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Corona Sabbath 41 THE BIRTH OF JESUS

These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group.  They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations.  We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.

The post this week is a follow up to Christmas.

This post includes a scripture reading from Sue Sherwood, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a music video by Hilton Jones.    We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times.

You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside.  Light a candle.  Take a look around you.   Breathe.  Life-giving breath.   Be present. 

You may begin with this reading –

As the sun illumines not only the heaven and the whole world, shining on both land and sea, but also sends rays through windows and small chinks into the furthest recesses of a house, so the Word, poured out everywhere, behold the smallest actions of our life.

-Clement of Alexandria  c.150-215

When you are ready, start the video below. 

(For written text of the above video click HERE.)

As you listen to the music that follows, which is a virtual performance by the Lakewood Choir of the traditional Christmas song, “Lo How a Rose,” you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings that arise for you. 

In closing, you are invited to read the poem, The Work of Christmas:

 When the song of the angels is stilled,
 when the star in the sky is gone,
 when the kings and princes are home,
 when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
 the work of Christmas begins:
 to find the lost,
 to heal the broken,
 to feed the hungry,
 to release the prisoner,
 to rebuild the nations,
 to bring peace among the people,
 to make music in the heart.

-- Howard Thurman, 1899-1981

Breathe.  Breathe again.  Be filled.  With grace.   Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.

LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ, as part of the Church Universal, is to:

  • Celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives and in our world;
  • Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people;
  • Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

Corona Sabbath 41 THE BIRTH OF JESUS Reflection Text

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath.  This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19.    We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

We listen to John 1:1-14 read by Sue Sherwood.  This passage includes the prologue to the gospel of John.  No angels or stars here, but a sweeping statement of the import of the birth of Jesus.  

 
 
             In the beginning
                         there was the Word;
             the Word was in God’s presence,
                         and the Word was God.
             The Word was present to God
                         from the beginning.
             Through the Word
                         all things came into being,
             and apart form the Word
                         nothing came into being
                         that has come into being.
             In the Word was life,
                         and that life was humanity’s light -
             a Light that shines in the darkness,
                         a Light that the darkness has never overtaken.

Then came one named John, sent as an envoy from God, who came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through his testimony everyone might believe.  He himself wasn’t the Light; he only came to testify about the Light – the true Light that illumines all humankind.

The Word was coming into the world -
was in the world-
     and though the world was made through the Word,
     the world didn’t recognize it.
Though the Word came to its own realm,
     the Word’s own people didn’t accept it.
Yet any who did accept the Word,
     who believed in that Name,
     were empowered to become children of God-
children born not of natural descent,
     nor urge of flesh
     nor human will -
but born of God.
And the Word became flesh
     and stayed for a little while among us;
we saw the Word’s glory -
     the favor and position a parent gives an only       child -
             filled with grace,
                         filled with truth.

Reflection from Kim

Christmas Eve is over.  Christmas Day has passed.  Maybe it was different for you this covid year.  Maybe you had to adapt your traditions.  Maybe the holiday involved a Zoom.  Maybe you were on your own for the first time.  Maybe you missed the usual celebrations with food and family and friends.  But we can all take a deep breath.  Sigh.  Relieved.  We made it!  Christmas is over.

So, now there is the putting away of Christmas.  Taking down the lights.  Undecorating the tree.  Putting away the creche scene.  Storing the garland.  Until next year.  When, hopefully things will be back to normal as far as Christmas is concerned. 

But Christmas is the celebration of a birth.  It is a beginning.  It is the start of an adventure.  As with the birth of any baby, there is more.  There is the unfolding of all that is to come.  The stages and changes and transitions and growth and struggles and adventures that mark a life.  So, Christmas is a beginning.

In the beautiful lesson that we heard from the gospel of John, we are told that in the life of Jesus we are shown grace and truth.  The grace and truth of God.  Of Divine Love. 

What if as we put away Christmas for this year we leave out the grace and truth.  What if we don’t box them up for next year but leave them out?  Grace and truth.  What if we try to hang on to the grace and truth that we see in Jesus and let that be our light in the days to come?  What if we really try to fundamentally integrate that grace and truth into our lives? 

Grace is about realizing all that we are given.  It’s about forgiveness of ourselves and others.  Grace enables us to treat others with compassion and understanding instead of judgment and hostility.  Truth is about affirming that the way of Jesus really does work.  Building community, pursuing reconciliation, living with compassion, ending oppression, creating a society that is anti racist and anti violent.  Declaring Good New to the poor.  This as not about a food bank.  This is about a living wage, affordable housing, good public transportation and healthcare. 

I spoke with someone recently who belongs to a conservative evangelical church.  I was told that they’re is a lot of upset in those churches right now over the race situation in America.  Many, especially pastors, believe that the church, to be true to the grace and truth of Jesus, must promote anti-racism in America today.  But there are many in the pews who do not share that commitment. 

We can think about Jesus teachings with regard to race, yes.  But there is more.  His teachings about money and wealth.  Seldom adhered to.  His teachings about forgiveness and reconciliation.  Often ignored.  Teachings about equality and justice.  We pick and choose. How about love?  Of neighbor?  Stranger?  Enemy?  Self?  When it suits us?   Here we want to remember the grace and truth.  Keep it at the forefront.  Not box it up.  Put it away.  Store it.

In the book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History by Michael H. Hart Jesus is number three not because his message isn’t valued but because his followers do not adhere to his teachings.  Others have noted that the teachings of Jesus are wonderful but so seldom lived out.  Taken seriously.  The way of Jesus actually embodied.  Apparently his followers are known for lacking commitment to his grace and truth. 

In recent months in our country there has been much talk about voting rights and redistricting and the census.  We want to see sanity and integrity in government.  Of course!  So, we want to think about the same kind of consistency and integrity when it comes to our faith.  We want to think about living out the grace and truth that we see in Jesus. 

There is a story about a poor young Eskimo girl .  She didn’t have enough to eat or clothes to keep warm.  One day, a newspaper reporter came into the village where the little girl lived.  He saw the girl’s situation and decided to interview her.  In the course of things, he asked her, “Do you believe in God?” 

“Yes, I do,” said the little girl. 

“Do you believe God loves you?” asked the reporter.

Again the girl said, “Yes, I do.”

“If you believe in God and believe that God loves you, then why do you think you don’t have enough food or enough warm clothes to wear?”

The little girl answered, “I think God asked someone to bring me these things.  But someone said no!” [From Advent, Christmas and Epiphany:  Stories and Reflections on the Sunday Readings, by Megan McKenna, p. 237.]

If you are watching this or reading this, you have likely been on your journey of faith for some time.  Maybe you have already committed yourself to the way of Jesus.  It may already be your intention to try to live out Divine Love in your life.  So, for you, Christmas may just be a reminder.  An opportunity to re-commit.  To open yourself once again to birthing Divine Love in your life.  And blessing the world in your own way.  So as we put away the decorations may we remember that the Word, full of grace and truth, is seeking to become flesh in us.  Amen.

(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)

Sermon 12/20 Rekindle Love

Date: Dec. 20, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Advent In-person worship, outdoors
Scripture Lesson: Luke 1:26-38 and 46b-55
Sermon: Rekindle Love
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

In the novel, Tolstoy Lied: A Love Story, Rachel Kadish has this to say:

“Love is an ecstatic compulsion to madness.”

I think that might be my favorite definition of love. An ecstatic compulsion to
madness. Think of the things we do because of love – entangle our lives with
others, spend our fortunes, move across the country, get up in the middle of the
night repeatedly, take on overwhelming responsibility, make stunning sacrifices,
spend untold time, money, and energy. For love. Of partners. Children. Parents.
Friends. Humanity. The Earth. Pets. Activities. Projects. Family. Strangers.
People do crazy things for love.

Last week was the 21st anniversary of Julia Butterfly Hill coming down from the
1500 year old redwood tree in California after having lived in the tree for 738 days
to prevent the logging of ancient old growth redwoods. That sounds like an
ecstatic compulsion to madness. It had to be done out of love.

What are some other examples you can think of that are crazy things that people
have done out of love? Maybe even something you have done out of love that is
crazy –
Congregational examples

Love. An ecstatic compulsion to madness.

Well, that’s what we heard about this morning. We hear of a love so compelling
that is leads to a wild plan to rescue those who are beloved. We hear about a God
so in love with humanity that this God comes up with a ludicrous plan for helping
these woebegone people. A love so desperate, it will go to any ends. Even the
insanity we heard about this morning. A story of an angel visiting a random
teenage girl from a small rural community and inviting her to be the mother of a
special child that will save humanity. That’s pretty crazy. What kind of a plan is
that? It’s madness. And she says yes. That is crazy, too! How can it be anything
but love?

In today’s context the main narrative associated with Christmas is about Santa and
elves and 8 flying reindeer that drop gifts down the chimney. It’s not really that
far-fetched when you think about the stories associated with of the birth of Jesus.
Zechariah being struck dumb, Elizabeth having a child in her old age, the angel
Gabriel visiting Mary, a donkey, a barn, shepherds, angels, a star, wisemen. The
stories of the birth of Jesus are crazy because they are about Divine Love in the
flesh. An ecstatic compulsion to madness.

And then today we heard the response that is attributed to Mary once she has
validation of her circumstances, the magnificat. The song of Mary, the magnificat,
is also kind of a celebration of an ecstatic compulsion to madness. It
acknowledges that this Divine plan is absurd. God choosing an obscure young
woman for something so significant. And then it goes on from there. This love
being birthed into the world through this unlikely mother is not a one off. The
magnificat goes on to extol the elevation of all of those who are considered of
lower rank. And the demotion of all those considered respectable and powerful.
This is a love that turns the world upside down and works the transformation
through, well, the least of these. Like Mary.

In a prophecy from Isaiah [61:1-4] that is often read in Advent, we are told:

“The Spirit of Exalted Yahweh is upon me,

for Yahweh has anointed me:

God has sent me to bring good news to those who are poor;
to heal broken hearts;
to proclaim release to those held captive
and liberation to those in prison;
to announce a year of favor from Yahweh,
and the day of God’s vindication;
to comfort all who mourn,
to provide for those who grieve in Zion –
to give them a wreath of flowers instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of tears,
a cloak of praise instead of despair.
They will be known as trees of integrity,
planted by Yahweh to display God’s glory.”

And then, what does this bound up, rag tag group do? They are the ones who build
a new future. The prophet goes on:

“They will restore the ancient ruins,
and rebuild sites long devastated;
they will repair the ruined cities,
neglected for generations.”

The most unlikely people will be responsible for the restoration of the community
and the fulfillment of God’s dreams for God’s beloved people. That must be love
for it is completely ludicrous. And yet, that is God. Crazy dreams. Crazy plans.
It can only be love!

I recently read Colm Tobin’s book, The Testament of Mary. It is a novel about the
life of Mary after the crucifixion of Jesus. And it involves her looking back on
Jesus’ life. And one thing is clear in the novel. Mary has only contempt for Jesus’
followers. She sees them as the dregs of the community, people who are not stable,

people who are needy. In the book, she describes them as “unshaven brutes and
twitchers” [p. 80]. She tells us: “He gathered around him, I said, a group of
misfits, who were only children like himself, or men without fathers, or men who
could not look a woman in the eye. Men who were seen smiling to themselves, or
who had grown old when they were still young. Not one of you was normal, I
said. . . Yes misfits, I said. My son gathered misfits. . .” [p.6] Several times in
the course of the short book she says these things. The Mary of this extremely
interesting fictional account has no faith in the capabilities of those who were
attracted to Jesus and his message.

And yes, as we know, it is those very people who somehow, someway, continue to
live out the love and reconciliation and justice and sacredness that they
experienced with Jesus. Their witness is so compelling that others are drawn to it.
And the movement grows. People are attracted by this new reality of equality and
generosity and wholeness. And from this tenuous, bizarre beginning, the largest
religion in the world has evolved and we are here today worshipping on a Sunday
morning in St. Petersburg because of these misfits.

These examples harmonize with the magnificat and the story of Mary that we
heard this morning. The lowly, the meek, the disadvantaged, are empowered to
bring to fruition the hopes and dreams of God for the wellbeing of all of Creation.
That is Divine Love. And it sure sounds like an ecstatic compulsion to madness.
This can only be a love story. A story of the love of God for humanity. Driving
this God to do crazy things. Manifesting a love, so compelling, that people are
want to resist it. And we are here today because we have been drawn into this love
story. We find ourselves compelled by this love which the world around us must
consider insane. We find ourselves among those drawn to the manger. To gaze at
the starlight. And hear the angel song. Smell the hay and feel the warm breath of
the cows and sheep. A crazy story. Yet one that draws us in. Because we know
that there is a place for us at the manger. There is room for us in stable. We are
welcomed into the community of outcasts and misfits and dreamers. Who are entrusted with the hopes and visions of God. For the healing and wholeness of
creation.

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, when the theme for the advent candle is love and
we remember the story of Gabriel visiting Mary, let us remember that we have
been drawn into a love story by a God of love. And as we find our way, our part,
in the unfolding drama, we find our life, our healing, and our wholeness. And, yes,
the whole thing is an ecstatic compulsion to madness.

We close with a love poem, a prayer really, from a prominent 20th century
German theologian, Dorothy Soelle, who lived through the holocaust and its
aftermath:

He needs you
That’s all there is to it
Without you he’s left hanging
Goes up in dachau’s smoke
Is sugar and spice in the baker’s hands
gets revalued in the next stock market crash
he’s consumed and blown away
used up
without you

Help him
that’s what faith is
he can’t bring it about
his kingdom
couldn’t then couldn’t later can’t now
not at any rate without you
and that is his irresistible appeal
Amen.

A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For
additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.