Daily Prompt: Religion and Politics – Oil and Wine or Coffee and Cream?

Discussion After the Townhall (Photo credit: aidomaha)

“It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree?

Some one once said that it is never a good idea to discuss politics and religion while in the barber’s chair!

The lack of civil discourse today concerns many people across the political and religious perspective and with the use of social media the long held tradition of a ‘thirty second sound bite’ is now done in shorts burst of 140 characters (or less) with the goal of ‘out shouting’ the other side.

So is it never a good idea to discuss religion and politics with people you really don’t know?

Well, I can say that sometimes it is a good idea to NOT discuss either with people you do know!

I suggest this roundabout answer to the question:

What if we began to talk about what we value in life? What if we framed our discussions in ways that invited others to identify what they value when it comes to various issues. What if we talked about how we value the freedom of choice (and both ‘sides’ usually do) on a matter?

What if we shared a personal account (not an editorial and not a sound bite) about why we valued equality on a matter rather than inequality?

Perhaps we could discuss the issue of not just politics and religion but of other vitally important subjects.

Here is another perspective – How we process our views. Some of us are extroverts and we ‘think out loud.’ I tend to be this way and I used to scare my wife to death because she actually thought that we were going to do whatever I was speaking about ! I was just processing the issue out loud to come to a decision.

Others of us are introverts and we think, and think… and think before we speak (if we do at all.) We have something vital to say but the fear of being overwhelmed by the loud extroverted nature of public discourse causes us to keep quiet and never share.

So, should we discuss politics and religion? Yes! They are like coffee and cream. Some like sugar added and some like it black. But we all like the basic beverage – coffee. They are both questions about values and “The Good” we seek to live in and by.

I fear that the common ground of public discourse has shrunk both within the faith community and in the public community as well. It’s time to take back some ground!

Sunday Sermon: Who’s Your Mentor?

Scripture Passage – John 14:26

Description – Second sermon in a three part series on the Holy Spirit

If I were to go around the sanctuary this morning and ask you to share a story about one person who made a difference in your life, we would be here quite a while. For some of us that person was a parent. For others of us it was a teacher. For some it was a boss or someone at work. And yet for others, it was a coach or a family member or a friend.

I asked some friends what characteristics come to mind when they hear the word “mentor” and here are few of their comments:

“… spiritual wisdom and nonjudgmental acceptance.”

“… does the right thing no matter what the circumstances”

“… genuine concern for the other person”

 “… true to their convictions, even ones I disagree with…”

 “… compassion”

“… spiritual coach… someone you can trust and go to for help and prayer.”

“… someone who loves you enough to tell you what you need to hear…”

“…someone willing to share the experience of their years.”

These are wonderful definitions and insights on mentoring and I thank those who shared them. Much is made of mentoring these days and in our community the mentoring of an organization like Big Brother, Big Sisters has been highlighted and mentioned a great deal over the years.

One of my mentors was a former college professor of mine. He taught history and he was a stickler for clean and succinct writing. I found this out in my very first college class in which he happened to be the teacher.

We had to do several book reports through the semester and my first one, that I thought was pretty good, went eight pages. He returned it to me. I re-wrote it. Still too long.

So back to the paper, pencil, and typewriter (yes, I was in college a long, long, time ago!). Draft number three.

Nope. Still too long!

Draft number four came out of my blood, sweat, and tears and went down to two pages. Only two pages. Down from eight. If my math is correct, that is a 75% reduction.

Success at last! And an “A” which I think was more for my effort than my content!

When I write these messages each week, three and a half decades later, I am very much aware of the lessons I learned in that freshman year 7:30 AM History class about clarity in writing and still seek to be as clear as I can be each week.

Mentors do leave a mark on our lives, don’t they?

As we continue our series on the Holy Spirit this morning, I remind us that we began last week with a study of John 16:8-11 and the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Today we go back a few chapters in John’s New Testament gospel to John 14:26, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

The purpose the Spirit is to convict us of our need for God in our lives. Today we spend some time looking at the how, the plan. John, quoting Jesus, tells us in this passage: he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

The New American Standard Bible translates this verse as follows: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

I suggest this morning that the Holy Spirit is like a mentor. He is more than a mentor. He is God, part of the Godhead. But His role is to come along side us and to teach us all things and help us to remember what Jesus said. Much like mentors do for us today.

In the ancient Biblical language Jesus uses the word “parakletos” to describe the work of the Holy Spirit. We often hear it translate it as ‘paraclete.’

What does this word mean?

Quoting from the NAS Testament Greek Lexicon via biblestudytools.com, (which is a wonderful tool when you want to understand a particular word, like helper in today’s main verse,) we gain a definition of parakletos:

“…called to one’s side, esp. called to one’s aid; one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader; counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate; one who pleads another’s cause with one, and in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant..”

Now you might be tempted to feel that after last week’s sermon on the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that to consider the Holy Spirit a helper is a bit ironic. But if we consider the place of mentor we might gain a better view of the Holy Spirit.

We can do this by starting with the context of the verse. Our main text for this morning is in the first chapter of what is now called the Upper Room passage because it is in the Upper Room, where Jesus and His disciples are on the Passover night during which He will be betrayed, arrested, and later crucified, that Jesus makes this remarks. The twelve really do not understand what Jesus is saying (and Judas simply is no longer listening at this point) but what Jesus is saying focuses on what God is going to be doing when Jesus returns to Him after the resurrection which is still a big unknown for the twelve.

And in this chapter Jesus begins to mentions the Holy Spirit from an attitude of love and care that Jesus shows from his opening words on chapter 14, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

He is leaving soon and He wants the twelve to know that they will not be alone. A comforter, an advocate, a supporter will come in His place – the Holy Spirit.

And I suggest this morning that the Holy Spirit comes along side us in two ways: individually and corporately. First, let’s examine how He comes along side us individually.

We are reminded in John 3 that “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” And I share this because we need to remember we cannot command the Holy Spirit to do this or that for us.

The Holy Spirit moves and acts as He sees fit. We can be ready for the Spirit to show up. We can be open to the Holy Spirit but we cannot program the work and movement of the Spirit.

Now, does this mean that Holy Spirit works part time? Nope! He is working right now in us and through us and all around us. We don’t “see” it all. But He is there at work doing God’s work.

The Bible has several passages in which the Holy Spirit works in individual lives. For example, in Acts 10 we read about Peter having an important spiritual experience in which I believe that Holy Spirit is at work in Peter.

There is a gentleman named Cornelius who is a Roman army officer a “God fearing man.” In fact, as we read in the opening verses of chapter 10, he is so devout than an angel appears to him and it scares him.

Yet the angel is present to tell him that Peter is nearby and to send for him. And Cornelius does so.

Meanwhile Peter has a vision in which He runs into God saying “eat something from my menu” and all Peter sees is food that is forbidden by the Jewish dietary laws. Peter refuses.

Well this goes on three more times before Peter begins to wonder what all of it means… and Cornelius’s messengers show up. And God makes a point of saying go with them.

When Peter arrives at Cornelius house, he has a realization at that moment of what the dream meant as we read in verse 28, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.”

This is one example of the Holy Spirit at work in a person’s life. He is behind the dream. He is the one who impresses Cornelius to send for Peter. He is behind Peter’s realization.

This episode highlights a major turning point in the early history of our faith – the increasing belief that salvation was for the Gentiles (and Cornelius was a Gentile) as well as the Jews. And the Holy Spirit begins to make this clear to Peter during this time. (And this made clearer in Acts 11)

But the Holy Spirit also comes alongside us corporately and we turn to opening verses of Acts 13 to get a glimpse of this:

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

One of the concerns I have today is that I think those of us who seek and follow after God can focus too much on “Jesus and me” and forget about “Jesus and we.” Yes, our faith is a personal commitment but, as I look back on those moments when my faith was truly deepened, most all of those moments have been in a corporate setting.

My initial profession of faith in Christ occurred in a worship service. A moment when the call to a deeper commitment to Christ occurred in college was during a chapel service. When I had begun the search for a new place to serve that eventually led me here, part that process included a time of personal worship at an altar during a worship service. And as we see here, Paul begins his ministry as a missionary with the calling via the Holy Spirit, in the midst of corporate worship and fasting.

Worship is a vital way for us to corporately discern God’s direction as a local church. As we worship, we draw closer to God, we experience God together, and as a result the Spirit begins to move in our midst as He is doing right now in this hour of worship.

But another important thing that takes place in the community of faith is the support we offer one another in all the seasons of life. It’s not a matter of ‘giving advice’ it is a matter of helping others to listen to the Spirit as decisions and situations are wrestled with.

Parker Palmer illustrates the Holy Spirit’s “coming along side us” in his book Let Your Life Speak. Palmer is a Quaker as well as a Ph.D. and an educator.

In Let Your Life Speak, he tells a story of how he sought to discern the way he need to go at a critical point in his life as he wrestled with whether or not to accept the presidency of a small college. So, he convened a ‘clearness committee’ that is part of the Quaker tradition.

This is a group of people whose wisdom he trusted and they began to ask him questions.

“For while the questions were easy, at least for a dreamer like me: What is your vision for this institution? What is its mission in the larger society?… Halfway into the process, someone asked a question that sounded easier but turned out to be very hard: “What would you like most about being a president?”

Palmer goes onto to state several negative things about the job that he would not like such as … “I would not like having to give up my writing and my teaching…I would not like the politics of the presidency, never knowing who your real friends are…”

His questions gently reminded him of the question was what did he like about the job. Finally, after again listing some dislikes and being confronted again, “Well,” said I in the smallest voice I voice I possess, “I guess what I’d like most is getting my picture in the paper with the word president underneath it.”

To which his questioner responded after what Palmer calls “a long and serious silence” “Parker, can you think of an easier way to get your picture in the paper?”

Mentors often ask hard questions. But they ask because they care.

The Holy Spirit often asks us hard questions through the voices of humans because He cares for us.

“When are you going to forgive so and so?”

“Are you willing to let go of this relationship?”

“Are you satisfied with what you have now?”

“Do you still love Me?”

Let us be open to the Holy Spirit this morning and let us respond to Him honestly and hope and love.

Amen.

Reading.. It’s not just about the past!

“…envision the future…” is one of the other reasons stated in the subtitle of this blog that I read.

SO!

How do we envision the future through books?

Well for me the envisioning often occurs while reading a novel in which the ending is still to be read. (And right now I am reading some novels that are keeping me very interested in the ending!)

Such envisioning makes me, subconsciously at least, consider possible courses of action for the major characters to take as the end draws near. Such reflection has both philosophical as well religious undertones as well as ethical ones, depending on the plot.

Other books I have read, sketch a proposed course and future outcome of personal and professional success if “you follow my proven plan in this book.” Self-improvement and personal development books abound with said rosy outcomes.

Having recently watched the movie “Moneyball (and having not read the book…yet), the line of action taken to increase the likelihood of a successful team was premised on certain numerical analysis of players. But, again from the movie only keep in mind, other actions taken seemed to have helped the A’s go on a record win streak. (Again I have yet to read the book as it may show me something different.)

Yet some books, and many in current affairs it seems, make the assertion that certain courses of economic and political actions will create a desired future. But will they?

Finally, when I think about the future as noted in books, I think of religious texts such as The Revelation of St. John, the concluding canonical book of the New Testament. Having studied this book, and it’s main subsequent interpretations, I have concluded that it’s purpose is to remind us that, from the Christian view, Jesus Christ will return one day and set the world straight.

Oh, there are also biographies to consider as some biographers make note of certain streams of fatalism in their subjects (or sense of grandiosity in others). But that is perhaps for another day.

So an envisioning future through books has psychological, philosophical, religious, economic, political, and even very personal implications to consider.

And this makes me enjoy reading even more!

See you behind the page!

Reading.. It’s not a just about the past!

“…envision the future…” is one of the other reasons stated in the subtitle of this blog that I read.

SO!

How do we envision the future through books?

Well for me the envisioning often occurs while reading a novel in which the ending is still to be read. (And right now I am reading some novels that are keeping me very interested in the ending!)

Such envisioning makes me, subconsciously at least, consider possible courses of action for the major characters to take as the end draws near. Such reflection has both philosophical as well religious undertones as well as ethical ones, depending on the plot.

Other books I have read, sketch a proposed course and future outcome of personal and professional success if “you follow my proven plan in this book.” Self-improvement and personal development books abound with said rosy outcomes.

Having recently watched the movie “Moneyball (and having not read the book…yet), the line of action taken to increase the likelihood of a successful team was premised on certain numerical analysis of players. But, again from the movie only keep in mind, other actions taken seemed to have helped the A’s go on a record win streak. (Again I have yet to read the book as it may show me something different.)

Yet some books, and many in current affairs it seems, make the assertion that certain courses of economic and political actions will create a desired future. But will they?

Finally, when I think about the future as noted in books, I think of religious texts such as The Revelation of St. John, the concluding canonical book of the New Testament. Having studied this book, and it’s main subsequent interpretations, I have concluded that it’s purpose is to remind us that, from the Christian view, Jesus Christ will return one day and set the world straight.

Oh, there are also biographies to consider as some biographers make note of certain streams of fatalism in their subjects (or sense of grandiosity in others). But that is perhaps for another day.

So an envisioning future through books has psychological, philosophical, religious, economic, political, and even very personal implications to consider.

And this makes me enjoy reading even more!

See you behind the page!

The Anti-Aging Movement (via Idylls For the King)

This is such an insightful post on the pre-occupation with looks and aging. Well written and well said!

The luxury to Worry about wrinkles, War over weight And endless waste Keeps us distracted, Ineffective and Essentially ego-maniacal. – No amount of cream Can cure or conceal Our complacency. – Except The voluntary Purification process, Burning and cleansing, Renewing and refreshing, Peeling back formative flesh. Delivered from dire desire, I decide to die to self And live for Christ alone. – blueprintbaby lives in Arkansas via Oklahoma via Los An … Read More

via Idylls For the King

A Generous Life is Rooted in our Generous Management of God’s Good Gifts

Scripture Passage – I Chronicles 29:14-16

Description – The first sermon of the Fall 2010 series A Generous Life

(Note to readers: written by a member of the congregation, the later service version of this sermon was introduced with a skit entitled, ‘The League of Dysfunctional Heroes.’

(Note to readers 2: This series is using the resources of Brian Klauth’s ministry called “A Generous Life.” You can learn more at www.generouslife.info)

Slide one: Video Introduction from Brian Kluth

As we begin this series, I want us to keep in mind that to live a generous life is to be generous with everything God has given to us: our time, our skills/abilities/strengths, and our money. We have been graciously gifted in each of these areas.

Our journey through the scriptures here on Sunday mornings and your journey through the material that most of you have received through the mail, over the next forty days, is more than a journey about money, important as money is, it is about all that God had given to us to live a generous life and, in line with God’s will and purposes, to enable others to life a generous life for the honor and glory of God.

Each Sunday during this series I will be asking you two questions. The first question is a question about looking for success, notably success with God’s help, in the area in question for that Sunday.

One of my top twelve favorite books is called The Leadership Challenge written by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner. It is one of the most practical and inspirational books on leadership I have ever read and one of the key points they challenge readers to make in their leadership work is to ‘celebrate small wins.’

I think that when it comes to living a generous life, the kind of generous life that God honors and is God honoring, we need to celebrate small wins because there is much these days that works against being a generous person with a generous spirit. So, if you will, I will ask you to determine each week where you have celebrated small wins in that particular aspect of a generous life.

But we also have areas that frustrate us and force us to our knees in prayer. And because we do there will be a second question each week that focuses on how you might, again with the Lord’s help, begin to succeed in that particular aspect of generosity.

(Slide two) Now for this morning the main point is: A Generous Life is Rooted in our Generous Management of God’s Good Gifts.

Our main text for this morning is 1 Chronicles 29:14-16

Let us hear the word of God this morning:

But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon without a trace. “O Lord our God, even these materials that we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name come from you! It all belongs to you!”

These are the words of David to the Lord after the ancient Hebrews started collecting the materials to build the Temple in Jerusalem.  Listen to what was collected after David challenged the people to start setting aside materials to build the temple:

“For the construction of the Temple of God, they gave almost 188 tons of gold, 10,000 gold coins, about 375 tons of silver, about 675 tons of bronze, and about 3,750 tons of iron.”

That is a great deal of precious metal!

And how did they give all of this metal?

We find out in verse 9 “The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.”

They gave freely, they gave wholeheartedly! They gave generously!

And not only was the temple eventually built, but their relationship with God improved! And it improved not because of a building but because they made the choice to not just talk of generosity but also act generously toward God and toward one another!

(Slide three) Who is the most generous person you have ever known? (Write their name down on your bulletin)

What were they the most generous with?

Was it their time, skills/abilities, or money?

A lot of people have been generous to me over the years but the one person who came to my mind as I wrote these words is a former seminary professor Dr Don Joy. In my entire academic life, I took more of Don’s courses than any other teacher or professor!

The thing that he generously gave to me more than anything else was his time. During the two years I was in seminary, I was part of a weekly luncheon with him as my peers and I began to navigate adulthood and prepare for ministry after graduation.

He also gave of his learning to me. (Yes I paid for it but…) He taught my classmates, and several generations of pastors and leaders, some very important things including what it meant (and still means today) to be in ministry.

First service inclusion: As I think about Don, I think about the line I heard in the video clip from Brian. “Learning to live open handed in a tight-fisted world.” Don Joy lives that statement.

Now generosity is not about giving away anything, time, talents, or money, in an unwise or frivolous manner. A generous person learns a proper and wise sense of timing of when to give and when to withhold. And a generous person, who is also a follower of Jesus Christ, relies on God’s wisdom and direction in his/her generosity.

Second service inclusion: Our superheroes we heard from today were not willing to be generous, at first, with any of their talents and abilities. And the reasons they gave were ones that people often give for not being generous. They are tired, they feel unappreciated, or they are jealous of another’s abilities.

As I think about Don, I think about the line I heard in the video clip from Brian. “Learning to live open handed in a tight-fisted world.”

Now generosity is not about giving away anything, time, talents, or money, in an unwise or frivolous manner. A generous person learns a proper and wise sense of time of when to give and when to withhold. And a generous person, who is also a follower of Jesus Christ, relies on God’s wisdom and direction in his/her generosity.

As I thought about and studied our main text for today, I was again reminded of another time in Ancient Israel when their talents were called on by the Lord for another major project – the construction of Tabernacle, the Hebrews’ preceding place of worship. We read about the people’s generous response through Exodus 35:

So all the people left Moses and went to their tents to prepare their gifts. If their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so, they brought to the Lord their offerings of materials for the Tabernacle and its furnishings and for the holy garments. Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing…

…All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen cloth, and they brought them in. All the women who were willing used their skills to spin and weave the goat hair into cloth…

…And Moses told them, “The Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. In fact, he has every necessary skill. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The Lord has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work.

A spirit of generosity (and really worship) gripped the people and they gave and they gave until Moses said (and is recorded in Exodus 36) “Stop! You have given enough materials!”

(Slide four) Ok, here is the “celebrate win” question for this morning!

Where is one area where the Lord has helped you practice generous management of God’s good gifts?

Now one of things that I have learned over the years is that some of us do things for others with the caveat that no one is to ever know what was done. So because I want to respect that, and thus not ask you to respond, let me ask you to consider this story from Alan Chapman as one way of profoundly practicing God’s good gifts of time, talent, and money in a generous way.

He tells the story of a British family who rented an RV and while traveling through California, lost their keys to the RV, a replacement one at that because the first one had broken down. The dad lost them on a rollercoaster!

As they returned to their RV at the amusement park the family found a way to get into the RV through a slightly open window. And then as they sat to discuss their predicament, one of the children, who had earlier found a key in the RV, went and discovered it worked in the ignition!

The next day a call to, followed by a visit to, a locksmith resolved the problem. However, it was when it came time to pay the bill, the locksmith, who had enjoyed his time with the English visitors, told them the day long work of replacing the locks and keys… was free of charge!

(Note: You can read the complete story at  http://www.businessballs.com/stories.htm#locksmith-story )

One of the wonderful things about this story is that it is Chapman and his family who are the recipients of the locksmith’s generosity! How many have had a similar kind of experience?

It makes us grateful and thankful, doesn’t it?

The Lord has given to each of us talents and abilities to be used for the benefit of others and to honor His name. Money (and in the case of the locksmith, financial sacrifice) is sometimes a part of such acts of generosity but I have found, that sometimes it is the time spent on behalf of someone that makes much more difference than the amount of money.

(Slide five) So what does all of this mean for us as we consider the generous management of God’s good gifts to us?

Let me suggest, based on our main text this morning the following:

(Slide six) A generous life is truly birthed in the recognition that all we have is from the Lord!

Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us!

We have been given life, skills, and education, money, and work from the gracious hand of God. We take seriously that everything that is created comes ultimately from the hand of a good and gracious God.

(Slide six a) A generous life takes root in the reality that we do not own, we only manage, and that is for a brief time.

We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us.

You can’t take it with you is very, very true. What are you investing these days? Has the investment of others before us, whose names only some of us remember and many of us do not know, in the ministry and facilities of this congregation, been worth it? You bet it has! We are being called to do the same for future generations when our names will be heard but we will not be known. We invest in those who we will never know this side of heaven.

(Slide seven) This brings me to that second question I told you about earlier in this message and here it is:

What is one way this week I can practice better management of God’s generosity?

Is it with money?

Is it with a talent?

Is it with time?

What is that way? (First two steps)

You have a couple of minutes to write and reflect.

God has invested in the human race in two ways: through the creation of said race and through the redemption of it by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is safe to say that God has a large investment riding on us!

We have the opportunity, not just during the next forty days, but today, tomorrow, this week, to be generous in Jesus’ name with and for someone for the honor and glory of God.

Let us do so, gratefully, graciously, and generously.

Amen.

Service of the Nativity

(This past Sunday the service was The Service of the Nativity. For those from a Liturgical background you would probably find it done on Christmas Eve evening. It contained the lighting of all the Advent Candles except the Christ Candle. I had my sons hand out the various nativity characters to the congregation and then would prompt them to come up when asked ‘Will someone bring _______ to the manger?’  A humorous moment occurred when Joseph was ‘lost.’ We did find him after the service in a shepherds place but that was okay. One of the men could not resist a joke while we looked for Joseph, ‘He changed his mind and took off!’ The material I used for the service (which was more of a running commentary than a sermon) can be found at the website: http://www.crivoice.org/nativity.html. I have place the material I used from them in quotes to give credit to whom credit is due. It turned out to be a very meaningful service as one member put it, “It help us to slow and down and really reflect.”)

Welcome and Announcements

Carol Medley

Angels From the Realm Of Glory

Angels We Have Heard on High

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving

Meet and Greet

Joy To the World, The Lord is Come

Offering

Doxology

Service of the Nativity

Greetings and Introduction

Welcome to our Service of the Nativity. For some of us, this is a service that we are familiar with when it is traditionally held on Christmas Eve evening. It similar to our Candles and Carols service with the scripture readings and lighting of the Advent candles but with some additional elements such as communion and much more singing. I wanted to do this service a year ago but we substituted it with our annual Christmas program that had been cancelled a week earlier due to the weather.

As we begin this service and as we prepare for communion, I would have us focus on this question, ‘Where does Jesus belong?’ A question that is very appropriate for this season and important for everyday of our lives.

One of the reasons I have incorporated this service into our Advent calendar is to focus for a time on the manger scene. We hang the greens each year; we are told again each season that the candy cane has a very important meaning beyond being a mere sweet treat; we decorate the tree; we hear the Christmas story in a new way from our children; but I think that we need to come to the manger this morning because this is where we truly start the Christmas story.

As I prepared for this service, I realized that the word ‘journey’ is a part of the Nativity experience because with the possible exception of the shepherds, those who are a part of that holy night have left their homes and journeyed to Bethlehem.

Think with me for a moment about this. Though Joseph’s hometown was Bethlehem, he traveled with Mary from Nazareth only because he was required to. We do not know where Mary was from, perhaps Nazareth but there is no indication that she was from Bethlehem.

Maybe the shepherds were from the area but their profession is one of wandering to wherever the food is for their flocks. The wise men, who came later, journeyed from a long distance to find the new King. Then there was Jesus who came from heaven to earth.

All were on a journey as we are. Let us begin that journey again this morning to the manger with readings from the Bible and the lighting of our advent candles.

Tausha and Kara _____ are our scripture readers for this morning and will our candle lighters please be ready to come forward when the scripture passage for your candle is completed.

Reading of Psalm 46

Lighting of the First Advent Candle

Reading of Isaiah 35

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle

Reading of Philippians 5:5-11

Lighting of the Third Advent Candle

Reading of Luke 1:67-79

Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle

Let us sing together ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!’

Congregational Song: Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Mary’s Story

As we continue our journey let us first hear Mary’s story.

“It had all began some time ago when Mary and Joseph were making wedding plans. They dreamed of their future together. The love that united them seemed indestructible. Then, unexpectedly, Mary was encountered by a heavenly visitor” as we read in Luke 1.

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you.” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and pondered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have not known a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be the Son of God. . . . For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Will someone bring Mary to the manger?

Joseph’s story

Now we cannot forget Joseph, who was about to receive the shock of his life when he learns that his finance, who has been faithful to him and he to her, is pregnant! Joseph’s journey is about to take a turn in a new and challenging direction as we read in Matthew 1.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” . . . Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. (Matthew 1:18-25)

Will someone bring Joseph to the manger?

Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem

In Luke 2 we read, ‘And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to their own towns to be registered. And Joseph also went, out of the city of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. He went to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was expecting a child.’

“It was a crowded city that night, Bethlehem, the city of David. People from all over had returned to the city of their fathers. Here they would register and a census would be taken. Joseph and Mary sought for a place to stay. An inn. A room somewhere, anywhere. A safe place from the chilly night air. But there was no place, no room in the inn. At the city’s edge was a stable, a place where animals could be protected and fed. There, in a stable, Mary and Joseph found warmth and protection. They would stay here until a new day brought light.”

The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-5

In Luke’s gospel we read, ‘So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The birth of a child is an exciting, scary, and joyful time. Many different emotions and thoughts come into our minds when a new birth, either directly experienced or observed or heard about, occurs.

Our journey takes on a new dimension and a new direction. Life, new life, has occurred and life itself is forever changes.

The journey, an unexpected and perhaps unwelcomed one, by Joseph and Mary is forever changed when Jesus is born.

As we continue to linger at the manger, we are going to sing some familiar carols. We begin with the first verse of Away in A Manger.

As we sing, will some one bring Jesus to the manger?’

Congregational Song: Away In A Manager, Verse 1

God’s creation was a part of that Holy Night. The place of birth was not a comfortable and warm birthing room. It was in the midst of where animals were housed. There was nothing sterile about it! But, it was a marvelous place, full of life and activity.

Can’t you hear the conversation later in Jesus’ life when He was asked, ‘Where you born in Bethlehem?’ Yes. Was it at Bethlehem General? No, in a stall with the animals watching!

As we sing verse 2 will someone bring the animals to the manger?

Congregational Song: Away In A Manager, Verse 2

The Shepherds’ Story

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you; You will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the heavenly host praising God and saying; “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among all people!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the Child, who was lying in a manger.

Has anyone here ever had shepherds and angels at their birthday party? (I thought so.) That would be different wouldn’t? We come as we are to a birthday party, right? So did the shepherds and the angels! They came as they were that Holy Night! That is how the Lord wants us to come to Him, as we are.

As we sing our next song will someone bring the shepherds and the angels to the manger?

Congregational Song: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks. (3 verses)

Earlier I asked us, ‘Where does Jesus belong?’ Our initial thought in the context of this morning would be, what? ‘In the manger?’ But is that the final answer? Is that the only answer? No, it is not.

Solo ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy’

The Magi’s Story

I recently had a friend ask me, ‘How many wise men came to the manger?’ I blurted out ‘three’ then caught myself. ‘Wait, we really don’t know how many.’ In Matthew’s account (the only account of their visit) the number who visited is not mentioned. We may get three because of the carol that we will sing in a moment or from the fact that three gifts given to Jesus are mentioned by name – gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

These are mysterious people who are on a journey to find a new born king, the King of the Jews. There were on a search for truth. We too, are on a search for truth. But is truth found in power? Is truth found in wealth? Or is truth found somewhere else or in someone else?

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to pay him homage.”

When King Herod heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had called together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; For from you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and determined from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and pay him homage also.”

When they had heard the king, they departed; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it came and stood over where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had entered the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and fell down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

As we sing will someone bring the wise men to the manger?

Congregational Song: We Three Kings

We Gather at the Manger

I like what Monte Neighbors and Dennis Bratcher say as we look at the manger, ‘Heaven looked down on that Holy Night as a manger became an altar and a stable became a cathedral.’

This morning as we have communion, we are going to come forward and dip the bread in the cup. As you do so, take a moment to pause and look the manger and give thanks to God for the Christ Child who came to die for our sins and give us new life.

Communion

Congregational Song: O Holy Night