Christmas Comes All the Time
Commentary
Probably the worst thing we do at Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. The birth was only the beginning of what was to change the world.
But it was more than a beginning. It was a continuation of something that had been going on all the time.
Too often we think of God's coming as something that happened nearly 2,000 years ago or as something that is yet to happen again. Those who so think need to re-read the Bible.
The Bible is the story, or rather the stories, of God's coming. In Eden, to Noah, at Babel, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob -- on and on the story goes. What about Moses and the prophets? Jesus, of course, and then there are those words of Revelation 3:20. (You can look it up for yourself.)
When we limit our vision to the apocalyptic view, we are likely to limit our understanding of what the Bible is always about. Our thinking about Christmas as a birthday doesn't help. Christmas is evidence of a promise kept, indeed, a promise kept over and over, that God is in the midst of his people.
This Christmas is a good time to make it clear that the message which comes to us in Jesus -- God loves us and pursues us into every corner of life in an attempt to make us his own -- is an eternal message. It has always been that way and always will be.
Of course, we will continue to celebrate Christmas, but not as if it were the first evidence of such a God. Rather, we will celebrate it filled with wonder that the God who came to Adam and to Noah and to Moses and to others has come to us in Jesus. That is the true meaning of Christmas, any Christmas.
OUTLINE I
Making Something Out of Nothing
Micah 5:2-5a
Introduction: Do some background work on the Assyrian threat to the Northern Kingdom. Note the attitude of the citizens who believe nothing can happen to those who are the chosen of Jehovah. (See 3:11) Micah brings the truth to a people who do not want to hear what he has to say. (2:6)
A. Things Not So Good to Hear: Review the hard things Micah has to say. His is a word to a people certain to suffer for their disobedience. Unfortunately, all of them will suffer for the failures of their leaders.
B. Things Good to Hear: Few prophets have so many wonderful things to say, things so often remembered and quoted.
1. 4:3: How many have quoted this poetic vision of a world at peace? It is still the pinnacle of such declarative dreams.
2. 6:6-8: Here Micah summarizes the messages of Amos (Justice), Hosea (the love of kindness) and Isaiah (humility). This prophet, like those of his contemporaries, begins to turn the faith of Israel to a high spiritual level.
3. 7:18-20: See Psalm 103:1-14 for the same vision of God.
Conclusion: Surely Luther was correct. Judgment is just the other side of a coin on which is the face of grace. God's purposes are always to turn, to save, to redeem, and to make us his own. He is always the God who can make something out of nothing. See 5:2 for proof. Then check out John 1:46. The answer is: Of course!
OUTLINE II
A Declaration of War
Luke 1:39-55
Introduction: How many sermons have you heard which present the Magnificat as some kind of sweet statement about God made by a sweet virgin? Well, take another look.
A. The Quiet Words: Verses 47-50 tell of a God who turns to the lowest in order to accomplish the highest. It is a poetic exultation about such a God. But ... he is the one "who."
B. Scatters the Proud: Those who strut and preen themselves in the world are given notice. There is one who will have it out with them. See Psalm 73 for a poetic echo of Luke's words.
C. Puts Down the Mighty: Check out Psalm 2 for a description of those who are sufficient in themselves and trust in their own power for security. Luke and the Psalmist would agree about the outcome for these.
D. Sends Away the Rich: Those who trust in their riches will discover that they are subject to moth and rust. God has his ways of dealing with such trust in mammon. See Matthew 6:19-24.
Conclusion: So you think the Magnificat is sweet? Not so if you are one who trusts in pride of position, power of the world, and the security of riches.
There were those in Luke's church who trusted such things. Luke had a word of rude awakening for them.
What would he say to us?
OUTLINE III
Religion Versus Obedience
Hebrews 10:5-10
Introduction: Be sure to note that the writer of Hebrews has his literary feet planted firmly in Micah 6:6-8. Surely he was addressing the same kind of people being addressed by Micah; a people who were seeking a religion which would get them into good graces with God. What both Micah and the writer of this letter support is obedience.
Religion: Everybody then had religion. Everybody now has religion. Religion is an attempt to impress or corner God with that which will merit his approval. We can parade our pedigrees (children of Abraham, or Methodists); good works (keeping the law); right beliefs (you can get a list anywhere); right ritual act (offerings, tithes, going to church). There are many opportunities for being religious. You can get religion on any street corner.
Obedience: "To do your will." Now that is something else. Religion holds God at bay. We can use it to gain a lock on heaven. We can share the company of the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-14. God asks only obedience. Obedience is rooted in trust.
Conclusion: The writer to the Hebrews instructs us that Jesus came to tell us we don't have to be religious. Jesus put that away. We are called to obedience.
The trouble is that being religious is so much easier than being obedient. Now is the opportunity for discussing more of the difference between the two.
But it was more than a beginning. It was a continuation of something that had been going on all the time.
Too often we think of God's coming as something that happened nearly 2,000 years ago or as something that is yet to happen again. Those who so think need to re-read the Bible.
The Bible is the story, or rather the stories, of God's coming. In Eden, to Noah, at Babel, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob -- on and on the story goes. What about Moses and the prophets? Jesus, of course, and then there are those words of Revelation 3:20. (You can look it up for yourself.)
When we limit our vision to the apocalyptic view, we are likely to limit our understanding of what the Bible is always about. Our thinking about Christmas as a birthday doesn't help. Christmas is evidence of a promise kept, indeed, a promise kept over and over, that God is in the midst of his people.
This Christmas is a good time to make it clear that the message which comes to us in Jesus -- God loves us and pursues us into every corner of life in an attempt to make us his own -- is an eternal message. It has always been that way and always will be.
Of course, we will continue to celebrate Christmas, but not as if it were the first evidence of such a God. Rather, we will celebrate it filled with wonder that the God who came to Adam and to Noah and to Moses and to others has come to us in Jesus. That is the true meaning of Christmas, any Christmas.
OUTLINE I
Making Something Out of Nothing
Micah 5:2-5a
Introduction: Do some background work on the Assyrian threat to the Northern Kingdom. Note the attitude of the citizens who believe nothing can happen to those who are the chosen of Jehovah. (See 3:11) Micah brings the truth to a people who do not want to hear what he has to say. (2:6)
A. Things Not So Good to Hear: Review the hard things Micah has to say. His is a word to a people certain to suffer for their disobedience. Unfortunately, all of them will suffer for the failures of their leaders.
B. Things Good to Hear: Few prophets have so many wonderful things to say, things so often remembered and quoted.
1. 4:3: How many have quoted this poetic vision of a world at peace? It is still the pinnacle of such declarative dreams.
2. 6:6-8: Here Micah summarizes the messages of Amos (Justice), Hosea (the love of kindness) and Isaiah (humility). This prophet, like those of his contemporaries, begins to turn the faith of Israel to a high spiritual level.
3. 7:18-20: See Psalm 103:1-14 for the same vision of God.
Conclusion: Surely Luther was correct. Judgment is just the other side of a coin on which is the face of grace. God's purposes are always to turn, to save, to redeem, and to make us his own. He is always the God who can make something out of nothing. See 5:2 for proof. Then check out John 1:46. The answer is: Of course!
OUTLINE II
A Declaration of War
Luke 1:39-55
Introduction: How many sermons have you heard which present the Magnificat as some kind of sweet statement about God made by a sweet virgin? Well, take another look.
A. The Quiet Words: Verses 47-50 tell of a God who turns to the lowest in order to accomplish the highest. It is a poetic exultation about such a God. But ... he is the one "who."
B. Scatters the Proud: Those who strut and preen themselves in the world are given notice. There is one who will have it out with them. See Psalm 73 for a poetic echo of Luke's words.
C. Puts Down the Mighty: Check out Psalm 2 for a description of those who are sufficient in themselves and trust in their own power for security. Luke and the Psalmist would agree about the outcome for these.
D. Sends Away the Rich: Those who trust in their riches will discover that they are subject to moth and rust. God has his ways of dealing with such trust in mammon. See Matthew 6:19-24.
Conclusion: So you think the Magnificat is sweet? Not so if you are one who trusts in pride of position, power of the world, and the security of riches.
There were those in Luke's church who trusted such things. Luke had a word of rude awakening for them.
What would he say to us?
OUTLINE III
Religion Versus Obedience
Hebrews 10:5-10
Introduction: Be sure to note that the writer of Hebrews has his literary feet planted firmly in Micah 6:6-8. Surely he was addressing the same kind of people being addressed by Micah; a people who were seeking a religion which would get them into good graces with God. What both Micah and the writer of this letter support is obedience.
Religion: Everybody then had religion. Everybody now has religion. Religion is an attempt to impress or corner God with that which will merit his approval. We can parade our pedigrees (children of Abraham, or Methodists); good works (keeping the law); right beliefs (you can get a list anywhere); right ritual act (offerings, tithes, going to church). There are many opportunities for being religious. You can get religion on any street corner.
Obedience: "To do your will." Now that is something else. Religion holds God at bay. We can use it to gain a lock on heaven. We can share the company of the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-14. God asks only obedience. Obedience is rooted in trust.
Conclusion: The writer to the Hebrews instructs us that Jesus came to tell us we don't have to be religious. Jesus put that away. We are called to obedience.
The trouble is that being religious is so much easier than being obedient. Now is the opportunity for discussing more of the difference between the two.
