Transcript
The prophet Isaiah foretold that a child would be born who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The prophet foretold that a virgin would be with child, and she will bear a son, and his name will be called Immanuel. On the day that Jesus was born away in a manager that prophesy came to pass. We celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus. And on this first Sunday of Christmas, I want to remind you that remembering through celebration is a most important practice for a family, a community and even for nations. For it’s in the remembering or the celebration rituals of a people that provides the foundational roots for us so that when the storms of life are raging and the shoe seems to fall again, we –can stand anyhow, regroup and go forth.
The rituals of commemoration and celebrations, I like to say “is the glue” that keeps people together. It is the glue that
grounds our faith. The baby Jesus as he was of Jewish ethnicity was thusly circumcised on 8th day and at this ceremonial act he was named and called Jesus. Jesus would be cared for by his earthly Mary and Joseph and grow in stature, wisdom, and favor with God and with humanity.
We would meet Jesus years later when his family along with the others of his clan went to commemorate and celebrate the Passover. Oh, they had to recall and remember from generation to generation that they were once enslaved in Egypt and cried out to God for liberation and that God heard their cry and answered by and by. A people must celebrate their stories and the acts of God in their history less they forget the consequences which can be grave.
In our text today, Jesus like all other Jewish boys his age about 12 years were in the temple. Jesus apparently listening and now raising questions that stunned the people. How could
this be? A boy child who no doubt played with the other boys with sticks from his dad’s carpenter shop. Jesus, Immanuel, was grounded with a purpose.….preparing to usher in a new kingdom way of being, doing, and living for the whole world. The good news here is that all creation too can embrace this reality no matter how things look, “We too have been grounded with purpose.”
As with all commemorative celebrations, there is a time when they come to an end and the people are launched back into “where the rubber hits the road realities of life.” No doubt the college students who are home for Christmas break in worship today are enjoying this break. Exams are done. You probably indulged in some good home cooking and received gifts that you needed and some that you wanted! As you caught up with family and friends, you told stories and heard stories as you wished the other Merry Christmas. But in just a few days, you
will be returning to your campuses to study (some to military and others to jobs in other states) as you continue your life’s journey with purpose.
For the people in Jerusalem in our text, Passover was over and Mary, Joseph, siblings, cousins, and extended clan along with neighbors began the journey back to Nazareth. This journey was about 75 – miles and it would have been several days journey on foot. About one day into the journey, it was noticed that Jesus was not in the crowd. And like when a parent notices their child missing in the mall or at the fair, it’s nerve wracking. And like any right-minded parent, they proceed to go back into the city and sure nuff, they found Jesus in the temple astounding the listeners. Upon seeing Jesus, Mary’s initial verbal response was one to scold him, (us parents have all been there) but overall, she was relieved. The heart response was understanding
that this is Jesus the son of God among us…so she pondered this event in her heart and back home they went.
There may be times when we question the same ole same ole things –those Commemorative celebrations. Some adult children may wonder, “Why is grandma so upset that I won’t make it to Christmas Eve supper this year or Sunday after church supper or a number of other family or church celebrations,”… Well, because grandma knows that living in this fallen world things can be rough, and these rituals are the glue that keeps the family together and propels family members into their future with a sense of safety, clarity and hope.
Disciplined practices and the personal sacrifices that go along with it grounds each of us and the ones we love. These things, like it was said of Jesus in our text this morning, ground us to grow in stature and wisdom and with favor. Just a reminder this morning that your Christian development is not for naught…
First, we are grounded with purpose through:
1. Community and this is non-negotiable! In our text today, the people traveled together and most likely if not ate together on the journey family groups all ate at the same time. On the way home from Passover Festivities, when Jesus is not to be found in the crowd his earthly parents were able to ask the community if they had seen seen Jesus? – The crowd no doubt started a search party.
Some may argue that “I don’t come from a family that has been loving and caring. Please know that this is understood given all of the dysfunctions in a fallen world. I was there. The good news is that the church folks literally became my sisters and brothers showing love, teaching me, counseling me, and even disciplining me when necessary. Apostle Paul reminds the church as recorded in Romans 12:15, that
it’s in community that we bear one another burdens and we weep with those that weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. The writer of Hebrews 10:25 admonishes the church to forsake not the assembling of ourselves together. Believe it or not, loneliness happens to be the largest public health challenge we face. Community is non-negotiable but know that we are grounded, we are here, with purpose in community.
Second, we are grounded with purpose endowed with:
2. Courage to go against the grain—-that means living into your purpose and being your authentic self – Jesus, a unique child…his mother pondered this in her heart….why? Perhaps she knew that raising him would be in someways a challenge. On finding him in the temple she disciplines him and then hearing the response “I must be in my Fathers house” – that response would have gotten me a backhand
smack in the mouth; Being your authentic selves….at any time and season in life takes courage in community—what a conundrum…community connection and conformity, yes and individuality too! Marching by the beat of a different drum takes courage.
Third, we are grounded with purpose through our
3. Benchmarks of faith—these benchmarks ground us for life. Our spiritual practices and festivities function as the glue to keep us steadfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord—- Jesus was circumcised on 8th day and at the Passover at about 12 years was in the temple listening, teaching and astounding the listeners. We learn from Jesus that these benchmarks of faith for example will serve us well in life. When tempted by Satan—Jesus, just prior to his public ministry, when fasting 40 days and nights in the wilderness, he was able to recite and repeat the words of scripture “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” And
although hungered was able to declare that man Shall not live by bread alone.”
In this journey called life in a fallen world…we need to pull on the faith as we navigate the sometimes harsh realities of life. *For me it was the practice of fervent prayer when in trouble in college caught and saw no way out.… as religious culture and more specifically a faith tradition where consecrated prayer is everything. I still believe that prayer turns things around. Even today nothing can take its place… (My poor husband has to hear me 3 and 4 am calling on the name of Jesus).
On this First Sunday of Christmas, as we think about calling, purpose, direction in a messy world, always remember that you are grounded for a purpose…..finding it through the various stages of life can be alienating but the light of Jesus will guide
your way. There is help on your knees. There is help in your community. There is strength inside of you to keep you going and to propel forward. There are faith practices those benchmarks that ground you in making life decisions.
And if and when your purpose changes, remember that there was Jesus as a baby. Jesus as a boy. Jesus the prophet and priest. Jesus feeding the hungry, Jesus teaching his closest followers, Jesus at rest. Jesus at prayer. Jesus challenging the status quo. Jesus the Messiah. Jesus the crucified and resurrected one. Jesus, the Son of God—- Immanuel right now on this first Sunday of Christmas. Always remember that you are grounded with purpose. And from season to season it’s okay to keep on searching, keep on searching, keep on searching untilyou find it.
The word of God for the people of God.
