God in the Wings
Commentary
Many in Christendom express concern that Christ is crowded out of Christmas by our fascination with Santa, gifts, parties, decorations and a thousand other things.
All the while a worse exclusion has taken place and most seldom notice. The gift is given and received but who notices the giver?
We build crches that hold the gift. We sing carols that describe all the circumstances. We preach sermons that remind us of the meaning of the event. But who speaks a word or sings a song about the giver?
The sad truth is that if one stops for a moment and remembers the insight will suddenly come that God seldom gets much publicity at Christmas. The closest we get to God is angels. They do the speaking for the one who stands in the wings. We speak much about God's act in Christ and all too little about the God who acts.
Perhaps an over-arching purpose for this season would be to focus attention on God. Jesus surely understood that is why he came. Remember? If not, read Jesus' prayer in John 17 and especially verse 3. You can go from there and find other passages that remind of the purpose of this season.
The Psalms for the day are on target. Psalms 97 and 98 leave no doubt about what we ought to be doing this season:
"The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice ..."
"Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous ..."
"O sing to the Lord a new song ..."
Make a joyful noise to the Lord ..."
"Extol the Lord our God ..."
It is high time we worry about the right things and bring God out of the wings and on stage at Christmas.
OUTLINE I
Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20
Title: A Proper Christmas
Introduction: The three texts furnish a three-point outline for a sermon that embraces the purpose of any congregation at Christmas. The sermon may begin with some discussion that raises questions about these purposes.1) Proclamation
"Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold your salvation comes.' " Some emphasis can be placed on the role of the prophets who spoke of the coming day. Comment can be made regarding ways God announces his intent and creates an expectant people. We, too, share that continuing task of proclaiming God's act in Christ.
2) The Gracious Offer.
"He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy."
Here is a great opportunity for a strong emphasis upon the grace of God. The point should be made that this has been the eternal nature of God. Sometimes one hears messages that imply that somehow God has stumbled on some new modus operandi and decided to try grace since the law didn't work. Re-read Deuteronomy 7:6-11 and 9:4-5 as a corrective to such an understanding.
3) Joy and Praise.
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God." Surely this is the appropriate response to such grace. Perhaps the sermon could end in the singing of those carols that express such joy and praise.
Conclusion: Recap the three themes and read all four verses of the carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" which embraces the themes of this message.
OUTLINE II
Luke 2:8-20
Title: Christmas Is Not Just for Us
Introduction: Could it be that Luke tells the story of the appearance of the angels to balance Matthew's story of the star and kings? If it is so, then the message came to all people of all stages in life and all creation. Kings, shepherds, angels and animals are mixed in the gospel tapestry spread before us.
1) Comment on the good news for all people. Luke fills his gospel and the Book of Acts with texts that witness to God's universal purpose. Commentary can be made on the value God places on us, or on the way he has pursued us throughout history. It is clear that we are targets of his aggressive love. "Unto you."
2) Now point out that we are all too often too much fascinated with ourselves when it comes to this proclamation of the good news. There is more to it than that. The good news comes to all creation. Turn to Romans 8:19-23 and listen. Luke's inclusion of animals and angels and heavenly host is a reminder that God's saving act is for all his creation. This insight can be applied to ecological issues. Surely the sound of the groaning of creation is loud in our ears. Take it from there.
Conclusion: Help the listener see him/herself in the context of God's larger purposes. It may be helpful to suggest that we, too, can be agents (angels?) of his good news for all creation when we seek to be good stewards of his gifts to us.
OUTLINE III
Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12
Title: What's in a Name?
Introduction: Begin by commenting on the meaning of "the name" in Hebrew tradition. Names were meant to reveal the character of the person. Note how names in the Old Testament have meanings that explain something about the person or the situation. Further, to know one's name was believed to give one power over the other. Hence the fact that God's name was sacred. No one was to have power over him. Introduce the names God gives to those he saves.
1) The Holy People.
The word "holy" means the separate or different ones. Comment on how God expects his people to be "different."
2) The Redeemed of the Lord.
Do some work on the meaning of redemption. Don't assume substitutionary atonement. Emphasize the end result rather than speculating on the process.
3) The Sought-out.
Show how God is constantly seeking his people. To Adam comes his word: "Where are you?" In Revelation we have his invitation, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." The story in between is the story of a God who is ever seeking his people. Use Luke 15 as a corollary.
Conclusion: We are the people God names and calls to be his own. Summarize in the light of the promise of a new name in Revelation 2:17.
All the while a worse exclusion has taken place and most seldom notice. The gift is given and received but who notices the giver?
We build crches that hold the gift. We sing carols that describe all the circumstances. We preach sermons that remind us of the meaning of the event. But who speaks a word or sings a song about the giver?
The sad truth is that if one stops for a moment and remembers the insight will suddenly come that God seldom gets much publicity at Christmas. The closest we get to God is angels. They do the speaking for the one who stands in the wings. We speak much about God's act in Christ and all too little about the God who acts.
Perhaps an over-arching purpose for this season would be to focus attention on God. Jesus surely understood that is why he came. Remember? If not, read Jesus' prayer in John 17 and especially verse 3. You can go from there and find other passages that remind of the purpose of this season.
The Psalms for the day are on target. Psalms 97 and 98 leave no doubt about what we ought to be doing this season:
"The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice ..."
"Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous ..."
"O sing to the Lord a new song ..."
Make a joyful noise to the Lord ..."
"Extol the Lord our God ..."
It is high time we worry about the right things and bring God out of the wings and on stage at Christmas.
OUTLINE I
Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20
Title: A Proper Christmas
Introduction: The three texts furnish a three-point outline for a sermon that embraces the purpose of any congregation at Christmas. The sermon may begin with some discussion that raises questions about these purposes.1) Proclamation
"Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold your salvation comes.' " Some emphasis can be placed on the role of the prophets who spoke of the coming day. Comment can be made regarding ways God announces his intent and creates an expectant people. We, too, share that continuing task of proclaiming God's act in Christ.
2) The Gracious Offer.
"He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy."
Here is a great opportunity for a strong emphasis upon the grace of God. The point should be made that this has been the eternal nature of God. Sometimes one hears messages that imply that somehow God has stumbled on some new modus operandi and decided to try grace since the law didn't work. Re-read Deuteronomy 7:6-11 and 9:4-5 as a corrective to such an understanding.
3) Joy and Praise.
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God." Surely this is the appropriate response to such grace. Perhaps the sermon could end in the singing of those carols that express such joy and praise.
Conclusion: Recap the three themes and read all four verses of the carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" which embraces the themes of this message.
OUTLINE II
Luke 2:8-20
Title: Christmas Is Not Just for Us
Introduction: Could it be that Luke tells the story of the appearance of the angels to balance Matthew's story of the star and kings? If it is so, then the message came to all people of all stages in life and all creation. Kings, shepherds, angels and animals are mixed in the gospel tapestry spread before us.
1) Comment on the good news for all people. Luke fills his gospel and the Book of Acts with texts that witness to God's universal purpose. Commentary can be made on the value God places on us, or on the way he has pursued us throughout history. It is clear that we are targets of his aggressive love. "Unto you."
2) Now point out that we are all too often too much fascinated with ourselves when it comes to this proclamation of the good news. There is more to it than that. The good news comes to all creation. Turn to Romans 8:19-23 and listen. Luke's inclusion of animals and angels and heavenly host is a reminder that God's saving act is for all his creation. This insight can be applied to ecological issues. Surely the sound of the groaning of creation is loud in our ears. Take it from there.
Conclusion: Help the listener see him/herself in the context of God's larger purposes. It may be helpful to suggest that we, too, can be agents (angels?) of his good news for all creation when we seek to be good stewards of his gifts to us.
OUTLINE III
Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12
Title: What's in a Name?
Introduction: Begin by commenting on the meaning of "the name" in Hebrew tradition. Names were meant to reveal the character of the person. Note how names in the Old Testament have meanings that explain something about the person or the situation. Further, to know one's name was believed to give one power over the other. Hence the fact that God's name was sacred. No one was to have power over him. Introduce the names God gives to those he saves.
1) The Holy People.
The word "holy" means the separate or different ones. Comment on how God expects his people to be "different."
2) The Redeemed of the Lord.
Do some work on the meaning of redemption. Don't assume substitutionary atonement. Emphasize the end result rather than speculating on the process.
3) The Sought-out.
Show how God is constantly seeking his people. To Adam comes his word: "Where are you?" In Revelation we have his invitation, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." The story in between is the story of a God who is ever seeking his people. Use Luke 15 as a corollary.
Conclusion: We are the people God names and calls to be his own. Summarize in the light of the promise of a new name in Revelation 2:17.
