Christ Embodied
“Christ Embodied”
Christmas Eve 5:30 PM, Year B, December 24, 2018
Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint, Idaho
Pastor Andy Kennaly
This homily, or teaching, or sermon, is called, “Christ Embodied.” When I took a peek at last year’s message, I started laughing because it was called, “Incarnation,” which is basically the same thing. Looks like similar themes at work each year as we gather around the manger scene, read the exact same scriptures every year, and talk about Jesus’ birth, God in a bod, divine mysteries taking on flesh.
The word, “Incarnation” comes from an Old Italian word (Carnagione) meaning, “flesh,” going back to Latin and the root, Carn or Carne. Incarnation means in the flesh. At Christmas, Christ-mass, we celebrate Christ embodied in the flesh. That second person of the Trinity, Christ, through whom all things are made, actually becomes embodied within creation. So in one sense, Jesus is a very unique person and his birth a specific situation or story. But in another, more ironic sense, everything is unique as creation itself expresses the very Christ who makes it.
All things are invited to awaken and recognize inherent holiness grafted in to creation, to celebrate Christ embodied. 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 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, echoing as cosmic ripples of eternal joy emanate 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.
You know the story of good news of great joy, the shepherds, the angel, the heavenly army praising God and singing, “Glory!” Many other traditions are thrown into the mix and we now have trees brought indoors around the time of winter solstice, gifts are shared, and the commercialized economy booms because we do all those things we think we’re supposed to do.
We come alongside those shepherds. Though the scandal of this demographic is lost upon us, as shepherds were the bottom rung of any “who’s who list” of the time; dirty, smelly, not respected and no prestige; they’ve been idealized, Christianized into reputable witnesses verifying the events of so long ago. Luke’s inclusive Gospel has the angels showing up to shepherds, who are at first terrified, then told not to fear, and in amazement they head into town to check out Jesus, finding things just as described.
We like a good Christmas story and for everything to go smoothly and according to holiday plan. Peace on earth is even better, something to aspire to, an ideal that is often elusive but still has a power of hope to it.
The shepherds hear news of glory, they share news of glory, they leave glorifying. The heavens reveal majesty and peace, and as shepherds share their message, Luke is certain to report that “all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.” We like that. Successful missionaries at work for God! Answering the call, faithfully sharing, God bringing the harvest through glory and amazement!
However, at verse 19 we see another word, the word But, indicating that something else is also at work, right in the midst of all this amazement. “But, Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. Mary was not amazed; she treasured and pondered.
Ronald Rolheiser talks about this, reminding us that
“To ponder in the biblical sense means to hold, carry, and transform tension so as not to give it back in kind. We can be helped in our understanding of that by looking at its opposite in scripture. In the gospels, the opposite of ‘pondering’ is ‘amazement,’ to be amazed. […] Where Jesus does or says something that catches the crowds by surprise […] ‘they were amazed.’ [yet] Jesus responds by saying, ‘Don’t be amazed!’” Tonight we read of “all who heard it were amazed […] BUT Mary PONDERED. “To be amazed is to let energy, the energy of the crowd, simply flow through you, like an electric wire conducting a current […] letting energy flow through it and give it out exactly in kind [… volts for volts].”
Rolheiser says,
“In the gospels only two people aren’t amazed – Jesus and Mary. Mary ponders and Jesus sweats blood. They take in energy, good and bad, hold it, carry it, transform it, and give it back as something else. Jesus models this for us. He took in hatred, held it, transformed it, and gave back love; he took in bitterness, held it, transformed it, and gave back graciousness; he took in curses, held them, transformed them, and gave back blessing; he took in betrayal, held it, transformed it, and gave back forgiveness. That’s what it means to ponder and this is the opposite of amazement.” (Rolheiser, Scripture Insights, Horizons Magazine, Fall 2018, pg. 11).
The shepherd returned, glorifying and praising, and everyone in their amazement went back to what they were doing. Mary was just beginning a transformed life journey that would end much like it began, standing at the foot of the cross not giving back “in-kind: hurt for hurt, bitterness for bitterness, accusation for accusation, anger for anger, blame for blame.” She stood in strength, “holding and carrying the tension, waiting” for transformation and words of graciousness, forgiveness, and healing. This is not easy, and on our own egoic strength it’s not possible. Its through the embodied Christ that transformation becomes possible, and pondering, holding, meditating, leads to right relationship and action from a foundation of love, grounded in a renewed heart filled with spaciousness of divine Presence.
What do you want to see this Christmas? Your ego validated as traditions are properly observed? An image verified of a distant God becoming vulnerable in the life of Jesus, held at arms-length as he lay in a manger? Are you looking for Santa hoping all your wishes come true? Do you want to see the presents wrapped and the bows and ribbons in perfect order under a tree before they’re untied and the gifts enjoyed, the fulfillment of sentimental feelings of the holidays? Are you looking for functional family dynamics as visits are made or meals shared? Are you looking for peaceful wishes and good vibes because the news and headlines can get so frustrating and the idea of believing in the power of love sounds good for the world? Are you ready to be amazed by God’s amazing grace? Or, this Christmas, are you looking for transformation? If so, are you open to seeing what biblical pondering is all about? Is Christ embodied in the specific incarnation of Jesus wrapped in cloth scraps some 2,000 years ago? Or does the Second Coming involve the ongoing, cosmic work of the Spirit in and through all things, as our heart and soul is taught to ponder, transform, and see divine image as God’s enchanting holiness infuses everything?
As we gather around word and song, and as the candles lights are passed, may the blessing of Christmas fill your heart. As Christ embodied creates unity of God’s holiness on earth, the gift of Jesus shows us the way to live into this unity without fear. It would be wonderful to leave this sanctuary tonight with Amazement. It may be more even biblical to live each moment as a treasure, pondering in our hearts the depths of intimacy God’s love reveals. Merry Christmas to you…, and may God be glorified, now and forever. Amen.