Special Service Note: This week, as a part of the service, we will have our annual Impromptu Christmas Pageant. Come and participate in the nativity. Choose your costume as you head into worship. We have a lot of choices for everyone, no matter how young or old you are. We are so thrilled this year to have TWINS as "Babies Jesus." It is going to be a blast!
The passage in Isaiah points to a child who will offer a sign. He will be able to refuse the evil and choose the good. It is a word of hope to people who have lived in a land of exile, a time of darkness and oppression. Perhaps after all, there will be some way forward.
The Matthew passage points to the complexity of issues surrounding Jesus' birth. Joseph is shocked to find out Mary is expecting a baby when they are not yet married. This was disgraceful and he is going to try to end things quietly. He doesn't want to cause her any more shame, but is afraid to move forward with the marriage, also.
Families have burdens. Families have secrets. Families have shame. It is a simple fact of life. Period. We are given examples of how grace can intercede in the midst of burdens, secrets and shame and offer a way forward.
The exiles Isaiah speaks are offered grace in the resolve to move forward, one trudge at a time, with heads up instead of down, as they seek their better way forward, as they head toward their release, as they dream of a Messiah.
The grace that surrounds Joseph comes in the form of an angelic dream. In that dream he hears a way forward. Mary's child is of the Holy Spirit. Stay with her. Be part of the miracle.
And in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever? How about those Herdmans? And the pageant? It turns out there's some secrets and shame there, too. The Herdmans have child-like innocence about the Nativity story. They have never heard it. They know of their own shame of being poor and having no father. And even though they act like they don't care, they most certainly do. So they connect in a visceral way with the story of Mary being pregnant and being shut out of the inn with no place to go.
Our word this week is JOY. What struggles and problematic places have you encountered that have allowed you, even so, to find a sense of joy? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or click on the comment button below.
The passage in Isaiah points to a child who will offer a sign. He will be able to refuse the evil and choose the good. It is a word of hope to people who have lived in a land of exile, a time of darkness and oppression. Perhaps after all, there will be some way forward.
The Matthew passage points to the complexity of issues surrounding Jesus' birth. Joseph is shocked to find out Mary is expecting a baby when they are not yet married. This was disgraceful and he is going to try to end things quietly. He doesn't want to cause her any more shame, but is afraid to move forward with the marriage, also.
Families have burdens. Families have secrets. Families have shame. It is a simple fact of life. Period. We are given examples of how grace can intercede in the midst of burdens, secrets and shame and offer a way forward.
The exiles Isaiah speaks are offered grace in the resolve to move forward, one trudge at a time, with heads up instead of down, as they seek their better way forward, as they head toward their release, as they dream of a Messiah.
The grace that surrounds Joseph comes in the form of an angelic dream. In that dream he hears a way forward. Mary's child is of the Holy Spirit. Stay with her. Be part of the miracle.
And in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever? How about those Herdmans? And the pageant? It turns out there's some secrets and shame there, too. The Herdmans have child-like innocence about the Nativity story. They have never heard it. They know of their own shame of being poor and having no father. And even though they act like they don't care, they most certainly do. So they connect in a visceral way with the story of Mary being pregnant and being shut out of the inn with no place to go.
Our word this week is JOY. What struggles and problematic places have you encountered that have allowed you, even so, to find a sense of joy? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or click on the comment button below.
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