Christmas 2
Devotional
Water From the Rock
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Object:
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
-- Jeremiah 31:13
The excitement that Christmas brings to our society is past. Whether we sang carols that celebrated the birth of Christ or songs about Frosty the Snowman and a reindeer with a shiny nose, that music is silent now on our radios and in our stores. Whether it was effective or not, the emphasis on family, gift giving, and holiday parties has now shifted to worries about the weather, the economy, or continued violence in the world.
What are the signs of hope that people of faith now have to offer this weary world? The prophet Jeremiah spoke to a nation on the brink of destruction. In a society whose memory of joy and laughter was replaced with experiences of devastation and despair, Jeremiah spoke of a future that involved music, dance, and ample food. "They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil...." Think how important singing, food, and even dance is to building community in the midst of the strains of our society.
In a world torn apart by violence, Jeremiah spoke of gathering people together and erasing the lines that divide. "I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together." Here are people divided by distance, physical challenges, or conditions that make them vulnerable. It is in coming together that they find hope and support.
Those who are part of our congregations bear with them a variety of burdens and challenges. The church does not ignore or deny those conditions but provides a community that supports each other and proclaims a God who is not defeated by such realities. Neither in Jeremiah's day nor in ours can we predict with certainty the resolution of all of our problems, but we offer a future free from despair. "I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow."
When we are touched by the fears and despair of the world, it is important that the pastors and church leadership provide their members with experiences of joy that helps them remember the goodness of the Lord. "I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord." It is by the gifts of music, dance, food, and drink that we lift people's spirits. The Christmas season may be over but the importance of coming together to praise God is more important than ever.
-- Jeremiah 31:13
The excitement that Christmas brings to our society is past. Whether we sang carols that celebrated the birth of Christ or songs about Frosty the Snowman and a reindeer with a shiny nose, that music is silent now on our radios and in our stores. Whether it was effective or not, the emphasis on family, gift giving, and holiday parties has now shifted to worries about the weather, the economy, or continued violence in the world.
What are the signs of hope that people of faith now have to offer this weary world? The prophet Jeremiah spoke to a nation on the brink of destruction. In a society whose memory of joy and laughter was replaced with experiences of devastation and despair, Jeremiah spoke of a future that involved music, dance, and ample food. "They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil...." Think how important singing, food, and even dance is to building community in the midst of the strains of our society.
In a world torn apart by violence, Jeremiah spoke of gathering people together and erasing the lines that divide. "I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together." Here are people divided by distance, physical challenges, or conditions that make them vulnerable. It is in coming together that they find hope and support.
Those who are part of our congregations bear with them a variety of burdens and challenges. The church does not ignore or deny those conditions but provides a community that supports each other and proclaims a God who is not defeated by such realities. Neither in Jeremiah's day nor in ours can we predict with certainty the resolution of all of our problems, but we offer a future free from despair. "I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow."
When we are touched by the fears and despair of the world, it is important that the pastors and church leadership provide their members with experiences of joy that helps them remember the goodness of the Lord. "I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord." It is by the gifts of music, dance, food, and drink that we lift people's spirits. The Christmas season may be over but the importance of coming together to praise God is more important than ever.
