Tag Archives: Christmas

The Candle of HOPE

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First Sunday of Advent – The Candle of HOPE

advent-1-candleFaith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This means that hope must precede faith. Our faith in God revealed in Jesus is rooted and grounded on the deepest hopes of our hearts and minds. The dreams of a better world that stir our imagination. These are the dreams of Abraham and Sarah, the dreams of King David, the dreams of the prophets, the dreams of Joseph and Mary and the Shepherds and the Wise Men. These are the dreams of Jesus and the Apostles – the dreams of God’s kingdom manifest on earth as it is in heaven.

You and I, by virtue of our calling and baptism into Christ, are co-creators with God of bringing this dream to reality. This church exists so that we can hear the dreams of old, have our own imaginations stirred, and invite our neighbors to work alongside us for the healing of the nations – the way of God’s shalom.

As you enter into this Advent season, what are your dreams? What is your hope, of which your faith in God will be the assurance?

As a prayer for God’s fulfilling these hopes and dreams, we light the candle of Hope.

(The first purple candle is lit as the hymn is sung.)
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Text (c) Ken G. Crawford 2016
Photo credit – stmatthiaschicago.org

Follow the weak and the frail?

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Could it be that as soon as the church finds itself on the top side of history we must immediately turn, look around, and go sit with those who are on the bottom side?  What if the only way to enter into the presence of God and remain with God is by following those who are dispossessed? Israel was always closest to God when they were the lost bride in need of redemption. When the people were lifted out of oppression and rose to power, almost immediately did they turn their backs on the one who had saved them.

In the midst of all the talk about race relations, community policing, inequity, poverty, crime, and yes, even outright systemic racism, could it be that Christians are missing the point? All of us, White, Black, Asian, Latin, and more? As we are now 12 days before Christmas, I’m reminded of the ways in which God entered into the underside of history, and everyone seems to have missed the point. Mary and Joseph ended up in a stable, which means they didn’t find hospitality from the rich or the poor. Herod tried to kill Jesus, but the wise men did nothing to protect him. The shepherds came and worshiped, and then returned to their fields, filled with joy, but presumably not to change the course of their lives. Even those who may have had some idea who this child was were left untransformed by his presence.

What needs to change in us so that we can finally be humble before those God sends to us as messengers, “Angelos,” to teach us and leads us to peace?

Is the Gospel really good news?

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The word “gospel” is derived from the old English and Germanic roots meaning “good spiel” – a pleasing message. I wonder though, is it really, and if so for whom? Will the Gospel be a pleasing message for everyone?

Magnificat II – mixed textile, 20×33 in © by the artist, Linda Witte Henke

The passage from Luke 1:46-55 is called The Magnificat – a name taken from the first word in the Latin translation of the passage. Also known as “Mary’s Song”, this text relates Mary’s response when she visits her cousin Elizabeth, who though advanced in age has been blessed to conceive a son who will be John the Baptist. Upon greeting Mary at the door, Elizabeth feels the unborn child John leap in her belly, and exclaims “”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.” (Luke 1:42-44) Sheer Joy! Here is Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55):

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Mary’s song echoes that of Hannah, wife of Elkanah, who though she had been barren was blessed by The Lord who answered her prayer and enabled her to conceive and bear a son. Hannah had pledged to God that she would dedicate her child to him if only God would make a way for her to conceive and bear a son. Here is her prayer at his dedication in 1 Samuel 2:1-11:

1 Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. 2 “There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for not by might does one prevail. 10 The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.” 11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, while the boy remained to minister to the Lord, in the presence of the priest Eli.

Both women sing songs of joy, exalting and worshipping God for the mercy and grace shown them. But their interest is not selfish. They understand their own experiences as representative of a larger truth – that God chooses in favor of the poor. The Lord raises up and brings down. These things do not simply happen on their own in the natural course of events. They are part of how God works in the world.

This begs the question: Is the Gospel good news for everyone?

German Advent Welcome

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This is the welcome that I wrote and delivered at St. Paul’s UCC. It was an interesting experience. I’d not attempted to speak German in public since High School, and it showed. My accent never was very good, but as several folks commented afterward, “You made the effort, and that matters.” I’ve always found this to be true – humbly and genuinely attempting to speak another person’s language so as to communicate and connect with them is greatly appreciated, even if the language is butchered in the process. It helps to keep a good sense of humor, because folks will undoubtedly laugh at the gaffs, even while smiling appreciatively. And the service itself was a delight. I find it interesting to worship in another language, listening for where I can understand what is being said by the context, and where I’m lost simply trusting the Pentecost Spirit to bridge the gap. Never fails. I also was glad to meet folks from The Goethe Center of Dallas, The German School of Dallas, and of course The Dallas Frohsinn Singing Society and The Alpenhorns who helped lead the service. Kudos to the choir and people of St. Paul’s for a wonderful event under the direction of Will Kanute, Choirmaster.

Welcome delivered at St. Paul’s German Advent Service Deutscher Weinachtsgottesdienst ~ Dez 7, 2014
Welcome to St. Paul’s Church. Willkommen bei der St. Paul’s Kirche !
Whether old friends or new, Ob alte Freunde oder Neue,
whether devout followers or curious seekers, you are welcome here. Ob fromme Folger oder neugierige Sucher, Alle sind hier willkommen.
The Christian Heritage of Germany has many gifts for the contemporary church and world.  Die christliche Erbschaft Deutschlands hat viel den zeitgenossenen Kirchen und der Welt zu Schenken.
This service is but one.  Dieser Gottesdienst ist nur ein Beispiel.
Some of our greatest theologians and composers hail from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  Manche unserer grossartigsten Theologen und Komponisten stammen aus Deutschland, Oestereich und der Schweiz.
Tonight we gather to honor and celebrate that heritage as we prepare to welcome and celebrate once again God’s gift of the Christ child to the world. Heute Abend sind wir zusammen um diese Erbschaft zu ehren und feiern, waehrend wir uns vorbereiten Gottes Geschenk, “das Christuskind fuer die Welt”, wieder willkommen zu heissen.
May the spirit of Christ dwell in us and lead us into the world proclaiming Peace on Earth, Good News to all. Moege der Geist Christi in uns weilen, und uns in die Welt fuehren, um Friede auf Erden und gute Nachricht in Alle zu erklaeren.
Welcome. Herzlich Willkommen .

* Thanks to Baerbel W. for the translation.

Waiting can be difficult

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Waiting can be difficult.

I remember as a kid searching the house between thanksgiving and Christmas hoping to discover a cache of gifts. I plead the 5th regarding whether I ever succeeded, or whether I may or may not have unwrapped, opened and played with, and rewrapped and rehid any gifts.

I remember sitting in doctors’ offices fidgeting, doing the “seek and find” puzzle in Highlights Magazine.

Do you have trouble waiting?

My observation is that portable multimedia technology makes it even more difficult for us to be patient while we wait. Many of us will reach for a cell phone or other device if more than 30 seconds passes between activities. How often do you see people at stoplights or even in slow traffic checking email or Facebook?

Advent is the time in the Christian Year during which we practice waiting as a spiritual discipline. And honestly, we are not very good at it much of the time. We want to sing Christmas Carols rather than Advent hymns. We want to already see the baby Jesus in the manger weeks before our Christmas Eve service.

If the Christian faith wants to teach us any kind of discipline in our lives, it is that of waiting well. Since the Lord first visited Abram and Sarai, the promise came to be fulfilled for a future generation. The gift to them was the hope that their descendants would be blessed to be a blessing. Granted, Abram and Sarai would also benefit and experience joy. The true gift remained for generations yet to be. 200 years later Jacob and his sons move to Egypt. Another 400 years and the 12 tribes of Hebrews left Egypt to begin their 40 year journey to the Promised Land. Thus the land was finally given to Abraham’s descendants more than 600 years after it was first promised. And even then, it would take generations for the land to be fully occupied.

Likewise, from the time of the Babylonian and Assyrian conquests of Israel and Judah another 600 years passes before the messiah arrives to fulfill promises made by Isaiah, Micah and other prophets. Waiting is inherent in our faith.

Jesus repeatedly promises a coming kingdom and a second coming of the messiah, the timing of which seems fluid. We hear things like, “You will not pass through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Mt 10:23), and, “Not all of these will pass before the son of man comes” (Matthew 16:28).

Similarly, regarding the Kingdom of Heaven/God:

  • “The Kingdom of God is among you,” (Luke 17:21)
  • “The Kingdom of Heaven has come near,” (Mt 3:2)
  • “There are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God,” (LK9:27)

The times appear to stretch and collapse. This is the “already / not yet” nature of our faith.

The same applies when we talk about salvation – we have been saved, we are being saved, we shall be saved. All are equally true simultaneously, though they appear to be contradictory.

We are waiting for something which we already have received. Paul uses the language of “first fruits” to describe this experience:

  • “we have the first fruits of the spirit while we await [the completion of our] adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rm 8:23)
  • “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” (1 Cor 15)

The question is then:

“Can there be any Christian Faith without waiting?”
“If we remove waiting from the Christian Faith, what is left?”