And the Word Became Flesh

Christmas Day

John 1.1-14

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 19:35)

 

Perhaps it’s an occupational hazard—whether of my current vocation as priest, or of my previous career as an engineer, it’s hard to say—but I can’t help getting wrapped up in analyzing the similarities and differences between the two versions of the Christmas story. The birth narrative from Luke’s Gospel that is customarily read on Christmas Eve, and the Prologue to John’s Gospel that is customarily read on Christmas Day. Two very different versions of the same event.

 

Setting aside for a moment that we know these two stories are differing versions of the same event, someone unfamiliar with the story of our faith would most likely see these as two completely different and unrelated stories. Not just because of the very different tones. While both speak of birth, in some sense—one being about the birth of a messianic child and the other describing the incarnation of the Divine—neither mention Jesus’ name. So, one could be forgiven for not knowing these stories speak of the same event, only from different perspectives.

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Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9.2-7; Luke 2.1-20

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 31:10)

 

Among my most prize possessions are a number of cross-stitch pieces done by my mother. She went through a period of prolific cross-stitching. For a number of years, we could count on receiving at least a couple of pieces each year as birthday and Christmas gifts. For me, Mom primarily did pieces with Native American or Christian themes. While they are all very dear to me because they were lovingly prepared by her just for me, one of my all-time favorites hangs in my study at home. It hangs on the wall opposite my desk, so that when I look up from my work, it’s right there. It contains a portion of tonight’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah, although in the King James Version as opposed to the New Revised Standard Version we heard this evening: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (Is 2.6-7a).

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"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Matthew 11.2-11

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 16:40)

 

Most, if not all, of us, are familiar with the old saying, “actions speak louder than words.” The recognition that just because someone says something does not necessarily make it true; particularly when it comes to how they live their own life. It’s easy to make statements about one’s beliefs, one’s position on particular issues, even one’s actions. Whether they are true or not is another matter entirely. The only way to ascertain the veracity of such statements is by observing the actions of the individual in question. Are their actions consistent with their pronouncements? Perhaps the questionable nature of some people’s words relative to their actions is what gave rise to another well-known saying: “talk is cheap.” That you can say whatever you want, but it’s your actions that reveal the truth of what you believe, of who you are.

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Turning Everything Upside Down

Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Isaiah 11.1-10; Romans 15.4-13; Matthew 3.1-12

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook Page (beginning at 16:35)

 

When it comes to the anticipation and preparation for various holidays, most would agree that there is more expectant anticipation for the coming of Christmas than any other holiday. And perhaps more so than any other time of year, our preparations for Christmas and the actual celebration of Christmas itself, are deeply rooted in tradition. While there are certainly specific traditions around such holidays as Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, none tend to be as elaborate as those surrounding Christmas. And none tend to be as sacrosanct. Our preparations include traditions surrounding Advent wreaths, putting out figures for the creche on a prescribed schedule, special Christmas concerts and dinners, and the greening of the church. And God forbid anyone change one single detail of those preparations.

 

And I’m sure we all have our family traditions. For example, my mother is very particular about how she decorates various rooms of the house. Some things vary from year to year, but some things are always the same. For example, the Christmas tree always must have the old beat-up tin star that my parents purchased for 39 cents at a drugstore for their first Christmas together in 1960. One year, they did purchase a new star to replace the old tattered one. I think it only lasted a few days before ending up in the trash, with the old beat-up star back where it belonged. Mom said, “It’s just not Christmas without that star.” I’m sure you have your own traditions surrounding preparing for and celebrating Christmas that are non-negotiable. And God forbid anyone even suggest changing something. Because it’s just not Christmas without that particular activity, that particular decoration, that particular food item. This is our image of preparation during this season—filled with never-changing traditions.

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