with mere water but with the eternal Holy Spirit. And we are to live out our hope by looking away from ourselves and our wilderness to one more powerful than us.

 Our Advent message is that we are called to be a people that await the coming of the Lord in all  circumstances.  We are always in waiting—through victory and defeat, triumph and loss. And as the church we are to proclaim peace on earth, goodwill towards all, and joy to the world – all the messages of Christmas.

And that’s what Peter said also: while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. And it’s the patience of the Lord that creates the seeming slowness in times of wilderness – his patience not wanting anyone to be lost forever.

So just as we are pointed by John to Christ, we point the world to the Christ, the one who is more powerful, more patient, and more loving. We point to the Christ, the one who is to come.

 This Advent, many of us feel like we are still in the wilderness. But let us remember that all things here on earth are temporary. Let our lives be shaped by our hope in the truth that God is coming – that God has come in Jesus who is with us always.