"Sticky Peace" Advent #4

John 14:27 NRSV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

John 16:33 RSV

I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

INTRODUCTION

AS WE BEGIN OUR FINAL WEEK OF ADVENT PREPARING TO CELEBRATE OUR SAVIOR ON CHRISTMAS DAY WE ARE

REMINDED THAT ADVENT BECKONS ALL WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS TO COME TO THE STABLE AND

THERE FALL ON OUR KNEES AS THE SHEPHERDS SURELY DID, YIELDING OUR ALLEGIANCE, OUR HEARTS AND OUR

WILL TO THE NEWBORN KING......THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IS SHOWN IN THE LOVE WE KNOW IN JESUS, IT’S

SHOWN IN THE LOVE WE SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER, IT’S SHOWN IN THE LOVE OPENS HEARTS, SOOTHES SOULS

AND REMAINS ETERNAL......AND IT IS THIS LOVE THAT FEEDS THE PEACE, JOY AND HOPE WE CELEBRATE AND LIFT

UP IN THIS SEASON......GIANT CREDIT CARD PROVIDER MASTERCARD BEGAN THEIR MARVELOUS ADVERTISING

CAMPAIGN IN 1997 CALLED SIMPLY AND MEMORABLY, “PRICELESS” WITH A TAG LINE AND WARM MOMENTS IN

COMMERCIALS AND ON BILLBOARDS, ON RADIO AND TV AND ONLINE....ONE SUCH COMMERCIAL ENDS WITH THESE

POWERFUL WORDS AND IMAGES TO MATCH...... “GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TOGETHER…PRICELESS”

WHAT IS TRULY PRICELESS IN OUR FAITH AND IN CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WAS NAMED THIS WAY

BY R. RACHEL GAUNA....AN A LIVING AUTHOR WHO PAINTS WITH HER WORDS…SHE WRITES:

you cannot put a price on love, or peace, but the cost of living a life without either is one that ultimately

becomes burdensome; where we will pay top dollar just to feel a semblance of love, in hope of finding a

glimmer of peace. love, like the air we breathe, is sustenance.”

CHRISTINA ROSETTI’S POEM BECAME A BEAUTIFUL HYMN OF THIS SEASON POINTING THE WAY TO JESUS’ ON

MANGER SIDE SAYING:

Love came down at Christmas,

love all lovely, Love divine;

Love was born at Christmas;

star and angels gave the sign.

Love shall be our token;

love be yours and love be mine;

love to God and others,

love for plea and gift and sign.

MARY’S LOVE SONG AND OURS

AS WE BEGIN THIS FINAL WEEK LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS DAY, PAUSE WITH ME TO REMEMBER HOW, WHERE

AND WHY FOLKS COME TO GRASP THE REAL SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS......IT WAS TRUE WHEN DAN SCHAEFFER

PENNED IT WAY BACK IN 2003 AND PERHAPS EVEN TRUER NOW AS WE STAND AT THE EDGE OF CELEBRATING THE

ARRIVAL OF 2023......

FOR TOO MANY, CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ARE LARGELY LONELY AFFAIRS. EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE MANY

FRIENDS CAN FIND THEMSELVES FEELING ALONE AS THOSE FRIENDS GO OFF TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS WITH

THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PARTS OF CHRISTMAS FOR MANY PEOPLE IS THE REALITY THAT, CULTURALLY,

IT HAS BECOME A FAMILY TIME OF CELEBRATION. FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN BROKEN FAMILIES, WHO ENDURE

FRACTURED, FRAGILE RELATIONSHIPS, THIS ONLY ACCENTUATES THEIR PAIN AND ALONENESS.

CHRISTMAS WITH ALL ITS ATTENDANT PARTIES AND GET-TOGETHERS, OFTEN ACCENTUATES OUR

LONELINESS, OUR FRUSTRATION AND LONGING. IN SUCH SITUATIONS, THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT CAN SEEM

BEYOND OUR GRASP.

IT IS WORTHWHILE IN THIS SEASON, EVEN IN THIS FINAL WEEK OF ADVENT, TO CONSIDER THE THINGS THAT MAKE

FOR LOVE AND PEACE IN THIS SEASON..........FOR WHEN GOD CAME TO US IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST, WE

WE ABLE TO SEE THAT GOD’S PURPOSE WAS DELIVERANCE NOT CONDEMNATION, LOVE NOT JUDGMENT........

IN MARY’S BLESSED LOVE OF HER NEW SON COMING INTO THE WORLD, IN JOSEPH’S WELCOME OF HIS SURPRISE

SON COMING, IN THE LOVE IT TOOK FOR SHEPHERDS TO FOLLOW THE YONDER STAR.........IN THE LOVE IT TOOK

THE ANGELS TO COME AND SAY, FEAR NOT.........EVEN MARY’S SONG ANTICIPATING THE COMING OF THE BABY,

SPURRED ON BY ELIZABETH’S VISIT TO HER TO LET HER KNOW THAT EVEN IN HER PREGNANCY SHE WAS NOT

ALONE......MARY’S SONG THAT THE CHURCH CALLS THE MAGNIFICAT SINGS OF THE LOVE SHE HAD FOR JESUS:

Luke 1:46–55 NIV

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

MARY’S LOVE SONG SEES, ANTICIPATES AND PREDICTS THE GOODNESS, EVEN THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD,

JESUS CHRIST RIGHT HERE IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.....IT’S POETRY SINGS TO OUR SOULS AND FOR A MOMENT

LIFTS US OUT OF THE LONELINESS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE ENGULF US IN THIS HOLY SEASON.....

BUT MARY’S LOVE SONG DOESN’T HIT HOME UNLESS WE CAN SING OUR LOVE SONG FOR JESUS OF OUR OWN,

BELOVEDS........

LOVE, ONE WRITER WROTE, IS A CONTACT SPORT.......AND GOD DEMONSTRATED THIS SO BEAUTIFULLY WITH THE

BABY JESUS IN THE MANGER WHERE THE SAVIOR HAD TO BE CUDDLED, AND HELD, KISSED AND HUGGED......GOD

DREW NEAR TO US WHEN JESUS WAS BORN........

HOW WILL YOU SHOW YOUR LOVE AS ADVENT GIVES WAY TO CHRISTMAS DAY? THE STORY IS TOLD OF THE

OVERWHELMED WIFE AND MOTHER.....

A YOUNG WIFE AND MOTHER, OVERWHELMED BY HER RESPONSIBILITIES WALKED OUT ON HER FAMILY ONE

DAY. SHE JUST LAID DOWN HER APRON AND LEFT. WHEN SHE CALLED THAT NIGHT, HER FRANTIC HUSBAND

DEMANDED AN EXPLANATION. BUT SHE JUST HUNG UP. SHE CALLED EVERY WEEK TO CHECK ON THE

CHILDREN, BUT SHE REFUSED TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE SHE WAS. THE HUSBAND PLEADED WITH HER TO

RETURN, BUT SHE WOULDN’T LISTEN. FINALLY, HE TRACKED HER DOWN TO A DUMPY HOTEL ON THE OTHER

SIDE OF THE STATE. WHEN SHE ANSWERED THE DOOR, HE POURED OUT HIS LOVE FOR HER AND BEGGED

HER TO COME HOME. SHE FELL INTO HIS ARMS AND CRIED FOR FORGIVENESS. LATER, WHEN HER HUSBAND

ASKED WHY SHE HADN’T RETURNED BEFORE, SHE REPLIED, “ALL THOSE CLAIMS OF YOUR LOVE--- THEY

WERE JUST WORDS BEFORE. BUT THEN YOU CAME.”

HOW WILL YOUR SHOW YOUR LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS? HOW WILL YOUR LOVE BE MADE PLAIN? WHO WILL BE

BLESSED BECAUSE YOU SHOWED YOUR LOVED BY SHOWING UP AND SHOWING LOVE IN UNEXPECTED WAYS?

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN LOVE AND PEACE

SOMETIMES, BELOVEDS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE END OF THINGS IT HELPS IN UNDERSTANDING WHY THOSE

THINGS BEGAN THE WAY THEY DID.........THIS MORNING, OUR SCRIPTURES ARE 2 SAYINGS OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS

ASSURING HIS DISCIPLES AND FOLLOWERS OF THE TIDINGS OF PEACE HE HOPED FOR THEM.....ISN’T IT

INTERESTING THESE TIDINGS OF PEACE WERE EVEN NEEDED AFTER HIS 3 YEAR MINISTRY ON EARTH.....AFTER ALL

THE PEOPLE HE HEALED AND SITUATIONS HE REPAIRED........AFTER ALL THE COMPASSION HE SHOWED AND ALL

THE LOVING HE DID.....STILL WE HEAR JESUS SAY:

John 14:27 NRSV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

John 16:33 RSV

I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

THE WORLD HAD NOT YET BEGUN TO MAKE THE PEACE JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO BRING STICKY.....

WE REMEMBER AND CHERISH HIS REASON FOR COMING INTO THE WORLD IN THE FIRST PLACE AS RECORDED BY Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 NRSV

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT GOD SENT THE PRINCE OF PEACE.....TO SOOTHE OUR HEARTS, AND GUIDE

US INTO NEW PATHWAYS, AND EVEN NEW EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE........

SO, PRAY WITH ME, FOR PEACE THAT SPEAKS TO THE WARS THAT ARE RAGING, AND TO HOUSEHOLDS AND

FAMILIES IN TURMOIL THIS ADVENT SEASON........PRAY WITH ME FOR PEACE NOT TO JUST COME FOR A MOMENT

BUT FOR PEACE TO COME.....AND STICK AND STAY....AND CHANGE THE WORLD AND MAKE IT TRULY A BETTER

PLACE.........

PRAY WITH ME WITH THE WORD AND PHRASES OF BEBE WINANS BEAUTIFUL AND MEMORABLE SONG LYRICS IN MY

CHRISTMAS PRAYER:

I pray for peace Blessings and honor Heaven right earth's despair This is my Christmas prayer

For those that grieve God will bring comfort Laughter will rapture there This is my Christmas prayer

See I pray that love will rule and reign And I pray that time will rid the pain of this world As we learn to trust and care This is my Christmas prayer

I pray for you (Yes I know you do) That your triumph and conquer Poses the strength you need to bare This is my Christmas prayer

For those in need There would be plenty And each other's burdens share Oh, this is my Christmas prayer

See I pray that love will rule and reign And I pray that time will rid the pain of this world As we learn to trust and care This is my Christmas prayer, oh

So let hope fill our hearts (Let's let hope fill our hearts) Shine the light through the dark All around the world And everywhere I will pray This IS MY Christmas prayer

CONCLUSION

HOW DO WE MAKE PEACE STICKY PEACE, BELOVEDS? HOW DO WE PREPARE TO CELEBRATE JESUS’ BIRTH AND

THE BEGINNING OF HIS INTERVENTION AND MINISTRY ON EARTH?

AUTHOR EMMY ARNOLD HAD IT RIGHT WHEN SHE WROTE:

HOW COULD GOD HATE US, WHEN GOD GAVE US THE ONE HE LOVED BEYOND MEASURE? I PROCLAIM TO YOU

GREAT JOY SHALL COME TO ALL PEOPLES--- PEACE ON EARTH! THE TRUE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE IS TO FEEL

THAT THIS CHRISTMAS PEACE, THIS YEAR, IS THE GREATER POWER; THAT EVEN NOW ON EARTH IT OVERCOMES

ALL UNPEACE. THAT THIS PEACE SHALL COME TO ALL......THAT IS THE EXPECTATION AND FAITH OF CHRISTMAS.

THE CHRISTMAS STAR IN THE NIGHT SKY, THE SHINING OF CHRISTMAS LIGHT IN THE NIGHT— ALL THIS IS THE SIGN

THAT LIGHT BREAKS INTO THE DARKNESS.....

MAY ANY DARKNESS....ALL THE DARKNESS, IN FACT, THAT SURROUNDS YOU.....BE BROKEN BY THE LIGHT SHINING

FROM THE MANGER....

MAY CHRISTMAS LOVE....AND CHRISTMAS PEACE…TRULY AND COMPLETELY BE STICKY FOR YOU AND YOURS THIS

YEAR.......

LET US PRAY........AND CELEBRATE THE MESSAGE WITH US ON CHRISTMAS DAY, “LIGHT FOR THE WAY” FROM JOHN 1:9

John 1:9 NIV

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.