HOPE 2, or too
A. INTRODUCTION... An annual highlight at our church is the Advent Devotional. I pick an overall theme that surrounds the basic Christmas scriptures and assign verses to 40 church members who volunteer to write. With everything about daily life still uncertain, I’ve made two switches. First, we’ll start in autumn rather than wait until Thanksgiving. Second, we’re using two key verses for most of it: “This is the day the Lord hath made” (Psalm 118:24) and “Jesus shall be called Immanuel – which means ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23). The first proclaims the importance of each and every day, no matter what. The second promises God’s presence with us each and every day, no matter what.
C. SUMMARY. The CHRISTMAS Story (yes, Christmas in August!) is simple and you know it by heart. An angel informs Mary that she will have a baby through the presence of God’s spirit. The angel tells Mary’s “betrothed”, soon-to-be-husband Joseph, the same thing, adding two important facts. The baby will be named Jesus “because he will save the people from their sins” (vs. 21). And, people will also “call him Immanuel (Emanuel) – which means ‘God with us.’” Then in Bethlehem, it happens. Shepherds and Wise Men come to honor and worship Jesus. Angel choirs proclaim it. The miraculous life of Jesus is full speed ahead.
D. KEY POINTS
1. A little preposition, WITH. We are promised GOD WITH US. That’s accompaniment, linkage, bonding, proximity.
I was with Habitat for Humanity, International for many years, beginning in its 2nd year of existence. For 15 years I was President and staff. If I made one key contribution it is the word “WITH.” Habitat started out with a slogan “building houses FOR God’s people in need.” There’s a difference between WITH and FOR. Indeed, much of Habitat’s popularity and success is linked to the idea that volunteers and homeowners work together, alongside each other -- WITH, not FOR.
Christianity is rooted in Judaism. In Judaism and much of world religion, God or Gods do things TO or AT or FOR people. Punishment TO, blessing FOR, divine intervention AT. God does; people react. God is active; people are the object of God’s action.
The arrival of Jesus is a radical departure. God is now with us, one with us, alongside, among, joined at the hip. Everything about Christian faith and Church life is meant to assure you of God’s presence. WITH us.
2. Yes, but... Jesus spent 33 years on this earth tucked away in a remote country some 2,000 years ago. How is that WITH meaningful today? May I suggest three ways. First, Jesus’ life and teaching never lose their power. He doesn’t have to shout in our ear to be understood. Read the Gospels. Second, Jesus told his friends that yes, indeed, he would leave the scene and become physically absent from us. But he promised “the Holy Spirit” as God’s ongoing presence WITH us. The Spirit functions as reminder and rememberer and force: conscience, guidance, inspiration. Third, church. You and me are meant to be the physical vestiges of Jesus on earth in this time.
3. LIVING PRESENCE. Wish I had trademarked that term! For 10 years in my early ministry I used “Living Presence” as the logo for various ministries: coffee house ministries, concerts, youth work, publishing. “Living Presence” meant that what we were doing or presenting or offering was to be evidence of Christ at work right then and there. The Jesus of 2,000 years ago was not over and done. He was still GOD WITH US.
E. WRITERS WELCOME. We have our first 20 volunteers. Can definitely use another 30! We send you a verse. You write about 200 words on the verse’s meaning for you in these times. Add a two sentence prayer. We edit. By October 1st we start sending them out daily. Contact us!
