Dearest e-votees-
There are lots of important days in the church year coming up in the next several days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, day commemorating St. Stephen and his martyrdom, day commemorating St. John, day commemorating the slaughter of the Innocents, etc., etc. It is amazing to ponder the broad range of highs and lows: God’s exultation, God’s incarnation, lives that cast off a holy light and dark and dreadful moments.
May we all be blessed and present in all the aspects of this powerful time in the church year.
Peace,
Karl
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Our appointed epistle lesson for Christmas Day is:
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
There is a favorite author of mine, Gordon Atkinson, who goes (or went, on hiatus from writing for the time being) by the moniker Real Live Preacher. He writes and thinks in a way that is earthy and salty and faithful and searching and true.
One of his essays that is among my personal favorites is…
This essay talks about how our world with its modern sensibilities completely eviscerates the message that is the good news of Jesus Christ. Well, we don’t so much eviscerate it as just completely don’t care. The greatest story ever told becomes window dressing and mood lighting for whatever else we are doing—unless it demands too much of us then we tone it down and try to keep it in its place.
The killing of St. Stephen by stoning and the attempt to wipe out Jesus through the slaughter of the Innocents were attempts for humanity to keep God become human under control. When the Creator stepped into creation the creatures weren’t so very receptive.
The good news is that Jesus, “the exact imprint of God’s very being”, has come into the world. It has changed the world. It has changed and is changing us. No matter how resistant or indifferent we are God has spoken and (as the UCC through the last written words of Gracie Allen to George burns so vividly reminds us “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.”) God is still speaking. The Word has spoken and it is a word of healing and grace. And God’s words accomplish the purposes for which they were sent (see Isaiah 55:10-11).
May we all know the Word. May we all be attentive to the world (at its best and at its worst). May we rejoice with those who rejoice this season and offer comfort to those who mourn. May we celebrate well and invite those who might otherwise not celebrate to our tables. May we sing with angels and mourn with those who have had loved ones wrenched away.
God, speak to us and through us all to your glory. Help us worship you with authenticity and truth and joy. Help us never forget the martyrs and draw deeply from the grace and truth of the gospel. Help us to not hollow out your name but to let it rest deeply in us. Teach us to hallow; teach us to serve; teach us to love. Amen.
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