December 17, 2006 Sermon
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Advent 3 – C
Philippians;
December 17, 2006 Allan Conkling
Unless you were up late this past week, unable to sleep, and you were randomly flipping through the channels you probably missed that really bad advertisement for the Christmas Music CD, the one with the grandfather and the little boy. The “grandfather” was a man obviously wearing a white wig and a fake white moustache, probably about 45, with a small child sitting on his lap before the fire, and the Christmas tree. As the snow falls in the background the child asks, “Grandpa, did they have Christmas when you were a boy?” Whimsically looking into space the man answers, “Yes, but something was different then. Maybe it was the spirit.” The scene fades as Johnny Mathis sings “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”, and “Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King…”
Oh dear, are things really as bad as that? Is Christmas really more different now than it was when you and I were children? I don’t think so. Commercialism has always been with us, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Christmas has always been an important time for retailers. The economy is always healthier when people are employed and sales are good. Every year folks say that they want to recapture “the true meaning of Christmas” and to “get priorities straight.” I say it a lot.
Preachers are always preaching about not to losing sight of the season. In Advent we want to take the time, amid the baking, the shopping, the parties, the decorating and the traveling—to stop and be still. That has always been, and it always will be. Use the worship time (here) to give balance to the time (there). I only wish there were more here to listen.
The message this morning as it always has been: to redirect your life; not just by giving presents, but by giving your life to the service of God. The reading from Philippians is my favorite.
“8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever
is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of
praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the
things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God
of peace will be with you.”
We all need to look at our lives, to make sure our bearings are correct. Not just in this season, but always. And when we find ourselves getting distracted, for whatever reason—be it the holidays, or with illness, or family issues, then use this time to regain our center. We must remember that the “things” of this world are fleeting in comparison to the life of glory that awaits us in Christ Jesus. “The Lord is in your midst,” says Zephaniah, so you do not need to be afraid:
“At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD.” (Zeph. 3: 20)
What good news that is!
The flip side of course is that this does not come easy. The harsh words of John the Baptist remind us that while we sing of “peace on Earth good will towards people”, we also know that true peace, lasting peace is effort-full. “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and however has food must do likewise.” This is way of saying that if the world is to be reconciled to God, then reconciliation has to first begin with us. If the hungry are to be fed, if wars are to cease, even if people in the Episcopal Church hope to get along and not be mad with each other- we must begin to walk the walk.
Life isn’t like Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Discipleship and service to God and loving others is a life time commitment, it extends all year long. This faith of ours calls us not merely to be observers, but women, men and children of action. As someone once said, we are called as individuals and as a church to do more than mind our own business. That was the task given to the animals at the manger: just to be themselves. We cannot say we love if we do not serve.
This Advent can be as good or better as any that we have had in the past. It is up to us. The excitement is now starting to build, yet as it does we are reminded, as the saying goes, to “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Emmanuel, Key of David, Root of Jesse, Dayspring on high… To Christ we call whose name is above all names. Our savior is drawing near. O come let us adore him.
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Revised: 01/16/07