Why Did God Choose?
I attended a Jim Brickman concert this past Monday night at the Hershey Theater and among the last few people to get settled into their seats was a couple that had seats right in front of us. They were a middle aged couple perhaps just a bit older that Tina and me. The theater was packed, and just as this couple was seated a man took the stage to give the usual announcements about turning off cell phones and those sorts of things. He also announced that following the concert all those who were members of the Jim Brickman VIP club should come down and take a seat in the front rows, and they would have a chance to meet him and the other musicians who would be performing that night. The gentleman of this couple excitedly took out his Jim Brickman VIP badge and showed it to his wife. I could tell from his body language that he was excited to be at this concert.
For those of you who don’t know who Jim Brickman is, he describes himself as America’s leading romantic pianist. While he is no doubt a very gifted piano player, he does not show off with his music. He just plays nice, soothing music, and on this evening he did some very creative arrangements of Christmas carols and other holiday music which were performed by him along with a small ensemble consisting of two singers, a violin player, and a percussionist. All of the audience members that sat around us seemed pleased to be there, and ready to listen, but not quite like this man. As Mr. Brickman took the stage this gentleman excitedly clapped not only with his hands, but his entire body, as he shook with excitement.
But it was here that the evening took a dramatic turn. Just as the first few notes were being played the last person sitting in the row in front of us finally arrived…and wouldn’t you know it his seat was in the middle of the row. So everybody, including the couple front of us had to stand up to let him in completely blocking our view of the stage. And just then the woman sitting right behind Tina yelled, in a voice for the entire theater to hear, “Sit down, I can’t see!” The man’s wife turned and in a stern but muffled voice told the lady to calm down. I started worrying about having to break up a fight, but after everyone was settled into their seats, it did get quiet again, as this man was not going to allow his evening to be ruined by a lady’s bad attitude. After each piece he would clap enthusiastically, and then eagerly lean forward in his seat for the next piece to start. Those of us around him couldn’t help but notice that he was appreciating this concert on a very different level than the rest of us. Everybody was certainly enjoying the evening, but this man was soaking up every note… every moment… as if it were the most important thing that he had ever been a part of.
It made me think about how we approach Christmas. I can certainly appreciate that over the course of time Christmas loses some of its magic. This is only natural as the central figure of the secular celebration of Christmas and his transportation system become more symbolic than real. But we should never, no matter what our age, lose the stirring of emotion that comes when we stop to fully comprehend and appreciate the gift that God gives to us in the birth of this little, vulnerable child, born to confused and homeless parents, in a poor and forgotten part of the world. Perhaps we need to be a bit more like this middle aged man who looked forward to the gift of this concert like a four year old child approaching the Christmas tree on Christmas morning viewing the assortment of neatly wrapped presents that were not there when she went to bed the night before.
While we often blame it on busyness, perhaps part of the reason that we leave the true inner experience of Christmas at arm’s length year after year is the difficulty that we have in understanding the choices God made to accomplish the task of placing his presence on earth in a human being.
After all, why would God choose to have Jesus be born into poverty, to an unmarried couple who was far from home, and seemingly ill prepared for this birth? Why not choose a married couple with some means to at least provide a home for this child.
Why would God choose a forgotten village in a forgotten corner of the world? Why not choose Rome or Alexandria, why Israel? And if Israel, why not Jerusalem? But God chose Bethlehem, not Jerusalem.
Why would God choose to be born in a stable full of barn animals, which amounted to being little more than a motel parking lot? And why would God choose a manger (which is a more romantic word for a cow’s feeding trough), for the first crib in which this Holy Baby would be cradled?
Such imperfection by our standards. Such an odd way of accomplishing what needed to be done.
But could it be that God chose such an imperfect scenario so that we could understand God’s wanting to find a place to be within the imperfections of our own lives? Could it be that God would choose to be born to a confused teenager, and her unsuspecting fiancée, just so that we would know that our confusion could also be a place where a Savior could be found? Could it be that God might choose this young couple, far removed from home and family and friends, so that we might understand God’s presence in the seeming loneliness and broken relationships of our own lives?
Could it be that God would choose the extreme poverty into which Jesus was born so that we might understand that wealth has nothing to do with spiritual fulfillment, as a matter of fact seeking wealth at all costs might even get in the way? So no matter what your economic reality right now, Christ can and will be present.
Could it be that through this unlikely birth God would reach out and choose even you to be a child of God? Could it be that God would reach out and chose even me?
Yes… the answer is yes! And as we continue with our celebreation of Christmas, as we attend services of worship, as we visit with friends and family, and as we take time to be quiet, I would invite you to allow your heart to be stirred, that you might allow the tear in your eye to roll freely down your cheek, that you might welcome the lump in your throat, that you might allow your voice to quiver as you sing an old familiar Christmas Carol, that you might once again allow Christ to be born into your life and receive him with enthusiasm and hope. Might we too lean forward in anticipation of where God might be taking us next in our life?
Might we, from the bottom of our hearts, join with Mary proclaiming these words to all around us: “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
Why would God choose? God chooses because God so loved world, that he gave to us a Son, and his name is Jesus.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Prayers for the 4th Sunday in Advent
(Portions of this prayer contain excerpts from the Moravian Book of Worship Liturgy for Christmas, pages 59-63)
The Watchword for the Week:
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. Luke 1:52
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Invitation to Confession
God has done marvelous things for us, but often the conduct of our lives does not reflect the acceptance of those gifts. Let us acknowledge our sin and our need for a Savior.
Confession of Sin:
Saving God, we confess to you our sinfulness. We are consumed with greed and with self, instead of loving you as we ought. Too often we are indifferent to those for whom this season is not a time of joy. You call us to a simple life, but we engage in extravagance, which directs our hearts away from you and from those in need. Forgive us and renew us, gracious Savior.
God has reached into the darkness of our lives to give us hope for living a new life. Accept the gift of God’s grace today and be transformed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.
Take time now to read today's Daily Texts. Pause and ponder words or phrases that happen to catch your spirit today. Then pray for your needs, and the needs of the world.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Holy Child of Mary, Savior of the World,
reveal yourself to us.
Help us and save us through the totality of your life:
By your holy incarnation,
By your human birth,
By your pure and blameless childhood,
By your obedience and diligence,
By your humility, meekness, and patience,
By your extreme poverty,
By your grief and sorrows,
By your prayers and tears,
By your having been despised and rejected,
By your cross and suffering,
By your death and burial,
By your triumphant resurrection and ascension.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly.
We marvel, Gracious God, at the mystery of your incarnation.
Why would you choose to be born into poverty, with a family far from home, and seemingly ill prepared for your arrival?
Why would you choose a forgotten village in a forgotten corner of the world?
Why would you choose to be born in a cave full of cattle, and take a manger for your crib?
Could it be that through this unlikely birth you would reach out and choose even us to be your children?
Could it be that you would reach out and choose even me?
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. Thanks be to God! Amen.
The Watchword for the Week:
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. Luke 1:52
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Invitation to Confession
God has done marvelous things for us, but often the conduct of our lives does not reflect the acceptance of those gifts. Let us acknowledge our sin and our need for a Savior.
Confession of Sin:
Saving God, we confess to you our sinfulness. We are consumed with greed and with self, instead of loving you as we ought. Too often we are indifferent to those for whom this season is not a time of joy. You call us to a simple life, but we engage in extravagance, which directs our hearts away from you and from those in need. Forgive us and renew us, gracious Savior.
God has reached into the darkness of our lives to give us hope for living a new life. Accept the gift of God’s grace today and be transformed.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, AMEN.
Take time now to read today's Daily Texts. Pause and ponder words or phrases that happen to catch your spirit today. Then pray for your needs, and the needs of the world.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Holy Child of Mary, Savior of the World,
reveal yourself to us.
Help us and save us through the totality of your life:
By your holy incarnation,
By your human birth,
By your pure and blameless childhood,
By your obedience and diligence,
By your humility, meekness, and patience,
By your extreme poverty,
By your grief and sorrows,
By your prayers and tears,
By your having been despised and rejected,
By your cross and suffering,
By your death and burial,
By your triumphant resurrection and ascension.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly.
We marvel, Gracious God, at the mystery of your incarnation.
Why would you choose to be born into poverty, with a family far from home, and seemingly ill prepared for your arrival?
Why would you choose a forgotten village in a forgotten corner of the world?
Why would you choose to be born in a cave full of cattle, and take a manger for your crib?
Could it be that through this unlikely birth you would reach out and choose even us to be your children?
Could it be that you would reach out and choose even me?
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Prayers for the 3rd Week in Advent
The Watchword for the Week:
Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Luke 3:8
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to prepare the paths for your Only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve you
with hearts purified by His coming.
Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say on that day: Give thanks to the Lord,
call on his name; make known his deeds among
the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sing for joy O royal Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Invitation to Confession
Preparing for the coming Savior means that we need to acknowledge our need for one. Let us prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ by confessing our sins:
Forgive us loving God for the winding path upon which you have to travel to find us. As we bend to the selfish influences of our culture we lose sight of your intended will for us. Too often we live by fear rather than by faith because we underestimate your power to heal the parts of us that are broken, and to correct the parts of us that have drifted from your influence. We confess that we have separated ourselves from you and our spirit, soul, and body have been used to meet our own needs rather than seeking the purity of your will. Bring us back to you so that we might respond to your grace by sharing it with others. Give us the courage to give you unhindered access to all of who we are and in so doing find ourselves blameless at your coming.
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Take time now to read the Daily Text for today. As you do so pause at words or phrases that speak most especially to your preparation for the Christmas season that is now fast approaching.
Then take time to pray for your needs, the needs of your family and friends, and the needs of the world. When you have finnished that, continue with the prayer as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
As we continue in this Advent season enable us to more faithfully seek your presence in our daily lives.
Come Lord Jesus, come.
Come and mold us, change us, use us.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Luke 3:8
Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to prepare the paths for your Only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve you
with hearts purified by His coming.
Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say on that day: Give thanks to the Lord,
call on his name; make known his deeds among
the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sing for joy O royal Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Invitation to Confession
Preparing for the coming Savior means that we need to acknowledge our need for one. Let us prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ by confessing our sins:
Forgive us loving God for the winding path upon which you have to travel to find us. As we bend to the selfish influences of our culture we lose sight of your intended will for us. Too often we live by fear rather than by faith because we underestimate your power to heal the parts of us that are broken, and to correct the parts of us that have drifted from your influence. We confess that we have separated ourselves from you and our spirit, soul, and body have been used to meet our own needs rather than seeking the purity of your will. Bring us back to you so that we might respond to your grace by sharing it with others. Give us the courage to give you unhindered access to all of who we are and in so doing find ourselves blameless at your coming.
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Take time now to read the Daily Text for today. As you do so pause at words or phrases that speak most especially to your preparation for the Christmas season that is now fast approaching.
Then take time to pray for your needs, the needs of your family and friends, and the needs of the world. When you have finnished that, continue with the prayer as follows:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
As we continue in this Advent season enable us to more faithfully seek your presence in our daily lives.
Come Lord Jesus, come.
Come and mold us, change us, use us.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Prayers for the First Sunday in Advent
The Watchword for the Week - Jesus says, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." Luke 21:33
Sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things.
Rejoice greatly, shout for joy! See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation.
Psalm 25:1-10
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Hear the voice of John the Baptist calling to us from the wilderness, challenging us to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, to repent and to make our paths straight.
Gracious God, this Advent season stirs a longing to have Christ come alive within us, yet we allow ourselves to become enslaved to cynicism, selfishness, and greed. In a season for freely giving and receiving, we tend to live by debt and obligation. We rush from task to task, scarcely opening our eyes to the peace and beauty around us. We sing of one who was laid in a borrowed manger, but we ignore the poor and homeless around us. We decry the violence of a wicked king, yet we are too often silent in the face of abuse and injustice around us. For this and all our sins, forgive us.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We are forgiven, may God lead us to live a new and nobler life today. Thanks be to God.
Take time now to read the Daily Texts for today or read a passage from the Bible. The Advent season invites us to ponder the expectant lives that anticipated the coming Messiah. Can we live our lives with that same expectation that Christ will come to us as well?
After you have read and pondered the text for the day, pray for needs of your community, and the world around you.
O Lord, Hear our Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, lead us into good stewardship of creation that we and our children may preserve and enjoy the world entrusted to us.
O Emmanuel, God with Us, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things.
Rejoice greatly, shout for joy! See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation.
Psalm 25:1-10
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Hear the voice of John the Baptist calling to us from the wilderness, challenging us to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, to repent and to make our paths straight.
Gracious God, this Advent season stirs a longing to have Christ come alive within us, yet we allow ourselves to become enslaved to cynicism, selfishness, and greed. In a season for freely giving and receiving, we tend to live by debt and obligation. We rush from task to task, scarcely opening our eyes to the peace and beauty around us. We sing of one who was laid in a borrowed manger, but we ignore the poor and homeless around us. We decry the violence of a wicked king, yet we are too often silent in the face of abuse and injustice around us. For this and all our sins, forgive us.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We are forgiven, may God lead us to live a new and nobler life today. Thanks be to God.
Take time now to read the Daily Texts for today or read a passage from the Bible. The Advent season invites us to ponder the expectant lives that anticipated the coming Messiah. Can we live our lives with that same expectation that Christ will come to us as well?
After you have read and pondered the text for the day, pray for needs of your community, and the world around you.
O Lord, Hear our Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to shine as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, lead us into good stewardship of creation that we and our children may preserve and enjoy the world entrusted to us.
O Emmanuel, God with Us, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.
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