December 24, 2015
Stetson Memorial UMC
Christmas Eve
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Praise In The Midst Of Suffering
psalm 150
(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)
“For Unto Us A Child Is Born…”
Prayer for the
Spirit’s leading…
A
Reading from the Psalms…the praise chapter I like to call it…so Psalm 150.
We gather here tonight to celebrate the birth of a
King. We gather here tonight and sing songs. We gather here tonight to not only
waiting expectantly but we are expectantly waiting for His return. We can see
in the world around us that there is much strife and chaos. We live in a world
of greed and despair. We pray for Christ’s return to usher in a new age… but we
too get a feeling of despair at times as we see the world around falling deeper
and deeper in to the abyss…but…but…there
is a light that shines bright in the east. We have gathered here tonight to
testify of the light that shines bright… There is hope to be found in Emmanuel, God with us.
This advent, we are journeying to the cross by
another road than what we may usually travel. We have been traveling a road
that at times may have made us squirm a little. We have been inspired by Marcia
McPhee’s “Awed & Odd” Sermon series where she states:
“We
Christians believe in “folly”–that there is peace, love, joy and hope in the
midst of the good and difficult times. This makes us “odd”–according to those
who proclaim the victory of decline and death all around. It is especially in
this season of expectant hope that we can instead proclaim the awe-inspiring
presence of God’s reign that continually makes all things new. This is a season
of odd “union”–swords into plowshares, wolves and lambs resting peacefully
together, and the “speechless” singing for joy!”
Here we are at the eve of hope, love, joy and peace…we
have taken off our blinders and have seen God in world and working even though
broken. We have talked about seeing peace in the midst of conflict and have
decided that even though the world around us may be broken God is always
working out His plan even if I don’t perceive it. We know because we have seen
the light of God working within situations that others might deem hopeless.
Yes we are a little “odd” because we are “awed” by
God who even in the darkness is there creating order out of chaos. And we
decided that we would rather be awed for God even though the world calls us
odd.
We have seen “Love In the Midst Of Hate”. We
decided that Jesus, our Risen Lord, is the One to show us the way by the
example that He set. We also decided that as Jesus judges and reigns there will
be peace in the midst of conflict and no more hate because all there will be
love. And we have decided that if we look with eternal eyes we can see and
react to “Joy in the Midst of Despair?” We have also realized that no matter
what the circumstance…Joy and Hope are choices that we make…
So here we are tonight to celebrate the birth of
Emmanuel. Now some may say… ”How can you celebrate now? Can’t you see the world
around you and all the suffering? Are you blind to the world?” Our response…our
choice is to praise God in the midst of suffering.
We choose to praise God even in the storms of life.
We, as did Job, understand that we praise God in good times, how can we not
also praise Him in the times of suffering? He is still God. He still is
Emmanuel. He still walks those roads with us helping us through.
On this night we celebrate the greatest gift to
humankind. This gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes is the one gift that keeps
on giving…giving hope, giving love, giving joy, giving peace…who would have
thought a baby so small could be so large?
Isaiah
9:2, 6-7New International Version (NIV)
2
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on
those living in the land of deep darkness
a
light has dawned.
6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his
shoulders.
And
he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He
will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing
and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The
zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Let us use eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart
that is open to what God is doing in the world around us. Then we will be able
to see the peace and love that is evident to all who seek love. We will have
joy even though there is despair around us. We no longer have to feel hopeless
and alone. We can and will have peace in the midst of chaos. We will have
patience and understanding in the midst of hate. But most of all…we will truly
feel Emmanuel…God with us. We will hear His gentle voice of encouragement,
compassion and hope. But it begins here (touch
chest) and here (touch eyes). As
we have an open Heart and lead by the Spirit of God we will use eyes of love
and grace as we seek the love of God in the world around us. We are no longer
hopeless but hopeful because of loves work one early morning in a stable for we
realize we are never alone.
Amen
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