How Do We Get To Bethlehem?

Luke 2:1-20

            If you want to think in Sesame Street terms I guess you could say that our sermon for tonight is brought to us by the letter B.  B for baby.  B for boy.  B for birth.  B for Bethlehem.  The theme song could even be rewritten: “Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Bethlehem?”  It is the birth of a very special baby boy that brings us to Bethlehem tonight.  How we get to Bethlehem is more of a personal story though.

            In our gospel text we hear how Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem.  They are just going about daily life.  They received a decree that the world should be registered, so Joseph went home to Bethlehem.  He went there because he was a descendent of the house and family of David.  He took Mary, his soon-to-be-bride with him to be registered. 

            We also hear how the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem.  They were nearby that night doing their typical shepherd duties, keeping watch over their flocks.  And then an angel appeared.  Of course they were initially afraid of said angel, but then the angel shared with them the good news of the birth of this baby boy named Jesus.  When the angel and the whole host of angels disappeared the shepherds left for Bethlehem. 

            Not in our gospel text for tonight, but a part of the Christmas story that you likely know as well, is the arrival of the wise men.  In Matthew 2 we hear that they saw a star at its rising and followed it to the place in Bethlehem where the baby Jesus was born.

            All of these roads led to Bethlehem.  Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men all arrived in the same place.  They all arrived in the stable in Bethlehem.  They all arrived to greet this new baby boy, the savior of the nations.

            This story is not just one of ancient times that we reread each year at the appropriate time.  This is not a stagnant story of yesteryear.  This story continues.  It continues because of its importance in our lives.  It continues because we are a part of the story.  This child was not just born for the community living over 2,000 years ago.  This child was born for us, too.  Before we were ever thought of and long before our own birth, this baby boy was born in Bethlehem for us.

            So, how is it that you arrived in Bethlehem? Why have you come to hear the story of a babe born in Bethlehem?  Maybe you have heard this story since your own birth, a story passed down throughout the generations.  Maybe this story has been part of daily life for you.  Maybe this story is new to you.  Maybe you have come tonight because of a dramatic revelation, a sign from the heavens.  Maybe some personal angels or the sighting of a star has led you here.  Whatever the source or reasoning for your arrival is, you are here.  Welcome to Bethlehem!  You are here to worship the newborn King.

            This is a king who is the bringer of peace.  He brought peace to a place that was lacking peace under the reign of Caesar Augustus.  He was born into Roman oppression and he became someone who raised up the oppressed and overthrew the powerful.  He came into the world as a helpless baby, just like each of us.  His life, which started in a feeding trough and ended on a wooden cross allowed him to identify with the powerless, the poor, and the homeless.  Unlike us, Jesus is a different type of baby, though.  He is a baby that is both fully human and fully divine.

             Jesus, fully human, ultimately knows what the human experience is like.  He knows the feelings we have, because he has had them.  He knows that being in relationship with other people is difficult.  He knows sadness and happiness.  He knows despair and joy.  He celebrated and he cried.  Jesus knows us.  He knows what it is like to be human.

            But, Jesus wasn’t just a human.  Jesus is also divine.  It is because of his divinity that he can love us regardless of our own mistakes.  It is his divinity that brings peace.  It is his divinity that offers forgiveness, wiping the slate clean over and over again.  It is his divinity that gives us salvation and life everlasting. 

            It is the combining of his humanity and his divinity that makes him Jesus, the holy child of Bethlehem.  And that is what makes this story so profound.  It is the word made flesh that came to dwell among us that brings us here tonight.  It is the birth of a baby boy that brings us to Bethlehem.  And not just the birth of any baby boy, but the birth of Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Messiah, God made flesh, Emmanuel.  That is what brings us to Bethlehem this year.

Jesus didn’t come into the world just for Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men.  He was ordinary and he came for the ordinary, not only the ordinary people that came to his stable that night.  He also came for us in our ordinary state.  He came for you and me.  The angel made that very personal announcement to the shepherds.  The angel very clearly said, “To YOU is born this day.”  The angel didn’t say “to them” or “to those people over there” or “to the rich people” or “to the important people.”  The angel told the shepherds that Christ had been born for them.  I imagine they were a bit stunned to have been visited by an angel, but then the angel’s message was so profound.  A savior had been born for them, for lowly shepherds. 

So we gather here in our own little Bethlehem tonight to hear the story from Scripture once again, to sing the well-known carols, to pray for others and ourselves, to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, the body and blood of our Lord, and to light a candle.  We don’t just gather out of ritual or tradition.  We gather to remember how God entered into history through a tiny little baby, born to unwed parents, that was placed in a feeding trough.  And because we believe in that miracle, we also gather to recognize that the same God, who is, who was, and who is to come, is entering into our lives, breaking into our world, and bringing us once again to Bethlehem.  We gather because of the angel’s message, that indeed a savior has been born for us, for each and every one of us.

This Christmas may you know the promise that Jesus, fully human and fully divine, was born for YOU.  May you be surrounded by the hope that the birth of this baby boy brings.  And may you never, never forget how to get to Bethlehem.  Amen.

Parachute Packers

Matthew 3:1-12 

Charles Plumb, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam.  After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile.  Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands.  He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison.  He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb!  You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk.  You were shot down!"  "How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.  "I packed your parachute," the man replied.  Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude.  The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!"  Plumb assured him, "It sure did.  If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man.  Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform:  a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers.  I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said 'Good morning,' 'how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."  Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?"  Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.  Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory -- he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute.  He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

There are people in our world, past and present that are parachute packers.  They make the way for others.  They provide what others need to make it through the day.  They ensure that today is a better day than yesterday and that tomorrow will be even better.  The role that these people play is very important, but sometimes can be overlooked.

Some of you may have heard of the story of Charles Plumb, but you probably hadn’t heard about his parachute packer.  Many of you can think of additional parachute packers from our world.  With the death of Nelson Mandela this week, I cannot think of a better person to give the title of parachute packer.  Mandela faced much adversity throughout his life as he worked to end apartheid in South Africa, including spending 27 years in prison.  He eventually became South Africa’s first democratically elected president.  Mandela prepared the way for all of South Africa.  He ensured that tomorrow would be brighter than yesterday for a whole nation.

If we go back to our text from Matthew, I would consider John the Baptist to be a parachute packer.  Sure he may have looked a little funny in his clothing of camel’s hair and those who dined with him might have been perplexed by his diet of locust and honey.  But John the Baptist was a parachute packer.  He prepared the way for Jesus.  He proclaimed the coming kingdom and encouraged repentance.  John the Baptist made the paths straight.  He made it known that someone more powerful was coming.  That person was so important that John was not even worthy to carry his sandals.  That person would baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

If you know the musical Godspell, then you know the tune that John the Baptist sang.  It is the ultimate theme song of the parachute packer, of someone who does preparation for others.  He sang, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Prepare ye the way of the Lord.  Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”  John the Baptist, in all of his preparations, packed a pretty good parachute for Jesus.  His works were a prelude to the coming of Jesus and they ensured a safe landing for the King of Kings. 

During this season of Advent we prepare for the coming of the Christ-child, a babe born in Bethlehem.  We make our hearts and our minds ready to welcome this newborn child who has changed the world.  He is the one who has packed our parachute for life.  He has promised that we will have what we need to make it through the day.  He has protected us over enemy territory.  Jesus has ensured that we will ultimately reach safety.  Jesus, the one who is, who was, and who will come again, is the ultimate parachute packer of our lives.

Mandela, John the Baptist, and Jesus are well-known parachute packers, but there are other parachute packers that are not as well-known.  In daily life it is easy to miss what is most important.  We ignore those around us, failing to say hello, please, or thank you.  We minimize occasions that deserve congratulations, compliments, and recognition.  We get to busy to do small random acts of kindness.  Those parachute packers around us deserve to be treated as humans.  They deserve to feel important. 

As you go through this week, this month, this season of Advent, this coming year, I would invite you to consider and recognize who has packed your parachute.  Also, in this season of giving, reflect on whose parachutes you have helped to pack.  How can we help prepare the way for our friends, our family, and those whom we do not even know?  How can we help to prepare the way for them to know our Savior, Emmanuel?  May you be parachute packers for those you love.  May you be preparers of the way for the coming kingdom, the kingdom of God here on earth.  And may you always recognize those around you who help to pack your parachute.  Amen.

King of G.R.A.C.E.

Luke 23:33-43

The cross is central to what we believe as Christians.  It is depicted in various places throughout our church and throughout society.  Often we look at the cross as a torture device, as a place where Jesus was crucified.  Yet, the cross is much more than that.  The cross is where Jesus was crowned king.  The cross is a kingly throne of victory.

This weekend we, as a church, celebrate Christ the King.  This is the last weekend of the church year.  The church year does not line up with the calendar year.  Next weekend we will begin a new church year with the season of Advent, which helps us prepare for Christmas.  The church year begins with Advent and ends with Christ the King.  As we celebrate this important day in the church year we hear the text of the crucifixion from the Gospel of Luke.  This text includes two powerful quotations of Jesus and one from the criminal crucified next to him.

On the day of Jesus' crucifixion the king's judgment is clearly spoken and expressed.  Jesus enacts his authority on the cross by saying, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."  He says those same words to each of us when we find ourselves in times of making bad decisions and being led into temptation.  Have you ever made a bad decision or been led into temptation?  We lie and cheat.  We take the Lord’s name in vain and worship other gods.  We hurt others with our words and actions.  We covet the things our neighbors have.  We often make bad decisions and are led into temptation.  For those times when we know that we have messed up and for those times we don’t even notice, Jesus says these words to us: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

Jesus is on the cross between two criminals.  One of the criminals being crucified next to him that day, joined the soldiers and religious authorities in their acts of mocking and torture.  The other criminal seemed to recognize Jesus' power.  He said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  He doesn't ask to be saved or rescued.  He wants to be remembered by Jesus and not forgotten.  We want the same thing.  We want Jesus to remember us, today, tomorrow, and forever.

Without missing a beat, Jesus says to that criminal, "Today you will be with me in paradise."  And he means it.  He exceeds the criminal’s greatest expectations.  To this person who has committed a wrong, a wrong that we do not know, Jesus promises paradise.  Jesus promises mercy to a sinner.  Jesus promises heaven.  Jesus promises resurrection.  Jesus promises new life.  Jesus promises to do more than just remember the criminal.  Jesus promises to the criminal and to each of us a home in paradise, a home with Jesus.

This gospel text drives home two important theological points.  First, is the importance of grace.  You will notice on the screens there is an acrostic for the word "grace" - God's Riches at Christ's Expense.  In Jesus death we are given the greatest gift of grace, a gift of God that is given to us at the expense of Christ's death on the cross.  This is a great way to remember what grace is and what a great gift we have been given through the cross.  Grace that is poured out for you and for me on the cross through the blood of Christ.  Grace that knows no boundaries.  Grace that makes all our wrongs become right.  Grace that covers all.

The gospel lesson also reminds us of how much God has done for us.  It is not about what we do or have done.  It is all about what Christ has already done through his death and resurrection.  We don't need to come to church.  We don't need to pray daily.  We don't need to read the Bible.  We don't need to ask for God's love.  We don't need to help others.  We don't need to feed the hungry.  We don't need to clothe the naked.  We don't need to do anything to receive the grace that God grants to us through the death of God's only son on the cross.  Now, you probably are starting to think I am crazy, but this is the truth.  There is absolutely nothing that we need to do to be with Jesus in paradise.  God, through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, has already done everything that needs to be done.  I am not letting you off the hook though - to go and do nothing.  No, we do everything we do, because of how much God has already done for us.  It is a response to Christ's gift of grace.  Grace is not an “if – then” statement.  If I do this, then Christ will love me, save me, and forgive me.  No, that is not the basis of our faith.  The basis of our faith is a “because – therefore” statement.  Because of what Christ has already done for me, therefore I will praise him, thank him, and help his other children on earth.  It is not about us and these great things.  It is about God, through Christ, and all the great things that have already been done for us.

The heart of the gospel can be found in what God does next, after this story of crucifixion.  God raises Jesus from the dead.  God makes Jesus the King.  God ensures that death does not have the final word.  God makes the promise of resurrection the victor.  God gives Jesus to reign in mercy.

Jesus is a different kind of king.  Jesus is a king that does not conform to the expectations of this world.  Jesus is not a king that is willing to rule from far away, but comes among us to walk with us.  Jesus is a king who will love, embrace, forgive, and redeem everyone.  Jesus is a king who comes to bring a new kingdom, a kingdom that promises paradise.  This, this is our king, Christ the King.  Amen

YOU are a City on a Hill

Isaiah 58:1-12 & Matthew 5:13-16

Today we look at the second week of our stewardship texts.  Last week we heard “You are the light of the world.”  This week we hear “You are a city on a hill.”  Literally, Jesus is calling us a city on a hill.  He is blessing us and commending us with this line.  He isn’t saying if you do this or that then you will be a city on a hill.  No, we already are a city on a hill.  A city that cannot be hid.

            You have seen those kind of cities before.  Maybe it was as you made your final descent on an airplane.  Or maybe it was while you were driving through an area of flatland and off in the distance you spotted a city lit up in the night sky. 

When I was working at Klein Ranch I remember how we could literally see for miles.  We would point out the neighboring towns, they weren’t cities at all, to the campers.  There is Isabel to the south to the north is McIntosh.  Just a few street lights and we could pick them out from the dark void of the night.  You could pick them out even more on the 4^th of July, as their fireworks lit up the night sky.  They were cities that could not be hid.

            In our text today, Jesus is proclaiming that we are like those cities.  Take it as a compliment or a self-esteem booster.  For all the negative put downs we hear in our world, Jesus is giving us a put up!  Psychologists suggest that for every negative put down that elementary children hear they need to hear ten positive compliments to restore their previous sense of self-worth.  So, Jesus gives us an ultimate compliment.  We are cities on a hill.  We are beacons of light that cannot be hid.

            It’s not just a compliment.  It is also a prophecy, a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Children, if referred to as something for long enough, will become what they have been referred to as.  If you call a person bad, unlovable, or shameful for long enough, they will become just that.  If you call them good, dependable, or useful, they will become just that.  Similar to a self-fulfilling prophecy, they become what they are named as.  So, Jesus gives us a superb name.  He calls us cities on a hill.  We are unable to be hidden.  So our challenge is to hear this name as a compliment let the prophecy be fulfilled in us. 

            Julia and Michael experienced living proof of these words of Jesus.  They witnessed people acting as a city on a hill.  Julia and Michael and their two sons lived in New Orleans.  One morning they awoke to the threat of Hurricane Katrina.  They began to prepare their home for the storm and then ultimately decided to evacuate to Julia’s parents’ house in Alabama.  Shortly after the hurricane Michael’s employer was offering temporary employment in Texas.  They left for Texas.  FEMA provided housing at a  local hotel and the boys were enrolled in a Lutheran school.  During this time of transition several people showed the love of Christ with them by providing for their needs.  Upon finding out that they had been relocated because of Hurricane Katrina, the florist gave them flowers, Michael’s employer gave them a car to use, families at the school provided their children with school supplies and clothing, and even school lunches, and a mother at school helped them find an apartment and furniture.  Eventually Michael was offered a permanent job in Texas and they quickly discovered a home they could rent until they could buy.  God provided for them through the work of other people – God provided them with a city on a hill when they needed it most

So, how is it that we are to be as cities on a hill?  How can we use our time, talents, and treasures to serve as a city on a hill that cannot be hid?  South Canyon offers a lot of opportunities for you to share what you have so graciously been given by God.  There are also plenty of other non-profits and other organizations that have ways for you to share your gifts and resources.

Want to support this congregation?  You could make a commitment to return your faith promise card to the church office indicating your intent to offer support, prayer, and financial resources to this congregation.

Want to make a difference?  You could adopt a family for our Christmas Servant Event and ensure that their family is able to celebrate the Christmas holiday with gifts and a well-stocked pantry.  You could also help us in our food drive for the event, by bringing non-perishable food items.

Want to feed the hungry?  You could sign up to help with the meal we serve at the Cornerstone Rescue Mission by bringing a Jell-O salad, bananas, cookies, helping make sandwiches, or helping to serve the meal.

Want to learn?  You could join a small group or attend a Bible study as a way of learning and growing more in your faith.

Like being in the kitchen? You could help with Wednesday night meal prep during the day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or come help with our Free Lunch program once a month.

Know how to smile?  You could smile at the people you pass by in the grocery store, at the gym, or the ones sitting next to you at church.

Like to teach?  You could offer to teach a Sunday School class or help with our education time on Wednesday night.

Able to notice the small things?  Pay attention to what is happening around you and recognize when others are being a city on a hill to you or to someone else. 

As we share what we have so graciously been given by God: our time, our talents, and our treasures, don’t do it so that others will notice and give you praise.  Like our reading from Isaiah states, “Why do we fast, but you do not see?  Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”  No, to be seen is not our purpose.  Our purpose is to “loose the bonds of injustice, … to let the oppressed go free, … to share our bread with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor into our house, when we see the naked, to cover them.”  And in all that we do, not to do good in order to be seen by others, but to do it as a response to what God has already given us.

Let Isaiah’s words direct your daily living.  Be a repairer of the breach.  Be a restorer of streets to live in.  Let Jesus’ compliment soak in.  You are a city on a hill.  Let the prophecy be fulfilled through your words and actions.  Be a city on a hill.  Notice when others are being a city on a hill to you or to others.  And don’t ever let your city be hid.  Amen.