[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for ChristMass 2A

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded:





-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, Jan 1, 2011 9:35 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for ChristMass 2A


Dear Friends,
Sunday’s sermon is entitled “The Wise Men” or “Rocks, Mud, and
hristMass Living in 2011” and deals with the gospel (Matthew
:1-12).  Here it is:
Happy New Year!  Has anyone already messed up a check writing 2010
nstead of 2011?  I haven’t yet, but there is something I hope we do
arry over into 2011.  Carrying ChristMass into the entire new year
as huge potential for us.  I’m going to be right “out-front” with my
oal today.  This is my last chance to impress on you the peace,
ower, and fulfillment available for you in this new year of 2011 if
ou will live ChristMass all year through.  In today’s gospel, we
eard the story of the Wise Men and their visit to Jesus.  This
pisode in the lives of the Holy Family provides a perfect summary of
hristMass principles for us.  As you recall, here’s what happened.
here were some (remember, the Bible doesn’t tell how many)
strologers from the East (probably Persia, actually probably Baghdad)
ho saw an unusual star (or comet) that signified to them the birth of
 new king.  They dropped everything they were doing, left home and
omeland, endured the rigors of travel for more-or-less two years, and
ecause of that star- went to Jerusalem, where they had a conference
ith King Herod.  The king had his Bible scholars study the scriptures
i.e. the Old Testament- the New Testament hadn’t been written yet) to
ee where this new king would be born.  When the scholars said
Bethlehem,” Herod told the Wise Men to go search for the new-child-
ing, and come back so he could worship this new king also.  As the
ise Men approached Bethlehem, the star stopped over the house where
he child was.  They saw Mary and Jesus in the house.  They knelt down
nd worshipped Jesus, then gave him three gifts- gold (Jesus is King),
rankincense (Jesus is Lord), and myrrh (Jesus is Savior).   Then they
ere warned in a dream to avoid King Herod, but go home another way.
hen Herod figured out he had been tricked by the Wise Men, he was
urious.  At that point, it became obvious Herod considered King Jesus
 threat to his throne and had intended, not to worship him, but to do
way with him.  To be sure Jesus did not survive, Herod ordered his
oldiers to kill all Jewish boys two years and younger- which, he
ssumed would automatically get rid of the “Jesus threat.”  Herod
hould have known there’s no point in fighting against God, because
is plan didn’t work.  Joseph was warned in a dream to take Jesus and
ary and flee to Egypt.  Now that’s what really happened.  Now my
uestion to you is- how is this story a wonderful summary of the
hristMass principles?
FIRST, LET’S LOOK AT TIME.  Remember the innkeeper who had no room for
he Holy Family in their time of crisis?  He is the person NOT to
mitate.  Instead, be like the Wise Men in today’s episode.  What’s
he basic difference between the two?  The innkeeper made no room for
esus in his life.  The Wise Men did.  It took a long time to follow
hat star and travel by foot or camel or some other animal from
aghdad to Bethlehem.  Yet, if we’re not careful, we can find
urselves admiring the Wise Men, but living like the Innkeeper.  We
et so busy, busy, busy- that we squeeze God out of our lives.  We
on’t intend to- we just do.  How is it possible to read Forward Day
y Day and the accompanying Bible passages, pray each morning and
vening and before meals, and reach out to others?  I’ll tell you how-
iscipline yourself to give God his time first.  A father was trying
o convince his high school son that he had time for his homework.
he father got a gallon jar and filled it with large rocks, then asked
is son if it was full.  “Sure is!” said the son- that’s how my life
s before I have my homework done.  So the father took some medium
ized rocks and added them.  “Full now?” asked the father?  “Now it’s
ull,” answered his son.  You know what happened next, the father
dded small rocks, then gravel, and finally water.  “That’s how you
rganize your life, son,” said the father.  You put the big important
hings in first.  Good advice!  Take care of your responsibilities to
od first: church, Bible reading, prayer, and let the other things fit
s they may.  Your life will have power like you wouldn’t believe
ossible.  It was Martin Luther who said that the busier his day, the
ore important it was that he start it with prayer- true.  So don’t be
ike the Innkeeper, be like the Wise Men who made time in their busy
ives for Jesus.
SECOND, DON’T BE STINGY.  Again be like the Wise Men who traveled all
hat way to worship Jesus and give him gifts.  Be like them- give
uality gifts- like yourself, your time, your talent, your treasure-
.e. you.  Stop and think- when’s the last time you helped someone you
on’t even know- a stranger, a neighbor, even an enemy?  If you can’t
hink of the last time- what’s wrong here?  Remember, the only way we
an really give a gift to Jesus anyway is to help someone in need.  Do
ou recall his words from Matthew 25: “Whatever you do for the least
f these, my sisters or brothers, you do for me”.  And when you give,
on’t just give the leftovers.  That poem I told you about ages ago
hat I learned as a little girl applies here.  As you remember, it
oes: “What can I give Him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I
ould give him a lamb.  If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part.
hat can I give him?  I’ll give him my heart”  (Christina Rosetti).
ave you given Jesus your heart, your whole self?  Now’s a good time
o start the year giving your whole self to Jesus.
THIRD, NOTHING CAN STOP GOD’S PLAN!  Do you believe this?  Today’s
ible episode provides one more example of this truth.  Notice how
othing could kill Jesus or turn him around until he had finished his
ission of dying and rising for us?  Not the power of King Herod nor
he strength of his soldiers; not even Herod’s lying mouth and
cheming plans - because no one can defeat God’s purposes.  Justice
ill prevail.  Remember Dr. Tony Evan’s statement, “It’s worth waiting
n God, because when He moves, He moves well!”  Here’s a story by an
nonymous author that illustrates this principle.  One day a farmer's
onkey fell into an abandoned well. The animal cried piteously for
ours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he
ecided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up
nyway; so it just wasn't worth it to him to try to retrieve the
onkey.  He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.  They
ach grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
ealizing what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed
orribly. Then, a few shovels full later, he quieted down completely.
he farmer peered down into the well, and was astounded by what he
aw. With every shovelful of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was
oing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up on
he new layer of dirt.  This continued until the donkey stepped  up
ver the edge of the well and trotted off, to  the shock and
stonishment of all the neighbors!  Look friends, life is going to
hrow dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.  The smarter you are, the higher
our goals, the more committed your are to the Lord- just be ready-
he more dirt you can expect.  The trick is- don’t let the devil’s
irt bury you in depression or frustration or just giving up.  God is
n charge and you can do it!  Just shake off that dirt every time it
its and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a potential stepping-
tone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never
iving up.  As with the Holy Family, so it is with us- nothing can
top God’s plan but ourselves.  Justice wins every time- you can
utsmart evil just like the wise old donkey did; just like the Wise
en did.
FINALLY, GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.  Did you notice how God provided
or the Holy Family?  Maybe toddler Jesus would have preferred toys or
lothes, but how do you think Joseph provided for his family in the
nknown land of Egypt?  Probably with the fabulously expensive gold
nd frankincense and myrrh from the Wise Men.
So, don’t be like the Innkeeper, be like the Wise Men.  Put the large
tones, the important things- i.e. God in your jar of life first.  The
ible promises you, everything else will fall into place perfectly.
gain- be like the Wise Men- don’t be stingy.  Share the highest
uality of gift possible- yourself.  Next, remember the donkey and
ever give up.  Do right and trust God.  Justice will prevail.
inally, remember God’s care of the Holy Family.  If you are on God’s
ide, nothing can defeat you.  You do your part and God will provide.
appy New Year!  Let’s live 2011 for Jesus, justice, and compassion.
For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American
isdom statements are posted on our NEW PARISH WEB SITE. The address
s: http://www.stpaulsepisag.com .
Blessed preaching.
udy Boli
t. Paul's Episcopal Church
aginaw, Michigan

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