| December 02, 2007
You are Welcome to reflect on this message The First Sunday in Advent – December 2, 2007
Ever since Thanksgiving, starting with “black & blue Friday,” the Christmas season in our society forces us to think about gifts. But lost in the commercialism, and exchanging to the sound of old familiar carols, way back there at the beginning of the gospel, God gave the greatest gift ever given to the world. Yeah Christmas is about giving, but not what we give. You learned it as a child: “For God so loved the world that he gave... himself!” God is a grace-giving-God and when we do the same this time of year, we’re most like God. But always there is complexity involved in the frenetic interchange involving cash. Some people can give a lot easier than they can receive. Others don’t mind at all taking you to the cleaners!
The Apostle Paul had difficulty accepting gifts because he had that ol' “bootstrap mentality.” He wouldn't let you give him anything...easily. He had no problem giving to others. He never gave a thought to passing the collection plate for his churches. But for himself..."I work with my hands; sew my own tents; provide my own way. I preach free of charge." But Paul seems tortured over financial support lovingly given to him by his favorite church at Philippi. And it's due, at least in part, to the obsession of having a lot. And what having it or not having it does to us. His awkwardness is apparent as he stands at that common juncture in human relationships, so fragile yet fraught with the possibility of being the most appealing or the ugliest of any transaction we can know: what Christmas is about: the giving and receiving of a gift.
Paul always had a soft spot for this church at Philippi. Because it's the one church that he allowed to give him a gift. And even here he's fidgety about taking it. "Not that I seek the gift," you see? "And not that I'm in want. Not that I really need it. But... it was good of you to give it." Do you feel Paul squirming as he thanks them for it? I don't know all that lies behind it. But at least part of his weaving and dodging, floating like a butterfly ... can be attributed to his subject: Money.
We can get so disappointed in what somebody gives us or doesn’t give us; or whether they’ll like it; or feeling an obligation to give something equal in return; we max-out the cards on decorations. But the grace of giving just flies right over our heads. So enamored with giving and getting that we forget the love that’s far more valuable than any present you can buy. It’s the curse of living in a culture built around materialism and “Santana” Claus, and cultural gift-giving. In spite of the trees, lights and tinsel, we’ve been blinded to what Advent is: that God gave himself to the world and became one of us, to make us more like what he is.
Matthew is the only one who tells about the tradition that the wise men gave expensive gifts. But the gospels don’t indicate they were kings or how many there were. So to be safe, I’ll stick with “magi.” And what made them “wise” was they thought Jesus was important enough to visit. So they bowed the knee in worship and presented gifts to him, in recognition of what God has done: “gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Fitting symbols of royalty, deity, and destiny.
But I doubt any kid would get very excited about stuff like that. I saw a recent cartoon once where one of the wise men had a sled captioned: “Gosh I thought you guys were bringing practical gifts!” How far removed we are today from that original act of gift-giving! Especially when you think of what kids are getting today--smart toys, electric cars, sophisticated video games, cell phone city.
I know we’re gonna do it, but however you feel about our culture’s attempts at dictating that we buy and charge and splurge in December, I want to make a suggestion about our pledging to the annual church budget. Considering the impact of our text in John, maybe we’ll give something that really matters; something that translate into meaning and usefulness; that has to do with needs more than wants. The gifts I have in mind won’t necessarily cost anything in terms of dollars. And they won’t prevent your giving other gifts--you know wrapping and unwrapping the neckties, socks, and gadgets?
Think with me about the first one--the most important thing any of us have...our time. How can anybody put value on that? For without it, we have nothing. And only God knows we have just so much left. So we better make it count. So little time, to work, to play, to love, to give. Our time is the most precious commodity that everybody can give but money can’t buy. We can buy clocks and watches, but time belongs to God.
Another thing we can do that will really, really help our church is offer our pledge, and make a financial commitment, a promise between you and God for next year, in this worship today. This church is worth your support. We give to what we believe in. We’re not gonna hound you about it all year long. But we set aside today as the time to make your pledge to share some of what you have through the church in the service of Christ.
Pledging is not a burden, but a privilege. It’s not subtraction, but multiplication. An opportunity not a loss. To contribute our part, whatever it is, to the on-going work of God in Christ. Think of the value of that! To say “thank you God” for your goodness to me.
The magi came to adore the “child” Jesus, and their gifts were expensive. But the first and most important gift given to Jesus, was by the villain of Christmas Eve, none other than the Bethlehem innkeeper. No nicely wrapped presents from him; nothing expensive. But something crucial. The very first Christmas gift was a place for Jesus to be born. Because there was “no room” in the Inn. Will we make room in our lives for God this Christmas? That’s the long and short of it. We’ll make room for everything else. So the purpose of today’s Advent worship is to make sure we don’t forget what makes Christmas: the values of the stable. God’s greatest gift has a human face, like ours.
The Church is competing against a very powerful foe, called unrealistic expectations. Pitted against the values of our society, the values of the stable runs against the grain of all we’ve learned from our earliest days. Like Tony Blair said this week: “They’ll think you’re a NUTTER!”
But after the magi knelt before the newborn king, Matthew adds this little intriguing detail: “They went home another way” (Matt.2:12). They took a different route. No more of the same old routine after their encounter with Jesus. The very first visitors, who came the farthest, and gave the most, discovered what millions after them have learned: worshiping Jesus the Christ will change you forever.
This is our faith: God has done the giving, it’s up to us to do the receiving. “But as many as received him, to them he gave the power to join with the family of God, even to those who believed on his name” (John 1:12). That’s what Christmas is really about, but you won’t hear a hint of it when you’re shopping. Whch is to say that the best thing you can do this Christmas Season isn’t just to give a gift, but to receive one -- the only one that matters. The greatest gift ever offered, is free, yet costly. And that’s why supporting his church makes God smile. Instead of giving our best to that which “moth and rust doth corrupt,” why not lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven?”
On this day of promise-making, I’ll promise you this much. If you have the guts and the commitment to do that, it’ll change your life for the better, for all time.
Pastoral Prayer: You make us glad O God, by the annual festival of Advent, celebrating of the coming of the Lord, that never grows old. Because the Babe grew up, grant that we who habitually welcome him as our Deliverer, would not hesitate to joyfully follow him as our Servant/Lord.
We pray for this church, that our devotion would be deepened in this worship and our commitment more genuine, so that Thy name be praised.
We thank Thee for friends who care, for ways that open when doors seem shut, for major purposes that make life’s minor irritations bearable. We bless Thee for your love for this world you created, that no resistance can diminish and no need exhaust.
We remember at this festive time of year, all who are facing tough times. Those trying to make peace instead of war. Those still trying to say goodbye to somebody close who died. Those in hospitals whose time is a matter of days; and for we ourselves, bearing as we do the marks of a culture too much with us; who’ve done so little with so much. We pray for a meaningful Advent, so that this Christmas morn, we’ll have something more to show for our running around than tired feet, wrapped presents, and empty pocket books.
We pray for our city, rich in buildings, but poor in soul; high in crime, low in morale; a playground for some, and a nightmare for many. Surrounded by students, but few who come to church. Tune our outlook toward Thy saving grace, that will reflect Thy Spirit, rather than the spirit of the age. Bless this town and this congregation that’s been a vital part of it for so long with Thy beneficence, that here on “this hill that cannot be hid,” we will be able to continue the best of our Baptist tradition, by raising a consistent, costly, and contagious testimony to the “truth that sets us free.”
All of which we pray in faith and with thanksgiving, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Back |
