Second Presbyterian Church

"The Relevancy of Our Redemption
Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year B"
December 18, 2005

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Sermons Homepage » Sermons for 2005 » Sermons for December 2005

• Luke 1: 26-38

This is such a nice little story. Mary was a young Galilean virgin who was living in the poor village of Nazareth. She was betrothed to Joseph, a state of committed relationship that is somewhat confusing to us. It was much stronger than an engagement, because a divorce was necessary for it to be broken off. However, it was not yet marriage; Mary was not yet living with Joseph. They were not sharing the conjugal privileges that exist in marriage.

So, here we have this nice young lady who is visited by an angel! This is no ordinary angel; this is Gabriel. He is one of the highest-ranking angels in the presence of God. He said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you! The verse said that Mary was greatly troubled. Understandable. Suppose you were going about your business and suddenly an angel appeared and greeted you! It would be enough to make my heart start fibrillating! So the angel, Gabriel, went on to tell Mary that she will conceive, have a baby boy, call him Jesus, and that this boy will reign over the House of David forever, and also be called the Son of God!

This is a nice story, isn't it? We enjoy reading it every year. But let's face it, this nice little story doesn't offer us much for our situation today, except to give us a few moments' escape from the toils, cares, and pain we have in this world.

But when push comes to shove, the notions of virgin birth and "that nothing is impossible with God" just sounds like fanciful thinking that we sometimes have about God. Perhaps God does exist, but these stories seem more like nice little stories.

Christmas is a lot like Easter.

1. Both are set in seasons that are easily celebrated: Easter - at the spring equinox (e.g. The Sunday after the first full moon of spring) and Christmas - during the winter solstice (when it's noticeable that the days are getting longer).
   
   
2. Both derive theological meanings from the seasons: Easter in spring is when all the coming back to life happens to the plant world, sort of like the resurrection. And Christmas is in the dark of winter. It is the light of God, Jesus, comes into a world darkened by sin.
   
   
3. Both Easter and Christmas easily lead themselves to commercial, secular celebrations. Devoted Christians can enjoy both without losing the true meaning of Easter and Christmas. It is so much easier to talk about Easter's pastel flowers and hats, as well as the Easter bunny and Easter eggs. It's so much easier to talk about Santa Clause, flying reindeer (including one with a nose that shines in the dark!), and giving presents to family and friends.
   
   
4. Both Easter and Christmas use absolutely ridiculous figures (Easter Bunny and Santa Clause) that effectively keep a lot of people from seriously considering the absurd truth of the Gospel: the virgin birth of the Son of God - Jesus - who was executed and then rose from the dead.
   
   

That brings us back to my initial sense about this story of Mary as being a sweet, nice little story we like to hear once a year, but feels like one of those made-up stories.

In truth, the story about Mary and the birth of Jesus and the story about Easter, the resurrection, are very, very relevant. It's the most relevant thing that can happen in our lives. It's just that they call us to believe in something that appears so humanly impossible and absurd.

What are the absurdities? They are Jesus was both God and completely man - human - both. As a man Jesus was born by a virgin. As a man Jesus died on the cross, then rose from the dead. It was more than just a resuscitation; Jesus rose with a transformed, immortal body that could no longer die.

Another absurdity is this: if this is really true, if it is really true that Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin named Mary, and resurrected from the dead. If this is really true, then something wonderful, beyond description, has happened - the beginning of the redemption of humankind and all creation! The Kingdom of God has indeed drawn near and the new creation, based upon the redemption of Jesus Christ, has already begun!

A new world has already begun. It is a world in which sin is forgiven, reconciliation is offered, and eternal life has begun. We do not yet see it directly, only through our faith in the redemption of Jesus Christ. Yet it is in our faith that we live it. We live as forgiven sinners. We live to offer forgiveness to others. We seek to live in the way that expresses God's love for us and for all humanity. It began with Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection; it shall be for all who are redeemed. In Luke's gospel it began with a young virgin. It shall be completed when Jesus Christ returns in his power and glory. Merry Christmas! Amen

The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.