"JOY TO THE COMMUNITY"
Luke 1:26-38; 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Posted December 23, 2000
There was a story this week about a judge who was willing to dismiss traffic charges if the accused would sing "Jingle Bells." He apparently let some of the drivers off without a fine if they sang Christmas songs out loud in his courtroom. Sounds like Christmas fun, doesn't it?
The thought occurred to me as I read the story: What would it be like in our congregation when we sing the hymns and carols this Sunday, if all of us in this worship service would be challenged to 'drop the charges.’ That is to determine in our own lives and our own relationships that we would rid ourselves of any bitterness or anger toward one another; and that we would be compassionate and forgiving even as we have been forgiven through Jesus Christ?
I am a strong believer that, on this Christmas Sunday there will be many of us who would have a much happier Christmas if we would just release those we hold in derision due to broken relationships. After all, we’ve prayed: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
This is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We began this morning with the lighting of our Advent candles Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. The Advent Wreath is totally lit with the exception of the Christ candle. This was followed by the baptism of Victoria Marie and then a song written and sung by David Mott. The boys and girls have just shared the Christmas story with us. The choir has sung and we’ve sung, and we’ve prayed, and we’ve read the scriptures and now, as a community all of us are listening to these words. Today is a community event of JOY! Why is this?… I think I could answer my own question with: God has been made flesh in our community. Immanuel God with us.
Did you realize that was and is the expectation of the Israelites? The story behind today’s passage from 2 Samuel is a ‘God with us’ story. God’s presence had been moving about with Israel in a tent or tabernacle for years and now King David [perhaps feeling guilty because he lives in a palace and God’s presence is in a tent] wants to build a temple for Yahweh for God!
However, David’s friend, Nathan receives a dream. God [Yahweh] doesn’t need a temple to be built. God hadn’t asked for one right from the beginning of God’s association with Israel, so why one now? King David is going to hear some surprising words from his prophet:… “David… You’re going to make ME a house? No, David, I have no need of that. Instead, David, will make YOU a house… and YOUR house and your kingdom sahall be made sure forever before ME; [surprise!] YOUR throne shall be established forever.” [2 Sam. 7:16]
The overall point is that God had been present with Israel,… God has been with them all along. I hope David took Nathan’s words… JOYFULY…
How does this relate with the story of the Angel Gabriel and the message given to Mary? It’s there in front of our eyes: “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you,” said Gabriel. Does that not resonate with Immanuel God with us? The Lord is with you <> God with us… Here is the link of JOY! As with ancient Israel, God with us is present in the community! Just as David’s throne will be established forever, so shall Jesus’ reign: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” The Messiah is in the community - in OUR community - JOY to the Community. Joy to the World the Lord Has Come. Amen.
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