And the Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us!

First Sunday after Christmas
All Years

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Psalm 147 or 147:13-21

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 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.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 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. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Merry Christmas!  Today is the third day of Christmas and the feast of the first Sunday after Christmas.  A day that takes precedence in our church calendar.  For the secular society around us, and as I heard on the evening news last night, Christmas is over – or soon will be.  The beautiful trees will soon litter the gutters – kicked out of their places of prominence.  The neighborhoods that have all been lit aglow by thousands of lights will soon go dark.  The stores that have been selling Christmas decorations since the end of summer will move on to the next big sale season – valentines day I believe. 

But we are a peculiar people!  For us we remember Christmas not as a day but as a season.  A season that starts on Christmas day and goes on twelve days until we reach the feast of the Epiphany on January 6^th.

Our Gospel lesson today is one of hope.  A hope we remember being born on Christmas day.  A hope that the evangelist John reminds us goes back to the very beginning of time.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  For John there is no manger scene.  There is no birth narrative.  John traces the lineage of Jesus to the very beginning of creation.  In the very beginning when the winds of the spirit of creation were blowing through the universe God and Jesus where present. 

For John there is never a question “Who is this Jesus.”  For john right from the prologue he knows and lets us know that this Jesus we remember is from God and indeed is God.  It is we who need the reminding from time to time.  Jesus – the light of the world took on human flesh and dwelt among us.  Jesus is the light that cannot be extinguished. 

This Sunday it is also fitting to look back on the past year in our world.  There are times that it seems that evil has won out.  If we dare watch the evening news, read the newspapers, or look at the newsfeeds on our computers we are continually bombarded with darkness.  From the coordinated attacks in Paris to the attacks closer to home in San Bernardino.  The horrendous stories of beheadings in the name of God.  Wars that still plague the human race.  It seems that the darkness has taken over.  And it is too easy to let that darkness come into our lives.  It is too easy to see a society that says we should have a string military presence – yet not we do not always take care of our veterans that return to us with a shroud of darkness trying to blot out the light. 

It is too easy to see the people whom society has discarded as having lost the light.  Who have retreated into drugs and alcohol to escape the pain.  It is too easy to ignore the person – perhaps drunk – perhaps just thankful for a safe place - sleeping in the back of the church when communion is offered to the people of God. 

On Christmas Eve there was one such young man sleeping in one of the the church I serve.  He had barely exchanged the peace.  Not really engaging eye contact.  When he did not come up for communion I went back to him.  He was at first startled that I went back to him. But when I offered him the “Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven – for you a child of God” I saw the Light shine forth in his eyes.  I saw the veil of darkness slip back and the light of God shine through his eyes.  A light that has not been extinguished.  When I greeted him after the service that light was still there shining through his eyes.  The Light that came into the world cannot be extinguished.

I am not a Pollyanna and I know that likely without further intervention to get this young man off the street and away from whatever demons are trying to extinguish the Light that a single offering of communion will turn his life around.  But if it gives him a chance to see that the light has not been extinguished there is hope.  There is a love that will not give up on him. 

Queen Elizabeth in her Christmas address reminded all people “It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it".[1]

Christmas is a reminder – with all of the lights in our homes and in our churches – that the light that we remember coming into our midst, as a small baby, cannot be extinguished That we are called to be witnesses to that light.  Just as John was sent to be a witness to the Light so are we called to be witnesses.  We are called to hold fast to the promise of our baptisms.  To work hard to see God’s light of creation shining forth in all of us.  Especially to see God’s light shining forth in those in whom society would say have had that light extinguished.

The Queen in her address said it very well!  “For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus's birth - in a stable - were far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.

It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.

Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.”[2]

That is the true message of Christmas.  Love.

As Paul said in our reading today “… because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.” And as children of God it is our calling to be a witness to the light of creation that breaks forth into our lives every single day.  To be a witness to the Love.  And to work to lift of the veil of darkness from our hurting a hurt-filled world.

On this third day of Christmas my prayer is that we all will remember the grace of God that sent Jesus to us as a vulnerable child.  A child that carried the light of Love that cannot be extinguished into our hearts.  And that we will work to show God’s grace to all whom we encounter and to see God’s light in all of creation.

Amen

---

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35178485

[2] ibid.

Do Not Be Afraid!

Christmas Day

December 25, 2015 Selection II, RCL

Isaiah 62:6-12

Titus 3:4-7

Luke 2:(1-7)8-20

Psalm 97

 [In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.]

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

    "Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

“Do not be afraid” said the angel.  That is the phrase that jumped of the page when I first read the lesson from Luke.  Do not be afraid.  It is so easy for this Gospel to revert in our own minds to the scene from the Charlie Brown Christmas Special where Linus recites this passage.  Linus ends it by telling Charlie Brown that “that is what Christmas is about Charlie Brown”.  But what is it about?  What is this gospel really about?

There really is a lot about this reading that is upside down from our societal expectations if you really listen to it.  God chose to announce the Birth of the Prince of Peace – the birth of the embodiment of unconditional Love to the fringes of society.  If it were you or I we would expect such a birth to be announced from the palace!  Not out in some pasture at night.  God is not behaving as we would have him behave.  God is turning expectations upside down – and as our presiding Bishop Michael Curry says – that is right-side up for God.

Can you put yourself in the shoes of the shepherds?  They are out on the margins – both literally and figuratively – minding their own business.  Shepherds where not the cream of society.  They where outcasts in many ways.  They likely smelled a bit working with sheep – ok a lot .  And the Glory of the Lord suddenly lit up the night sky.  At the very least they would have been startled but it is more.  The reading says they were terrified.  Luckily the Angel knew their fear and said Fear not. 

Now I don’t know about you but I am not sure a simple “fear not” would comfort me in the same situation.  Really – this big Angel of the Lord shows up with all of the glory of heaven.  I’m pretty sure that means that I have died.  I’m not sure about living after seeing the glory of Heaven.

The angel – after calming down the shepherds announces to them the birth of God and tells them how to see it for themselves.  So they decide to go into town – hopefully they didn’t bring all of their sheep with them.  Bethlehem was a busy place.  People where in town to register for taxation – to be subject to imperial Rome.  People who did not live there but had an ancestral tie all had to show up.  And so Joseph and Mary arrive as refugees.  It doesn’t sound like they knew anyone in town and all of the best rooms where taken.  So they end up in the lowest of places.  Bunking with the animals.

 We have sterilized the manger so much in our own minds.  For us it is a sweet smelling place.  But it was the last resort.  It may have been sweet smelling if there was fresh hay – fresh animal bedding.  But… likely it was not so sweet.

We have people in our own society who can’t get into the best rooms.  In fact they frequently can’t get into any rooms.  The homeless, the poor, and the refugee in our own day end up sleeping in the modern day equivalent of the manger – if they are lucky.  Many sleep on the street where they are afraid.  Afraid that they will be assaulted.  Afraid that their possessions – what little they have – will be stolen if they sleep.  Afraid that they will be arrested.  It is to such people that the angel would say fear not.   It is to such people that God chose to reveal the Glory of Heaven.  Upside down in our worldview.

It is to a refugee couple – struggling under imperial Rome – to whom God chose to come to us.  It is to the fearful shepherds sent by the Angel to witness the birth.  I find it amazing that they left their sheep and headed into the small backwater town of Bethlehem. 

OK…and I have to confess here that when I try to picture the scene my own, sometimes vivid imagination, pictures a scene right out of one of the Star Wars movies – some dusty backwater trading post, perhaps Mossisle on Tatooine, with all sorts and conditions of people – a lot of them none to friendly – as Bethlehem.  [and no I have not yet seen the new movie so no spoilers please!].

The shepherds go to Bethlehem.  They see what the angle promised.  God kept his promise to them.  And they told Mary what the angel had said. Mary held all that the shepherd told them in her heart – and that is another sermon altogether!  When the shepherds left the manger they were no longer afraid.  They returned “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen...” 

Fear had been transformed into praise. 

That is the promise of Christmas.  That is why we gather this day. 

It really is not about the presents.

 It really is not about the feast.

It is about the promise that fear can be transformed into praise.

It is the promise that none of our stories are too big for God – all of them can be turned to praise…even when we don’t think it is possible.

Christmas is about God turning expectations on their head.  A baby coming to save the world.  Born to an unwed mother.  Born in a stable.  Revealed first to those who society held in low esteem. This God of ours chose to turn society on its head 2000 plus years ago by coming into our world in poverty.  And if we look and listen God is still turning our world on its head.  I have seen God’s love come from some unlikely places.  From the homeless.  From the outcasts of society.   From the people that most people think of as unlovable.

Our call is to open our eyes.  To stop turning the whole of Christmas into a Charlie Brown Christmas – as much as I look forward to that special every year!  Our call is to see in those who society would discard as messengers from God. Our call it to look into our hearts and see if we have room for the Christ Child. 

Even if we are hurt.  Even if we are refugees.  Even if society tells us that we are wrong – that we are unclean – the promise of this day is that there is room for a baby in our hearts.  The Glory of God can dwell and does dwells among us.  Not as a powerful overlord but as one who came completely vulnerable. 

May the Love that came down on Christmas find room in each or our hearts this day.

Mary’s Song is our song!

Sermon for Advent 4C-RCL

Micah 5:2-5a

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Canticle 15 (or 3)

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

[And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."]

Today we hear one of the greatest songs in the bible. The Magnificat.  The song of Mary.  I love this song. And I love the story of Mary. A story that turns societal expectations upside down.  Unfortunately many times we don’t listen to the words all that closely in this interaction in Luke.  A song and an interaction that certainly sets the stage for much that is to come in the ministry of Jesus and in our calling to be Jesus people. 

Both of the main characters – Mary and Elizabeth would not be people who their kin looked up to.  Elizabeth is old and has been barren – unable to conceive a child.  She would be shamed by her kinfolk as well as the larger society.  And even her husband Zachariah did initially not believe that God could take away her shame. 

Mary was a young woman engaged to the local carpenter.  And now she is an unwed mother.  Society expects her to be shamed.  Society expects her to hide – since the penalty for being an unwed mother could include death.  Mary and Elizabeth would both be shamed.  But that is not what happens.  God’s grace enters into the story.  The Holy Spirit enters into the story and the shame is turned to Joy.  The shame is turned into song.  The shame is turned into blessing.

But that is not how it is supposed to work.  Our society frequently teaches us that some people and some actions are beyond forgiveness.  Our kinfolk too can shun us for actions that we take or things that happen to us.  In some places not having children is still seen as unnatural – a disgrace – although most people use code words instead of direct shaming.  How many times have you heard someone ask a young married couple – “when are you going to have a baby?”  It is such a societal norm for married people to produce children that mere acquaintances feel empowered to ask when children are going to be brought into the world.  And heaven help the couple that says they are not planning on having children. 

This time of year can also be a time of shame and shaming for people.  Like in Mary’s day we still look to our kinship group for praise and validation.  We still try to conform to societal expectations.  And during the holidays any self-perceived shortcomings are magnified. 

What if Grandma doesn’t like the new boyfriend or girlfriend?  How do we tell mom and dad that college isn’t working?  How do we tell people that – for what ever reason – we are not feeling joy during this season of expected Joy?  And many people do not feel joy.  The pain of the loss of loved ones can be especially poignant during this season.  And sometimes we even think that our stories are too big not only for our families – biological or chosen – but also for God.

Not that much has really changed in 2000 plus years!

Another preacher I follow said, “Advent holds many themes, but the witness of Mary reminds us that Advent is about God’s promise of mercy.

I need that right now. Remembrance of God’s mercy. Can we even recall what it feels like know mercy? To feel mercy toward others? To extend mercy? Well, even if we can’t, God does. There’s the promise. Thank you, Mary.[1]

Something different happens when the Holy Spirit enters into the picture.  Expectations are turned on their heads.  Shame is turned into Joy.  A joy so strong that Mary erupts into song.  This song was likely not completely original to Mary.  It was likely, at least in part, a song that she knew.  A song that was part of her very fabric.  And her joy at both her pregnancy and her kinwoman Elizabeth’s pregnancy is to proclaim, “"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” 

This work of the Holy Spirit doesn’t make sense.  Why would God work through people as lowly as Mary and Elizabeth?  Why?

Listen to Mary’s song.  It is revolutionary.  God:

·      Scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

·      Brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;

·      Filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

When we stop romanticizing Mary and listen to her song we hear the stuff of Jesus.  We frankly hear the stuff of God.  It is upside down from our expectations.  And we need to listen to it!

God is bigger than any of our imaginations and Mary and Elizabeth get it.  God’s Love is bigger than we can imagine and lowly Mary and Elizabeth get it.  Society then, and unfortunately now – does not get it.  Our imaginations need to expand. The work of the Holy Spirit is bigger than either of these two women – and they both acknowledge it. 

This is good news!  God is bigger than any of our imaginations.  We heard in our reading last week John the Baptist saying that God could create a whole new people from the very rocks.  We hear today that God can make the barren able to become pregnant.  We hear today that God can make a virgin pregnant.  We hear today the Joy in God’s promise to come to earth in flesh and blood as a small baby.  We hear today the Joy in Mary for saying yes to God.

Saying yes to God.  Opening ourselves up to a God larger than our imaginations.  That is what today is about.  Ever since the Exodus we all have been trying to put God in a box.  We have been trying to tame God.  But God will not be tamed. God continues to turn societal expectations upside down.  We as followers of Jesus are called to see the Love that came down on Christmas not only in those society would call holy but in all people.  We are called to see that Love reflected in the person sitting next to us in the pew.  We are called to see that Love in the person who is hungry and homeless.  We are called to recognize that Love in ourselves!

On this fourth Sunday in Advent we are asked to make Mary’s song our song.  Mary’s song is our song.  Listen to it again:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Let us continue to make room in our hearts and souls for the Love that we remember coming down on Christmas Day.  Let us make room to see the Holy Spirit at work all around us.  Let us see the mercy of God in our lives and to spread that mercy and Love in our hurting and hurt-filled world. Let us make Mary’s song our song!

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[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=4225

You Brood of Vipers!

You Brood of Vipers!

Advent 3C - RCL

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:7-18

Canticle 9

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Today is Gaudete Sunday – the third Sunday in Advent.  It can be translated as “Rejoice” Sunday – it comes from the traditional introit (or entrance Psalm) for the mass that we can also find in our reading from Philippians – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” It dates back to a time when Advent was viewed as a little lent.  A time of fasting, self-denial and repentance.  The color and the tone of the season was similar to that of lent.  Purple vestments. No meat on Friday.  Solemn services.  This Sunday was meant to be a lessening of that season.  A time for rejoicing.  A time to let up on our fasting and self-denial.  And a time to stir up the Christmas puddings (or fruitcakes!) should you be a cook.

So too the color changes from purple – or for us today blue – to rose.  Many advent wreaths, including ours, have a rose colored candle that is lit today.  Likewise the color of the vestments can also be Rose – should a church have them.  A dear friend and fellow priest gave me a set of rose vestments that I am thrilled to be able to wear today.  Many churches these days do not have rose vestments.  And when they do they are sometimes bright pink! 

The Church I grew up in – St. Paul’s Benicia originally had a bright pink set of vestments.  My Godfather – the priest there –hated them.  But the altar guild dutifully set them out every third Sunday of Advent and in the middle of Lent (the other Sunday you can wear rose) and he dutifully wore them.  He knew better than to mess with the altar guild!  But eventually he went out and bought a nice rose set – and gave away the pink set to a church that was just starting up.

Advent today –for most of us – is not treated as a little lent.  It has the feel of preparation.  Of getting ready to welcome the birth of a baby – the Christ child – into our hearts and our homes.  We need to still examine our hearts to see if they are ready.  Just as we do in Lent to be prepared for the resurrection.  But we do it with less solemnity than in Lent.  How can we not with secular Christmas all around us.  The carols going none stop in the stores.  The decorations having gone up in October!

And yet we are different:

·      Our churches are not filled with Christmas – not just yet. 

·      Our hymns are not Christmas Hymns – not just yet. 

·      Our celebrations are perhaps a bit more subdued. 

And then we have our readings.  We do not yet read about the baby Jesus and the manger.  We do not have stories of Mary and Joseph on a donkey – perhaps two weeks out from Bethleham.  No we get John the Baptist calling us all “A brood of Vipers!”  What is this all about!

John the Baptist never comes across as a “Santa” type figure.  No – he is more of a wild man in the wilderness dressed in camel’s hair and eating strange food. And yet…

And yet the people are coming to him to be baptized and to repent.  And he is not easy on them.  He is not polite.  John says  “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”  He tells them that they cannot rely upon their ancestors to get them on the right side of God.  That being the “chosen people” is not enough.  That God can raise up a new set of the chosen from the very rocks!  It is stern stuff.  It is unsettling stuff.

No wonder the crowd asks what they have to do to escape the cleansing fire that is to come.  John speaks to us in his answer just as much as he spoke to them.  As another preacher paraphrased John -   “Do you own two shirts? You have more than you need. Do you have food? Give some away. He leaves no wiggle room for those who might be tempted to say, “But I’m not rich.” The command is absolute: some people in your community don’t have enough to survive, so if you have anything at all, share it.”[1]

Does this sound familiar?  We will hear Jesus say very similar things later in the church year.  John – like Jesus – challenges our societal view that we should pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.  A society that blames the poor for being poor.  A society that idolizes the rich and famous. 

Our society and that ancient society where John – and Jesus – lived have unfortunately not changed much.  A small fraction of ultra rich and powerful people feel it is their god given right to step on and suppress the poor.  That somehow they are better than anyone else and their reward is from God. 

·      This is radical stuff. 

·      This is Jesus stuff. 

·      This is St. Matthew’s Stuff.

I saw this in action here last Monday at the community dinner.  I saw you the good people of St. Matthews make sure that those who have little to nothing would have something for Christmas.  I saw a group of volunteers who made sure that the hungry who came to the dinner had their fill before any of us where fed. 

Deacon Cindy told me that the plan was for about 120 people for dinner.  And as I was checking in the line we quickly reached 120 – then 140 – at which point Cindy thought perhaps the volunteers night not eat.  And we were OK with that thought.  Then it looked like there was enough food so we let in the rest of the line.  Over 160 people ate a dinner prepared for 120.  And enough for the volunteers to eat too!  Almost 200 people ate a dinner prepared to feed 120.

And we thought there would not be enough toys for all the kids.  That Santa’s sack would run dry.  And that did not happen.  Sure there may have been not quite enough toys for one of the older age groups but there was enough for every family to have something for all of their kids to open on Christmas.

I tell you I once again witnessed the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes – but with ham and toys!  The miracle of loving our neighbors.  I saw the Love in action.  I saw the volunteers do what John asked people to do.  I saw Advent preparation in action.

That is how we get our hearts ready to welcome Jesus during Advent.  We won’t prepare our hearts in the malls.  No.  We prepare our hearts to welcome the birth of Jesus when we look into our hearts and drive out any brooding vipers that we may be harboring.  We prepare our hearts when we rejoice with all of God’s creation.  We prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus when we give a coat or a hat to those who have nothing. 

We prepare our hearts for Jesus when we work to transform a society that still extorts and takes advantage of people into one that values the contributions of all people.  We prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus when we welcome the refugee into our midst – and not when we fear the refugee.  We prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus when we accept people of other religions as children of the one God.  Not when we condone ethnic or religious intolerance.

The Good news is that I see people here doing these things.  I see a loving group of people loving God and loving neighbor.  Oh sure we all probably have a few vipers hanging around our hearts.  We all have our moments of intolerance.  John is calling us on this third Sunday of Advent to continue our preparations.  To find our vipers and to cast them out.

John said  “…one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."  Each and everyone of us has both Wheat and chaff in us.  Everyone we meet has both wheat and chaff.  This third advent I invite each and everyone of us to recognize the wheat in ourselves and in our neighbors.  And then to find the chaff in ourselves and offer that to the cleansing power that we remember coming to earth as a little child on Christmas day.

Amen

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[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2711