God enters the human family and leads us through suffering to salvation
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle A
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9 (C, L)
The prophet recalls the goodness of God when the nation was being born. He harkens back to the covenant God made with his people at Sinai and his guiding them through the wilderness. Though God punishes his people for their sins, he continues to love them, care for them, and guide them. God carries on his gracious work of salvation.
Lesson 1: Sirach 3:2--6, 12--14 (RC)
God placed parents in authority over their children and those who honor their parents will be blessed by God.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (E)
The prophet exalts in the restoration of the nation and the cult, which becomes also his personal salvation. The joy he feels is like that of the bride and the groom, as they are cheerfully bedecked with the festal garments. In like manner, the captives are clothed with the robe of righteousness. The Lord's righteous reign is as sure as the spring time. All nations will see the splendor of Zion.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 2:10--18 (C)
Together with Jesus, the pioneer of our faith, we can call on God as Father and Christ as our Brother. Since all believers share a common spiritual parentage, we are all one family through Christ.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:12--21 (RC)
The behavior and the virtues of those who have died and been raised to newness of life in Christ are here outlined - compassion, kindness, humility, and so forth. Verses 18--21 speak to the responsibilities within the family, which are grounded in love and mutual respect.
Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23--25; 4:4--7 (E); Galatians 4:4--7 (L)
Being under the tutelage of the law is like being a dependent child. Through faith in Christ, we have come of age and are given all privileges of being God's mature children. We are given the Spirit, which frees us from the strong arm of the law, gives us access to the very presence of God and makes us heirs of God's promises.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13--23 (C); Matthew 2:13--15, 19--23 (RC, L)
The Holy Family flees to Egypt to escape the jealous wrath of King Herod, being warned by an angel. After Herod dies, they make their exodus back to Israel but not Judah, since Archaelaus, Herod's son, is equally despotic. They then settle in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth. In the interim, the slaughter of Bethlehem's boys has taken place. The Holy Family encounters
the reality of a world often hostile, cruel and unjust. God protects them but we still have to deal with the painful truth of a world where the humble are often the seeming pawns of the strong and the power hungry. Again, Matthew tries to show that these things are the fulfillment of prophecy but there is no passage that states that the Messiah was to be called a Nazorean (v. 23).
Gospel: John 1:1--18 (E)
The light of the Divine Logos becomes flesh, to bring life to those who dwell in the darkness of sin. All who receive him are given the power to become the children of God, who like the Christ are born not from human desire but through the will of God and by his grace.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 148 (C); Psalm 147 (E); Psalm 111 (L) - Let all who inhabit earth and heaven praise the Lord.
Prayer Of The Day
Loving God, as you guided the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, through the perils of this world, so lead us through our present difficulties to the place of safety, and ultimately to our home in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9
Count your blessings. The prophet exalts: ''I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord ...'' (v. 7). The old gospel song tells us to ''count our blessings, name them one by one.'' There is real value in recounting God's gifts of creation and redemption. It makes us happy, healthy and thankful. As Isaiah looked back at the gracious deeds of God in the life of his people, his heart was filled with thanksgiving and praise. God himself had been with them in all their pain and difficulties and carried them when they had no strength.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
The garment of salvation. Clothing makes a statement about who we are or who we would like to be. There is a syndicated column in the newspaper that tells people in the world of business how to dress for success. His advice is that you dress not necessarily for the position you have but for the position you aspire to. This passage states that God has dressed the people for salvation. The gracious God of all does not leave his people naked, exposing their imperfections, but covers them with his salvation. ''He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has clothed me with the robe of righteousness'' (v. 10). This spiritual dressing up is compared to the glad attire of the bride and groom at their wedding. The Apostle Paul also spoke of salvation as a spiritual garment: ''Put on the Lord Jesus Christ ...'' (Romans 13:14). The parable that Jesus told of the man who came to the marriage feast without the proper wedding garment also comes to mind. God sent his Son into the world as a naked infant in order to clothe all who desire with the garment of salvation. Let us thank God for his Christmas wardrobe.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 2:10--18
Perfect through suffering. The writer contends that it was God's will to make Jesus ''perfect through suffering'' (v. 10). Perfection here means ''to be complete'' or ''mature'' (telios). By implication, it could be argued that it is God's will to make us complete through suffering also. After all, didn't Jesus charge that we must take up our cross and follow him? God can also make us perfect (complete) through suffering for the sake of righteousness, though not all suffering is redemptive. Yet, through the blood, sweat and tears of shared suffering we become one family in God.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:12--21
Dressing for Holiness. This lesson informs us how we might dress for holiness by clothing ourselves with the proper attitudes, especially love (v. 14). See Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, ''The garment of salvation.''
Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23--25; 4:4--7
All in the Family. We are adopted into God's family and given the Spirit of Jesus that we might address God not as stranger but Father and receive our inheritance.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13--23
Guardian Angels. It appears that guardian angels were working overtime in the first part of our Lord's life. An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to avert Herod's wrath and informs him when it was safe to return. Likewise, he was warned in a dream not to settle with his family in Judah. These angels seemed to function like intelligence agents, informing the Holy Family of the enemy's intended moves. Yet, there was no Guardian Angel warning the Lord of the dangers of going to Jerusalem, where he would be handed over to be crucified; of course, Jesus knew what was facing him.
The Bible never really states that each child of God has a guardian angel, though many of us like to think that we do. If so, it is quite clear that these spirits cannot or will not save us from all suffering or even an untimely death. Maybe their function is not to shield us from danger but to cool our feet when we walk through the flames of adversity.
On second thought, haven't all of us who are children of God experienced guardian angels? They need not be winged spirits; they can also be flesh and blood messengers whom God sends to us at just the right time with just the right word: a word of comfort, hope, or wisdom. If we think about it, we can name some of them; but to whom are we sent as guardian angels with a message from the Lord?
Home Making. According to Matthew, the Holy Family was not able to establish a real home for some time. Verse 23 states that Joseph made his home in Nazareth. Since Joseph was a carpenter, we could interpret that verse quite literally. In our society, women are generally the ones who are given the title of homemaker. Yet, the truth of the matter is that the contributions of both husband and wife are needed to make a home for the raising up of children. Though two loving parents are best, we need to be careful so that we do not denigrate those single parents who are working hard to provide a proper home for their children and doing admirably. A sermon on the attributes that are needed to be a Christian homemaker could be very helpful: such things as caring, forgiving, listening, disciplining and openness to God's Spirit.
Holy Innocents. The destruction of the children in and around Bethlehem is dubbed ''the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents.'' While some of us are holy, none is wholly innocent of guilt. Yet, this text is a good opportunity to deal with an issue that troubles millions of people. How can a loving God allow the destruction of those who are comparatively innocent? Why is one person taken while another is spared? We can not, of course, offer a satisfactory explanation to this agonizing problem but we do have something to say to the issue. We must honestly admit the reality of injustice but also point to the reality of a God who suffers with us the outrageous arrows of adversity, injustice and untimely death. His resurrection offers hope to all.
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9
Sermon Title: Counting and Discounting
Sermon Angle: The prophet writes that he will recount the gracious deeds of God. Great idea! As the gospel song says: ''Count your blessings, name them one by one.'' On the other hand, discount all the grievous things that have happened to you.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Sermon Title: Dressing For Salvation
Sermon Angle: The world knows how to dress for success but the Bible shows us how to be clothed in holy attire by putting on God's righteousness.
Outline:
Introduction: As children, we dressed in our parents' old clothes as a way of getting into the role we would play someday.
1. There is a relationship between who we are and how we dress.
2. Changing our appearance can transform self perception.
3. God has clothed us with the garment of salvation. We see ourselves no longer as sinners but as God's dear children.
4. Living out this identity, we will eventually be clothed with the garments of God's glory.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 2:10--18
Sermon Title: Scared Of Dying?
Sermon Angle: Jesus took on our humanity, according to the author of Hebrews, so that he might destroy the one who has had the power of death (the devil) and free humans from their lifelong bondage to the fear of death (vv. 14--15). In destroying the power of Satan over death, he attacks death objectively. Death and the devil have not been eliminated but defanged, brought under subjection to God's power. Jesus also attacks death on another front. He frees people from the slavery to their fear of death. This is a subjective liberation. This insight acknowledges the fact that fear can make us slaves to that which has no objective power. To be in Christ frees us from death as an objective reality and a subjective fear.
Outline:
1. The fear of death is common
2. The Bible tells us that the fear of death is connected to the reality of sin and the fear of punishment (Romans 6:23)
3. Jesus has atoned for our sins (v. 17)
4. Jesus' sacrifice frees us from the power of the devil and the fear of death (vv. 1--15)
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:12--21
Sermon Title: Christian Clothing
Sermon Angle: The theme is very similar to that found in the Episcopal First Lesson (Isaiah 61:10). This passage takes the clothing for salvation theme a step further. Since God has clothed us with salvation, let us make sure that it shows in our attitudes and behavior.
Outline:
1. God has clothed us in righteousness, when we put on Christ. Therefore, let it show.
2. Let it show in our attitudes - compassion, kindness, humility ....
3. Let it show in our relationships - ''clothe yourself in love.''
4. Let it rule in our family relationships (vv. 18--21).
Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23--25; 4:4--7
Sermon Title: All in the Family
Outline:
1. God sent his child into the world (v. 4).
2. That we might become his dear child (v. 5).
3. All who love Jesus are one family and have the privilege of calling out to God as Father and to Christ as brother.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13--23
Sermon Title: Homemaking
Sermon Angle: Christmas is the story of God's attempt to make his home with us. It was a struggle. Jesus was not born into a stable home environment but in an animal stable. The fledgling family was displaced by government regulations and then was put to flight once more in order to escape the rage of a cruel tyrant. Eventually, the Holy Family established their home
in Nazareth. It is interesting that the One who came into the world so that we might come home to God began and ended his life on earth without a permanent address. What does it take to establish a home? It certainly has more to do with people than with place. A home is an environment where we know others as we are known, love others as we are loved - a place of safety and acceptance. Those who experience the love of Jesus in their families and their church have a true home. Christmas is a time when our hearts turn homeward but our hearts will only be truly satisfied when we are sheltered in the Everlasting Arms.
Outline:
1. At Christmas our hearts turn toward home (tell a favorite homecoming story)
2. What is home? What is it that we are seeking to come back to? (Love, acceptance, security, and celebration)
3. God made his home with us in Christ, that we might be at home with God. Have you come home to your heavenly Father?
Christmas produces a magnetic homeward attraction on our hard metallic hearts. Garrison Keillor, in his Christmas in Lake Wobegon, describes this phenomena like this: ''You're walking along in a shopping mall when all of a sudden a familiar Christmas tune penetrates your subconscious mind which sets off a switch in that part of the brain where memories are stored and then gates open and tons of water thunder through the Grand Coulee, the big turbines spin, electricity flows, and we get in our car and go back, like salmon.''
The fact that Christ was born into the human family sanctifies this basic building block of community. There has never been a better time to highlight this truth than in this day where the family is being constantly bombarded in economic, social, ideological, and even religious forces. To illustrate, a scout troop of 23 boys meets in a church located in a small city in Nebraska. Twenty of the 23 are the products of broken homes. In the same church a support group for such youngsters draws over 60 kids. It's called ''Rainbows'' and it has already spread to 27 states with a waiting list anxious to enter, that they might share their anguish and anger.
Could this disastrous disintegration of our family and community life be a result of our American love affair with the notion of radical individualism? In the action movie, The Last of the Mohicans, there is a scene where some buckskin clan colonials are being badgered by a dandified British officer to join in the fight against the French for control of the land. When the passionate entreaty hit an icy wall of indifference, the officer became furious: ''You call yourselves patriots and loyal subjects of the Crown.''
Hawkeye, the half--Indian hero of the movie tersely responds, ''Don't call myself subject to much at all.''
Have we become a nation of Hawkeyes?
Those who are the casualties of these failed families often experience isolation, especially the children. The movie, Clara's Heart, starring Whoopi Goldberg, illustrates this process. Clara is a maid in Jamaica who has herself survived disastrous family crises, making her sensitive to the hurts of others. She befriends a rich woman from Boston, vacationing with her husband. The woman is in severe depression caused by the loss of her baby and a troubled marriage. The short of it is that Clara becomes their live--in maid and the confidant of their son, about ten years old, who at first bitterly resents her intrusion. He hungers for intimacy and warmth from his parents. The problem is that the mother is so caught up in her own grief and the father with his toys that the boy's feelings are totally discounted. For both of them, individual happiness is paramount. The needs of their son will have to wait. He and Clara become best friends. In the end, both parents find other loves and he is confronted with having to choose between living with his father in Boston or his mother in California. He really wants to live with Clara but he is denied this option. He settles with his mother and achieves some modicum of adjustment. The sad fact remains that here is a boy whose name is legion, who has never really had the experience of coming home.
We in the church must point the way. Christ became a part of our human family to turn our hearts toward home.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9 (C, L)
The prophet recalls the goodness of God when the nation was being born. He harkens back to the covenant God made with his people at Sinai and his guiding them through the wilderness. Though God punishes his people for their sins, he continues to love them, care for them, and guide them. God carries on his gracious work of salvation.
Lesson 1: Sirach 3:2--6, 12--14 (RC)
God placed parents in authority over their children and those who honor their parents will be blessed by God.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (E)
The prophet exalts in the restoration of the nation and the cult, which becomes also his personal salvation. The joy he feels is like that of the bride and the groom, as they are cheerfully bedecked with the festal garments. In like manner, the captives are clothed with the robe of righteousness. The Lord's righteous reign is as sure as the spring time. All nations will see the splendor of Zion.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 2:10--18 (C)
Together with Jesus, the pioneer of our faith, we can call on God as Father and Christ as our Brother. Since all believers share a common spiritual parentage, we are all one family through Christ.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:12--21 (RC)
The behavior and the virtues of those who have died and been raised to newness of life in Christ are here outlined - compassion, kindness, humility, and so forth. Verses 18--21 speak to the responsibilities within the family, which are grounded in love and mutual respect.
Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23--25; 4:4--7 (E); Galatians 4:4--7 (L)
Being under the tutelage of the law is like being a dependent child. Through faith in Christ, we have come of age and are given all privileges of being God's mature children. We are given the Spirit, which frees us from the strong arm of the law, gives us access to the very presence of God and makes us heirs of God's promises.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13--23 (C); Matthew 2:13--15, 19--23 (RC, L)
The Holy Family flees to Egypt to escape the jealous wrath of King Herod, being warned by an angel. After Herod dies, they make their exodus back to Israel but not Judah, since Archaelaus, Herod's son, is equally despotic. They then settle in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth. In the interim, the slaughter of Bethlehem's boys has taken place. The Holy Family encounters
the reality of a world often hostile, cruel and unjust. God protects them but we still have to deal with the painful truth of a world where the humble are often the seeming pawns of the strong and the power hungry. Again, Matthew tries to show that these things are the fulfillment of prophecy but there is no passage that states that the Messiah was to be called a Nazorean (v. 23).
Gospel: John 1:1--18 (E)
The light of the Divine Logos becomes flesh, to bring life to those who dwell in the darkness of sin. All who receive him are given the power to become the children of God, who like the Christ are born not from human desire but through the will of God and by his grace.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 148 (C); Psalm 147 (E); Psalm 111 (L) - Let all who inhabit earth and heaven praise the Lord.
Prayer Of The Day
Loving God, as you guided the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, through the perils of this world, so lead us through our present difficulties to the place of safety, and ultimately to our home in heaven. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9
Count your blessings. The prophet exalts: ''I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord ...'' (v. 7). The old gospel song tells us to ''count our blessings, name them one by one.'' There is real value in recounting God's gifts of creation and redemption. It makes us happy, healthy and thankful. As Isaiah looked back at the gracious deeds of God in the life of his people, his heart was filled with thanksgiving and praise. God himself had been with them in all their pain and difficulties and carried them when they had no strength.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
The garment of salvation. Clothing makes a statement about who we are or who we would like to be. There is a syndicated column in the newspaper that tells people in the world of business how to dress for success. His advice is that you dress not necessarily for the position you have but for the position you aspire to. This passage states that God has dressed the people for salvation. The gracious God of all does not leave his people naked, exposing their imperfections, but covers them with his salvation. ''He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has clothed me with the robe of righteousness'' (v. 10). This spiritual dressing up is compared to the glad attire of the bride and groom at their wedding. The Apostle Paul also spoke of salvation as a spiritual garment: ''Put on the Lord Jesus Christ ...'' (Romans 13:14). The parable that Jesus told of the man who came to the marriage feast without the proper wedding garment also comes to mind. God sent his Son into the world as a naked infant in order to clothe all who desire with the garment of salvation. Let us thank God for his Christmas wardrobe.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 2:10--18
Perfect through suffering. The writer contends that it was God's will to make Jesus ''perfect through suffering'' (v. 10). Perfection here means ''to be complete'' or ''mature'' (telios). By implication, it could be argued that it is God's will to make us complete through suffering also. After all, didn't Jesus charge that we must take up our cross and follow him? God can also make us perfect (complete) through suffering for the sake of righteousness, though not all suffering is redemptive. Yet, through the blood, sweat and tears of shared suffering we become one family in God.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:12--21
Dressing for Holiness. This lesson informs us how we might dress for holiness by clothing ourselves with the proper attitudes, especially love (v. 14). See Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, ''The garment of salvation.''
Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23--25; 4:4--7
All in the Family. We are adopted into God's family and given the Spirit of Jesus that we might address God not as stranger but Father and receive our inheritance.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13--23
Guardian Angels. It appears that guardian angels were working overtime in the first part of our Lord's life. An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to avert Herod's wrath and informs him when it was safe to return. Likewise, he was warned in a dream not to settle with his family in Judah. These angels seemed to function like intelligence agents, informing the Holy Family of the enemy's intended moves. Yet, there was no Guardian Angel warning the Lord of the dangers of going to Jerusalem, where he would be handed over to be crucified; of course, Jesus knew what was facing him.
The Bible never really states that each child of God has a guardian angel, though many of us like to think that we do. If so, it is quite clear that these spirits cannot or will not save us from all suffering or even an untimely death. Maybe their function is not to shield us from danger but to cool our feet when we walk through the flames of adversity.
On second thought, haven't all of us who are children of God experienced guardian angels? They need not be winged spirits; they can also be flesh and blood messengers whom God sends to us at just the right time with just the right word: a word of comfort, hope, or wisdom. If we think about it, we can name some of them; but to whom are we sent as guardian angels with a message from the Lord?
Home Making. According to Matthew, the Holy Family was not able to establish a real home for some time. Verse 23 states that Joseph made his home in Nazareth. Since Joseph was a carpenter, we could interpret that verse quite literally. In our society, women are generally the ones who are given the title of homemaker. Yet, the truth of the matter is that the contributions of both husband and wife are needed to make a home for the raising up of children. Though two loving parents are best, we need to be careful so that we do not denigrate those single parents who are working hard to provide a proper home for their children and doing admirably. A sermon on the attributes that are needed to be a Christian homemaker could be very helpful: such things as caring, forgiving, listening, disciplining and openness to God's Spirit.
Holy Innocents. The destruction of the children in and around Bethlehem is dubbed ''the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents.'' While some of us are holy, none is wholly innocent of guilt. Yet, this text is a good opportunity to deal with an issue that troubles millions of people. How can a loving God allow the destruction of those who are comparatively innocent? Why is one person taken while another is spared? We can not, of course, offer a satisfactory explanation to this agonizing problem but we do have something to say to the issue. We must honestly admit the reality of injustice but also point to the reality of a God who suffers with us the outrageous arrows of adversity, injustice and untimely death. His resurrection offers hope to all.
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9
Sermon Title: Counting and Discounting
Sermon Angle: The prophet writes that he will recount the gracious deeds of God. Great idea! As the gospel song says: ''Count your blessings, name them one by one.'' On the other hand, discount all the grievous things that have happened to you.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Sermon Title: Dressing For Salvation
Sermon Angle: The world knows how to dress for success but the Bible shows us how to be clothed in holy attire by putting on God's righteousness.
Outline:
Introduction: As children, we dressed in our parents' old clothes as a way of getting into the role we would play someday.
1. There is a relationship between who we are and how we dress.
2. Changing our appearance can transform self perception.
3. God has clothed us with the garment of salvation. We see ourselves no longer as sinners but as God's dear children.
4. Living out this identity, we will eventually be clothed with the garments of God's glory.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 2:10--18
Sermon Title: Scared Of Dying?
Sermon Angle: Jesus took on our humanity, according to the author of Hebrews, so that he might destroy the one who has had the power of death (the devil) and free humans from their lifelong bondage to the fear of death (vv. 14--15). In destroying the power of Satan over death, he attacks death objectively. Death and the devil have not been eliminated but defanged, brought under subjection to God's power. Jesus also attacks death on another front. He frees people from the slavery to their fear of death. This is a subjective liberation. This insight acknowledges the fact that fear can make us slaves to that which has no objective power. To be in Christ frees us from death as an objective reality and a subjective fear.
Outline:
1. The fear of death is common
2. The Bible tells us that the fear of death is connected to the reality of sin and the fear of punishment (Romans 6:23)
3. Jesus has atoned for our sins (v. 17)
4. Jesus' sacrifice frees us from the power of the devil and the fear of death (vv. 1--15)
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:12--21
Sermon Title: Christian Clothing
Sermon Angle: The theme is very similar to that found in the Episcopal First Lesson (Isaiah 61:10). This passage takes the clothing for salvation theme a step further. Since God has clothed us with salvation, let us make sure that it shows in our attitudes and behavior.
Outline:
1. God has clothed us in righteousness, when we put on Christ. Therefore, let it show.
2. Let it show in our attitudes - compassion, kindness, humility ....
3. Let it show in our relationships - ''clothe yourself in love.''
4. Let it rule in our family relationships (vv. 18--21).
Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23--25; 4:4--7
Sermon Title: All in the Family
Outline:
1. God sent his child into the world (v. 4).
2. That we might become his dear child (v. 5).
3. All who love Jesus are one family and have the privilege of calling out to God as Father and to Christ as brother.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13--23
Sermon Title: Homemaking
Sermon Angle: Christmas is the story of God's attempt to make his home with us. It was a struggle. Jesus was not born into a stable home environment but in an animal stable. The fledgling family was displaced by government regulations and then was put to flight once more in order to escape the rage of a cruel tyrant. Eventually, the Holy Family established their home
in Nazareth. It is interesting that the One who came into the world so that we might come home to God began and ended his life on earth without a permanent address. What does it take to establish a home? It certainly has more to do with people than with place. A home is an environment where we know others as we are known, love others as we are loved - a place of safety and acceptance. Those who experience the love of Jesus in their families and their church have a true home. Christmas is a time when our hearts turn homeward but our hearts will only be truly satisfied when we are sheltered in the Everlasting Arms.
Outline:
1. At Christmas our hearts turn toward home (tell a favorite homecoming story)
2. What is home? What is it that we are seeking to come back to? (Love, acceptance, security, and celebration)
3. God made his home with us in Christ, that we might be at home with God. Have you come home to your heavenly Father?
Christmas produces a magnetic homeward attraction on our hard metallic hearts. Garrison Keillor, in his Christmas in Lake Wobegon, describes this phenomena like this: ''You're walking along in a shopping mall when all of a sudden a familiar Christmas tune penetrates your subconscious mind which sets off a switch in that part of the brain where memories are stored and then gates open and tons of water thunder through the Grand Coulee, the big turbines spin, electricity flows, and we get in our car and go back, like salmon.''
The fact that Christ was born into the human family sanctifies this basic building block of community. There has never been a better time to highlight this truth than in this day where the family is being constantly bombarded in economic, social, ideological, and even religious forces. To illustrate, a scout troop of 23 boys meets in a church located in a small city in Nebraska. Twenty of the 23 are the products of broken homes. In the same church a support group for such youngsters draws over 60 kids. It's called ''Rainbows'' and it has already spread to 27 states with a waiting list anxious to enter, that they might share their anguish and anger.
Could this disastrous disintegration of our family and community life be a result of our American love affair with the notion of radical individualism? In the action movie, The Last of the Mohicans, there is a scene where some buckskin clan colonials are being badgered by a dandified British officer to join in the fight against the French for control of the land. When the passionate entreaty hit an icy wall of indifference, the officer became furious: ''You call yourselves patriots and loyal subjects of the Crown.''
Hawkeye, the half--Indian hero of the movie tersely responds, ''Don't call myself subject to much at all.''
Have we become a nation of Hawkeyes?
Those who are the casualties of these failed families often experience isolation, especially the children. The movie, Clara's Heart, starring Whoopi Goldberg, illustrates this process. Clara is a maid in Jamaica who has herself survived disastrous family crises, making her sensitive to the hurts of others. She befriends a rich woman from Boston, vacationing with her husband. The woman is in severe depression caused by the loss of her baby and a troubled marriage. The short of it is that Clara becomes their live--in maid and the confidant of their son, about ten years old, who at first bitterly resents her intrusion. He hungers for intimacy and warmth from his parents. The problem is that the mother is so caught up in her own grief and the father with his toys that the boy's feelings are totally discounted. For both of them, individual happiness is paramount. The needs of their son will have to wait. He and Clara become best friends. In the end, both parents find other loves and he is confronted with having to choose between living with his father in Boston or his mother in California. He really wants to live with Clara but he is denied this option. He settles with his mother and achieves some modicum of adjustment. The sad fact remains that here is a boy whose name is legion, who has never really had the experience of coming home.
We in the church must point the way. Christ became a part of our human family to turn our hearts toward home.
