"Share the Song" ~ Sermon from 12/30/2012

Share the Song

Texts: Luke 2:21-35 (main focus); Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

   Dear friends in Christ, grace and peace to you from the one who is and who was and who is to come, our living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

   MERRY CHRISTMAS! So, how many of you were ready for Christmas? During Advent, we talked about “Ready or not, Christ is Coming.” And, no matter what, Christmas comes anyway, doesn’t it? It reminds me of the scene from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” when the Who’s down in Whoville come out and sing Christmas morning, even after the Grinch stole ALL of their items. The Grinch is surprised and says, “How could it be so? It came without ribbons!...it came without tags!...it came without packages, boxes, or bags!” He couldn’t figure it out, then realized that Christmas doesn’t come from a store; it means a little more. And his small heart grew three sizes that day, returning their belongings and spending Christmas with them. Hey, after all, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? ;)

   Now that Christmas is “over,” how many of you have your decorations and such put away? One of my friends on Facebook did so the day after Christmas. But, do you want to know a secret? IT’S STILL CHRISTMAS! J

   It feels like we rush, rush, rush to get ready for Christmas, then when it feels like it’s over, we may ask ourselves, “Now what?” Maybe we move on to the next holiday. When I worked at Target many years ago, having survived working the “day after returns,” I remember we started stocking the shelves for Valentine’s Day! What? Shelves are full of Christmas stuff in September and then the day after, we try to sweep it under the rug, like it didn’t exist? Even Christmas radio stations cut us off at the pass, going back to regular music formats the day after. It’s almost like a Christmas letdown, if you will. All this anticipation and build-up…Suddenly, it’s gone. It’s almost like the Grinch has won after all.

   Or, people are busy getting ready for next Christmas, by buying gifts on clearance. But, it’s still THIS Christmas…We’re amid the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” until next week, when Epiphany starts. I believe today is Day 6, and I’m sorry I didn’t get y’all six geese a-laying. ;)

   How can we enjoy where we are, right now in this time and place, without rushing into the next event? We can offer a peace-filled song of thanks and praise. Last week, I said how ironic it was that I had the chance to preach on a passage that had singing in it. How REALLY ironic is it that I get to do that TWO weeks in a ROW! WOO HOO! Actually, not just one but TWO readings this week mention singing, as our Colossians text references “to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with a Savior. Thank you, Holy Spirit!

   Last week, I talked about Mary and her song, challenging us to ask ourselves What song is my heart singing as the time of Christ approaches, ready or not? Or am I procrastinating in my singing, and why? In today’s Gospel reading, a man by the name of Simeon sings a blessing, a man who cannot help but sing after seeing God’s promise come to fulfillment in a wee baby. A peace-filled song of thanks and praise. Simeon is so moved by the Spirit, not afraid to sing in front of everyone, sharing this song. Today, let’s ask ourselves, Am I sharing the joyous Christmas song (not Nat King Cole’s classic), this peace-filled song of thanks and praise, with others? Or am I keeping the song to myself?

   First, let’s take a little closer look at our passage from Luke…Mary and Joseph follow the requirements of the Law: after eight days he was circumcised and named Jesus, the name given by the angel. Then the time came for purification after giving birth, which was instructed during the time of Moses, and they present Jesus in the Temple. All first born children were given back to God in recognition that all things come from God and belong to God. As for the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons, it was the most modest of the different sacrifices that could be offered, which suggests that Jesus’ parents were poor. Once again, God breaks all boundaries.

   Then, in walks the elderly Simeon, waiting for “the consolation of Israel.” That was a term for the restoration of the people and God’s redemptive work. The time had come with the birth of this baby. It was the beginning. Last week, we saw how the Spirit came upon Mary, John, and Elizabeth. This week, it comes upon Simeon. Simeon was guided there by the Spirit. The meeting in the Temple was no accident. This was God’s doing. The work of the Spirit in Simeon had led him to understand that God’s hand was at work in Jesus’ birth.

   The birth of a child, the fulfillment of God’s promises, the consolation of Israel, and the coming of this Savior for ALL people are all occasions for praising God. No wonder Simeon breaks into a song! Are you sharing the joyous Christmas song, this peace-filled song of thanks and praise, with others?

   What joy it is, that God remains true to God’s promises! We can have peace. According to one writer, the word “peace” occurs 14 times in Luke, where it is both the goal and the result of God’s redemptive work in Jesus. At the end of this passage, we can actually see the cross begin to loom. This child would grow up, suffer, and die. But, he would rise again. Through this child, we ALL, Israel and all people, no matter age, gender, or social status, would have everlasting life. Not only eternal life, but the life we receive from Christ includes gifts that we cannot make or purchase. If we look at our Colossians text, they are gifts like forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness. In baptism, like the baptism we had last week for little Paige, we drown and rise anew with Christ. This new relationship of faith restores the image of God that was lost because of sin. We put on these virtues, which are not ours to accomplish but are gifts provided by God. They are Christ’s virtues. Jesus’ life fills us with virtues rather than vices and enables us to be a blessing rather than a bane to others.

   Have you received these gifts? Open your heart and hands instead of clenching your fists. Are we allowing Christ to make us a blessing instead of a bane to others?

   Praise God that salvation does not depend on what we do but on who God is! What God has done, faithful and true to the promises. After all, how many of us remain faithful to our New Year’s resolutions? I already broke mine. Oh, wait, that doesn’t start until tomorrow night! We can sing, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come!” Are you sharing the joyous Christmas song, this peace-filled song of thanks and praise, with others?

   Or are you keeping the song to yourself? Why? What do we have to gain by keeping the song to ourselves? Are you afraid to let your voice sing? When we allow fear to take over, it can actually distort the song. When we hold back and don’t give it our all, it can make our voice do things we don’t want it to do. I can say that from experience.

   We can be our own worst stumbling block, when we are concerned about what others think. When we think that we’re not good enough. I have allowed that type of thinking to prevent me from singing. Now not every one of us is going to sound like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Linda Ronstadt, or Rosemary Clooney. But, we all have a story. God has placed a song in each of us.

   I saw a quote on Facebook this week that said, “Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant. There will always be someone out there that needs what you have to give.” We all need each other. After all, our Colossians text says to “admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God” (verse 16). Songs conveyed some of the Bible’s greatest teachings. Great expressions of joy and thankfulness naturally flow from Christ’s story. In the Large Catechism Longer Preface, it states, “Certainly you will not release a stronger incense or other repellant against the devil than to be engaged by God’s commandments and words, and speak, sing, or think them” (10). The song MUST go on. As Martin Luther once said, “As long as we live, there is never enough singing.” Now, how ironic that I found that quote this week? I want that as my life statement. J

   Jesus frees us to go in peace. Sharing our stories, our songs, are ways for us to do that. Like Simeon. At the end of our service, we say, “Go in peace.” What do you think of when we end with those words? It is our call to action—a reminder that we are freed from sin and death and sent out to share that good news with the world. In word and action. Or are you keeping the song to yourself?

   Since it is still Christmas, I found a poem this week from Howard Thurman called, “The Mood of Christmas.” It says, “When the song of the angels is stilled, / When the star in the sky is gone, / When the kings and princes are home, / When the shepherds are back with their flock, / The work of Christmas begins: / To find the lost, / To heal the broken, / To feed the hungry, / To release the prisoner, / To rebuild the nations, / To bring peace among people, / To make music in the heart.” We aren’t saved by our works, but our works are fruit of our faith. So it begins. Let’s ask ourselves this week: “How can I allow God to use me to feed the hungry? Or release the prisoner? Find the lost? To make music?”

   Feeding the hungry…I want to leave you with a story from this week. Imagine being a new mother in a new city, not knowing any friends or neighbors and being broke and out of food for your baby on Christmas Eve. It happened to a south Minneapolis woman whose prayer was answered not by a man in a red suit, but by one in a blue uniform. (Credit to KSTP-Channel 5 News for this story.)

   Kerlyn Argueta had no money, car, or phone of her own late on Christmas Eve when she ran out of baby formula for her six month-old daughter. No stores were open. So she called police, using a neighbor's phone. In an interview on Thursday, Argueta recalls that she was scared and didn't know what to do.

   When Officer Eric Faulconer arrived at her apartment, he asked her what she needed, and after she told him, he said he would be right back. Argueta thought for sure that he wasn’t coming back. But he did come back, carrying a week's worth of formula for the baby and even milk for Argueta, paid for with his own money.

   Argueta remembers that he simply said, “Have a good night.” She said, “Thank you so much, you saved my life.” There will always be someone out there that needs what you have to give.

   The Christ child has come to us, in the muck of the manger…Love has come, God has come to dwell with us. Luke draws in readers of every stage and age of life into this picture. No matter who or where you are, this story of Jesus, from the manger in Bethlehem to the empty tomb and beyond, can become your story. Everybody has their own role in God’s plan. Everyone has a song. What a song to be sung! If the song isn’t being sung, it isn’t living out its purpose.

   Even though, yes, it is still Christmas, this is a song that is to be shared all year round. It’s more timely than, say, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Christ has come. Christ is here. Christ will come again.

   Are we sharing the joyous Christmas song, this peace-filled song of thanks and praise, with others? Or are we keeping the song to ourselves?

   And now may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Caroline Harthun

House of Prayer Lutheran Church

9:30am

Sunday, December 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children’s Message: A Promise Is a Promise

   How was your guys’ Christmas? I hope it was great! Did you know that it’s still technically Christmas? How awesome is that?

   Do you know what the next holiday is we celebrate? (Put on glasses) [One child said, “4^th of July?” That was awesome. :) ]

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Do you know what that means? It is the beginning of a New Year. Now, are you all allowed to stay up until Midnight? In New York City they drop a giant ball for the countdown…Do you get to watch that? I may try to stay up and watch it, but I’m also supposed to run a 3-mile race on New Year’s Day, so we’ll see what happens. Does anyone want to join me?

   A lot of people make fresh starts for a new year. Most people call these New Year Resolutions. Do you know what that means? Making a resolution is like making a promise to ourselves that we are going to do certain things. Usually it is a promise to do better next year than we did last year. Should we ask the people out there if they’ve made any resolutions for the New Year?

   Should we ask them how often they keep their resolutions?

   A lot of the times, people break their resolutions as quickly as they make them. A lot of the time, they make resolutions that are hard to keep, like lose 15 pounds in a day or run a marathon after having never run before. Now, if y’all want to start with a 5K, please see me after church.

   Do you guys make resolutions? What would be some good ones? Watch less TV…Be nice to other kids…We can ask God to help us with our promises. Even if we don’t keep ours, even the ones to ourselves, God is always true to God’s promises. Today’s Gospel reading is about a man named Simeon, who was very old and looked forward to seeing the Savior of the world. God had promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Christ.
   Some days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple to dedicate him to God. Simeon was in the temple as he usually was. As soon as Simeon saw the baby, he knew that Jesus was the Christ and that God had kept his promise that he would not die until he had seen the Savior. Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, singing. Simeon knew that God is faithful to his promise just as he is faithful to his promises to you and me.
   Today, as we begin a New Year, let's remember that just as God is faithful in keeping God’s promises, with God’s help, let’s be faithful in keeping our promises. Being nice to others. And give thanks to God for being so faithful!
   Let us pray: Dear God, Thank you for keeping true to your promises. Thank you for always being with us, never leaving us. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. Just as you are faithful to keep your promises, help us to be faithful in keeping our promises, like being nice to others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.