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December 24, 2013 Sermon: “A Night of Peace and Hope,” delivered by Rev. D Michael Smith Meditation and Prayer: Creative Spirit of Life, we give thanks for all the blessings that are ours. We seek strength to bear the pain that may be ours. We have opened our hearts and minds to the sorrows and joys of others Sermon: This past Sunday I spoke to you about how peeling back the layer of all of the theologies and religious politics from the story of the Nativity of Jesus is importanta way of beginning to understand, perhaps, the real message behind the stories . the message that Jesus was trying to bring: one of peace and of hope for a chaotic and fragile nation, which was at war with itself . a message applicable to the chaotic and fragile, not only our current nation, but the world, at war with itself. But, it is Christmas Eve, a time when so many in the world, especially the western world, stopstop the madness of shopping, of wrapping, of giftingstop to take, at least, for one

night, time to reflect on their lives, on ways to live out those lives more purposefully and creatively to continue the struggle for peace and hope. When I told my wife, Peggy, that I had said so much in Sunday’s service, and over so many years, that I could not imagine what else to say. She responded, in her infinite wisdom, “Why not talk about familythe ones we are born into for good or for bad, the ones we create?” Hmm, thought I, what a fascinating person; no wonder I married her. So young, yet so wise in the ways of the world! Truly, I know of no other holiday or celebration that elicits so many emotions, so many memoriesfrom good to bad. Just look at the range of literature from the Bible to Dickens, from Christmas moviesA Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, White Christmas, A Christmas Story; from music--“Silent Night” to “Fairytale of New York.” Christmas time can be fraught with the joy of remembering hot chocolate,

toasty fires, Santa Claus, presents under a sparkling tree (with real tinsel, not that plastic stuff that sticks to everything but the tree), sleigh rides (never had one but always wanted one) with real horses and lots of snow, with bells and blankets, riding around and looking at decorations, ice skating at night . well, you get the picture It can be filled with other less wondrous memoriesdeaths, illnesses, a drunken uncle yelling and throwing a whiskey glass in the sink before storming out. Families may be broken or never formedfamilies without children, perhaps frustrated when so much seems to be about children. Traditional nuclear family portraits and images when new “traditional” families, often not recognized, now have two mommies, two daddies, adopted children, great grandmother mommies, or none of the above. Merged families . blended families from the Nativity family to Donna Reed to The Waltons to Married with Children to The Brady Bunch to The Simpsons to The

Sopranos to Modern Family and so many in between. I remember my childhood family, whole and traditional (for lack of a better word right now), mostly in the days of New England residence. It was all snow and lights and presents and caroling, and, oh, so much more The Nativity Story held such magic and wonder; I didn’t know or care about the theology of it all, and wouldn’t have cared. I was young and the real world hadn’t shown up yet That would come soon enough When Peggy and I spent our first Christmas together, it was before we were married and held at my sister’s home. Despite their separation, both my parents were there What I most remember is the image of my father as I entered the kitchen, standing at the sink alone . crying I do not remember now why, perhaps, someone said something or, and this is my interpretation (and maybe, he spoke it), that he simply was overcome by memories of our family Christmases of the past. Both my parents were sentimental, as am I, so that

is why I think the latter reason is true. Later he would remarry and we gained a new and wonderful stepfamily. My mother would find happiness by living near and with my sister. It all worked out The cycle comes ‘round But, I have this image of a great drunken brawlpeople of all shapes, sizes, cultures, colors, religionsthey are the human family, yelling and arguing and swinging away at each other. At their feet, totally ignored, is a babe in a crude bed wrapped in various clothes to keep him warmcrying, not because he is hungry or needs to be changed, but because no one hears him above the din. So, when I look at the image of the Nativity, like the one here, I see a familynot just the so-called Holy Familybut a family that has created itself (perhaps with some help). It is far from normal, but contains much of the world family’s hopes for peace and love, yet it is very non-traditional. The young mother is a virgin, the older father is a carpenter and not the real biological

father, and the baby . well, the baby must be something because shepherds, wise men, animals, a drummer boy, and angels have all stopped by to see him, as have so many others, as we saw in our pageant. A beautiful image this Nativity family, and yet, no one seems to ever focus on the fact that Mary and Joseph, if they married in any traditional way, they probably did so after she became pregnant, and the babe’s real father was a supernatural being. Well, few have matched them since And, they certainly were not “normal” or typical, but their image has symbolized a wondrousness and comfort for so many. So, as I look around this room, on this silent night, I see all kinds of wonderful families, most especially the one we have created as a warm and welcoming congregation. On this night of the Nativity of Jesus, that infant crying at the feet of embattled human kind, may all come together in the family of loving humanity; and let such a family comfort one another, but especially the

infant, as so many believe he lived to comfort us. Amen and Merry Christmas! 2