“Beyond Assumptions, Expansive Awareness of Immeasurable Love”
“Beyond Assumptions, Expansive Awareness of Immeasurable Love”
Christmas Eve 6:00 PM, Year C, December 24, 2024
Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint, Idaho
Pastor Andy Kennaly
Every year we gather around the manger scene. Another name for those is crèche. The first crèche was made by St. Francis of Assisi, but that was over 1,000 years after Jesus was born. The baby Jesus is in a manger surrounded by animals.
Every year we read the same scriptures and talk about Jesus’ birth as divine mysteries take on flesh. The Incarnation of Christ. But how well, actually and factually, do we really know the Christmas story? Let’s take a quiz, just a few questions. Let’s test your knowledge of the biblical story of Christmas.
First question, “How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?” Let’s do multiple choice. Raise your hand if you think Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem by camel. Or donkey. Or they walked. Or did Joseph walk while Mary rode a donkey? Or none of these, because we really don’t know? Are you ready? The correct answer is, “Who knows?” The Bible does not specify how Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. Yet if you do a search on the internet with this inquiry, then click on Images, every picture show Mary on a donkey while Joseph walks. But the Bible says nothing.
Maybe that was a trick question. How about this one…Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus’ birth? Cows, sheep, goats? Or Cows, donkeys, sheep? Sheep and goats only? Various barn animals? Or none of the above? Ready? The correct answer is: None of the above. The Bible says nothing about which animals are present at Jesus’ birth. It doesn’t say what type of facility Jesus was born in. It only says he was wrapped in cloth and laid in a manger, which is an animal feeding trough. Everything else is speculation and embellishment.
I’d ask you about the Three Kings of Orient that we tend to sing about, but I think you’ve become suspicious by now. Correct, the Bible has no mention of Kings coming to visit from the Orient, especially when Jesus was a newborn. There is mention that people of wisdom from the east came and presented three types of gifts to a child that may have been two years old by then. Likely a very large caravan, imposing enough to warrant a visit to King Herod, the one who then ordered the slaughter of the innocent; all children in Bethlehem two years and younger.
Symbolism and metaphors often get interpreted as specific details. Facts get lost in the shuffle. The post-truth world in a culture that’s not biblically literate forms traditions which make assumptions. Many people assume that Tradition is correct.
How do we get beyond assumptions? Especially when the birth of Jesus reminds us that all things are unique as creation itself expresses the very Christ who makes it. Jesus’ life proclaims good news for the world because it reminds us of what we’ve forgotten, and who we are, an identity of sacred origin. All things are invited to awaken and recognize inherent holiness grafted into creation, to celebrate Christ embodied from the very beginning.
In tonight’s scriptures, we hear the call for all things to sing God’s praises. Whether its Isaiah talking about endless peace established and upheld with justice and righteousness forever; or the Psalmist’s call for all the Earth to sing a new song, to sing to the Lord, declaring God’s glory and marvelous works among all the peoples. Even “all the trees of the forest sing for joy” as the heavens are glad, and the Earth rejoices; all that fills the sea and everything in the field exult and worship in holy splendor. Titus reminds us that salvation comes to all, as a gift of grace appearing, manifesting the glory of God in Jesus, the Christ.
Then comes Luke, whose gospel shares a story of the birth of Jesus, with echoes of cosmic ripples as eternal joy emanates from a specific place and time. Mary gives birth to her firstborn son, wraps him in scraps of cloth, places him in an animal feeding trough, for there is no room in the inn.
The Christmas story includes good news of great joy, shepherds, an angel, the heavenly army praising God and singing, “Glory!” That’s the basic outline, and many other traditions are thrown into this mix. We now have trees brought indoors around the time of winter solstice, gifts are shared like they were during the Saturn festival, and the commercialized economy booms because we do all those things we think we’re supposed to do.
How do we clear Christmas clutter? How do we simplify our faith when our own assumptions cloud our heart and obscure our mind? How do we live in the present with amazement at divinity revealed? How do we choose what’s positive about our traditions, but hold them loosely?
Gerard Manley Hopkins, a poet of the 1800’s, encourages us in his poem, “Lead Me By The Star’s Light” as he says,
Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, O past, no more be seen!
But Bethlehem star may lead me
To the sight of him who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord; thou art holy;
Make me meek, Lord: thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and always:
Now begin, on Christmas Day.”
(Edge of Enclosure, Suzanne Guthrie, www.edgeofenclosure.org/thenativityabc.html).
Gerard Manley Hopkins, his poem, “Lead Me By The Star’s Light.”
Something brought you here tonight. Something which resonates deeper than your own thoughts and more compelling than tradition. We come here to get beyond assumptions and to look for the Light that shines in the world and in our hearts. In fragile forms this light emerges; it’s often overlooked or ignored. It’s convenient that way, for if we shun the light and deny our participation in this sacred story, we don’t have to change; we can keep authentic, inner transformation at arm’s length. Or we can invite the light to expand our awareness and claim the depths of immeasurable Love as the Christ is born in our hearts. That way, we come here to learn how to see. We are here for illumination, to receive the gift of God, for Christ comes to Christ’s own.
As we receive the gift of peace beyond understanding, with our hearts and minds in Christ, Jesus our Lord, Merry Christmas to you…, and may God be glorified, now and forever. Amen.