The question I posed to the congregation yesterday was, why are we so angry? And, if someone were to ask you what your testimony was about God and what it means in your life that he sent his Son, Jesus, what would you say?
I have been hearing about the "War on Christmas" for a while now. People lose their minds whenever a store clerk says, "Happy Holidays," or they attend a "Holiday Party" rather than a Christmas one. I don't get it personally. I don't understand the anger that is present in the world around this time of year, when there are legitimate things to be angry about such as those who are homeless in this freezing cold weather we are having, many of them children.
So, here is my proposal, because we are called by God, just as John was in our Gospel lesson today, to testify to the light breaking into the world. Lets move Christmas back a month. Lets just exit out of this holiday time, and move our Christ-mass to the end of November (when all of the Christmas decorations come out anyway.) Then, the beginning of Advent will be marked by All Saints Day. And Epiphany can be our gift giving time. So that would put our Christ-mass, the joyous celebration of the incarnation of God. That would put Emmanuel, God with us, at the same time as our celebration of Thanksgiving. And really, aren't thanksgiving and joy the two emotions that should be in our season way more than anger and fear?
Joy should take the place of all this anger that swirls around and is even provoked out of some. Because of our joy, we will have no room for anger anymore. And that will be our expression of thanks. That will be our testimony to the light coming into the darkness.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, Day 10 of Advent
Luke 7:28-35 (CEB)
So many are quick to blame and defend when it comes to their own selves. This morning, I had to drive to a neighboring county to appear in court for a speeding ticket. As I sat in the hall with the other offenders, the clerk who was checking us in kept asking if the person wanted to come before the judge, or just pay the fine. Person after person kept saying, I want to see the judge.
I didn't. I knew I did something wrong. I was caught going too fast. In fact, the arresting officer reduced my speed that he clocked so I wouldn't get points on my driver's license which I thought was nice and decent of him. So, I just wanted to pay my fine and go on with my day.
I sat next to several people in the hall that did not feel the same way. Typical, they kept muttering under their breath, of the government, wanting money that they can spend on themselves. One man told me that if you go before the judge, then she might reduce the amount you have to pay if you tell her your story. Another railed about how it was illegal to ask him to pay any money without his accuser (the arresting officer) present. Why don't we just fess up? That is what John the Baptist told us to do. Just be honest about what you did. God, the ultimate judge wants you to live full and healthy lives, but you can't unless you are honest with him about who you are.
The Pharisees are quick to tell them why they shouldn't have to be baptized or why they are justified in other ways. Just like others are quick to blame the government and judge for making them pay their fine.
So I walked in, paid my fine, and chatted with the clerks, and as I left that hallway with my fellow transgressors, I said a short prayer for them that maybe their stubborn hearts can be changed. Maybe Jesus can melt those hearts to allow grace and repentance to come in. Maybe someone can let them know that others aren't out to get them, but that God just wants us to be honest. And to know that we are all in this together.
So many are quick to blame and defend when it comes to their own selves. This morning, I had to drive to a neighboring county to appear in court for a speeding ticket. As I sat in the hall with the other offenders, the clerk who was checking us in kept asking if the person wanted to come before the judge, or just pay the fine. Person after person kept saying, I want to see the judge.
I didn't. I knew I did something wrong. I was caught going too fast. In fact, the arresting officer reduced my speed that he clocked so I wouldn't get points on my driver's license which I thought was nice and decent of him. So, I just wanted to pay my fine and go on with my day.
I sat next to several people in the hall that did not feel the same way. Typical, they kept muttering under their breath, of the government, wanting money that they can spend on themselves. One man told me that if you go before the judge, then she might reduce the amount you have to pay if you tell her your story. Another railed about how it was illegal to ask him to pay any money without his accuser (the arresting officer) present. Why don't we just fess up? That is what John the Baptist told us to do. Just be honest about what you did. God, the ultimate judge wants you to live full and healthy lives, but you can't unless you are honest with him about who you are.
The Pharisees are quick to tell them why they shouldn't have to be baptized or why they are justified in other ways. Just like others are quick to blame the government and judge for making them pay their fine.
So I walked in, paid my fine, and chatted with the clerks, and as I left that hallway with my fellow transgressors, I said a short prayer for them that maybe their stubborn hearts can be changed. Maybe Jesus can melt those hearts to allow grace and repentance to come in. Maybe someone can let them know that others aren't out to get them, but that God just wants us to be honest. And to know that we are all in this together.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, Day 8 of Advent. Mark 1:1-8 (CEB)
On this particularly Sunday I talked about how we need to get ready for Christmas Day. And I'm not talking about buying anything, or decorating anything, or cooking anything, or cleaning anything. I'm talking about getting ready for Christmas Day. John the Baptist comes to us on this Sunday and tells us that we need to get our hearts ready for the Incarnation of God. Emmanuel, God with us.
When you are not ready for something, you might miss it. Has someone ever tossed something to you and you aren't ready? No matter how coordinated you are or how good your reflexes are, you will look like a crazy person trying to dodge/catch/deflect the item. Readiness is key.
Like if you take a test and don't study, that is a stressful test. But if you do study, its stressful in a different way. The test doesn't scare you because you don't know anything, if you have studied you want to make sure that knowledge comes across.
So we need to get ready for Christ to come. So that when he comes, we are ready. John tells us that we need to confess and repent for this to happen, and I think that is true. We need to get ready for Christmas Day by confessing and forgiving because of the life changing day that is coming up. We need to take a look in the mirror and ask ourselves, Are we ready? If not, get ready, because it is happening all around you. don't miss it.
When you are not ready for something, you might miss it. Has someone ever tossed something to you and you aren't ready? No matter how coordinated you are or how good your reflexes are, you will look like a crazy person trying to dodge/catch/deflect the item. Readiness is key.
Like if you take a test and don't study, that is a stressful test. But if you do study, its stressful in a different way. The test doesn't scare you because you don't know anything, if you have studied you want to make sure that knowledge comes across.
So we need to get ready for Christ to come. So that when he comes, we are ready. John tells us that we need to confess and repent for this to happen, and I think that is true. We need to get ready for Christmas Day by confessing and forgiving because of the life changing day that is coming up. We need to take a look in the mirror and ask ourselves, Are we ready? If not, get ready, because it is happening all around you. don't miss it.
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