"Soon." Christmas Eve Sermon, 2020

Christmas Eve Sermon, 2020

Luke 2:1-20

“Soon.”

Preached Thursday, December 24, 2020 at Vermilion Grace United Methodist Church via FB Live

As members of my congregation know, I have just barely returned from maternity leave. I gave birth to my first child, Agnes, on September 11. I knew when I was pregnant that I would be returning to work, the church, just before Christmas. And within the first week of my leave, as I reflected on my experience in labor, I actually wrote this sermon - not yet on paper, but in my head, knowing that I would be sharing these thoughts on Christmas Eve. So a content warning, I will be referencing childbirth and labor but only in the literal sense for the introduction of my sermon. 

See, during my labor and the days and weeks that followed I could only pray one word prayers. Christian writer Anne Lammott says that there are really only three types of prayers and they can be summed up in one word each: Help, Thanks, and Wow. And I have found this to be infinitely true.

Lately I have been praying a lot of help prayers. In fact every night I pray a "help" prayer. The prayer is just one word over and over "sleep sleep sleep sleep sleep." And since I'm talking to God I do throw in a couple of pleases. "Please Lord, let us all just sleep. Sleep sleep sleep sleep please."

But there have also been plenty of wows and plenty of thanks.

So much can be said with a wow or a thank you.

Deep appreciation for one's body and what it's been through. Gratitude for community that surrounds you with love. Appreciation for the beauty of nature, whether that be in a newborn's face or the fresh fallen snow.

But the one word prayer that I want to focus on this evening is the prayer "Soon."

Soon. Soon. Soon.

When I was in the throes of labor this is all I could think. All I could pray, in my head or outloud.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

As the pain of birth and labor intensified. I prayed soon. Soon. Soon.

I could only think the word "soon." But there was so much intensity of emotion and thought behind it.

Let this pain be over soon.

Let me meet my baby soon.

Let all be well and healthy SOON.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

The Christian tradition of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas where we prepare for Christ's birth, are rife with labor metaphors and not just because of Mary's pregnancy.

I wonder if Mary prayed the one word prayer of soon:

Let this long journey on camel be over soon.

Let us find a place to stay soon.

Let this child come soon.

Let God do this new thing through me soon.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

Advent is, in a way, us praying a one word pray over and over to God: Soon. Soon. Soon.

Let Christmas be here soon.

Let these dark nights and short days end soon.

Let the world be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love soon.

May we experience Christ's presence with us soon.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

In Advent we wait.

We wait for the celebration of Christ's birth. An event that happened in the past.

We wait for Christmas morning, for gifts and laughter and joy.

And Advent isn't just about Christ's birth, it's about his return. So we wait. We wait for that day where Emmanuel, God With Us, will truly come and dwell among us again, bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition here on Earth.

Our Advent prayers are:

Soon - remind us of the wonder and love of God.

Soon - let us once again experience the magic of Christmas day.

Soon - come into our lives and world once again, Jesus. Redeem us. Redeem all of creation. Make us whole.

Soon. Soon. Soon.

All the earth is crying out in the labor pains of Christmas, awaiting Jesus's second coming. This Christmas, may we recognize the twangs of pain for what they are.

Where there is violence and war may we hear all of creation crying out - bring us peace, Lord! Soon!

Where there is disease may we hear all of creation crying out - bring us healing, bring us hope - Soon, Lord, soon!

Where there is pollution and devastation, eroded coastlines, failed crops - may we hear all the earth crying out - Soon, Lord! Make us whole!

Where there is oppression. Where there is hunger. Where there is isolation. Wherever there are pains in this world may we begin to hear them as all of creation crying out to God: Soon! Soon! Soon!

Soon! End our pain. Soon! Give birth to a new thing. Soon! Let God's Kingdom reign.

Christmas is a reminder that the day of "soon" has already come - God was born into this world in the form of a newborn baby. God is with us. We are never alone.

Christmas is a reminder that soon can come right now. What new thing is God doing in you this Christmas? Where is God calling you to birth peace, hope, joy, and love into this world, this Christmas?

And Christmas is a reminder that soon is yet to come. And we set our eyes on that day. That the final soon has not yet arrived but God promised that it would. That the work that God begun through Jesus will be completed. That one day, God will descend to us again. That one day God will redeem all creation, birthing a new heaven and a new earth where all will be at perfect peace and perfect love. A Kingdom that will know no end, no death, no tears. A Kingdom that will be filled with the power of the resurrection of Easter and the wonder and love of Christmas Day.

And so this Christmas, with all of creation, we pray: Soon. Soon. Soon.

Amen.

Christmas Confession (Based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

Christmas Confession (Based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

Forgive us, Lord, for when we get so caught up in the darkness that we forget to look at the light.
Forgive us for all the time we spend in the valley:
Fighting amongst ourselves
Focusing on worldly success
Just going day to day without rest, praise, or pray.
Forgive us for when we fail to ease the burden of our neighbors. Forgive us still for when we add to it.
Forgive us Lord. Help us repent. Turn our hearts toward you and our eyes towards the sky.
May we see light shining in the darkness. May you increase our joy. May you rescue the oppressed. May you empower all to live into the light and joy of Christmas.
Until that day when there is endless peace and Christ reigns with justice and righteousness, guide our steps ever toward Bethlehem that we may be filled with wonder and love at the sight of Christ the newborn King.
Amen.

L: Hear the Good News! Christ came into this world, God incarnate, in flesh, while we were yet sinners, This proves God’s love towards us. In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.
P: In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.
All: Glory to God. Amen.

Christmas Eve Advent Wreath/Candle Lighting Liturgy

Christmas Eve Advent Wreath/Candle Lighting Liturgy

L: Through the darkest nights of the year we have prayed:
P: Come, Lord Jesus.
L: In a world where all can seem lost, we have looked toward this night for hope.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Bringer of Hope.

*lights candle of hope*

L: Our eyes and ears are bombarded with war, violence, disruption, but at the manger there is peace.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace.

*lights candle of peace*

L: In what is sold as a season of merriment, we know that hardship and grief abound. May we not lose sight of our joy in you.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Child of Joy.

*lights candle of joy*

L: Our hearts ache to reach out and touch each other, for kindness to spread like warmth, we long for the fundamental need of all humanity: to love and be loved.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Lover of our Souls.

*lights candle of love*

L: Too long we have walked in the darkness...but on Christmas, 2000 years ago and Christmas today, tonight, a Light has entered the world and the darkness cannot overcome it.
P: Come, Lord Jesus, Light of the World,

*lights Christ candle*

L: Christmas is here. Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love are here!
P: Jesus is here, Bethlehem's matchless child!
L: Christmas is here! All the world rejoices!
All: Christmas is here! Let us worship Christ the King!

Mini-Devotional on Mary

Normally we hear about Mary and read her song, The Magnificat, on the third Sunday of Advent. This year it’s on the fourth Sunday.

I was particularly pleased to discover this because it’s my favorite passage of Scripture and by it being on the fourth Sunday this year - I didn’t miss out on the chance to preach on “Mary Sunday.”

And Mary has been on my mind a lot lately - it’s kind of hard for me to be going through the season of life I’m currently in - AND it being Christmas time - without thinking of Mary.


Mary doesn’t loom large in our Wesleyan tradition - Wesley barely talked about Mary - except in his “Sermon to a Roman Catholic” he does mention that he believes in Mary’s perpetual virginity - although I wouldn’t call that Wesleyan or Methodist doctrine by any means.


But I think we lose out by our tradition not talking much about Mary - and not in a way that glorifies her beyond recognition as a human woman - but by really focusing on her humanity.


When we think of the birth and child-rearing of Christ, we think of a sanitized version.

But what would it really mean to acknowledge the full humanity of Mary in birthing and feeding Jesus?


To have an infant, a newborn, to have GOD as an infant, a newborn, fully dependent upon a human woman for nourishment and love. For her aching back and swollen feet in pregnancy. For her blood, sweat, screams in birth. For the nourishment of her breasts in infancy.


What does that tell us about God’s relationship to us? To humanity? To women?


That God is willing to be vulnerable with us

That God loves us the way a mother loves a child AND the way a child loves a mother - unconditionally, fully, without hesitation

That God wants to be with us more than anything - not only to hold us in the arms of God - but for us to hold onto God, cradling Divinity, wondering at it, being overcome with the magnitude and joy of it, caring for and nurturing our relationship with the Divine as an all-consuming act of Love, that takes body, mind, soul together…


Let us this Advent and Christmas ponder on Mary, the infant Jesus at her breast, and contemplate how God loves us so.

Advent Wreath Lighting, 4B, Love

Advent Wreath Lighting, 4B, Love

L: Christmas is coming. We feel it in our hearts, in our to-do lists, and in the crisp winter air.
P: Love is coming.
L: The space between us and the Holy is thin - if we just looked up, around, opened the eyes of our hearts we might be able to see angels.
P: Love is coming.
L: Christmas has the power to change everything - it changed everything for Mary. It can change everything for us.
P: Love is coming.
L: May we be ready for Christmas - may we be ready for change - may we be ready for Jesus.
P: Love is coming.
L: And so we light this candle of Love, inviting the God who is love, born on Christmas Day, into our hearts.

*Lights candle*

P: Love is coming - Love is here - God who is Love. God with Us.
All: Amen.

Easter Prayers of the People amidst COVID-19

Let us now with joy and humility, approach the God who conquered death and rose victoriously from the grave, handing over all our hearts and lives before the throne of God, beseeching our Lord in prayer, and crying out:

L: Christ is Risen!
P: Christ is Risen, Indeed!
ALL: Hallelujah!

Christ, you went to the cross, suffered, and died - and yet you still defeated the grave. You broke the chains of sin and death - for us and for all creation. May we never forget the power of the cross. May we never lose sight of the empty tomb. May your praises never be far from our lips.

L: Christ is Risen!
P: Christ is Risen, Indeed!
ALL: Hallelujah!

Our Lenten fast has come to an end. And yet...there are so many in our world who are still wandering in the Wilderness, who cannot yet see the Garden at the end of the journey. We are all still in the Wilderness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Be with us now. Be with those that are sick. Those who are isolated. Those who are fearful. Any and all who are grasping at straws, struggling with their new reality. Guide us all through the Wilderness that every tongue may proclaim:

L: Christ is Risen!
P: Christ is Risen, Indeed!
ALL: Hallelujah!

Today we especially lift up those who face the daily reality of this pandemic, including health care workers from hospitals to nursing homes and essential workers from first responders to grocery store workers. Protect them from all harm. May they know you are ever by their side. May they feel the power of the Risen King guiding them through their day.

L: Christ is Risen!
P: Christ is Risen, Indeed!
ALL: Hallelujah!

Be with your Church, O Lord. Today our Easter celebration looks more like that first Easter than we are used to. Locked in our homes, uncertain and afraid. We long to be joining our voices together in praise. We long to be in worship together. Remind us that the power of the resurrection does not rely on our traditions or rituals. May we be overcome with the joy of Easter. Help us all proclaim:

L: Christ is Risen!
P: Christ is Risen, Indeed!
ALL: Hallelujah!

And Lord, we ask that you be with the dead and the dying. Give to them the sure hope and assurance of your coming resurrection, that we will be joined with you and all the saints in the Kingdom of Glory.

L: Christ is Risen!
P: Christ is Risen, Indeed!
ALL: Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Christ is Alive! The God who is Love has defeated death. May your hope be founded in nothing less than the promise of the Resurrection. And so now it is with the confidence of Easter people that we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us...

Prayers of the People for Palm Sunday, Amidst COVID-19

Friends, let us come before the Lord in prayer. Praising God’s name, claiming Jesus as our Messiah, and entrusting our lives and world over to the God who is worthy of our praise. Saying:

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

We are in the midst of strife and uncertainty, anxiety and illness and a global pandemic. It is too easy to turn to fear. To bickering and pessimism. Keep us from despair. Deliver us from all burdens and may we find rest and peace in your care.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

Soon the shouts of Palm Sunday will turn to the jeers of Good Friday. We know that we have the capacity for both within us: to praise and to scorn, to accept and reject. To choose that which is life-giving and that which is death-wielding. Forgive us for those times we have joined in with the crowds of Good Friday. Nevertheless,

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

We know that if we were to keep silent, even the rocks would sing out your praises. Your creation rings out your majesty. From the shores of Lake Erie to the first daffodils of Spring. Even among our current circumstances, we join creation in your praise. We thank you for all that is good and well in our lives.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

Today especially we ask that you be with those who work in healthcare: doctors and nurses, janitors and administrators. From nursing homes to hospitals. Protect them. Keep them safe. Help give them the tools and protections needed to care for the sick and the dying. Give them strength and endurance, compassion and peace.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

Be with those workers deemed essential: from factories to grocery stores and everywhere in between. Keep them safe and protect them in their daily task. May you labor alongside them, that they feel your presence with them.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

May your wisdom be given to your leaders: in all levels of government, in all positions of leadership, in the world and in the church. May they make decisions that prioritize saving lives. May their leadership be filled with compassion and love for the least of these.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

Be with our local businesses, Lord. We know and love this town. We know the people in each shop, the workers, the owners, the relationships and mutuality we have with each other. Help us weather out this storm together.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

Be with your church, O God. Scattered, yet gathered. Eagerly awaiting resurrection and yet mourning this year’s loss of Easter traditions. Knit us together at this time. Help us truly embody the love of Christ to each other, to our neighbors, to the world. May we be the Church outside of the building walls.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

And lastly, Lord, be with the sick and the dying. Where there is hope, bring healing. Where there is death, may they find life in you. May all those who are alone in hospital rooms feel the loving presence of your Holy Spirit. May all those who pass from this life be reunited with us in the resurrection that is to come.

L: We choose to say:
P: Hosanna! Praise the Lord!

We join the crowds in praising Jesus this day. We know and claim him as our Messiah. We trust in his unending love and care. May praise never be found far from our lips and may our hearts ever be directed in prayer to the one who always hears us.

And so now with the confidence of children of God, let us pray that prayer that Jesus taught us...