Sermon - 2013-12-29

Traveling is something that we often enjoy thinking about. Distant places that are so much different than our homes.  We think of the adventure and escaping some of the stresses that are surrounding us.  Perhaps some of you are thinking: I really wish I would have planned on going to Hawaii this week.  Especially with these -40 wind chills happening.  

When we decide that we are going to go some place, we plan things out.  We decide where we are going and how long we shall be there. We decide what we are going to do there.  After that is decided, we begin packing.  We fill our suitcases so that we are ready for our trip with clothes, shoes, and many other things that we could possibly need.  We often fill our bags so full and put all our trust in what is in the suitcase. So that we do not always enjoy what is truly around us within the trip. 

However, when God warns Joseph in a dream that they should leave, there is no time to prepare.  No time to pack all their suitcases, plan an itinerary, or even make any decisions at all.  Joseph was told that their lives were at stake.  So they take what is truly important, themselves.  Joseph travels with Mary and Jesus to Egypt so that they may be safe.  God warns Joseph about Herod wanting to destroy this new king who would be living there. Now just think about that for a moment.  God lives and dwells among us and can be destroyed.  God lives among us and understands how fragile and delicate we truly are.  That any day could be our last. Yet God also understands that we possess a lot of power.  A power that God has given to us to create, to care for the life that happens all around us, and to bring forth a world that is filled with life.  However, with all that strength and power, we also have the power to destroy ourselves and the life that surrounds us.  

For people who are given great power begin to think of only ways to keep and grow that power that has been given to them.  They are willing to do a lot of things, destroy their character, harm a loved one, and even kill if necessary.  Herod does just that. He even destroys his own citizens.  The very people with whom he was suppose to be protecting and caring for, he destroys because he is thinking only of himself.  The very people for whom he is king. He is the one who was elevated to care for their needs, protect them from their enemies, and help move the whole people to a greater status within the world.  Instead Herod sent his army to kill the innocent young boys in Bethlehem because he want to keep his power as king. 

With Herod, we are reminded that we should not put our trust and faith within human rulers, for they are corrupt.  Yet even in their corruption, God is at work.  God is working the plan to find and save his people.  He sent an Angel to Joseph to work the plan and save his people through keeping Mary, Joseph and Jesus safe.  Yes, no matter where you go, what your plans are or what disasters are happening within the world, God’s work is still going to happen and God’s plan will happen.  God has even told us what that plan is and how it will happen.  

Still we do not see or understand what that plan is or how it is being revealed.  We do not understand until the very end.  For it is a simple plan, but it is not a clear plan, and it is one that does not make sense to us.  For the plan consists of God living among us, dying, taking death and destroying it.  God sent Jesus into the world to live among us and die for our sin and bring salvation to us through this plan.  Then coming back and giving us the very gift of life that is found within Jesus Christ.  It is a journey that does not make sense. Why am I on it?  Why is God on it?  And the answer to both of these questions is love.  

Yes, within the season of Christmas, we are reminded that God gave us his only Son through LOVE.  And it was through this love that God creates, sustains, and now redeems us all.  Jesus Christ has done all of this for you and me. So, let us now gather in telling the whole world about this child.  Let us shout it in every valley and from every mountain so that all may hear and know. Amen.