Thin Places
Sermon
Shining Through The Darkness
Sermons For The Winter Season
Object:
Joseph also went [to] Bethlehem to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger [an animal feed box], because there was no place for them in the inn.
-- Luke 2:4-7
And a holy messenger from God -- an angel -- appeared to poor shepherds -- like us -- in the darkness of the night, living out their lives, hoping their investments pay off -- that their sheep will give birth. And the angel came to them, and said, "Fear not, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people."
-- Luke 2:10 cf
But you know the story! At least some of the signs and symbols woven into this ancient narrative hold power and meaning for you. And the truth delicately balanced within the words of this story is what centers everything for you -- enlightening all that you do. "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior ..." (Luke 2:11).
Earlier in the fall, I received a curious request. It was from a concerned stranger. She said that the Duluth News-Tribune, again this year, was going to offer to local schools a special "educational section" of the paper; actually a mini-newspaper containing articles about different winter holiday celebrations. Elementary school teachers can order copies for each child in their classes for use in those last few days of school before Christmas break when students are restless and in need of something novel to keep their attention.
Here is some curriculum offered to help students learn about other customs and cultures. As the newspaper put it, your "Students should be encouraged to study and practice the traditions unique to their own families while being tolerant and knowledgeable about the beliefs and practices different from their own ... The songs, games, legends, and food associated with each celebration are excellent ways to experience other cultures."
It all sounded good to me. In the supplement were brief articles and pictures on various winter celebrations, some ancient, such as Saturnalia, a week long celebration when citizens of the Roman Empire would reflect on the beginning times when supposedly Saturn ruled the world, the good old days, when things were as they were intended to be by the gods.
The Scandinavian "Jul" was held when the pasture grasses died at the onset of winter, and some cattle were killed, and meat was momentarily plentiful, and people longed for the return of bountiful sunlight. There was an article on traditional Anishinabe or Ojibwe winter customs, many continuing today. There was information on contemporary holidays such as the ending of Ramadan for Muslims (which this year and in the next few years will occur in the winter). There were articles on Hanukkah, and on Kwanzaa, a winter celebration recalling for many African Americans their African heritage. You could read about Diwali, the harvest festival of light honoring Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and fortune, who comes down to earth to bless the harvest.
All these brief articles were interesting and appropriate, I believe, for guided discussions in public and private classrooms to broaden perspectives in an atmosphere of learning and respect.
But, here was the concern that was brought to my attention. It was in the brief article in the paper that described the meaning of Christmas. Last year's school supplement stated something like this: "Christmas, though once a religious holiday, is now a cross-cultural celebration of gift giving and vacation time, for family gatherings and elaborate feasts." That is, of course, true! And for many of our neighbors, that is the full meaning of Christmas. But isn't Christmas more than just another reason to celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of increasing sunlight and an excuse to party? Doesn't Christmas still have a faith component, some spiritual significance for some of us today? This was the question the concerned parent who contacted me asked. Aren't we being incomplete in the education of our school children about Christmas if we don't mention what this holiday as a holy day means, for at least some people who share this complex US culture the people who attach "a confession of faith" to the celebration of Christmas?
I thought she was right, and the local editor of the school supplement agreed that there was a deficiency here. The idea for the section and much of the content originated with the Philadelphia Inquirer, and our local editor wondered if the Christian understanding of Christmas was ignored because Christianity is the majority religion in the United States, and therefore just about everyone already knows the biblical Christmas story and its theological significance, so there was no need to spell it out. But the truth is, many of our neighbors don't have a clue about the spiritual claims of the nativity story.
The editor at the Duluth News-Tribune assigned to this project was very cooperative and gracious, and agreed to at least offer equal time to Christmas. She gave me the assignment to rewrite this section on the meaning of the day for Christians, but there were some stipulations. It had to be written at a fourth-grade reading and comprehension level, for one thing. It must be understood by nine-year-olds. No big words. No complex symbols or metaphors. And I must assume that the readers have had no prior knowledge of the religious side of Christmas. I must also tell it all in no more than 350 words -- a few brief paragraphs. The deadline was that same day.
How could I do this with those limitations on a topic that for me is so profoundly important, on a revelation that I believe centers our whole life, our very being? This is all so ultimately important. How do I say it all -- about the birth of this baby, and say it on a fourth-grade reading level, in three or four short paragraphs?
I started by writing, "Christmas is a day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ."
But I am already at the most important, and it often seems the most difficult, part of the story to convey to others: the meaning of the "Christ." How can I get to the heart of this right from the beginning? I recently read one description of Jesus as the Christ that I just can't use with nine-year-old kids. It is a description from Celtic Christianity. It is the concept of the "thin place."
This metaphor assumes that the reality of existence has two layers that form the whole. One, of course, is the visible world of our physical experience -- the laws and processes of nature, the world of science, the measurable -- cause and effect -- the mechanisms of creation from evolution to heredity and DNA to global warming. The other layer that forms the whole can be called the spiritual, the source of everything, the unifying goal of all things, the final purpose, the creative intention of God, and, in classical terms, the kingdom of God!
"Thin places" are where the boundary between the two levels becomes permeable, where the boundaries separating the two become transparent and may even disappear. Jesus was a "thin place." The Christian claim is that his life -- his words and actions -- were a consistent and continuous point of transparency, of interaction between the world and the Spirit, between creation and the Creator, between us and God. Through the living Christ, God came and comes to us and can transform our personal lives by making us united too, complete, whole, at peace.
But how does one write about that within a culture that is so one dimensional and often incomplete and in a paragraph or two, on a fourth-grade level? I wrote, "Christmas is a day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus was 'Emmanuel' which means 'God with us all.' Jesus' words and actions always enacted God's love."
But there is so much more in the Christmas story to tell about God and the healing unity of this love. The gift of the baby in the barn is a symbol that all people are sacred, all are chosen, all are family. And incarnation means that everyday things can carry divine love, including you and me. Creation and redemption can inter-penetrate each other.
How was I to convey that the rejection at the inn, and the child forced into the animal feed box speaks to the destructive ways we often treat each other, and yet God still comes in love to us? How was I to make that connection, that the Christmas baby is a confession of faith that knows also crucifixion? That this incarnation -- God in Jesus -- is also a call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sorrowing, listen carefully to others in respect and love, unite divided families, establish justice, and promote peace on earth.
For fourth-grade level readers, I wrote, "Jesus was not born in a royal family but he was born in poor, humble surroundings. The story in the Bible of his birth tells us that he was born in an animal shelter. Right after his birth he was placed in the straw of a manger (an animal feeding trough) to rest. It was shepherds who came to see the baby on that first Christmas day. Because of Jesus, Christians believe that we know that God wants us to treat each other (all others) with respect and compassion."
While struggling to write this assignment, I kept hearing the words of the Christmas angel proclaiming, "Good news for all the people: For unto you [fourth-grade readers] is born this day in the city of David, a Savior ..." -- a complete expression of God, a clear view of the eternity and cohesiveness of God's love, for all of us. This Jesus Christ is transcultural. It verifies all other "thin places" that have occurred throughout time: in a deed, a word, a confession, and a sacrifice, while also exposing any of our selfish human distortions of those revelations or our false claims to divinity.
But how can I convey that with words to nine year olds, that this Jesus Christ is universal good news?
I wrote, "Another Christmas story in the Bible tells of 'magi' or royal teachers from a distant country who traveled great distances to come to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus Christ's message of God's love is for you and the whole world." My 350 words were almost all used up, but I had to write something about the end of the story! Human life has meaning and direction because God enters into it. Christmas proclaims that God comes totally into our living including our dying. Because of Jesus we know that God is among us and as close to us as one of us. The center and final future of all life knows us intimately and will not abandon us. The Easter end of the story that begins at Christmas claims that we need not be ultimately separated from unity with God and God's purposeful eternity.
In the northern climates of the northern hemisphere, I know that bringing evergreens into the home at the onset of winter as a symbol of life in the face of cold death and a hope for a life beyond death, that custom certainly pre-dates Christianity. But the Easter part of the biblical story ties this human hope to the nature and desire of God. But how do I say that in the closing of my brief article?
I wrote, "For Christians, Christmas celebrates God in Jesus coming into our everyday lives. And Christians believe that God will never abandon us but will be with us forever. This, too, is part of the story at Christmas. Many people bring an evergreen tree, representing God's everlasting love, into their home during the winter days of December. This 'Christmas tree' -- this promise of life -- often becomes the center of the family's Christmas celebration."
My article was completed. It was, of course, inadequate. I just hoped that maybe, by the grace of God, some school child might hear the invitation -- might hear the Christmas angel say, "Fear not, for I bring you good news of a great joy for all people ... This shall be a sign for you; you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
Actually, we all have been given the same assignment that was given to me, to retell, from the heart, this Christmas story to our children and neighbors, and to ourselves, in words and ways that they can feel the love and know the grace of God. We all have been given this assignment. Perhaps through you they will hear the invitation, and perhaps accept the invitation. "And so, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves this thing that has happened, which God has told us' " (Luke 2:15 cf).
"This is the dawn of redeeming grace." Emmanuel -- God is with us. Have a very merry Christmas. Amen.
Sermon delivered December 24, 1999
Weaver Chapel
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio
-- Luke 2:4-7
And a holy messenger from God -- an angel -- appeared to poor shepherds -- like us -- in the darkness of the night, living out their lives, hoping their investments pay off -- that their sheep will give birth. And the angel came to them, and said, "Fear not, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people."
-- Luke 2:10 cf
But you know the story! At least some of the signs and symbols woven into this ancient narrative hold power and meaning for you. And the truth delicately balanced within the words of this story is what centers everything for you -- enlightening all that you do. "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior ..." (Luke 2:11).
Earlier in the fall, I received a curious request. It was from a concerned stranger. She said that the Duluth News-Tribune, again this year, was going to offer to local schools a special "educational section" of the paper; actually a mini-newspaper containing articles about different winter holiday celebrations. Elementary school teachers can order copies for each child in their classes for use in those last few days of school before Christmas break when students are restless and in need of something novel to keep their attention.
Here is some curriculum offered to help students learn about other customs and cultures. As the newspaper put it, your "Students should be encouraged to study and practice the traditions unique to their own families while being tolerant and knowledgeable about the beliefs and practices different from their own ... The songs, games, legends, and food associated with each celebration are excellent ways to experience other cultures."
It all sounded good to me. In the supplement were brief articles and pictures on various winter celebrations, some ancient, such as Saturnalia, a week long celebration when citizens of the Roman Empire would reflect on the beginning times when supposedly Saturn ruled the world, the good old days, when things were as they were intended to be by the gods.
The Scandinavian "Jul" was held when the pasture grasses died at the onset of winter, and some cattle were killed, and meat was momentarily plentiful, and people longed for the return of bountiful sunlight. There was an article on traditional Anishinabe or Ojibwe winter customs, many continuing today. There was information on contemporary holidays such as the ending of Ramadan for Muslims (which this year and in the next few years will occur in the winter). There were articles on Hanukkah, and on Kwanzaa, a winter celebration recalling for many African Americans their African heritage. You could read about Diwali, the harvest festival of light honoring Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and fortune, who comes down to earth to bless the harvest.
All these brief articles were interesting and appropriate, I believe, for guided discussions in public and private classrooms to broaden perspectives in an atmosphere of learning and respect.
But, here was the concern that was brought to my attention. It was in the brief article in the paper that described the meaning of Christmas. Last year's school supplement stated something like this: "Christmas, though once a religious holiday, is now a cross-cultural celebration of gift giving and vacation time, for family gatherings and elaborate feasts." That is, of course, true! And for many of our neighbors, that is the full meaning of Christmas. But isn't Christmas more than just another reason to celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of increasing sunlight and an excuse to party? Doesn't Christmas still have a faith component, some spiritual significance for some of us today? This was the question the concerned parent who contacted me asked. Aren't we being incomplete in the education of our school children about Christmas if we don't mention what this holiday as a holy day means, for at least some people who share this complex US culture the people who attach "a confession of faith" to the celebration of Christmas?
I thought she was right, and the local editor of the school supplement agreed that there was a deficiency here. The idea for the section and much of the content originated with the Philadelphia Inquirer, and our local editor wondered if the Christian understanding of Christmas was ignored because Christianity is the majority religion in the United States, and therefore just about everyone already knows the biblical Christmas story and its theological significance, so there was no need to spell it out. But the truth is, many of our neighbors don't have a clue about the spiritual claims of the nativity story.
The editor at the Duluth News-Tribune assigned to this project was very cooperative and gracious, and agreed to at least offer equal time to Christmas. She gave me the assignment to rewrite this section on the meaning of the day for Christians, but there were some stipulations. It had to be written at a fourth-grade reading and comprehension level, for one thing. It must be understood by nine-year-olds. No big words. No complex symbols or metaphors. And I must assume that the readers have had no prior knowledge of the religious side of Christmas. I must also tell it all in no more than 350 words -- a few brief paragraphs. The deadline was that same day.
How could I do this with those limitations on a topic that for me is so profoundly important, on a revelation that I believe centers our whole life, our very being? This is all so ultimately important. How do I say it all -- about the birth of this baby, and say it on a fourth-grade reading level, in three or four short paragraphs?
I started by writing, "Christmas is a day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ."
But I am already at the most important, and it often seems the most difficult, part of the story to convey to others: the meaning of the "Christ." How can I get to the heart of this right from the beginning? I recently read one description of Jesus as the Christ that I just can't use with nine-year-old kids. It is a description from Celtic Christianity. It is the concept of the "thin place."
This metaphor assumes that the reality of existence has two layers that form the whole. One, of course, is the visible world of our physical experience -- the laws and processes of nature, the world of science, the measurable -- cause and effect -- the mechanisms of creation from evolution to heredity and DNA to global warming. The other layer that forms the whole can be called the spiritual, the source of everything, the unifying goal of all things, the final purpose, the creative intention of God, and, in classical terms, the kingdom of God!
"Thin places" are where the boundary between the two levels becomes permeable, where the boundaries separating the two become transparent and may even disappear. Jesus was a "thin place." The Christian claim is that his life -- his words and actions -- were a consistent and continuous point of transparency, of interaction between the world and the Spirit, between creation and the Creator, between us and God. Through the living Christ, God came and comes to us and can transform our personal lives by making us united too, complete, whole, at peace.
But how does one write about that within a culture that is so one dimensional and often incomplete and in a paragraph or two, on a fourth-grade level? I wrote, "Christmas is a day when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus was 'Emmanuel' which means 'God with us all.' Jesus' words and actions always enacted God's love."
But there is so much more in the Christmas story to tell about God and the healing unity of this love. The gift of the baby in the barn is a symbol that all people are sacred, all are chosen, all are family. And incarnation means that everyday things can carry divine love, including you and me. Creation and redemption can inter-penetrate each other.
How was I to convey that the rejection at the inn, and the child forced into the animal feed box speaks to the destructive ways we often treat each other, and yet God still comes in love to us? How was I to make that connection, that the Christmas baby is a confession of faith that knows also crucifixion? That this incarnation -- God in Jesus -- is also a call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sorrowing, listen carefully to others in respect and love, unite divided families, establish justice, and promote peace on earth.
For fourth-grade level readers, I wrote, "Jesus was not born in a royal family but he was born in poor, humble surroundings. The story in the Bible of his birth tells us that he was born in an animal shelter. Right after his birth he was placed in the straw of a manger (an animal feeding trough) to rest. It was shepherds who came to see the baby on that first Christmas day. Because of Jesus, Christians believe that we know that God wants us to treat each other (all others) with respect and compassion."
While struggling to write this assignment, I kept hearing the words of the Christmas angel proclaiming, "Good news for all the people: For unto you [fourth-grade readers] is born this day in the city of David, a Savior ..." -- a complete expression of God, a clear view of the eternity and cohesiveness of God's love, for all of us. This Jesus Christ is transcultural. It verifies all other "thin places" that have occurred throughout time: in a deed, a word, a confession, and a sacrifice, while also exposing any of our selfish human distortions of those revelations or our false claims to divinity.
But how can I convey that with words to nine year olds, that this Jesus Christ is universal good news?
I wrote, "Another Christmas story in the Bible tells of 'magi' or royal teachers from a distant country who traveled great distances to come to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus Christ's message of God's love is for you and the whole world." My 350 words were almost all used up, but I had to write something about the end of the story! Human life has meaning and direction because God enters into it. Christmas proclaims that God comes totally into our living including our dying. Because of Jesus we know that God is among us and as close to us as one of us. The center and final future of all life knows us intimately and will not abandon us. The Easter end of the story that begins at Christmas claims that we need not be ultimately separated from unity with God and God's purposeful eternity.
In the northern climates of the northern hemisphere, I know that bringing evergreens into the home at the onset of winter as a symbol of life in the face of cold death and a hope for a life beyond death, that custom certainly pre-dates Christianity. But the Easter part of the biblical story ties this human hope to the nature and desire of God. But how do I say that in the closing of my brief article?
I wrote, "For Christians, Christmas celebrates God in Jesus coming into our everyday lives. And Christians believe that God will never abandon us but will be with us forever. This, too, is part of the story at Christmas. Many people bring an evergreen tree, representing God's everlasting love, into their home during the winter days of December. This 'Christmas tree' -- this promise of life -- often becomes the center of the family's Christmas celebration."
My article was completed. It was, of course, inadequate. I just hoped that maybe, by the grace of God, some school child might hear the invitation -- might hear the Christmas angel say, "Fear not, for I bring you good news of a great joy for all people ... This shall be a sign for you; you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
Actually, we all have been given the same assignment that was given to me, to retell, from the heart, this Christmas story to our children and neighbors, and to ourselves, in words and ways that they can feel the love and know the grace of God. We all have been given this assignment. Perhaps through you they will hear the invitation, and perhaps accept the invitation. "And so, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves this thing that has happened, which God has told us' " (Luke 2:15 cf).
"This is the dawn of redeeming grace." Emmanuel -- God is with us. Have a very merry Christmas. Amen.
Sermon delivered December 24, 1999
Weaver Chapel
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio
