Speaking the Word into Being

First Sunday after Christmas (Year C)

John 1.1-18

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 17:00)

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (Jn 1.1-3a).

 

These words are the beginning of what is known as the Prologue to the Gospel According to John, and is one of the traditional readings during the Christmas season. In fact, it is so important that it is designated for reading twice during the Christmas season—on Christmas Day and on the first Sunday after Christmas. While beautifully poetic, at first glance we may wonder how this could possibly be a Christmas story. It hardly compares with the dramatic, even romantic, imagery of the birth story recorded in Luke that we heard on Christmas Eve. There is no decree for an imperial census, resulting in Mary and Joseph leaving their home in Nazareth to make the long journey to Bethlehem. There is no mention of Bethlehem being so crowded that there was no room available in any inn, so that Mary and Joseph had to seek refuge for the night in a stable. There is certainly no description of the birth of the baby Jesus, wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. There are no shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their sheep. There is no angelic visitor telling the shepherds “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk 2.10-11). There is no accompanying multitude of the heavenly host “praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’” (Lk 2.13-14). So where is Christmas in John’s message of “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”?

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Being Vulnerable

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9.2-7; Luke 2.1-20

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (due to technical difficulties, video begins part way through sermon)

 

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined” (Is 9.2). These words which begin our first reading for today were originally part of an oracle to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah who were vulnerable to threats by the Assyrian Empire, which had already taken control of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the eight century BC. Actions which took a dramatic toll on the social, economic, and political fabric of the day. And while referencing conditions and providing an oracle in response to conditions 2,700 years ago, these words seem remarkably applicable today.

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My Soul Magnifies the Lord

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Luke 1.39-55

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 20:50)

 

Our Gospel readings for the last two weeks have centered on John the Baptist as the one who points the way to, who prepares the way for, the coming of the Lord. We have heard about John the Baptist out in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance. We have heard some classic John the Baptist quotes: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Lk 3.7-8a). And, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming: I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3.16). Through his words and actions, John points the way to a 30-year-old man who one day shows up at the River Jordan seeking to be baptized. The baptism that will mark the official beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The baptism in which God will declare, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Lk 3.22b).

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You Are a Prophet of the Most High

Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Malachi 3.1-4; Luke 1.68-79; Luke 3.1-6

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 18:30)

 

This time of year, we talk about John the Baptist as pointing the way to Jesus. But what we don’t often consider is that there are accounts in scripture that also point the way to the coming of John the Baptist. Our Old Testament reading from the prophet Malachi talks about God sending a messenger to the Temple who will purify the priests, restoring the priesthood to its rightful role and dignity. All part of the process of setting things back in order upon Israel’s return from Exile. Part of God’s ongoing process of setting things right for the eventual coming of God’s Kingdom. In the Christian tradition, this passage is interpreted from a messianic perspective, with God sending a messenger to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Of course, we now recognize, at least from this Christian interpretation of an ancient Jewish text, that messenger as being John the Baptist.

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