Sermon for 12/24/06

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Sermon for 12/24/06
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ADVENT: Waiting, Preparing… for the one thing you need

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AMEN

Main Theme: Everything we need is about to be lying in the manger. That which we hunger for and seek is the one who starts as “God in a crib” and becomes the “God on a cross”. Hope, faith, love – these all begin with Him. God knows what we need – a closer and growing relationship with Him. And 1) without asking us, 2) without requiring we earn it or buy it – Jesus came to provide what we could not provide for ourselves: freedom from sin, Satan, and death through a loving and grace filled relationship with Christ. The moment of highest expectation and anticipation is upon us. That which will fill the empty hole in our heart and bring us inner peace and joy is about to come into the world in the strangest way! There is only one way to respond to that kind of love: praise Him, thank Him, and dedicate ourselves to serving and loving Him. Jesus is everything we need – lying in a manger.

1) WHAT YOU NEED! Today, if you were to enter my basement at night through the garage, you can flip a light switch and find your way to the rest of the house. But it wasn’t always that way. For some strange reason, the original builder put the light switch next to the stairs on the other side of the room. Coming in at night meant crashing around in the dark, feeling your way to the stairs, and groping around for the switch. Now being an old shop teacher, I knew what it would take to rewire the house and put a switch in near the garage door. (There’s a reason the original wiring is strung in a new house BEFORE the sheet rock is installed. Putting it in later is hard work, and requires cutting the existing sheetrock in places, and trying to run wire in tight spots, and… well, I wasn’t looking forward to it.) So there I was at the hardware store, pricing out all the components, wondering if this labor intensive project was worth it… when an employee asked if I needed some help. After telling Him what I was attempting to do, he told me to put all those electrical parts back and follow Him – he looked me in the eye and said, “I know exactly what you need!”

2) SOLUTION! Now once those promising words came out of his mouth, I felt a weight lifted. Could it be true? …was this technically competent man actually leading me to a better solution? Were my electrical needs really to be found in one package in the next row? Though the answer had yet to be revealed – the promise that there was an answer within reach, filled me with hope! I felt excitement and hopeful anticipation! Moments later, Mr. miracle-fix-it-man introduced me to the solution: the wireless switch. (hold up) Basically you replace the original switch with the new switch “A”, and then you take switch “B” and mount it ANYWHERE in the house you want. Instead of wires, switch “B” uses a 9 volt battery to send a signal through the air to activate switch “B”. It’s that easy! No running wires, no cutting sheetrock! And I was one happy customer! That salesman made me very happy by first promising a solution to my problem and then by delivering on that promise! And interesting enough, his solution was one that I didn’t even know I needed! Don’t you wish every problem or need you encountered in life, could be handled with the same confident assurance that an answer existed “in the next isle?” Because let’s face it – life has painfully shown us that we’re less-than-perfect people, living in a broken world. And we all have constant needs! And those needs require solutions!

3) CHRISTMAS – HIGH EFFORT! I some times wonder if that isn’t why people, religious or not, make Christmas such a high-effort holiday.   By that I mean, we have lots of low-effort holidays, like Memorial Day or Labor Day, but how much effort do those holidays require? Hardly any! Sure, there are a few middle-effort holidays, like the Fourth of July where we do some decorating – maybe we put out a flag. Maybe we go to a parade, or take our kids to see the fireworks, which requires medium effort. But Christmas, is different; it’s a high-effort holiday. It requires the most decorations, the most shopping and gift exchanging. There’s the food, the school Christmas program – a high effort holiday.

4) SOMETHING MORE! Why? Because deep down inside, most people know or hope that Christmas isn’t all about decorations and gifts. Most people know or hope that Christmas is about something deeper, something more meaningful than decorated trees and eggnog. It somehow seems to suggest there is a supernatural element in it that can help us meet our strongest needs.   How? …some of us shrug our shoulders and haven’t a clue as to how to unscramble it! True, we hear the same things every year – that Christmas is all about family, it’s all about kindness and charity, it’s all about loving and giving to others. But you and I instinctively know that there’s something flawed with that kind of thinking! After all, those are year-round things: to love your family, to be kind and charitable and generous to others – that’s NOT just for Christmas, that’s something we do all year-round. There must be something more! And a small voice in the farthest reaches of our soul seems to suggest there is a Christmas component out there somewhere that can meet our most heart-felt needs. If only we could find the right salesman every time that could with confidence promise to take us to the solution – a solution we didn’t expect, but one found “in the next isle!” Can you imagine the feeling of excitement and hopeful anticipation to know there is something more to life?

5) REAL MEANING – REAL JOY? See, Christmas is that one time in the year when many people make an extra effort to look for real meaning, real joy in their lives.   And I believe that this season is when many people make an extra effort to look in places they would never normally look. Yes, even into the heart of God! Whether folks see themselves as spiritual people or not, there is a spiritual element in Christmas that occasionally projects an internal suggestion: “Maybe this is the year when I will be able to finally see God, finally understand God, and find real joy and meaning in my life. Maybe this is the year, when I will be able to get a glimpse of who God really is, and how He is capable of meeting the needs in my life.” Consciously or subconsciously, most people, this time of the year, are trying to catch a glimpse of God! Despite all the commercial noise and hoopla of Christmas, their ears involuntarily strain for what we in the church know as “the quiet voice of God”. Hmmm… Real meaning – real joy! Dare we dream it? Dare we believe it, that what we really need is to be found “in the next isle”, or in this case, that the answer is about to be revealed in a manger?

6) BUSY! In as much as we like to believe the world has complete changed from Joseph’s and Mary’s time – many things still remain the same. When Jesus was born, the world was even then very busy – most people were traveling to their hometowns to register to be taxed by Caesar. Mary and Joseph were two of those people – wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the times. There are so many travelers, that they have to spend the night in a stable, and there Mary gives birth to Jesus. Ironically, no one really notices, no one really cares. It’s not that people are uninterested in God, it’s just that to most busy people, a “poor couple” in a stable having a baby has nothing to do with God.

7) THE HEART OF GOD! The world hasn’t changed much, has it? It’s still a hustle and bustle place. Everyone is busy. Does that mean that people aren’t interested in God? No. No matter how busy you are, deep down, there is a desire to look into the heart of God. We were designed that way! That’s why there are so many religions today – people are speculating, trying to guess what’s in the heart of God. Look at the countless number of spiritual books in the stores and you can see the pendulum swinging back again - there’s a growing interest in “spirituality!” In songs, or TV shows, busy people long to be “touched by an angel”, or to look into the heart of God. But for most, the search is unsuccessful. Most spiritual books are… interesting, but not the answer. The latest religion fad was OK at first, but confusing after awhile. The shows on TV are nice and heart-warming, but we still haven’t caught a glimpse of God. Perhaps that’s why many people leave the holidays a little down, a little disappointed, and they don’t know why. Could it be they were looking for God, but never found him in the places they were looking? Perhaps they drove by a thousand nativity scenes, but like the people of Bethlehem, they never really expected to find what they really needed – the heart of God - in a manger.

8) EVERYTHING! This morning, I want you to mentally advance the clock to the wee hours of tonight, and walk into the stable, and stand next to Mary, and see what she sees. Which is what? …a beautiful baby, but more than a baby. She remembers the promises God made about this baby. And as she recalls those promises and stares into the face of that baby, she realizes that she is staring into the heart of God. Imagine, everything Mary needs – lying in a manger! And then the shepherds arrive, and they tell her what the angels had said to them. They crowd around the manger, and gaze into the face of that baby, and as they do, they realize that they are gazing into the heart and soul of God. Imagine, everything the shepherds need is lying in a manger! And then the shepherds leave, and Mary ponders all these things in her heart. Everything her world needs, is right here. Everything that her hustling and busting neighbors and friends could ever ask for, is lying in the manger. The key to understanding God, the key to understanding the meaning of life, the key to everything, is right here, lying in the manger.

9) IN YOUR ARMS! And then… Mary lifts the baby out of the manger and gives him to you. And there you stand, awkwardly holding the Son of God in your arms! And you look down into His face, you realize that you are looking into the heart of God. In your arms you have what everyone in America, what everyone in the world is looking for! While the rest of the world hustles and bustles, running from one spiritual guru to the next, channel surfing from one Christmas special to the next – while the rest of the world reads spiritual book after book and sings about chestnuts and snowflakes, looking for meaning and joy and God – there YOU are, in the quiet of the night, away from the hustle and the bustle, looking into the face of this child, looking into the heart of God himself! Everything you have ever needed, and will ever need, is lying in your arms.

10) A SHADOW OF A CROSS! “Why would the almighty God do this,” you ask yourself. “The ruler of the universe, squeezing himself into a 7 pound, 6 ounce baby boy - why?” And then you look outside the stable, and you see a shadow. It’s a bright night , especially with that one bright star being out – and yes, you see a shadow. Up on the hill where criminals are often dealt with, you see the shadow of a Roman cross. And being a scriptural time-traveler, …you understand. This child, this “God in a Crib”, will someday also become “God on a cross”. Because of His great love for us, God has emptied himself and put on human flesh. And someday, God’s love, (come to us in the baby Jesus), will complete His “gift of salvation” by suffering and dying on a cross and paying the penalty for our sin. You cannot help but feel a little sad as you look into the face of this child, knowing what that shadow of a cross means for his future – that He would die someday – for you.

11) BECAUSE OF THIS BABY! But you also cannot help but feel glad, because you know that after this child dies on the cross, He rises from the dead! You realize that it is because of this baby you are holding that someday the world will be set free from sin, Satan, and death. You cannot help but smile, because you know that it’s because of this baby that all your mistakes in life have been taken away. It’s because of this baby that God’s love for you offers you eternal life.

12) LOOKING! And so you give the baby back to Mary. But before you walk away from that stable, and rewind the clock, you take one last look. Do you see God’s unconditional love for you, His mercy, His forgiveness, His wisdom? Now step back to this moment - because it is still Advent, the Holy moment is not yet upon us. In the wee hours of the coming night, God will touch you and me with something even better than an angel! But for now, no baby sleeps in the straw in swaddling clothes. And yet, we rejoice anyway, because we know that our God is not a God who is far away, but a God who is very near. Only hours away from being “in the flesh” among us. We don’t have to drift and wander down endless paths, looking for God, looking for meaning in our life! God has come looking for you and me, and He is about to find us in that precious stable.

13) WITHIN REACH! Friends, much of our life is spent between the “need-meeting promises” of God and the “realization” of those promises. Like the salesman in the hardware store, who promised that the solution to my lighting problem was “within reach”, the Holy Spirit is among us this morning and declaring that what we need, the “solution” we have sought, the answer to our cries for help, is about to be found “in the next isle”. Or should we rephrase that, and declare that which we need is soon to be found lying in the manger. What we need, that is, WHO we need is within reach!

14) HOPE! As each new challenge, crisis, or need arises, there is a moment where the good news places us in that coming-but-not-quite-here-yet moment. Got health problems? “What you need” says the Holy Spirit “is found lying in the manger!” And we find hope! Got financial woes? Addictions? Depression problems? “I know exactly what you need,” says the Spirit, “let me show you where Jesus is found!” And we find hope! Need wisdom and guidance in terms of relational problems, or low self-esteem, or purpose and meaning? “Follow me,” comes the divine whisper, “I know exactly what, that is – whom, you need.” And again we find hope! Though the specific details of Christ’s solution may yet to be revealed – the promise that there is an answer within reach, is meant to fill you and me with hope!

15) FEAR NOT - HE COMES TO YOU! And the miracle of Christmas reveals that even before you know how the answer will play itself out, your fears begin to fade. What had the angels told the frightened shepherds? “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” Do not be afraid! He comes - to you! Not to those often thought to be more deserving, or to those richer, or smarter, or more religious – but to you! The One who is soon to be revealed in the manger is the answer to all your needs – and He comes to you! So, even while the storms of life still rage around you, you find yourself less anxious and inner peace begins to calm your heart. Even before the cross and the resurrection, the promises and heart of God revealed by the birth of this child, tells us that everything is somehow going to work out! “Fear not” said the angels – “Do not be afraid!” Everything you need is to be found lying in the manger! He comes to you!

16) ENJOY! So as we walk the final steps towards the stable this day, let us ponder these things in our hearts. Feel free to enjoy the holidays. Enjoy the hustle and bustle. But… enjoy them knowing that you won’t find deep meaning in all these things. The gifts, the decorations, the gatherings, they are but simple blessings that God has given to us. Enjoy them, but remember: there is something greater to rejoice in! GOD HIMSELF has come to you – to bring you a special and holy relationship that provides meaning, peace, and joy. Do more than just enjoy this gift: embrace, worship, and praise Him!

17) WHILE WE WAIT! Friends, this morning, in our imaginations, we have leapt forward in time and held the baby Jesus in our arms. In our imaginations we have looked into the face of Christ, and we have seen the heart of God! Stepping back, and while we wait now in Advent – we wait with excitement and hopeful anticipation! To see the heart of God in Jesus Christ! As scriptural time-travelers, it is important to revisit and relive the journey to the stable where Jesus is born. But it is equally important to live here in the year 2006, where together, we in the church celebrate with thankful hearts everyday. For Jesus is now found lying NOT just in the manger but fully in our hearts! And Jesus is our solution – for everything! So while we wait for specific blessings to manifest themselves in solving specific needs, we get to see the heart of God every time we come “face to face” with Jesus in prayer, or commune with Him through the bread or wine, or listen to His life-giving words found in the scriptures. And Advent teaches us that while we wait we discover these moments are also now full of blessings! Knowing that God ALWAYS comes through: we can live fearless, confident, thankful, and meaningful lives – even while we wait!

18) EVERYTHING WE NEED! A while back, a competent salesman heard my needs, and promised that “the solution” was in the next isle. He was right! But tonight, Mary, the shepherds, and the angels will discover that everything the children of God need is lying in the manager! In the final hours of this Advent season, let us live it in hope! Let us look upon the heart of God in the coming night, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and see that everything we need, the Lord will lovingly provide! So whatever is happening in your life this day, fear not. I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior will be born to you. This night God Himself, the loving Creator of the Universe, breaks into this broken world to be born in the flesh, and everything you need will lovingly be found lying in the manger! …and in our hearts! …for the rest of eternity! PRAISE GOD! AMEN!

Sermon/Confessional Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we confess that we have many needs, and rather than bringing them to you, we have worried, and fretted, and tried to fix the problem ourselves. We too often forget, even at Christmas time, that everything we need is found in the manger – in you! Forgive us, and help us to turn all our needs over to you, waiting patiently for your loving answers – living fearlessly, and confident that the solution to all our concerns lies in you!

Lord, it is hard in the midst of this busy Christmas season to find what is truly important – and what will give us true meaning and joy! Forgive us for looking to parties, decorations, and presents to fill the void in our heart! As we look for the heart and soul of you, our Creator, help us discover it once again in the face of the Christ child! Help us to see that everything we need will soon lie sleeping there in the manger. And while we wait, teach us to praise you and walk through this broken world secure in your eternal and unconditional love!

And now Lord, although you know us better than we know ourselves, listen as we share in a moment of silence, those other parts of our lives that need to be forgiven, washed clean, healed, and recommitted to you! (made anew.)

(Silence)

Lord, as imperfect children living in an imperfect and broken world, we have many needs! And you have heard our helpless cries and this night we will once again celebrate the gracious solution you so eagerly sent to free us from sin, Satan, and death. For in the baby Jesus, we have seen you – and the unconditional love you have for your beloved children. May we join the angels and heavenly host this evening in praising you for the greatest gift of all! For it is in Jesus Name We Pray. AMEN

Assurance of Forgiveness:

Friends, listen to the good news: The Lord, who is the divine solution to all of your needs, …that Lord has mercifully heard your confession and eagerly forgives you all your sins. Go now, and remember: when you look into the face of the baby Jesus, you have looked into the heart of God! Everything you have ever needed will soon lie in the manger. May our humble response be praise, worship, and faithful obedience… forever! Praise God! AMEN

Opening prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, some of us enter this morning in eager anticipation of the precious gift that will come to us this night – through the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! I say “some” of us Lord – because well, you know that some of us have been so wrapped up in the holiday busyness, celebrations, and preparations that we have in varying degrees lost sight of what we truly need – the true reason for the season. Help us this morning to slow our hearts, focus our minds, and open our souls to the power and love you so eagerly desire to pour into our lives! So fill us with your Holy Spirit that we might not be distracted by our problems, burdened by our sin, or distracted by our emotional, spiritual, and physical wounds. Pour down your forgiveness, healing, and wise guidance that we may focus once again on the only thing that really matters: our growing relationship with you! Help us to relive the wonderful story of this “Silent night – Holy Night” and experience once again the wonder of a God who loves His precious children so much that He would empty Himself and come into our broken world as an infant child to show us your divine heart! Embrace us, touch us, and assure us once again that everything we need will soon be found lying in the manger! It is in your precious Name we Pray! AMEN!

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