Hope at Christmas in the Midst of Loss

As we move towards the fourth Sunday of Advent we enter a busy week at Amberlea.

On Thursday night come to witness the “Live Nativity” in the Amberlea parking lot.  Yes, there will be actors and animals, food and warm drink. Then we will make our way inside for a good old-fashioned Carol Sing! I remember the days of my youth gathering in the gymnasium of our public school to sing Christmas carols. Nothing more, we just sang. It was a joyous time, filled with excitement, anticipation and music that rang through the hallways and filled the school with cheer.  Come join us on Thursday as we recreate a simpler time. 

The reality is that this season is not always easy. There is personal loss, struggles, fears, depression, financial pressure, family pressure, not to mention horrific events in our communities or the world at large, and natural disasters that happen around us.  All of these can cause us to pause and wonder, “What is there to celebrate?” or “How can I sing Joy to the World when the world (or my world) is going to hell in a hand basket?”

As I was reading the Christmas story again, it dawned on me that a part of the story of the birth of Jesus that we seem to omit is a message of comfort and hope for those who are heavily burdened by loss and anxiety.

In Matthew chapter two we read of visitors who came with lavish gifts (the beginnings of our modern day trappings?). These visitors, the Wise Men, come to worship the Christ Child.  

The part that we tend to omit is what happened after the Wise Men left. The little town of Bethlehem would never be the same, not only for the birth of Jesus but for another, most sinister reason. Herod the Great was a ruthless king and would not allow the possibility of a newborn Jewish king to upset the balance of power. So, he did the unthinkable. He gave orders to his army to take the life of every baby boy under the age of two. 

Imagine the fear of hiding your child from the approaching heavy footsteps of marching soldiers. And in its deadly aftermath, the sounds of heart wrenching cries from mothers cradling their lifeless sons, as an ancient prophecy was fulfilled.

“A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted

because they are no more.”   (Matthew 2:18)

Joseph was alerted by a dream. He gathered up the child and Mary and they barely escaped with the few possessions they could carry as they fled to Egypt. God’s only Son, wrapped in flesh, become a refugee.

We don’t tend to include the horrific loss in Bethlehem in our Christmas services or in the children’s Christmas pageant.  We choose to turn away.

But God never does.

I believe that the story of loss is included in scripture because God wants us to know that the baby in the manger means more than joyful Christmas carols and shiny gifts. God wants us to remember that Bethlehem’s darkest day was Jesus’ story too. The children who died that night were his neighbours, his friends, perhaps even his family.

We are reminded that no matter what we have lost, Emmanuel is with us. 

Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever. This same God leans in to hear our cry. Jesus is the Messiah for those who mourn, the God who understands the cause of the refugee and the King of the Universe who preferred the manger to a palace. God, the infinite, all-powerful Creator humbled Himself to become vulnerable to all of the hatred and violence we could muster. He remains the God who walks alongside us in our suffering.

God with us.  Emmanuel.

On December 21st, on the winter solstice we will gather at 7:30 pm for a quiet reflective service. The winter solstice is the darkest day of the year but everyday after that we will have more light. It is a moment of hope. 

Join us as we experience together the hope found in the light of Jesus.  

He is Emmanuel.

Don't unpack this!

Over the past few Sundays, as we’ve been journeying through advent, we have been unpacking the stuff that weighs us down and holds us back from living a life that would be honouring to God.

To lighten our load we have been unpacking “stuff”, the literal junk that we accumulate throughout life. Paraphrasing my new hero Marie Kondo, if it doesn’t give you joy, let it go.

We can do that because we know that it is better to have less of what doesn’t matter and more of what does matter.

We also talked about unpacking the distractions in our lives. We are encouraged to focus on what’s important because our lives are too valuable, our calling is too great, and our God is too good to be wasting our life on things that don’t last.

As we journey to Christmas, perhaps the hardest thing for me to unpack out of my figurative suitcase is control. We talked about how we don’t always have the power to control (our situation, or other people) but we always have the power to surrender. I love the example of Mary, a true Beatles fan, who says to the angel, “Let it be.”

“Let it be to me according to your word.”

In preparation for Christmas we have been unpacking stuff, distraction, and control. But there is something we need not unpack, and that is God’s greatest gift to you and me - the gift of Grace.

Grace: ‘grās’ noun. Undeserved favour; unconditional acceptance; giving someone exactly what they don’t deserve.

Grace has been given to you, don’t unpack this!

When Gabriel announced to Mary that she would have a son, (and she responded., “Let it be”) the angel invoked a promise that had echoed throughout the Old Testament.  Her son would be called the Son of the Most High and would reign on the throne of his father, David. Those familiar with the Law and the Prophets, including Mary herself, would have quickly begun to connect the prophetic dots.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 9:6

The promises made by God then were kept and are still being kept today through God’s gift of grace to us in Jesus. 

For unto us a child is born. That is what Christmas is about.

Grace has been given to you and we in turn are challenged to extend grace to others.

I was moved to tears reading an article regarding a recent horrific shooting. “Amidst the hurt and the horror, there is amazing grace,” the author writes referring to the grace extended by one victim’s father to the family of the assailant. “Instead of rage,” she continues, “there is a yearning to understand.” 

There is no doubt that the gift of Grace is expensive. But now imagine if we each had the courage to do what God intended us to do. Imagine how God might work in our lives to make us more Grace-full people. Imagine how we might become a more Grace-full church. And just imagine how we might, in a greater way, reflect the heart of our incredibly gracious Heavenly Father, Emmanuel, God with us.

Grace upon grace upon grace. Unpack the things that don’t matter and keep what does!

Can't take that away from me!

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. (Luke 10:40)

If ever there was a time of year to be distracted by all the preparations that had to be made, Christmas is it, isn’t it?  Shopping, cooking, wrapping, repeat.  Not to mention all the extra events to celebrate the festive season, like work ‘Holiday’ parties, socials and family gatherings.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Martha and her sister Mary were hosting a dinner for Jesus.  Martha, even though she may not have loved the cooking and preparing, did it because it needed to be done. Meanwhile, her sister sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to all he had to say.

It wasn’t long before Martha started chirping about her sister to Jesus.

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (vs 40)

I can totally see myself doing that!  And what does Jesus say? 

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (vs. 41,42)

In other words, “Martha what you are doing is wonderful, thank you, but what Mary is doing is also important.  In fact, putting aside the distractions and focusing on me is the most important thing.”

Here’s the thing. I get Martha. I not only understand her, I really appreciate her because if not for Martha, there would be no food!

So, is Jesus saying that everyone should stop what they are doing and do nothing but focus on Him? There would be some very hungry people! No, but Jesus is saying that focusing on Him, learning from Him and worshipping Him should be the most important thing we can do.  

So, I figured out how to do both.  While going about my everyday tasks I continue to worship God.  For instance, while doing the task of cooking and baking for the season, I put on music that glorifies God. It’s interesting that the food always tastes better when I do that!  While cleaning bathrooms or vacuuming, I pray. God doesn’t care if I am talking to him while cleaning a toilet. I just talk to God. 

Just pray.

Just sing.

Just listen for God. As you do, your faith will grow and no one can take that from you.

We have much that will distract us this Christmas season, but if we are deliberate and determined to put God first, we can do that no matter where we are and no matter what we do. 

So let’s choose what is better, for it will not be taken away from us!