Rev. Dustin ParkerChristmas Carolsing devotion
Concordia Lutheran Church
Christmas Eve – Carol Service
Ancient Words that Guide us Home
Isaiah 9:2,6-7
† IMMANUEL! †
May this Christ-mass find you at rest, content as you know you live in the presence of the Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!
Ancient Words to Guide Us Home
Millions of people these days are on journeys. Some travel quite far, others do not have as far to go. For some, the journey has been difficult, challenging, and full of emotional upheaval. Some may not reach the destination they set out for, and that can be more of a blessing than a curse.
One of the hymns tonight, the one preceding the reading of the Luke’s gospel sharing the Christmas story, may not seem like a “normal Christmas Carol”. But I believe that it gets to the heart of the Christmas with much more clarity that we would think. For these words, these ancient words do what the airlines, the trains, and the busy freeways cannot do.
These ancient words guide us home…
The World hasn’t Changed
I heard about a challenging, and yet interesting situation the other day. The young man was getting cynical, even for his age. He looked around him, and saw nothing that spoke of love, or joy or peace. He looked to his friends, and found no comfort, no love, just disappointment and frustration. He looked to his family, one was too busy trying to win the competition (as Mark would say) for the external yuletide illumination, while his “innocent” little sister had a list for Santa that exceeded the inventory of a Macy’s and Toy’s r us, and suggested that Santa could just send her money, lot’s of ten’s and twenties – to make it easy on him! The frustration would grow as he tried to direct an extravagant “Christmas program”, and his actors and musicians did what they wanted to, argued and partied when they should have been diligently preparing to share.. well something, with an expectant audience. Until this young director threw his arms up, and cried out in frustration, “does anyone really know what Christmas is about?” Another close friend would take the time to explain what it was all about, sharing these very ancient words we have heard.
This wasn’t this year, it was 1965. Our world, despite the technological advantages, hasn’t changed much since then, or even since the time when Dicken’s penned “The Christmas Carol”. There are so many distractions, so much self-centeredness, so much that would rob us, or distract us from the true meaning of Christmas.
The young man in the story I read about was named Charles, and his friend was the young Mr. Van Pelt. His story penned by another Charles, whose last name was Schultz. Linus reading of the angels and shepherds sharing in the story of Christ’s is perhaps the most famous recording of the gospel of Luke in history. Merry Christmas Charlie Brown was considered to be a flop before it was released the year I was born, yet it is a beloved Christmas classic, and the reading of Luke has been applauded by even atheists and agnostics.
The reading of the gospel didn’t change Charlie Brown at first, but it did change the rest of the cast according to Schultz. I bet many of you can picture Charlie carrying the simple tree out, and looking at the sky in wonder, as he hears the words of the angels, softly being said in Linus’ voice.
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign for you, you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”
God’s rest
Peace, good will towards men…
Words that Charlie Brown, Charles Schultz and Charles Dickens couldn’t find as they looked at the world’s celebration of Christmas.
We usually picture the manger scene as one of serenity, of peaceful and glowing Mary and Joseph looking down in adoration towards the baby, as animals quietly grazed and looked as well at the baby. It is a beautiful scene, but I am not sure how realistic it is.
The serenity, the peace comes from knowing that the Savior of God’s people had come, that no longer would man walk apart from God. No longer would we need to struggle in the darkness, for God’s comfort, His Rule, His loving care for His children, and His peace was made evident.
That which was God’s perfect will had come into play, a baby that would grow up, teach, and heal, and comfort and be tortured and be killed. The book of Hebrews tell us, along with Isaiah, that it was for joy He would silently endure it all, the shame, the humility. Because His love would shatter the darkness, His love would heal relationships broken by sin, His love would unite us with Him and make us children of God.
The stable would lead to the cross, and it is for this reason that the Angels would sing at the birth, testifying to those whom God loved, that there is no more to fear.
Ancient words indeed, but few so treasured, Ancient words that would lead shepherds to a feeding trough, that Mary would treasure, that would lead the choirs to sing, and the people of God to rejoice and praise the Lord they love with all their heart, soul, mind and strength! For He came to us!
The journey I referred to earlier, is not the journey of airports, and train stations, and freeways and lesser roads. But it is a journey towards what it truly home. Home where God has dwelt among men, which angels have proclaimed, which shepherds have rejoiced in.
A journey to know peace, and God’s comforting grace… A journey were the Holy Spirit comforts and guides us through the hustle and bustle, through our cynicism and sarcasm, past the materialism and distraction of that which glints like silver and gold. A journey guided by the Spirit using ancient words to guide us into the very presence of God, as His family is gathered around Him.
That is what Christmas is about – that’s why the Baby is laid in the manger, and later nailed to the cross. That we would know rest, that nothing would dismay, that we would know His peace.
AMEN?
Christmas Eve – Carol Service
Ancient Words that Guide us Home
Isaiah 9:2,6-7
† IMMANUEL! †
May this Christ-mass find you at rest, content as you know you live in the presence of the Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!
Ancient Words to Guide Us Home
Millions of people these days are on journeys. Some travel quite far, others do not have as far to go. For some, the journey has been difficult, challenging, and full of emotional upheaval. Some may not reach the destination they set out for, and that can be more of a blessing than a curse.
One of the hymns tonight, the one preceding the reading of the Luke’s gospel sharing the Christmas story, may not seem like a “normal Christmas Carol”. But I believe that it gets to the heart of the Christmas with much more clarity that we would think. For these words, these ancient words do what the airlines, the trains, and the busy freeways cannot do.
These ancient words guide us home…
The World hasn’t Changed
I heard about a challenging, and yet interesting situation the other day. The young man was getting cynical, even for his age. He looked around him, and saw nothing that spoke of love, or joy or peace. He looked to his friends, and found no comfort, no love, just disappointment and frustration. He looked to his family, one was too busy trying to win the competition (as Mark would say) for the external yuletide illumination, while his “innocent” little sister had a list for Santa that exceeded the inventory of a Macy’s and Toy’s r us, and suggested that Santa could just send her money, lot’s of ten’s and twenties – to make it easy on him! The frustration would grow as he tried to direct an extravagant “Christmas program”, and his actors and musicians did what they wanted to, argued and partied when they should have been diligently preparing to share.. well something, with an expectant audience. Until this young director threw his arms up, and cried out in frustration, “does anyone really know what Christmas is about?” Another close friend would take the time to explain what it was all about, sharing these very ancient words we have heard.
This wasn’t this year, it was 1965. Our world, despite the technological advantages, hasn’t changed much since then, or even since the time when Dicken’s penned “The Christmas Carol”. There are so many distractions, so much self-centeredness, so much that would rob us, or distract us from the true meaning of Christmas.
The young man in the story I read about was named Charles, and his friend was the young Mr. Van Pelt. His story penned by another Charles, whose last name was Schultz. Linus reading of the angels and shepherds sharing in the story of Christ’s is perhaps the most famous recording of the gospel of Luke in history. Merry Christmas Charlie Brown was considered to be a flop before it was released the year I was born, yet it is a beloved Christmas classic, and the reading of Luke has been applauded by even atheists and agnostics.
The reading of the gospel didn’t change Charlie Brown at first, but it did change the rest of the cast according to Schultz. I bet many of you can picture Charlie carrying the simple tree out, and looking at the sky in wonder, as he hears the words of the angels, softly being said in Linus’ voice.
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign for you, you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”
God’s rest
Peace, good will towards men…
Words that Charlie Brown, Charles Schultz and Charles Dickens couldn’t find as they looked at the world’s celebration of Christmas.
We usually picture the manger scene as one of serenity, of peaceful and glowing Mary and Joseph looking down in adoration towards the baby, as animals quietly grazed and looked as well at the baby. It is a beautiful scene, but I am not sure how realistic it is.
The serenity, the peace comes from knowing that the Savior of God’s people had come, that no longer would man walk apart from God. No longer would we need to struggle in the darkness, for God’s comfort, His Rule, His loving care for His children, and His peace was made evident.
That which was God’s perfect will had come into play, a baby that would grow up, teach, and heal, and comfort and be tortured and be killed. The book of Hebrews tell us, along with Isaiah, that it was for joy He would silently endure it all, the shame, the humility. Because His love would shatter the darkness, His love would heal relationships broken by sin, His love would unite us with Him and make us children of God.
The stable would lead to the cross, and it is for this reason that the Angels would sing at the birth, testifying to those whom God loved, that there is no more to fear.
Ancient words indeed, but few so treasured, Ancient words that would lead shepherds to a feeding trough, that Mary would treasure, that would lead the choirs to sing, and the people of God to rejoice and praise the Lord they love with all their heart, soul, mind and strength! For He came to us!
The journey I referred to earlier, is not the journey of airports, and train stations, and freeways and lesser roads. But it is a journey towards what it truly home. Home where God has dwelt among men, which angels have proclaimed, which shepherds have rejoiced in.
A journey to know peace, and God’s comforting grace… A journey were the Holy Spirit comforts and guides us through the hustle and bustle, through our cynicism and sarcasm, past the materialism and distraction of that which glints like silver and gold. A journey guided by the Spirit using ancient words to guide us into the very presence of God, as His family is gathered around Him.
That is what Christmas is about – that’s why the Baby is laid in the manger, and later nailed to the cross. That we would know rest, that nothing would dismay, that we would know His peace.
AMEN?
