Wednesday, December 27, 2006

God’s Christmas Pageant

Luke 2:1-7, 8-20

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2:2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria. 2:3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 2:5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 2:6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 2:7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 2:8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 2:11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" 2:15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 2:16 And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 2:17 And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 2:18 and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
----------------------------

I love this Christmas reading. But, some of us are so familiar with the story that we often don’t see the details in the Word of God. (I am guilty of this, too.) And, I’ve been taught that God doesn’t waste words.

Today, I notice that there are plenty of comings and goings in the days in around Jesus’ birth. Look at it: Because of the census ordered by Ceasar Augustus, “all went” to their hometowns to be registered. This included Joseph, who “went up” from Galilee to Bethlehem, taking Mary with him. Then you have angels, presumably coming from heaven, who appeared to shepherds, and then “went away” returning to heaven. Then, the shepherds “went with haste” to the manger, and returned, probably to their fields, glorifying and praising God.

This would be a pretty busy, breathless stage, if we were putting on the play. Reminds me a little of our Christmases these days: People visiting and stopping by, shoppers bustling about trying to find the right store, worshippers going to and returning from church, airports full of scores of hurrying Christmas travelers.

In this reading, right there in the middle of much coming and going, Luke tells us, “And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Did you catch that? The time came for Mary to be delivered. “And she gave birth to her first-born son…in a manger.” Right there in the middle of their plans to be registered, God gave cause for Mary to stop – and be delivered. This was probably at an inconvenient time and place for Joseph and Mary. Mary certainly did not choose this time and place for her deliverance. She was far from her home in Galilee, probably where she had her preferred midwife. She would have at least liked a room in Bethlehem. The fact that Luke mentions that they were in a manger because there was no room in the inn, tells us that they looked first for a room in the inn. Mary was not well-prepared for this eventuality. She hadn’t booked a room in advance. Yet, the time had come for Mary to be delivered by God. And none of that other stuff was going to get in the way.

This was about God’s time, and God’s place, God’s plan and God’s deliverance. It was all happening to Mary. She was not in control over the events at this time.

She had surrendered control the moment she said to the angel Gabriel, “I am a handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word.” Remember that? That point earlier in her life when she had given herself over to the Lord?

God was not about to let her down. And, so, even though she was in this moment without any control over her life, she was in good hands. In God’s hands. He had Joseph accompanying her, so she wasn’t alone. And then, since she might well have been overwhelmed by all that was happening to her, the One to whom she had submitted sent shepherds with a message for her, to remind her that He had a plan, and it was coming to pass, just as He had told her through the angel Gabriel.

Indeed, it was. God was with her. Quite literally. Though, not in the way she might have imagined.

How else was God at work in the hustle and bustle of that first Christmas?

He was announcing the good news of His doing, far away from the bustle of the Roman empire. To whom did God send his angels with a message about the good news? To shepherds, who were keeping watch of their flock by night. It was in their watchfulness, away from the hurrying crowds, against the backdrop of darkness that they heard God’s message and saw God’s brilliant glory shining. It filled them with fear at first. But, it was the moment of their deliverance, too: "for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” What was the sign of God’s deliverance? “You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

A strange sign, indeed, of God’s deliverance! One most unlike what they might have imagined. One moment they were ordinary shepherds minding their sheep, next moment they were recipients of God’s message, witnesses to God’s savior, and messengers themselves about God’s plan. It left them glorifying and praising God.

The shepherds told Mary what they had heard from the angels. You could forgive Mary for wondering about it all. Luke tells us, she “kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

What was God doing in the hustle and bustle of that first Christmas?

Nothing less than sending the Savior to deliver the world.

But, not in some nameless, faceless, impersonal, automatic way. This was not – and is not -- a mass, faceless, impersonal “Project Salvation” to Him. He was delivering a woman named Mary. He had provided her with a man named Joseph, of the house and lineage of David, in the city of David. He sent His angels to personally address a group of shepherds. He knew what they did. He knew where to find them, and when to best get their attention. He sent the shepherds to deliver that message to Mary.

God is like this today. The savior has come. He is with us. Christ the Lord comes to us, to you, and to me individually, and to us in community. This is personal. This is in fellowship with people. This is a about delivering people, whose names and situations He knows.

I love it that in God’s big, big picture of salvation – so big it takes in the whole world – He is intimately acquainted with each one of us and the circumstances of our lives, whatever they might be, and wherever they might be. And, He makes it His business to actively deliver us; to come to us just where we are, to make His will known to us and His salvation real to us.

You may not be in control of your life. Even so, God comes to you. You may not expect the way He comes. Even so, He comes. You may not expect the message or the messenger. Even so, God makes known His ways and His salvation. So, this season, be sure to look for His presence and listen for His voice.

Indeed, He is with us.

In the words of the old hymn, “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, who with His love doth befriend Thee.”

Amen.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Advent Meditations: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of ..."

Luke 3:1-6

3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene,
3:2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
3:3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
3:4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;
3:6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"


---------------------------------------------------

Here is a particular place and time in history, when certain state rulers and religious leaders were in charge, that the word of God came to John, son of Zecharaiah. Was John the emperor? Or the governor? Or one of the rulers? Did he occupy a high religious office?

No.

When the word of God came to him, was John in the palace? Or in the governor’s mansion? Or in the Bishop's house?

No.

John, who did not hold a worldly title, was in the wilderness when the word of the Lord came to him.

What words and images come to mind when you hear that word, wilderness? For me they are untamed, barren, vast, stark, harsh, ruggedly and wildly beautiful, both frightening and exhilarating in its vastness and its wildness, unconquered, unknown and time-less (can’t really imagine a clock on a mantelpiece in the wilderness, can you?), devoid of modern comfort and safety.

I wouldn’t want to traverse the wilderness alone. But, if God was with me, it would be a different story. (Jeremiah 31:2 speaks of God’s people finding grace in the wilderness.) It is in the wilderness, after all, that John hears God speak.

It's only after John receives the word of God that he goes into all the regions. So, first, it appears he was alone in the wilderness, and then he went out into the crowded, inhabited regions to preach the word he had received in the wilderness: a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Isn’t it interesting that God’s word did not come to Emperor Tiberius, Governor Pontius Pilate, King Herod or King Philip, or High Priests Annas and Caiaphas? Isn’t it striking that the word of the King and Creator of all that is seen and unseen didn’t come to the palace, the stately home, or the sacred Holy of Holies?

And yet for those of us familiar with the Gospel story this is not surprising. In fact, it tends to be God’s way: Jesus was born in a manger, grew up in the unimportant and dismissed Nazareth, chose fishermen and tax collectors to build his kingdom, rode a donkey and not a chariot into Jerusalem, was the crucified Messiah with a crown of thorns and exemplifies the servant king. This irony is God’s way of salvation.

God’s way is distinct and unlike the ways of this world. Let’s not forget that this Advent. Let’s listen for God’s word in unlikely places and unlikely people as far as the standards and expectations of this world are concerned.

Even as we attend church services and go caroling and whatever else we do in communion with fellow believers this season – as important as that is – it’s also essential to get away from the crowd, and to get alone with God to hear His word to us in our own wilderness. For some, as we approach Christmas, life itself might feel like a wilderness experience. You are not alone. God is with you. Listen for His word.

Luke does not tell us how long John spent in the wilderness. I would guess that it was quite a while, given God’s concept of time – or lack thereof! Perhaps, for each one of us that length of time will be different. But, I believe, it is necessary for each one of us to get alone with God in the wilderness of our lives, to be able to listen to His voice alone. Like John, we need to get away far from human voices and the noise and rush of “civilization” as we know it, far from the trappings and dwellings of wealth, privilege and comfort to truly listen to the voice of the Lord.

As the secular and religious powers that be in John’s time went about their exercising their power and making their pronouncements, John took time in the wilderness, to hear the word of the Lord, and then went into inhabited regions and proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. So too, in our time, even as we live and work within the institutions of state and church in the countries where we reside, we need to make some time alone with God, away from our daily routines, far from the crowds.

But, it doesn’t end there. Notice John then went into all the regions.

There are things that only God can do: Like filling valleys, and making mountains and hills low. We’ll leave those up to Him. But, when we know Him and have heard His word, each one of us has a part to play in preparing His way. Only God can make known to us what that might be in our particular time and place. To hear Him, we need to take time alone with Him to listen to what He has to say.

As we take that time alone with the resurrected Lord Jesus, waiting for His second coming and preparing to celebrate His historical birth, let’s not forget to make a way for someone else to know Him. God’s salvation story centered in Jesus Christ is not just about us. It’s about “all flesh” seeing the salvation of God. The Gospel is not meant for us alone. God’s words are not meant for us to keep to ourselves. Followers of Christ are not to be isolated forever.

In this season then, spend time alone with God and then go out to the places around you, to the people whom you encounter…and be witnesses for love, grace and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ, that people might change course and follow Him.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Advent Meditations: "To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul."

Psalm 25:1-10

25:1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
25:2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
25:3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
25:4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
25:5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
25:6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
25:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O LORD!
25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
25:10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.


-------------------------------------

Would you believe me if I told you that, through an unknown prophet, God brought this Psalm to my attention, when I needed – really needed -- a word from the Lord, and a prayer of guidance for myself? It’s true. Do not refuse to believe that God speaks to us today. He does --in lots of different ways, through lots of different people, as of old. He speaks to day. To you and to me. We just need to listen for His voice, and be open to His communication. In living relationship with us, like in the best of human relationships, He communicates with us in loving, edifying ways. The Scriptures are our best bet on God’s word. Imagine that! But, along with other Christians, who walk in the faith, and all of God’s creation, and the providential circumstances of our lives. He is not a controlling God. But He is a loving, faithful one, who seeks us, and wants to be in living relationship with us.

The words of this Psalmist are true: “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” In covenant relationship with Him, you discover He speaks, He guides, He teaches, He admonishes, He strengthens, He inspires, He protects. You know why? All because He loves you and me. But, just like you wouldn’t say that about a stranger, you won’t know that about God, unless you begin a relationship with Him.

He has an open invitation to each one of us to come into a loving, intimate relationship with Him. It’s up to us to respond. And, if you do, if you accept that invitation, He will astound you with His involvement in your life, in its intimacy, its steadfast love, its faithfulness, it’s grace.

You get the feeling that this psalmist, probably David, knew God like this. This is a deeply personal and intimate Psalm. It’s about God and David. A living relationship with God is like that – one on one. But God is God, and we are not. In this Psalm, David understands that. When you read this Psalm, you know also that this is not merely a Sabbath relationship. Neither is it a distant relationship, or sliced up relationship. This is not about a “spiritual” relationship. This is a way of life. David lifts up His soul to God, but He also wants to know God’s ways and paths and truth so that he can know how to live his life. He asks for God’s protection. He waits for the Lord ”all day long.” He trusts the Lord. He wants God to lead him and teach him. He recognizes God as his salvation. As a sinner, he’s counting on God’s forgiveness, and instruction, and on God’s leadership.

David knows and appeals to God’s character – mercy, steadfast love, faithfulness, good and upright. David also knows who he is: a sinner. He understands what’s required of him: humility. He needs to follow where God leads. He needs to keep God’s decrees and covenant in his life.

But, do you see? Do you see, how this is about everything? This is not just a “spiritual” journey for David. I think these days we sometimes see our relationship with God in a separate “spiritual” realm. We keep our faith matters on a special “God shelf.” But, that’s not how it’s supposed to be. Notice that David doesn’t qualify this instruction or leading. He doesn’t say, “God instruct me in matters of my faith.” “Lead me in the truth about my soul.” No. He seems to take it as a given that God’s leading and instructing, and showing of ways and paths is for his life.

God is God of our whole life. Yes, it begins with lifting up our soul to Him, who is our creator. But, it sure does not end there. “All day long,” David says he waits for the Lord. The nouns and verbs that David uses reflects that David actively seeks God’s instruction in His life, and is trusting and expecting God to be actively involved in his life: Leading, teaching, protecting, forgiving, instructing, making known his ways, and paths.

God is not a dictatorial tyrant. Like David, we will have to respond to His love, recognizing who He is, and how our best interests lie in trusting Him, and following where He leads. This Advent, let us practice waiting for the Lord, before we act. Waiting to know what He wants from us. Waiting to hear what He says to us. Waiting humbly to see where He leads us. Just like you probably wouldn’t attempt to work your newly acquired technological gadget without reading the instruction manual, simply because you want to make sure it works right, just like that, wait to hear from the Lord by reading His word, by communicating with Him, and see how He instructs you before “working” your life.

He’s the only way to get it right.

As the prophet reminded me, I remind you: “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

Place yourself in the center of God’s will, remembering that “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.”

Count on it. Be in intimate relationship with the God of our salvation. This is not just about our souls. It’s about our lives. Wait for Him. He will be worth the wait.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Advent Meditations: "The days are surely coming..."

Jeremiah 33:14-16

33:14 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
33:16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness."


-------------------------------------

This Advent, as I wait for the Lord, I wonder what am I waiting for? And how am I waiting? Waiting can take different forms: We can wait in dread, wait in despair, wait in anticipation, wait in joyful expectation, we can wait deliberately or distractedly, patiently or impatiently, we can wait through fervent activity, or wait quietly and prayerfully, being still and knowing God, who is exalted in the heavens.

In some ways, we’re all waiting for something all through our lives, in any given day.

What does the Christian season of advent -- a season deliberately set apart for waiting expectantly, in joyful anticipation for the return of our Lord and Bridegroom, Jesus Christ -- cause in our hearts and minds?

What does it stir in mine? I decided to look at words of Scripture designated for this time.

Look, for starters, at these words in Jeremiah.

Who’s speaking? The Lord; God, who created heaven and earth by the power of His word.

What does He say? “The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”

Can we count on the word of the Lord? Yes.

So, when He says that some days are “surely coming,” we can be sure they are.

What kind of days? Days of fulfilled promise.

Whose promise? The Lord’s promise.

Who is going to fulfill this promise? The Lord. Good. Because He has the power and authority to do so.

What words are associated with “those days” of fulfilled promise? Justice, righteousness, saved, safety. Good words all.

How will it come to pass? The Lord will cause a righteous Branch to spring up.

And whose righteousness are we talking about? Ours? God forbid! “The LORD is our righteousness."

It’s worth noting that God is speaking about fulfilling a promise made to two rebellious, law-breaking houses: Israel and Judah, who went after other gods, and broke God's heart. These two houses are now under the heavy hand of God's judgment, fallen upon them deservedly.

But here are words of promise, of salvation and safety, of the Lord’s righteousness. These words are spoken to an unrighteous people under judgment, whose beloved, holy city has been ravaged. These words of promise and hope can’t be further from their current reality. But, they’re God’s words. And God’s word is fulfillment. He isn’t precise about the day or time, but He says they are surely coming.

The good news in this passage to a people under judgment is that days are surely coming when it will not be this way, and that the very God whom they disobeyed, loves them so much that He is going to fulfill His promise and do something to transform their existence. And, the message of real hope lies in the fact that it’s not up to them, their ability, their reality, or their righteousness.

It’s all about who God is and what God can do.

It’s about the Lord’s righteousness. And about what the Lord has promised. And about how the Lord will bring to pass.

Hallelujah.

That can have a profound impact on waiting, can’t it, even waiting under the weight of judgment?