Easy or Hard? Galatians or Luke?

Christmas 1 – 31 December 2017

Reading Galatians 4

⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,

the beginning and the end.

Alleluia.

Gospel Luke 2:15—21

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Sermon

Today’s gospel is familiar—announcement of birth of Christ child to shepherds—their journey to place of nativity in Bethlehem—Mary’s reaction—circumcision of the baby Jesus on 8^th day as required by Jewish law.

Today’s epistle from Galatians is unfamiliar—it’s obscure theologically—talks of Jesus being born under the law—our adoption as children and co-heirs whereby we receive God’s spirit in our hearts—the Spirit that calls out Abba, Father—our future status as heirs—where previously we were slaves.

All this is hard to comprehend—I don’t want to appear as the ghost of Christmas past—just repeating all the past sermons about infancy narratives and those who took part in momentous events—I want to tackle Paul just for few minutes—New year; new understanding.

If we can understand these 4 verses of Scripture by Paul—we can understand more about God’s design of the Christ event that leads to salvation—that would be good as we stand at the gates of the New Year—as George VI quoted in his Christmas broadcast in 1939:

“Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.”

May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.

So let’s attempt a paraphrase of what Paul is actually saying in these 4 verses from Galatians:

1. God chose to change the very fabric of life in order to liberate it from the power of Sin and Death—to which it had become enslaved.

2. God’s own Son was commissioned with the task. Jesus Christ entered the cosmos in the form of a vulnerable human being—like us, and all living things, he was constrained by the power that enslaved us.

3. The man Jesus, a Jew faithful to the Word of God, took upon himself the curse that came with this bondage on the cross—so that humanity might become the righteousness of God.

4. By his action—through our baptism into his death and resurrection—we receive the spirit of the exalted Christ—and so become adopted heirs—through which we rightfully call God Abba, Father.

If we can engage with it—Paul opens up for us a story of amazing scope—the world as he knew it before Christ has ceased to exist has been replaced with something entirely different—a difference as radical and far reaching as Life is from Death. That is why we celebrate the birth of the Christ child in the Christmas season.

You may ask why these events took place when they did—on the one hand it was God’s good pleasure—on the other hand conditions were favourable. They were right for the spread of the Gospel—the Roman empire had established the Pax Romana—Antony was defeated by Augustus—trade stabilised—roads were built—Greeks established common urban culture and language—there was an interest in religions.

The Jewish religion was monotheistic—contrasting the multiple gods of pagan Rome. The message of Christianity was summed up in a single commandment—love your neighbour as yourself—and this tendency towards peace and order was in the end adopted by the Roman empire. No longer would we be subject to the law—but one in Christ Jesus.

So let’s take to heart the message of Christmas—the Incarnation occurred “in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.”

Like Mary and the shepherds—let us contemplate the momentous news of the incarnation—and treasure these things as Mary pondered them in her heart—and as the shepherds glorified and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Amen

New Year’s Eve at Wingrave

1st Sunday of Christmas

Reading Galatians 4

⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ ⁷ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,

the beginning and the end.

Alleluia.

Gospel Luke 2:15—21

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Sermon

Today’s gospel is familiar—announcement of birth of Christ child to shepherds—their journey to place of nativity in Bethlehem—Mary’s reaction—circumcision of the baby Jesus on 8^th day as required by Jewish law.

Today’s epistle from Galatians is unfamiliar—it’s obscure theologically—talks of Jesus being born under the law—our adoption as children and co-heirs whereby we receive God’s spirit in our hearts—the Spirit that calls out Abba, Father—our future status as heirs—where previously we were slaves.

All this is hard to comprehend—I don’t want to appear as the ghost of Christmas past—just repeating all the past sermons about infancy narratives and those who took part in momentous events—I want to tackle Paul just for few minutes—New year; new understanding.

If we can understand these 4 verses of Scripture by Paul—we can understand more about God’s design of the Christ event that leads to salvation—that would be good as we stand at the gates of the New Year—as George VI quoted in his Christmas broadcast in 1939:

“Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.”

May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.

So let’s attempt a paraphrase of what Paul is actually saying in these 4 verses from Galatians:

1. God chose to change the very fabric of life in order to liberate it from the power of Sin and Death—to which it had become enslaved.

2. God’s own Son was commissioned with the task. Jesus Christ entered the cosmos in the form of a vulnerable human being—like us, and all living things, he was constrained by the power that enslaved us.

3. The man Jesus, a Jew faithful to the Word of God, took upon himself the curse that came with this bondage on the cross—so that humanity might become the righteousness of God.

4. By his action—through our baptism into his death and resurrection—we receive the spirit of the exalted Christ—and so become adopted heirs—through which we rightfully call God Abba, Father.

If we can engage with it—Paul opens up for us a story of amazing scope—the world as he knew it before Christ has ceased to exist has been replaced with something entirely different—a difference as radical and far reaching as Life is from Death. That is why we celebrate the birth of the Christ child in the Christmas season.

You may ask why these events took place when they did—on the one hand it was God’s good pleasure—on the other hand conditions were favourable. They were right for the spread of the Gospel—the Roman empire had established the Pax Romana—Antony was defeated by Augustus—trade stabilised—roads were built—Greeks established common urban culture and language—there was an interest in religions.

The Jewish religion was monotheistic—contrasting the multiple gods of pagan Rome. The message of Christianity was summed up in a single commandment—love your neighbour as yourself—and this tendency towards peace and order was in the end adopted by the Roman empire. No longer would we be subject to the law—but one in Christ Jesus.

So let’s take to heart the message of Christmas—the Incarnation occurred “in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.”

Like Mary and the shepherds—let us contemplate the momentous news of the incarnation—and treasure these things as Mary pondered them in her heart—and as the shepherds glorified and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Amen

Midnight Mass–the Promise Shared

24 December 2017 – Wingrave Parish Church – 11.15PM

Reading Isaiah 9:2—7

² The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
³ You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
⁴ For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
⁵ Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.

All   Alleluia.

Gospel Luke 2:1—14

The birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’

Sermon

You probably have never heard a sermon preached on Isaiah 9. The content is difficult—warrior’s boots and garments rolled in blood—but it is set alongside Luke 2 birth narrative in Christmas readings, and who would not choose that?

Good news is clear—population census—Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem ‘city of David.’ Baby is born as had been foretold—angels appear to shepherds—sing glory to God and peace on earth.

Reading from first book of Isaiah is set around 732BC—northern kingdom of Israel has fallen to Assyrians—Tiglath Pileser III is conquering the whole region—only 2 centuries later Judah will also fall—this time to Babylon and exile.

All is darkness and failure—but the prophecy sets a different tone. People who walk in darkness have seen a great light—they are joyful and rejoice—a child is born who will reverse their fortunes and save them—he will become a great governor—a man of peace—there will be justice and righteousness throughout the kingdom. This saviour will reign on the throne of David forever.

The parallels in Luke 2 are self-evident—in both times, background is oppression, failure, separation from God, and despair—all symbolized by the brooding presence of darkness. From this unpromising context there emerges hope—the birth of a saviour from the line of David—the dawn of the light—rejoicing—a statement of faith, hope and gratitude. Just as it appears the powers of this world have a firm hold on humanity—God’s power brings the final victory.

How can we Christian listeners fail to hear in the words of the 8^th C prophet the whole reason why we are here tonight?

⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Amen—Come Lord Jesus.

Advent Carol Service

3 December 2017 at Wingrave Parish Church

Gospel Luke 12

Watchfulness

³⁵ ‘Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; ³⁶ be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. ³⁷ Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. ³⁸ If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

³⁹ ‘But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.’

Sermon

How many words can you think of that end in -fulness? What is the longest, shortest or most obscure word you can think of? Sounds like a Pointless quiz question doesn’t it?

According to my sources, there are several 15 characters long. They include reproachfulness, resourcefulness, and disgracefulness. The longest word I thought of has 17 characters—disrespectfulness. Perhaps you can do better?

The shortest word I could find is awfulness.

Some words are bad, like unfaithfulness, sinfulness, or shamefulness. Some are good, like joyfulness, mercifulness, and prayerfulness. Others are uncertain, like wistfulness, regretfulness, or mournfulness.

Watchfulness is the theme of Advent. The usual translation of the Latin word Adventus as ‘arrival’ does not seem to me to properly describe what the church invites us to do. Often Advent is defined as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. But surely we should be ready and longing for the Kingdom of Heaven at all times, not just now.

In our gospel reading from Luke, the servants of their Master are not just waiting, however expectantly. No—they are commanded to be watchful so they can open the door immediately when he comes. They are not hanging around waiting—but ready—whatever the hour—because they don’t know when the Master is coming, and there may be false intruders who try and break in like a thief in the night.

For some reason, the lectionary misses out the warnings and sanctions awaiting those who are not ready. Jesus’s standard is clear:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

But we are consoled by the introductory verses:

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

‘Do not be afraid’ is the hallmark of good news throughout Scripture and occurs many times in Luke’s story of Jesus as well. Not only does God long to give us the kingdom, but like the lilies of the field or the ravens, he will provide for our needs. Quite often we must provide for others by our almsgiving, for we have been entrusted with much, and much more will be expected of us.

As we enter the season of Advent, there is much to ponder and resolve. Generosity is a hallmark of the Christian life. Faith is not a measure by which we will be judged—but a shared promise, a mutual expectation which binds us to God in a new relationship of hope and fulfilment. Watchfulness is not an anxious wait for the end of time but an eager anticipation of God’s pleasure to give us all good things.

All of the commands and instructions about the way we live our lives—our faith, use of money, love for God, care for others, watchfulness and so on—are anchored in this shared promise that it is God’s good pleasure to bring us into his kingdom.

Later on in the same chapter:

⁴¹ Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?’

The answer is obvious to all of us I hope, but not if we are unfaithful and unprepared. So:

³⁵ ‘Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.’

The trouble with watchfulness is that in the past couple of decades the electronic and communication distractions have multiplied greatly, and now offer so many competing calls for our attention that we find it hard to concentrate on any one thing for more than a few seconds at a time.

What we have lost is peace. The pleasure of TV series such as Grantchester is that we are taken back to a life of greater simplicity with more time for others.

It seems to me we must find a way to release ourselves from the competing pressures, and open up our minds again to real watchfulness. In Lent we might deny ourselves good things we enjoy. This Advent, why not take a different approach? Make space for watchfulness. Rediscover peace.

The message of this gospel reading and of Advent is that we will be richly rewarded and enabled to make ourselves truly ready and watchful for all the good things of the kingdom, which Jesus has promised for those who are ready to accept him. Amen