One person described the events of the first Christmas, with its angels appearing, stars in the sky, the hospitality of strangers, and celestial choirs as "All heaven braking loose." Instead of everything falling apart, everything somehow came together.God is on the loose in creation to accomplish God’s loving purpose.
Down through the last 20 centuries people have gathered in worship to ponder the birth of Christ, just as we are doing here today.Millions of Christians have come each year in their hearts to Bethlehem.That is what this season is for; to “go in heart and mind to Bethlehem.” My question is:How do we get there?How are we to go to Bethlehem?
There are differing routes suggested by the story:
The Wise men followed a star to Bethlehem— Their learning, their education, their long hours of study led them to believe that a significant event was taking place and that they needed to travel hundreds of miles across the desert to respond to it.One way for us to get to Bethlehem is through learning and study.I am continually astounded and inspired by the wondrous moments of discovery within persons when we are involved in deep study or reflection.One way of coming to Bethlehem is through study.
The Wise men also worshipped Jesus.They brought gifts befitting a king and then they worshipped.Another way for us to get to Bethlehem is doing exactly what we are doing now.Worship can transport us to another realm— when we focus upon God there is a transcendence…a union with God.In the last couple of weeks as a congregation we have had marvelous opportunities to be transported in worship—from the Children’s pageant to the Cantata last Sunday, we’ve been blessed with worship that brings us to Bethlehem.
How did Mary and Joseph find their way to Bethlehem?Well it was, believe it or not, that most dreaded of human realities, taxes.They had to go to Bethlehem for a census so that the authorities could bleed more taxes out of them.I’m not going to suggest that a way to get to Bethlehem spiritually is to pay into Uncle Sam a little extra come April 15th.The point is that Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem in the midst of the ordinary tasks of life— a life of taxes, lists of things to do, and governmental regulations.
One way to go to Bethlehem is to perceive God’s wondrous activity in the tasks and chores of your life.God incarnated in the boring tasks of changing diapers, of reading the paper, calling a neighbor, doing the dishes.We do that by the practice of mindfulness… that can be learned in meditation (which we learn and practice at our Contemplative Worship Service every Sunday evening).
But how about those shepherds, putting in overtime on the job?How did they come to Bethlehem?This way to Bethlehem is not one that can be prescribed.Angels do not appear on demand or with effort on our part.The revelation of God’s glory is a gift that cannot be conjured up when we like.Religious experiences are a wonderful gift, and at those moments when we are given a glimpse into heaven— into the heart of God— we are thankful to find ourselves in Bethlehem.
The Good News is that, while it is good for us to go to Bethlehem in our hearts and minds, ultimately, for all of us—it is God who comes to us.That is the message of Christmas.God comes to us.
I had the opportunity once to sit in on a lecture given by British Theologian, Norman Pittenger.This stately man came to lecture at my seminary.Age and disease had taken its toll his old body—no longer being able to walk without assistance.He sat behind a microphone and spoke of Christ.
After a long and elaborate lecture, filled with thick theological jargon—he told a story of his childhood that crystallized his speech—and relates the mystery of Emmanuel, God with us.
He told of being in his childhood backyard.His mother was hosting an afternoon garden tea party, and with no friends to play with he quickly got bored and tired of behaving.His mother tried to occupy him with tasks and duties, but they all failed.Finally, his boredom was relieved when he discovered a magnifying glass.With it he could examine all kinds of flowers and bugs.The ladies quietly chatted in the afternoon sun and enjoyed their tea. Finding one ladybug on the back of a woman’s dress, he decided to examine things a little closer.The warmth of the sun reminded him that magnifying glasses can also be used to focus the rays of the sun.He quickly turned the glass perpendicular to the sun’s rays and carefully placed the point of impact upon the bug.The ladybug didn’t much like the heat and began to move away from the burning light.The ladybug moved on to the woman’s sleeveless shoulder.He steadied his glass and focused precisely on the bug.The burning bug fell from the woman’s skin — leaving the intense radiation of the sun to burn into the woman’s shoulder…tea and cookies flying into the air amid a scream of pain!
His point was that God’s gracious love pours upon humanity continually, as the sun shines upon the earth.Yet, at a certain point in time and space, when Quirinius was governor...in Bethlehem of Judah, God’s love and presence became focused—concentrated, to a point of burning in Jesus of Nazareth.
In the beginning was the Word, the Gospel of John says.Then, the magnifying glass of the incarnation brought into being the burning and glorious revelation of God’s heart of love in Jesus.The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...full of grace and truth.
We’ve all found our way to Bethlehem by different routes over the years— and we’ve also been found by God— we’ve been burned by the love of God in Christ…that’s why we’re here. It has set us on fire with the Spirit of God.Amen.
