Reading on 1st Sunday after Christmas

Read at our 9 AM service.


A Reading from a sermon by Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome (461)

Dearly beloved, today our Saviour is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.

No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life.

In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our common humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind.

And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: Glory to God in the highest, and they proclaim peace to men of good will as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvelous work of God’s goodness, what joy should it not bring to the lowly hearts of men?

Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh.

Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom.

Through the sacrament of baptism you have become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was bought by the blood of Christ.

(Sermo 1 in Nativitate Domini, 1-3: PI, 54, 190-193)

Australian Fires

Learn about the fires here.

These words are from retired bishop Steven Charleston: “In Alaska I used to meet them when I traveled around the state, the smokejumpers and the hotshots. They were the men and women who fought the wild fires. Many of them were very young...The courage to stand between the inferno and the lives of strangers is a rare kind of bravery. It is a testimony to the best in human nature. It reminds us that no fire can destroy the spirit of compassion that motivates one person to help another. That bond, that willingness, that love is stronger than any fire and it can rebuild hope even in the midst of ashes.”

Prayers:

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, protect all those facing the destruction from the fires in Australia and guide those who are working to put the fires out; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious God, when the call comes, when the bell rings, firefighters go out to save people and property, risking their lives in service to their fellow citizens. Comfort the families and friends who are mourning. Be with those whose communities are still struggling with fire and guide all those who continue to answer the call to fight the fires. Help us to reach out our hands in love to all the communities devastated by fire. We ask this in the name of the one who brings life to all, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, heavenly Father, who by your son Jesus Christ has promised to all those who seek your kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat you, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers in Australia, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Litany of Hope in a time of destruction by wildfires
By Maria L. Evans (her blog here)

Creator God, Author of the Universe;
as the deer long for cooling streams,
as weary people long for shelter in skeletal, burned places,
gather your creatures and your children safely into your loving arms.
 

(silence)
 

In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Ever-present God of the wind and sky,
God who holds the oceans in the palm of Your holy hand,
God who has dominion of thunder and rain,
Assuage the thirst of a scorched land and a parched people.
 

(silence)
 

In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Sheltering God of maternal eagle’s wings and home-seeking sparrows,
Comfort your people.
Brace the aching legs of weary firefighters and volunteers
and ease the pain of the hearts of those displaced.
 

(silence)
 

In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.

Resurrecting God of of the Valley of Dry Bones and the Easter miracle,
Forgive, restore, and renew your people.
Remind us that, just as the lodge pole pine requires fire and death for rebirth,
that your people can also find hope in the acrid smoke of tragedy.
Call to the hearts of those unaffected by wildfires
to put their hands toward the cloud of smoke and pillars of fire
and grasp the hands of those who flee in fear.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ,
who conquered the burnt wasteland of sin and death,
refreshing us with the living waters of the peace that passes all understanding.  
Amen.

Enetring 2020: Loving Radically

Bishop Michael Curry Wants Us To Love Radically (also from 1A)

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry gave the sermon at the Royal Wedding (no, not the other one that just happened. Harry and Meghan’s).

During that address, he talked about the power of love and quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He wasn’t just talking about romantic love, but “any form, any shape.”.

Love can be sacrificial. And in so doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love can change lives and it can change this world.
If you don’t believe me, just stop and think and imagine a world where love is the way.
Imagine our homes and families when this way of love is the way. Imagine our neighborhoods and communities when love is the way. Imagine our governments and nations when love is the way. Imagine business and commerce when this love is the way. Imagine this third old world when love is the way. No child would go to bed hungry in such a world as that. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing book. When love is the way, poverty will become history.

Bishop Curry is the first Black leader of the Episcopal Church, a denomination that has seen attendance drop nearly a quarter in the last decade. A new report emphasized that the church must “equip ourselves to minister effectively in contexts in which there are multiple social norms and the weight of discrimination and privilege in society present themselves to us in our congregations.”

And that’s not the only major issue Bishop Curry is addressing.

Curry is preaching on the radical power of love at a time when it seems vitriol and cruelty are higher than ever (see also: politics Twitter).

In this time of political division, what is the role of religious leaders in bringing us together? Can someone like Bishop Curry stay apolitical?

 Listen to it here.

Remembering The Uyghurs

I was listening to this on 1A (https://the1a.org/):

In northwestern China, the government keeps about a million people in “forced ideological and behavioral re-education centers.” Most are Uyghur Muslims.

Inside these camps, officials score prisoners on their ability to speak Mandarin. They are surrounded by armed guards and forced to do manual labor. Detainees also are not allowed to leave.

Government officials call these camps “voluntary job training facilities.” But leaked documents from Chinese government officials show the camps were always meant to be part of a crackdown on Muslim ethnic groups, and were designed specifically for mass internment.

Outrage has grown around the world. During Thursday’s debate between the Democratic presidential candidates, moderators asked how the contenders would deal with these human rights abuses. Broadcasts of this part of the debate were unavailable in China.

Who can help those who are imprisoned? Now that the violations have been revealed, will there be consequences for China — or will the world continue to look the other way?

You can listen here.

Remember the Ugyghurs in your prayers...

Gracious God, we bring before you today the Uyghur people of China, asking you to be their defender and help in their time of need. Walk with them in their suffering and loss, and give them strength to face the days ahead. We pray for release of the captives and freedom for those held in the internment camps. We pray for your intervention against all violence and evil against them. We pray for your provision for the hungry, the homeless, and the bereaved. We pray for you to help your creation. We ask this in  Jesus’ Name. Amen.

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near:  Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Day Sermon

O gracious God, we remember the journey that Mary and Joseph took when they searched for lodging—a warm, safe place where she could give birth to Jesus. We know that in our world, there are men, women, and children who are making exhausting or dangerous journeys; men, women, and children who are searching for such lodging. We pray that hospitable doors will be opened to them. In Christ’s name. Amen.

“Later in his life, I bet the Innkeeper wished he'd made more room than he thought he had for Jesus. Me too.” (@bobgoff (Twitter)) I saw this on my twitter feed and it caught me off guard.

The innkeeper is such a small role in our Nativity. But the one who placed Jesus in the manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

Christmas & Hospitality are intertwined.

Las Posadas

Christians in parts of Mexico, Latin America and those who have migrated to other countries celebrate Las Posadas nightly beginning December 16 and ending December 24. Las Posadas is a liturgy of hospitality and commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, searching for lodging for the birth of the Christ Child. Las Posadas begins as an outdoor procession. Traditionally, two people dress as los peregrinos (the pilgrims), Mary and Joseph, or images of Mary and Joseph are carried in the procession. Along the procession route, certain houses serve as “lodgings.” At each house, those inside sing to those outside, denying them entry. At the final stop, the los peregrinos are recognized and invited into the home. (from BOS)

The final refrain from the traditional song:

¡Entren santos peregrinos!
¡Reciban éste rincón!
Que aunque es pobre la morada
¡Se las doy de corazón!
¡Cantemos con alegría!
¡Todos al considerar!
¡Que Jesús, José y María
nos vinieron hoy a honrar!

(Come in, holy pilgrims!)
(Receive this corner!)
(Because, even though the place is poor)
(I offer it to you from my heart!)
(Let's sing with joy!)
(Everyone at the thought!)
(That Jesus, Joseph and Mary)
(Came today to honour us!)

Such hospitality and love remind me of a story…

Trouble at the Inn by Dina Donahue

For many years now, whenever Christmas pageants are talked about in a certain little town in the Mid-west, someone is sure to mention the name of Wallace Purling. Wally’s performance in one annual production of the Nativity play has slipped into the realm of legend. But the old-timers who were in the audience that night never tire of recalling exactly what happened.

Wally was a child with special needs and he fancied the idea of being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year, but the play’s director, Miss Lambard, assigned him to a more important role. After all, she reasoned, the Innkeeper did not have too many lines and Wally’s size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph more forceful.

And so it happened that the usual large audience gathered for the town’s yearly extravaganza of crooks and creches, of beards, crowns, halos and a whole stageful of squeaky voices. No one on stage or off was more caught up in the magic of the night than Wallace Purling. They said later that he stood in the wings and watched the performance with such fascination that from time to time Miss Lambard had to make sure he did not wander onstage before his cue.

Then the time came when Joseph appeared, slowly, tenderly guiding Mary to the door of the inn. Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door set into the painted backdrop. Wally the Innkeeper was there, waiting.

“What do you want?” Wally said, swinging the door open with a brusque gesture.

“We seek lodging.”

“Seek it elsewhere.” Wally looked straight ahead but spoke vigorously. “The inn is filled.”

“Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary.”

“There is no room in this inn for you.” Wally looked properly stern.

“Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired.”

Now, for the first time, the Innkeeper relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. With that, there was a long pause, long enough to make the audience a bit tense with embarrassment.

“No! Begone!” the prompter whispered from the wings.

“No!” Wally repeated automatically. “Begone!”

Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary and Mary laid her head upon her husband’s shoulder and the two of them started to move away. The Innkeeper did not return inside his inn, however. Wally stood there in the doorway, watching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow creased with concern, his eyes filling unmistakably with tears.

And suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all the others.

“Don’t go, Joseph,” Wally called out. “Bring Mary back.” And Wallace Purling’s face grew into a bright smile. “You can have MY room.”

Some people in town thought that the pageant had been ruined. Yet there were others—many, many others—who considered it the most Christmas of all Christmas pageants they had ever seen.

Later in his life, I bet the Innkeeper wished he'd made more room than he thought he had for Jesus…

May that be never said of us and our hearts. May we make room for Jesus to have place in our hearts today.

Amen.

Christmas Eve Meditation (10 pm)

Loving God, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen. ~ attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson

Tonight, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus for us and for the world, I share with you the Prologue to Howard Thurman’s wonderful little book, “The Mood of Christmas.” He captures for me, the brilliance behind this beautiful event that God entered into our ordinary world…

Christmas is a mood, a quality, a symbol. It is never merely a fact. As a fact it is a date on the calendar — to the believer it is the anniversary of an event in human history. An individual may relate himself meaningfully to the fact or the event, but that would not be Christmas.

The mood of Christmas — what is it?

It is a quickening of the presence of other human beings into whose lives a precious part of one’s own has been released. It is a memory of other days when into one’s path an angel appeared spreading a halo over an ordinary moment or a commonplace event. It is an iridescence of sheer delight that bathes one’s whole being with something more wonderful than words can ever tell. Of such is the mood of Christmas.

The quality of Christmas — what is it?

It is the fullness with which fruit ripens, blossoms unfold into flowers, and live coals glow in the darkness. It is the richness of vibrant colors — the calm purple of grapes, the exciting redness of tomatoes, the shimmering light on the noiseless stirring of a lake or sunset. It is the sense of plateau with a large rock behind which one may take temporary respite from winds that chill. Of such is the quality of Christmas.

The symbol of Christmas — what is it?

It is the rainbow arched over the roof of the sky when the clouds are heavy with foreboding. It is the cry of life in the newborn babe when, forced from its mother’s nest, it claims its right to live. It is the brooding Presence of the Eternal Spirit making crooked paths straight, rough places smooth, tired hearts refreshed, dead hopes stir with newness of life. It is the promise of tomorrow at the close of every day, the movement of life in defiance of death, and the assurance that love is sturdier than hate, that right is more confident than wrong, that good is more permanent than evil.

Christmas is tonight, our wonderful celebration and the mood, quality and symbol of Christmas moves us to look beyond the event and see God at work in our world, in our lives. For God has not come just long ago to Bethlehem. God comes every day at every moment to our hearts – Emmanuel – God with us.

And as Howard Thurman thought more about Christmas and our celebrations, he wrote a beautiful poem called “The Work of Christmas” that can help move us into the heart of Jesus’ message for the world:

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 flock,
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 people,
To make music in the heart.

Tonight we celebrate our Savior’s birth. But this event doesn’t stop here. We carry with us that message, that hope, that faith with us back to our homes and beyond.

May we take Thurman’s poem and ponderings to heart to live the Spirit of Christmas every day of our lives. Amen.

Christmas Eve Sermon (5 pm)

Children's Sermon Story: This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar

For the congregation:

On this most Holy Night, as we once again hear the story of our savior’s birth, as we sing those beloved hymns, say our prayers and eat the bread of life and drink from the cup of salvation, we are called forth to follow that star, just like those in that story our children heard this night.

Why have we come here today? What do we follow?

Maybe W.H. Auden put it best in his Christmas oratorio entitled For the time being in which the Wise Men explain why they had followed the star.

The first says
To discover how to be truthful now
Is the reason I follow this star.
The second says
To discover how to be living
Is the reason I follow this star now
The third says
To discover how to be loving now
Is the reason I follow this star
And then they all say together
To discover how to be human now
Is the reason we follow this star

Indeed, we follow that star to be among those who gathered around that manger and worship what God had promised to bring – to discover & learn how to be truthful, living now, loving and human. We follow to understand our humanity and our place in the world. Now its our turn to open our hearts, to see the Christ child not only in the manger but in our midst, to See the star right now, outside of this Church, to see it on the way home tonight, and know it still beckons us each and every day of our lives. The star is a symbol like Christmas reminding us of God’s presence even in dark moments, for Christ is born for us tonight. Amen. Alleluia!