For our Scripture reading today, we have decided to let the children tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Scriptures from Luke and Matthew’s Gospels have been woven together and read and performed by the children of the church and their parents in a nativity like no other, happening in time like no other. I have to say that it has been a joy to be a part of these children’s lives as they grow in faith and this video demonstrates that there is nothing that can keep us truly apart when we are joined by God’s love in Christ!
Now, get ready, because, People of God, this is the Word of the Lord—and thanks be to God for that! https://www.facebook.com/fpclafayette/videos/745154199426065
What a joy it was to hear and see our children and their parents telling the story of the birth of Jesus together in our Annual Christmas pageant! To be led toward the manger by them reminds me of the promise of Isaiah that
“The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.”
Likewise, our Savior told his disciples, “ Suffer them not to come unto me. For in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must become one such as these.”
Not only is it important that we teach the children about Jesus, but it is important that we learn from them as well. We need to remember what it was like to love without reservation. We need to remember what it was like to trust that those who say they love us are going to provide for us.
Of course, the Apostle Paul said to put away childish ways, but he was speaking about the things we do that keep us from loving in the way that children do. Children cannot help but expect their parents to provide and care for them, so it isn’t selfishness that drives them to want attention. It isn’t unreasonable for them to think that their accomplishments, no matter how small, should be seen and praised.
Yet as we grow, we come to realize more and more that we are not at the center of all things.
There is something greater—something that holds us all together like gravity enveloping the earth. That something is love; not romantic love or passionate love, but love for the sake of
Loving. That is the love that God demonstrated most clearly in the person of Jesus of Nazareth; in his life, in his teachings, in his death, and in his resurrection!
That’s why today, as we tell the story of his birth, we light candles for hope, peace, joy, and love! Now, you may recall that we’ve highlighted different gospels along the way for the way that they proclaim the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.
In Mark’s Gospel, we are reminded that the call to repentance and the mystery of the empty cross gives us the hope of salvation. In Matthew, we are reminded of the legacy of those who always do the right thing in the eyes of God, regardless of what seems right, because they are the ones who create opportunities for peace through self-sacrifice and concern for others. In John’s Gospel, we are told that salvation and redemption lead to transformation, over and over again and again. It’s been that way from the beginning of all time and space, and Jesus assures us that it always will be.
Today in Luke’s Gospel, we hear the invitation and trust that God gives to the Shepherds, the ones who may be trusted with sheep but are usually seen as unclean. Here we see that God’s love casts out fear when the angels appear. Here we see that the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ is found in the humility of a stable, in the wonder and awe of a child, and in the fact that the news of God’s love just has to be shared!
As we approach the day of Christmas, I hope that you will share this video with someone as a way of sharing the story of the birth of Christ. More than that, I hope you’ll let this story into your heart and be transformed by it. I hope that the wonder of children and the love of God expressed through Jesus will take hold of you, and me, and all who hear and tell this story so that God’s love becomes realized in the things we say and do.
As followers of Jesus, we know that Christ has come, and is coming to make all things new, and we also know that it starts with you, and me, and with them and they—whoever they are— and it doesn’t end until there is just us, just we, just the light of Christ beaming from all of our lights combined. We’ll get a taste of that on Christmas eve, but if that’s all we ever see of the love of God, then we’ll forever be in need of it.
As for me, and I hope for you too, I can actually see plenty of times in this most difficult of years that God has rained down a feast of love in the midst of our struggles. What else could we expect for the year to come?
In the hymn that follows, we’re told what to expect, based on the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, when she learned she was to bear the Son of God. Listen like a child, for the world keeps on turning whether you know it or not, and God is giving us, this Christmas, the gift of love. Let us enjoy it, as it is the source of all hope, all peace, all joy, and all the opportunities to love as we have been loved. Amen.
Now, get ready, because, People of God, this is the Word of the Lord—and thanks be to God for that! https://www.facebook.com/fpclafayette/videos/745154199426065
What a joy it was to hear and see our children and their parents telling the story of the birth of Jesus together in our Annual Christmas pageant! To be led toward the manger by them reminds me of the promise of Isaiah that
“The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.”
Likewise, our Savior told his disciples, “ Suffer them not to come unto me. For in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must become one such as these.”
Not only is it important that we teach the children about Jesus, but it is important that we learn from them as well. We need to remember what it was like to love without reservation. We need to remember what it was like to trust that those who say they love us are going to provide for us.
Of course, the Apostle Paul said to put away childish ways, but he was speaking about the things we do that keep us from loving in the way that children do. Children cannot help but expect their parents to provide and care for them, so it isn’t selfishness that drives them to want attention. It isn’t unreasonable for them to think that their accomplishments, no matter how small, should be seen and praised.
Yet as we grow, we come to realize more and more that we are not at the center of all things.
There is something greater—something that holds us all together like gravity enveloping the earth. That something is love; not romantic love or passionate love, but love for the sake of
Loving. That is the love that God demonstrated most clearly in the person of Jesus of Nazareth; in his life, in his teachings, in his death, and in his resurrection!
That’s why today, as we tell the story of his birth, we light candles for hope, peace, joy, and love! Now, you may recall that we’ve highlighted different gospels along the way for the way that they proclaim the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.
In Mark’s Gospel, we are reminded that the call to repentance and the mystery of the empty cross gives us the hope of salvation. In Matthew, we are reminded of the legacy of those who always do the right thing in the eyes of God, regardless of what seems right, because they are the ones who create opportunities for peace through self-sacrifice and concern for others. In John’s Gospel, we are told that salvation and redemption lead to transformation, over and over again and again. It’s been that way from the beginning of all time and space, and Jesus assures us that it always will be.
Today in Luke’s Gospel, we hear the invitation and trust that God gives to the Shepherds, the ones who may be trusted with sheep but are usually seen as unclean. Here we see that God’s love casts out fear when the angels appear. Here we see that the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ is found in the humility of a stable, in the wonder and awe of a child, and in the fact that the news of God’s love just has to be shared!
As we approach the day of Christmas, I hope that you will share this video with someone as a way of sharing the story of the birth of Christ. More than that, I hope you’ll let this story into your heart and be transformed by it. I hope that the wonder of children and the love of God expressed through Jesus will take hold of you, and me, and all who hear and tell this story so that God’s love becomes realized in the things we say and do.
As followers of Jesus, we know that Christ has come, and is coming to make all things new, and we also know that it starts with you, and me, and with them and they—whoever they are— and it doesn’t end until there is just us, just we, just the light of Christ beaming from all of our lights combined. We’ll get a taste of that on Christmas eve, but if that’s all we ever see of the love of God, then we’ll forever be in need of it.
As for me, and I hope for you too, I can actually see plenty of times in this most difficult of years that God has rained down a feast of love in the midst of our struggles. What else could we expect for the year to come?
In the hymn that follows, we’re told what to expect, based on the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, when she learned she was to bear the Son of God. Listen like a child, for the world keeps on turning whether you know it or not, and God is giving us, this Christmas, the gift of love. Let us enjoy it, as it is the source of all hope, all peace, all joy, and all the opportunities to love as we have been loved. Amen.
Comments