It’s Christmas! Now that the wrappings and ribbons are history, now that we’ve basked beneath the well-trimmed tree, it’s time to welcome the ChristChild and listen for the angels. They may have been drowned out by all the posturing of politics and the anxieties of shopping, but their song remains: “Peace on Earth, and Good Will to all mankind”. The Shepherds (washing their socks by night?) jumped up and went to the Holy Place. We’re to follow their lead, going to the Holy Places we know. There we may hear–
ISAIAH 63:7-9, in which God claims all of us as God’s children. …”(God) has shown them according to (God’s) mercy, according to the abundance of (God’s) steadfast love.” Even though the Exiles have returned to their homeland, they still endure hardships. Third Isaiah reminds them of the long history of God’s intercession on behalf of the People, even we fatigued post-Christmas People. Christmas is a wonderful time to recount the intimacy of God’s redemption, to tell the stories of God’s Salvation. I mean, who needs a GPS when we have angels?
The letter to the HEBREWS 2:10-18 reminds us that Jesus is our brother, saving us from slavery to death and the devil. Christmas should affirm that Jesus has indeed become like all humans. We’re reminded of the story about a man looking out of his window on a stormy night and pitying the flock of sparrows trying to be warm. “Maybe”, said he, “if I open the garage door, they’ll come in!” But when he did, the noise spooked the sparrows and they flew away. The man said, “If only I could be one of them, I’d lead them to safety.” How can we preach the Christmas story ourselves?
The Gospel, MATTHEW 2:13-23, tells about the Flight to Egypt, and the ensuing return to Nazareth. Why? Because Joseph had messages from angels, and thereby kept Jesus alive. Note that he followed these directives without dismissing them as foolish. Wasn’t he already the earthly father by accepting the words of an angel? Do heavenly visions still come, or are we seduced by the glitter of being a consumer? In the midst of our angst, does the Holy yet appear?
“Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled, And still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing, And ever o’er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.” (Edmund H Sears, 1849) O Lord, help us not to miss the angels! A joyous Christmas to all!!
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Rejoice with the scriptures assigned by the Common Lectionary every Tuesday! at horacebrownking.com
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