Light of Joy (standalone message)
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10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
ME
Brothers and sisters, what were you doing on Monday night?Some might be taking care of your kids, some might be playing League or Call of Duty, some might be just watching the latest Netflix show. But Shannon and I, Shannon and I were on a mission. Some of you might have heard about it, but on December 21, 2020 at midnight, an astrological phenomenon which happened every 800 years was happening just oustide your window! Yes, friends, I am talking about, Jupiter and Saturn conjunction 2020! It sounds more impressive than it’s named. Afterall, the last time this happened clearly in the night sky was 1226, and some believe when the earth which rotates around the sun 1 year, Saturn every 30 years, and Jupiter every 12 years all happen to align so that they conjunct or overlap one another, causing great light, is known as the Christmas star! Some scholars believe that was the star that led the Magi to find the house of Jesus. So of course we did what any couple would do who don’t have a telescope! We watched it on Youtube! Yes, and there were many sites that evening which has a live shot of this wonderful phenomenon. We were so excited we even turned off the light so that we can see it before our eyes. This is what we expected.Never mind how in Canada there would be three man riding on a camel. This is what we saw.And it’s almost a teases as every 11 minutes the site we were watching said they are about to join together, but only to never quite conjunct, to merge. And the countdownr reset. And we wait with joy anticipation. Only again they never quite conjunct. And by the fourth and fifth time Shannon said, I am getting tired, and went to bed, and I was like are you kidding me? So I lay on the couch and wathc again and again the never jupiter and saturn conjunction 2020 and doze off until like 3 or 4 in the morning, not sure whether it ever happened. But I should be happy, because if we were actually to go out of our condo or onto the balcony, this is all we would see.Though it’s still kind of cool to see the ring around Saturn.
WE
Expectation and reality. Hasn’t 2020 been like this? I am sure none of us in our wildest dreams would think this is where we would end up tonight. We would at least be at the MCBC chapel perhaps, and the worship team would lead us with some carol signing FACE TO FACE, and then there may be some scripture readings, and then I would give a short message, a response and then wishing one another Merry Christmas while high fiving, hugging, and kissing one another on the cheeks (if you are of the European flavour).
Except the reality is we are all in our home watching this on zoom. No singing next to one another belting out our favourite carols. Not hugging, high fiving, and kissing (actually we never did that, in case you are new to our church, don’t want to scare you off), or just talking in circles and then going off the eat at FMP or something.
No one expected some of us would be laid off, not because of our bad performance, or bad politics, but because they company can’t afford us at the moment as it downsizes temporarily.
No one expected home office is going to be the new normal. No elevator can have more than two person. We are meters apart whether we line up for groceries.
No one expected our first year of high school, or university is going to like THAT, or we would have lectures online. Or our kids have to come home because one of their friends has the symptoms.
No one expected we can’t even go visit our aging parents, or have our annual Christmas feast with the big turkeys and stuffings and your favourite recipe, or go to that guy’s house who is going to throw the New Year’s Countdown. That’s cancelled.And most certainly no one expected it was going to last this long.
No one expected we or someone close to us would have that diagnostic, or that it started with a sniffle and a mild fever, but next thing you know they are in the ICU. Or having to say goodbye to someone you love.
Merry Christmas 2020.
GOD
And it may be discouraging and sad, and my heart breaks for our community. We certainly have heard of some or all of those stories. They aren’t a number. They are really people with lives expecting one thing and receiving a different reality. And my encouragement to you is God knows. God may not let us know the why but God does something better. He came in our midst.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
See while Shannon and I, and many others marvel in wonder about the Christmas Star, the light that brings joy and excitement. Like the Magi, we are reminded that light points to true light and true joy.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He is a son, God’s son. His name is Jesus. And he is our expectation and reality. And if we are to believe what Isaiah says, from him we will find comfort for he is a Wonderful Counselor.
We will find protection for he is a mighty God.
We will find that we are not aimless orphans in the ebb and flow of life and relationships because he is an everlasting father.
And we will find reconciliation with God and with others because he is the prince of peace.
See joy isn’t the absence of calamity, or tragedy, or setbacks, or discouragements. Joy is the embodiment of Jesus who is the message and the messenger. Joy is having that assuredness and hope, that faith in spite of life’s challenges and personal losses.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Because the light of joy endured the cross, we can endure our cross, appointed for our discipleship and sanctification. And 2020 is a year of sanctification. It’s a year of cleansing and pruning. For you, for the church, stripping all the excesses and exposing what truly matters.
Our Jesus.
Our faith.
Our family.
Our brothers and sisters. Our church family.
YOU
So the answer to all the expectations we have that didn’t come to fruition or took a wrong turn isn’t knowing why it happens, but who ultimately is present, promising to never let us go, never let us down, walking with us through our storms in life, not over or under it, not someone who doesn’t understand but someone who understands fully. Look to him, the founder and perfecter of our faith. Jesus, our light of Joy.
WE
May the angel’s praise be ours as well:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Let us ponder this truth as Mary did over the birth of his son, and the reality he brings.
Jesus is where heaven and earth meets, God in our midst. And because he, the light of joy came, we are never again forsaken or without hope.
He cares.
He understands.
His arms is wide open for you to meet him in prayer and word, in his presence.
Amen.