Dec 29 at Camp Restore

7am Breakfast... breakfast here is very hardy lots of carbs for energy. Randy was asked to work on a van they got in today. He didn't go to the sight till later so I was team leader by default. I had a hard time keeping everyone busy. I tried to get the kids going on mudding. They needed to be taught and had lots else to do. Got them busy on an outside project moving rocks. They found a broken angel that belonged to the homeowner. Lunch was homemade Jumbilia (spelled) Best lunch so far in New Orleans. Randy came at 2pm. We did get quite a bit done.
I stapled my hand today. Bethany and I were going to staple up some insulation that had fallen down. She asked "How do you know if these things have staples in them?" I said you just put the thing on our hand and squeeze the trigger. Later I was trying to staple up the insulation. It was one of those new staplers that look like they are backwards. I couldn't figure out why no staples were coming out, so I pointed it down at the ground and placed my hand under the back end to hold it steady, and pushed the trigger. I found out I was holding it upside down when the 1/2 inch staple came out in the palm of my hand. It wasn't easy to get out either! As I've told every one... it was poetic justice. It didn't hurt really at all... but my pride hurt instantly. Really I think it's quite funny! My fingers are sore tonight and it's a bit of a trick to type.
Jim Likens had devos on at camp tonight. He's the one who wrote "God knows your name."

Special Note: I found out that Waunita had emergency surgery today. She's doing fine. I feel pretty helpless... can't begin back till Sunday. We'll leave after church and have the 22 hour trip home.
Pray for her speedy recovery and my trip home.
Pastor Watt.

My Birthday at Camp Restore

It was a great birthday. Camp Restore is filling up. I met some folks from Norfolk, NE. I told them I was born in Norfolk 45 years ago today. They didn't really seem impressed. I thought it was newsworthy. I switched today to Pastor Sturzenbecher's group. We did dry wall at the house of a woman who works for the New Orleans fire department. She's very nice. Her house is cool duplex. She fed us a lunch today with Hot Wings and Fried rice. Her house was flooded four feet deep. She wasn't here when the water rose she evacuated early. She said she had just remodled her home. Now I guess she'll have to do it all over again.
We almost had an accident today. Randy and I were getting a vent fan out of the attic. We thought it was really light but it was caught on a nail. When the nail let loose we found out just how heavy it was... too heavy. I recieved a glancing blow on my forehead and shoulder a little sore but not bad. Randy got a scrape on his nose.
Still more to do tomorrow.
The camp is full to capacity. 2 to 3 groups came in last night from Nebraska (Pious X HS); California; and Mt. Pleasant MI. Miciah painted with a the other SD folks. They found a stop sign in the owners yard. The homeowner said they could keep it. They're taking it home to hang in the Divine Shepherd youth room.
Dinner and bed. I'll sleep well.
Pastor Watt

Update from Camp Restore - New Orleans

Miciah and I arrived safely after a long bus ride. We got on the busat 9pm Christmas Day and arrived then next day in New Orleans at8:30pm the next night. Thanks to 2 bus great bus drivers the trip wasuneventful. One slept the other drove, back and fourth all the way.A few trip hightlights: It was funny to drive through St. Louis andnot stop after having lived there during the our time at the sem.Driving through Memphsis I thought about a Bob Dillon son "...Mephasis blues again..." as we were driving by a billboard for"Heartbreak hotel" next to Graceland. No we didn't stop there either.The first morning at the camp started at 7am for breakfast. We haveto be seated by seven or we're singled out for "special duty." I'mnot planning on finding out what that is.I was assigned to one of the Laborers for Chrsit named Paul. Wecaulked some leaks on one woman's house and patched the roof at HolyCross Lutheran Church.Holy Cross was under ten feet of water. The inside of the church iscompletly gutted. Bare studs and floortiles. Sometimes as I lookedat the damage I was overwhelmed with how much work there is to do justto get even this church back up to usable. Many of the houses herehaven't been touched since Katrina. Most all of them bear themarkings show when the house was searched for bodies. It's a big Xwith the date and some codes that I can't decipher. One of the mostcommon numbers is 0 at the bottom. I think that's the body count. Ihaven't seen any with anything else. but I'm only guessing.Miciah stayed at camp today and did "housekeeping" as it turns out forher it was cleaning toilets. She took it like a trooper. She'shaving a pretty good time. Tonight two big Orphan Grain Train truckspulled in. There's a farm truck and a van, for use down here. Weended the evening with Devos for the South Dakota Group and then abunch of folks went to Wal-Mart on a needed shopping trip. They weregone quite a while, they said that everwhere seems to be understaffed.I don't know what tomorrow will bring. It's my birthday, I've beenthinking of volunteering to clean toilets... that'll be a change fromthe roof to the can.I've taken some very interesting pictures... but there's not a good wefor me to get them on the blog yet so we'll save them for later.God's BlessingsPastor Watt.

Mission Trip to New Orleans for Hurricane Cleanup

Hello Everyone!

Miciah and I are on the road to New Orleans. We'll be there a whole week doing Hurricane relief through CampRestore. We're traveling with other Christian folks from Rapid City, including Pastor Randy Sturzenbecher, Megan and Ryan (his kids). Pastor Sturzenbecher is Pastor at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Blackhawk, SD

Miciah and I will make some reports during the trip as we are able. Keep this trip in your prayers.

Pastor Watt.

The Nativity of Our Lord, December 25, 2006, Luke 2:1-20,

Luke.2.1-20

Christmas Day, 2006

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard, SD

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (Luke 2:1-20, KJV)

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Well, it is finally Christmas. The time has arrived; the packages and presents have been opened. It is a joyous season, a very joyous holiday. It’s nice to have family around, all the holiday hassle seems to be worth it as we see our families sitting with us around the dinner table. The hours of work, Christmas baking, shopping and wrapping are all behind us. It all seems, at that moment, to have been worth it. Next month is a different story… But, today is Christmas! It is almost an anti-climax. Our attention has been very focused on our gifts, our families, and wondering if it will really be a ‘white Christmas.’ It’s easy to get wrapped up in the holiday, the family gift exchange, and the Christmas tree. It is wonderful that so many people celebrate this day… the day that a baby was born in Bethlehem. It’s great that people, who don’t even believe, celebrate. It has truly become a part of our American culture.

All the lights, all the carols, all the glitter and decorations, the sense of community… peace on earth; now to be sure, there’s nothing wrong with any of that stuff and it’s great to enjoy it, as a matter of fact we should! We should enjoy it; we should revel in it, even more than anyone else. But don’t forget that for some this holiday is only a time for family… only a time for gift exchanges… only a time to wish peace on the world. But, for us it is different. As we listen to this very familiar story we should remember the most important words that are in it.

For unto you… for you…

It is these words that reach out across time and drag us back to the dark fields where shepherds stood and trembled. It is these words that make the rag wrapped baby shivering in the cold important. It is these words that tell us that something wonderful has truly happened. And that it has all happened, for us.

But still the message of Christmas is wrapped up in the tinsel and paper of the season. Sometimes we find it hard to remember what the season really means… for us. Maybe if we were actually there, standing in that field with the Shepherds, we’d have a better appreciation of that message. Maybe if we understood what it meant for the shepherds maybe we’d better understand what it means for us.

The night was dark, not dark like here, where even the lights of Howard fade out the blackness of the sky, (How many of you went out of town last week to see the Aurora?) but really dark, like black velvet. Each star in the sky can be seen clearly as a pinpoint of light. There is time to notice each one. Shepherds have one single luxury in their lives… time to think, and time to contemplate the universe and especially their place in it. Because, for a shepherd, the world isn’t a very welcome place. It isn’t just the smell of sheep that keeps people away. Their occupation is on the very bottom rung. Little boys didn’t grow up wanting to be a shepherd. People who were shepherds were outcasts. They weren’t welcome in town. They weren’t allowed at social gatherings.

To say that the appearance of an angel to shepherds was surprising is to not say it strong enough. It is nothing short of miraculous. It certainly surprised everyone who heard about it later, And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But maybe the most surprised were the shepherds themselves. They were certainly afraid. They knew their place in the society of the day; they also knew their place before God. Few people would have the perspective of shepherds in that respect. Certainly not people who were accepted.

Maybe this is where we have trouble with the story. Maybe we don’t see ourselves standing there trembling in the presence of God, like they were. Maybe we don’t identify with them. We more likely account ourselves among the Kings. That’s our pride isn’t it? What the shepherds understood, that maybe we don’t, is exactly what it means to be outcasts, to be separated. Most of us have been in the ‘presence of God’ our whole lives. Most of us were baptized as young children and have never felt ‘apart’ from God. But as surly as their social standing kept the shepherds out in the fields, sin pushes human beings away from God.

From that problem we ourselves are not immune. It’s easy to see the ‘shepherds’ around us. Undesirable people… the lazy and unemployed, who spend their money on lottery tickets and cheap beer. People who don’t care about their appearance. People we prefer to help from a distance. What we don’t like is to see those undesirable traits in ourselves. Well, we know they are there. We just don’t like to admit it in the open. But we know our selfishness, our proud attitudes, our tempers… our sin. Sin is no respecter of social class. The sin that plagues shepherds is the very same as the sin plagues you and me. When we stand in the presence of God, our sin deserves punishment. If we understood that clearly we too, would tremble there with the shepherds.

“Don’t be afraid!” the angels said. In spite of what you deserve, there is Good News for you!” It’s good news for shepherds, outcasts from Jewish society. They were sinful people keenly aware of their status, keenly aware of their sin. “In fact this Good News is so good that it is for everyone!” It’s for shepherds… it’s for me… it’s for you!

For you… today… Christmas day… a Savior has been born. God will not tolerate sin and its effects on people. He can not have his beloved people separated, and outcast from him. What makes Christmas day Good News is that Jesus Christ, God’s answer to sin, is born for you! The very same Jesus, found by the shepherds in the stable, is found there for you. The very same Jesus, who gave himself up to the cross for shepherds, has given himself up to the cross for you. Sin that troubles you has lost its power, because of Jesus, born to Mary and announced to shepherds. Because of Jesus, who’s first home on earth was a place for animals, and whose first visitors were outcast shepherds, you have a place with God, and your sin will not separate you from him.

Do you need more than that? There is more… it’s one thing to look back to a time so far removed from us, to a dark field flooded by the light of angels, and to try to see what that means for us. It is one thing to picture in our minds God made flesh, wiggling in a manger surrounded by shepherds, sheep, and cows. It is quite another thing altogether, to have him here present with us right now. But Jesus Christ is here with us now just as he promises. “I am your Savior, where two or three are gathered in my name I am with you. My very body which was laid in a manger, which was given for shepherds, is given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Take it and eat it. Touch it and feel it.”

So what effect did this message have on the shepherds? What did it mean for them that God had sent a savior for them? They went around telling everyone what God had done. They shared it ‘abroad,’ everywhere! People everywhere where amazed. Maybe you can even imagine what they said. “The Savior of the world has come! He has come for us! He has come for you!” Notice how it doesn’t say that the shepherds shared their story with only other shepherds. They shared it with everyone, regardless of social class and status. They may have returned to their sheep, they may have returned to their regular jobs, but they were completely changed. The angel’s message that first filled them with fear now filled them with joy. That joy overflowed all around them. I can’t imagine the fields around Bethlehem being quite the same ever again.

Have we been changed like the shepherds were? Is our joy in Christmas wrapped up in the gift exchange, the lights and carols? Or do we shout out with joy that a Savior has been born for us. Will we return to our work places the same as we were before, or will we announce to everyone the Good News, like the shepherds did?

Joy to the world the Lord is come! Shout it out loud. Sing it to the rafters. Remember what it means that ‘God and sinners are reconciled.’ Glorify God for what you have seen and heard on this day. This Christmas day when God announces to shepherds and to you that Jesus is born… for you. Amen.

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 24, 2006, Luke 1:39-45

Luke01v39-45

Advent 4, Dec 24, 2006

St. John’s, Howard, SD

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever been distracted from something that’s important? Of course, you have. It’s easy to find yourself fiddling with the radio or answering your cell phone while driving the car, or paying more attention to the hot dog vender at a baseball game when the winning home run is knocked out of the park, or glued to the computer when your daughter is trying to tell you all about her day. We are so easily distracted from important things. Our attention spans are growing shorter every year. But I’m not just talking about getting older. How long we pay attention to things is shaped by our love for that glowing box that’s at the center of most of our living rooms. We tend to drift away from anything that doesn’t fight to keep our attention. Life has been programmed into one hour segments.

There are other ways we can be distracted, too. Sometimes we just don’t see the important thing. Sometimes we look right past it. Have you even seen those pictures that you stare at for a few min and a 3D picture pops out at you? I’ve never been able to get them to work. Maybe it’s because I’m too distracted by the unimportant details of the picture, the details that don’t mean anything, they’re not a part of the real picture.

And of course, nothing is more distracting than this time of year. How many trips have you made to go Christmas shopping? How much time have you spent decorating your house, your tree, your car, for Christmas? How many dozens of folks are you cooking for tomorrow? For many families it’s time to get that Christmas letter written, and get all those Christmas Cards sent. There is so much to do to help make the season a joyous season. Oh yeah, don’t forget Advent Services, decorating the church, Madison Master’s concerts, school programs, and Christmas parties, and maybe just if there’s time how about some Christmas caroling. All of these activities are important, all of them are wonderful, and help to make the holiday “bright” (as the song says). But it’s easy to be so involved in all of those things that we loose sight of Christmas itself. It’s easy to be wrapped up in wrapping presents and miss the meaning of the holiday.

So, let’s not do that today. By the time we’re done here they’ll only be a few hours of shopping time left anyway. So let’s pay attention to God’s Word written in the Gospel lesson for today. Let’s focus here and make sure we understand what it’s saying. Let’s not get distracted by all the other things that we’ve got to do, weather you’re making another Christmas shopping trip, preparing a meal, or putting the finishing touches on your travel plans. Let’s look at this text and find what’s important in it.

³⁹In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴²and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:39-45 (ESV)

So what’s really important here? Is Elizabeth important? After all, she is the one who is “filled with the Holy Spirit?” She is the mother of St. John the Baptist. That’s an important person to be, don’t you think? After all without Elizabeth there would be no John; without John one preaching on Jordan’s banks, no forerunner to Jesus to prepare the way. And Elizabeth is a good example of faith, too. She believes everything she is told about her son. Her husband Zechariah had doubts and the Angel told him he wouldn’t be able to speak until John was born and named. And Elizabeth believes all the things she learns out about Mary and her Baby. Just look at her acceptance of Mary, who was considerably younger. She is honored by Mary’s visit. “Who am I that I should be favored in this way?” She is humble even though her own child is going to be an important player on God’s world stage. She puts herself below Mary and even more below Mary’s Baby. So, Elizabeth is important. Is she the most important thing in this text? No!

Now I think we can all agree that Mary is very important. Is she the most important thing to think about in this text? We spoke about Elizabeth’s humility and faith. Mary has all that and more. Mary was facing ridicule, in her hometown (even possibly death!) Yet, she wants to see Elizabeth because of the Angel’s message. She rushes out to see her, so that together they can be together with someone who is a part of the wonderful thing that is happening. Mary’s faith is unquestioned. How many teenagers do you know who would say something like this, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” In fact, Mary is the first person in Luke’s Gospel to hear, accept and proclaim the important Good News of Jesus. Really, she stands right there where we want to be; maybe right there for all of us as the first person of faith, the first New Testament Christian. What and example to us of faith. There is no doubt that Mary is important.

Now some of you might be getting just a little squeamish here, because you don’t want be accused of being Roman Catholic and holding Mary up to the same level as Jesus. But it is true that without Mary there wouldn’t have been Jesus. She was an important, actually essential, part of God’s plan of salvation. She nurtured the growing baby Jesus in her body. She nurtured the baby Jesus and cared for Him through out His life, in fact. It is Mary that God uses to give Jesus His humanity. It is in her womb that God and man come together in Jesus. And there is no better way to confess the fact that Jesus is true God and true man than to say that Mary is the mother of God. (Theotokos) And don’t forget Elizabeth is honored at her visit. She is clearly an important part of this text. Are Mary and the example she gives the most important thing we can find here? No!

Well, then it must be John. If this text is about anything, it’s about John. We all know about him, that camel haired, locust eating, desert dweller, who made as many enemies as friends. We sing a great Advent hymn that’s all about John. “On Jordan’s bank the Baptist cries!” For lots of people John the most important part of Advent. If Elizabeth is important as John’s mother, then surely John is important! John is out there telling everyone that they had better be ready because God is coming! John is very important! He’s out there preaching the Good News before anyone. John is joyful about Jesus coming even before he is born. “…the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Isn’t this one of those texts we use to support infant baptism, proving the infants (even unborn infants) can have faith? And Jesus even calls John the greatest prophet! Clearly, this text is about John. He’s active here, as he is all his life, telling us of the Coming Christ. So, is John the most important thing we see in this text? No!

Well, if it’s not Elizabeth, it’s not Mary, and it’s not John, there’s only one thing left, there’s only one person left and that’s Jesus. But, wait as second, Jesus isn’t really even mentioned. No name, no Baby in the womb, nothing. How can this text be about Jesus if He’s not even written about?

Well, just think about it. What is Elizabeth excited about? Mary’s visit? Exactly where is Elizabeth putting her faith, in Mary? No, Elizabeth hasn’t missed the point. She says it very plainly, as a matter of fact. “Why am I so favored that the mother of MY LORD, should visit me.” She’s glad to see Mary, all right, but only because of Mary’s status as Jesus mother. Only because lying in Mary’s womb is Elizabeth’s Lord. There in the womb of Mary is the Savior of the world. Even her own pregnancy, blessed as it was, was not as important as that baby Mary brought to her was. Elizabeth is focused on Jesus.

And that’s exactly where Mary is focused, too. She rushes to Elizabeth, not for a place to hide out, (it seems too early for that) but to bring the Good News about the child, and in fact, the Child himself to Elizabeth to see and feel. It’s Mary’s way of saying, “Look! It’s all true, God is bringing forgiveness to us, and it’s all right here inside me!” Mary is focused on Jesus.

But as much as everyone is focused on Jesus, no one is more focused than John was. I don’t think there ever was a person as well in tune with his calling in life as John was. Just look at how he is focused on Jesus. He leaps for joy just to know that Jesus was near him. John is so anxious to tell the Good News; he is so joyful that he leaps for joy while still in his mother’s womb. You see, John too is focused on Jesus.

In fact, I looked at some Renaissance art on this very subject. And one painting in particular struck me as very telling. Elizabeth and Mary are standing close together. Elizabeth has her hand place over the child in Mary; and Mary is looking on intently. But the most fascinating thing about the picture is the artist’s depiction of John and Jesus. Right there painted as if the viewers had X-ray glasses, you can see two little infants. And the infant John isn’t curled up, as we would expect, instead he is kneeling with his hands folded in front of him; kneeling facing Jesus recognizing what everyone in the picture knows. Jesus is the center of the picture. Jesus is the most important thing that going on.

The funny thing is I could spend a lot of time telling you, “Be focused on Jesus like Elizabeth, Mary and John.” But, the truth is you know how often you’ll fail. There are many important things to attend to and Jesus is left out of your life more than you’d ever want to admit. And as for Elizabeth, Mary and John, though they are good examples here they aren’t perfect. There were times in there lives they weren’t good disciples either. There were many times, as many as you have, that they were focused on other things besides Jesus. So telling you to focus on Jesus as they did isn’t going to help you much. And besides if we say be like Elizabeth, Mary and John we’d be taking the focus off Jesus again! Forgetting what He came in Mary’s womb to do.

So, the story here isn’t that Elizabeth and Mary and John were focused on Jesus. They aren’t the most important things there. Jesus is. And He’s not the focus because He’s our example of how to live. He’s the focus because He came to do what you can’t do. Even though you can’t always focus on Him, He is always focused on you. That little unborn infant came the way He came for you. He was conceived there in Mary for you. He was born in that cold dark stable for you. He lived a perfect human life for you. In fact, He is so focused on you that He even died on the cross to pay the punishment for your sin. Because your focus falls short, He focuses on you. He did what you can’t do. He lived the way you can’t live. His focus was on our death. He came to die in your place and mine, and for Elizabeth, Mary and John. God’s love and focus are so much on you that Jesus gave up His perfect life for your imperfect, unfocused one. And with your punishment paid, He rose again to bring you a new and re-focused life. That’s the real joy of the season.

Now, there are many important things to do before Christmas. You may have some shopping to do. You may have some presents to wrap, and maybe even a party yet to attend. Those things are great; they are an important part of the season. It’s very important to get together with your family and have a wonderful time together. And don’t forget that it is important to remember other people, even people you don’t know at this time of year. It’s great time to give food to the food bank, buy a toy for toys-for-tots. Take a plate of Christmas cookies to your neighbor. But, in the middle of all of those important things, don’t forget the most important thing about Christmas. Don’t forget the baby in Mary’s womb. Don’t forget how He was born, lived, and died for you. Don’t forget Jesus’ focus on you. Don’t forget that it’s Jesus who makes all those important things important. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Weekday Advent Service Four, O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

Weekday Advent Service Three
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard, SD
The Hymns of Advent
O Lord, How Shall I Meet You LW 19
By: Paul Gerhardt

O Lord, how shall I meet you,
How welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you,
My hope, my heart's delight!
Oh, kindle, Lord most holy,
Your lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please you best.

Your Zion strews before you
Green boughs and fairest palms;
And I too will adore you
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For you with praises new
And from your name shall never
With hold the honor due.

I lay in fetters, groaning;
You came to set me free.
I stood, my shame bemoaning;
You came to honor me.
A glorious crown you give me,
A treasure safe on high
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.

Love caused your incarnation;
Love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
Oh, love beyond all telling,
That led you to embrace
In love, all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race.

Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn your joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not; he is near you,
There, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.

He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to his foes,
A light of consolations
And blessed hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth your beams so cheering,
And guide us safely home.

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

There’s something special about a Hymn that is also a prayer. There are a few that are like that. One of my father’s favorites was Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me. I like it too. And that’s the very first thing that you notice about this one.

O Lord, how shall I meet you,
How welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you,
My hope, my heart's delight!
Oh, kindle, Lord most holy,
Your lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please you best.

It is the classic advent question. We think we know how to prepare for Christmas. The gift giving frenzy gets really hot as the last minutes are ticking away, especially with the threat of bad weather. And last week we had a wonderful telling of the reason for the season right here, given by the children of the congregation. We heard of angels and shepherds, magi and gifts, mother father and of course the Child. We are reminded that He was born to die for the sins of the whole world. We know that one of the best ways to prepare for Christmas is to re-tell the story of what God has done through the Best Gift. But this hymn really is asking a larger question. With the on going preparation for the Christmas and the picture of God-in-the-flesh lying in a manger in fresh in our minds; how do we prepare for the self-same Lord, to return again?

It begins an answer to that question by reciting who we are. Your people long to greet You. Your people, is a very warm and wet idea. In a way it is a phrase pulled right out of the Red Sea. God continually told the Israelites that they could know they were His people because of what He did for them by bringing them out of Egypt through the Red Sea waters. He said, “I will be your God and you will be My people. You remember, God parted the sea and they walked through on dry ground, while the Egyptian army was drowned. In our case we are His people through water too, our Adoption in Holy Baptism.

Speaking in the context of the work of the Holy Spirit in Baptism St. Paul tells us:

so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7, ESV)

We are God’s people having been justified through faith in Jesus Christ, given to us through our adoption in Baptism.
Oh, kindle, Lord most holy, Your lamp within my breast To do in spirit lowly All that may please you best. (There’s so much packed in these lines, I think we could do a whole Advent series right here!) They say, in essence, Lord, through the Work of Spirit and Word in me (gifts of Holy Baptism!), produce good works in my life, and keep my sinful pride out of the way. Do that in me, then be prepared for your coming.

Your Zion strews before you
Green boughs and fairest palms;
And I too will adore you
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For you with praises new
And from your name shall never
With hold the honor due.

These words put us on the road with those who honor Jesus on Palm Sunday waving Palm branches and shouting Hosanna! We shout though knowing the whole story. The Palms lead to Passion. Jesus goes to Jerusalem not to sit on a throne of gold but to hang on His heavenly throne of wood. And I too, means especially because we know the outcome. We see His bloody death we’ll shout all the more, and adore. Because of what He does there (and I just love this picture of eternal life with God) My heart will bloom forever for you with praises new…

I lay in fetters, groaning;
You came to set me free.
I stood, my shame bemoaning;
You came to honor me.
A glorious crown you give me,
A treasure safe on high
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.

Here we have in more depth the reason for the joyful response to Jesus and what He has done. I lay in fetters, groaning; I stood, my shame bemoaning; You came to honor me. That’s where sin always leaves us, bound-up, in slavery, groaning our lives away because we are helpless to remove its chains. But our coming Lord has set us free. Jesus says it like this:

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36, ESV)

But instead of what we should receive, punishment for our guilt and sin, we receive a King’s prize; a crown of eternal life. And not only that but one that is safe from theft and decay and that will last forever. (Matt 6:19ff)

Love caused your incarnation;
Love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
Oh, love beyond all telling,
That led you to embrace
In love, all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race.

God is love (1 John 4:8). The word incarnation means coming in the flesh. Nothing shows us the true nature of God more clearly than His becoming a human being willing to suffer and die on the cross for us. It is His love that compelled Him to do that. It is His love that was not content to leave us in our sins forever to be separated from Him. He came down to us to retrieve us out of the mess of our own making. The hymn uses the wonderful phrase Your thirst for my salvation to purposely remind us of the way that our liberty was procured. It’s a play on the words of Our Lord on the cross. “I thirst.” (John 19:28) What He did there, as He was speaking those words is the love beyond all telling, the love that is above all other love excelling.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10, ESV)

There is no better way, the hymn says in answer to its own question, than to think about, speak about, shout about, and live in the salvation of our God brought to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And that’s what the rest of the hymn says, too. It shifts from question to response. It’s only natural, because whenever God’s people hear the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ again (God’s Word spoken or sung!) We can’t help but respond in joy. It’s not really so much commanding us to rejoice, but describing the source of it.

Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn your joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not; he is near you,
There, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.

We are realistic people, and yet, especially at this time of year we pretend to set aside the worlds cares and troubles, as if just saying the words Peace on Earth can make it true. But it all comes rushing back into our lives round about January with the new credit card bills. Our reason to rejoice in a troubled world is much deeper than looking for an easy life. Our peace in an un-peaceful world is found in a life where God really is near to us. He is near you There, standing at the door. And the picture of the Lamp-Holding-Jesus knocking has probably popped into your mind. That’s a picture of the incarnate, God-in-the-Flesh, Jesus coming to help and cheer you. Unfortunately we think of that picture as Jesus asking unbelievers to come to faith, it’s much more than that. It’s Jesus, promising to be near you who already believe. It’s Jesus bringing His Word to be placed into your heart.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20, ESV)

The context of this verse in Revelation is clear, Jesus is speaking to the church, He’s speaking to you and me. It’s Jesus inviting us to listen to His Word and eat with Him. Despair not Jesus is here in this place right now. Here is where you hear His voice and eat the food that He provides. Jesus says, “Bring your cares and troubles, your pain and sorrow here, and I will comfort you; I will help and cheer you with my presence.” You, dear Christian, are not alone, Jesus is here.

He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to his foes,
A light of consolations
And blessed hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing.

Jesus is coming; a baby born in a Bethlehem stable; a judge to judge the nations. From the moment of His first breath He had enemies. King Herod, who thought Jesus was a threat to His place in the world, was willing to commit infanticide to kill Him. The religious leaders of the day, who couldn’t accept Jesus’ Words about forgiveness for all, had Jesus nailed to the cross to stop Him from speaking. And people today, from those who want Jesus to be a self-help guru, or as simply an example of a purpose filled life, to those who only want Jesus to be their path to prosperity, and those who want no Jesus at all, the day Jesus comes will be a terror, because they haven’t heard His voice at all, but were following their own hearts.

For you and me and all who love the Lord’s appearing, in the stable, in His Word and Sacraments, in His coming soon, it is a blessed hope a light of consolations knowing that this world of troubles will come to and end and we will live with God forever.

And so we end where we began, a prayer.

O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth your beams so cheering,
And guide us safely home.

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest… Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come… or as the Beloved Apostle says in response to Jesus promise:

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21, ESV)

Weekday Advent Service Three, Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring (LSB 353)

Weekday Advent Service Three
St. John's Lutheran Church, Howard, SD
The Hymns of Advent
Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring (LSB 353)
Godfrey Thring (1823-1903, alt)

Jesus came, the heav'ns adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came to bring redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die;
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Came in deep humility.
Jesus comes again in mercy
When our hearts are worn with care;
Jesus comes again in answer
To and earnest, heartfelt prayer,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comes to save us from despair.

Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
Bringing news of sins forgiv'n;
Jesus comes with words of gladness,
Leading souls redeemed to heav'n.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hope to all the world is giv'n.

Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate're befalls us,
Cheers our hearts and dries our tears;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comforts us in failing years.

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Well, so far in our series of Advent Sermons we've looked at two fairly well known hymns. But tonight we're looking at a treasure from our older hymnal (a hymn in that is in the new one but not in the blue one). So, although it may be new to us now it is not a new hymn at all, in fact it was probably written around the time this congregation was just getting started. It is a very strong Christ centered hymn pointing us in two directions at once. You can see that very clearly if you look at the second word in verse one and verse two. Jesus came… Jesus comes… now one of the great features of this hymn is that it very nicely sets out for us what Jesus did, what he does and what he's going to do. Jesus is clearly at the center of all the doing in this hymn, that's what makes it a great one to study this evening.

Jesus came, the heav'ns adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came to bring redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Came in deep humility.

This verse is deceptively simple. It packs a lot into a very small package. It sums up Jesus birth life, death and resurrection in such and economy of words that you can't get it all in one simple reading. One of the greatest things is how it reminds me of so many other hymns. Phrases like came with peace from realms on high remind me of wonderful Christmas hymns like Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o're all the earth and peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. When the hymn says Jesus came to bring redemption, I think about I know that my redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives. Madison Master Singers sang right here in our church and one of the hymns they sang was a well known carol Infant lowly, infant holy for his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, Little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all. (another new hymn in our new hymnal) echoing the words from this hymn Lowly he came on earth to die. Every time I read it, another connection to another great hymn pops into my head. I think that's because firstly, it is such a very well written hymn. Secondly it does what all good advent hymns do, (actually what all good Christian hymns should do) it talks about Jesus and what he did. His birth, perfect life, and death on the cross are all tied up in this small package. It says what St. Paul said to the Philippians.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8, ESV)

All that is important because it sets Christmas time (that is Jesus being born in human flesh), the time we are getting prepared to celebrate, at the center of everything else the hymn is going to say. It's as if it says, "because He came from heaven as a humble infant, amid adoring angels singing God's peace on earth, and because He has redeemed us by coming to die; You can be sure that when He comes He's going to do this and this and this…" And there's that change from Jesus came to Jesus comes. And the whole rest of the hymn is about Jesus comes.

Jesus comes again in mercy
When our hearts are worn with care;
Jesus comes again in answer
To and earnest, heartfelt prayer,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comes to save us from despair.

There's a phrase we chant on Sunday mornings together, it's Lord, have mercy. It's a biblical phrase; it's asking God for promised blessings: For the peace of the whole world and for our salvation; for the well being of the church of God; for this holy house… Lord, have mercy. We get it from the bible. In the accounts of our Lord from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John people make requests of Jesus using that phrase. Every single one of them is asking for healing. Lord, have mercy on me, cure my blindness; cure my leprosy; cast out this demon. The hymn says Jesus comes in mercy when our hearts are worn with care. I just love the way that's said. You can just feel the ragged places on your own heart as you've dealt with illness in your family. We care when people we know are sick. We pray for them with heartfelt prayer. And Jesus answers by coming in mercy. During advent we rejoice in knowing that when Jesus comes as he has promised and brings all history to its conclusion all sickness will end forever. It will be a great day. The hymn talks about that, but it also talks about now. Through you and me, through God's Word spoken to comfort the sick and dying Jesus comes in mercy. Jesus comes in mercy when we help our neighbors and friends whose hearts are worn with the care, too. It is one of the things that Jesus has called us to do in this community.

Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
Bringing news of sins forgiv'n;
Jesus comes with words of gladness,
Leading souls redeemed to heav'n.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hope to all the world is giv'n.

The key to this very is the third phrase. Leading souls redeemed to heaven. I think it's talking about death. Oh I know that's not usually a time we think about rejoicing, and yet, look at what it says. Jesus comes… bringing news of sins forgiven and words of gladness. When we are standing at graveside we need words of gladness, words of forgiveness. The hope for the whole world is the forgiveness of sins won by Our Lord on the cross that changes the sorrow of death to the joy of eternal life. One of the prayers we say at funerals uses the words Comfort us with the certain hope of the resurrection to everlasting life and a joyful reunion with those we love who have died in the faith. When we are staring at our loved ones dead and in the grave we need to know that Jesus' death means that the death we see isn't forever. Jesus comes in His Word right now to bring us that comfort and joy.

Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes, whate're befalls us,
Cheers our hearts and dries our tears;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Comforts us in failing years.

The last verse we've sung tonight talks about Jesus coming in what're befalls us. It says he comes in joy and sorrow and shares alike our hopes and fears. These words remind us of God's great promise in Jesus to be with us always. The last words he spoke to the disciples as he ascended into heaven was that very promise, And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b, ESV) And St. John tells us Jesus promise in a different way, I will not leave you as orphans (John 14:18 ESV) Jesus is with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit given to us in Holy Baptism. Every day when we rise we can begin each day weather facing joy or sorrow, hope or fear, in whate're befalls us, with Jesus. I like the way Martin Luther encourages us to start our day in the Small Catechism:

In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer:
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, You dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go joyfully to your work, singing a hymn, like that of the Ten Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.

Jesus, Our Savior, indeed cheers our hearts, and dries our tears, to the end of the age, in failing years the hymn says. We go through our life every day knowing we are not alone.

As Christmas draws near, we sing with the hymn, Alleluia! Alleluia! Because we are reminded again of Jesus, Our Savior; the one who was born in a stable for us, the one who died on the cross for us, the one who lives with us every day, and the one who, for us, is coming again. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Second Sunday in Advent, December 10, 2006, Luke 3:1-6

Luke.3.1-6
Second Sunday in Advent, December 10, 2006
St. John’s, Howard, SD

1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:1-6 (ESV)

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We really get used to hearing about John the Baptist during Advent. After all what would Advent be without singing “On Jordan’s Bank…” I remember singing it in a dark downtown St. Louis Church when I was in Kindergarten. Mom and Dad were teachers in the Lutheran School there. I remember sitting next to my mother who said each line quickly in between breaths so I could sing along. I remember standing there singing trying hard to feel the mood of the season (which was much darker than it feels these days). As for me singing about the “Baptist” is something I expect before Christmas.

This second Sunday in Advent is dedicated every year to the message of John the Baptist. Now there is something I noticed this year, that I hadn’t noticed in other years. This little section of scripture is completely full of geography. St. Luke, the Gospel writer, is intent on having us see the geography he almost overloads us with places… He talks about the biggest geographical area occupied by anyone when he mentions Caesar (The Roman Empire), He speaks about Judea (roughly the area of modern day Israel, Galilee, Abilene and finally he references Jerusalem (if you’re a Jew, you can’t hear about the High priests and not think of Jerusalem!). Luke is making a very strong statement before he introduces The Baptist. Then he tells us that John went into all the region around the Jordan. Luke wants us to be thinking geographically.

But why? Well, let’s look at what John is saying while he preaches and baptizes. Prepare the way of the Lord, make the roads straight fill in the valleys, level the mountains, make the roads all straight, and level out the rough land. Think about what he’s saying. He’s talking about a radical change in landscape. Just think of the huge earth moving machines that would be required to do what John is talking about. Deep valleys filled in, high mountains and hills leveled, crooked roads made straight, and rough land leveled out. It’s big change that he’s calling for; it’s noticeable change, monstrous change.

Maybe we don’t really have the perspective on this that John’s hearers had. Maybe we don’t really see what a radical change John was talking about. After all most of the land around here is already pretty flat. I was talking to someone the other day and they said that one of the best things about Iowa was how beautiful it was at night, because when you look out over the land you see all those lights. If you’ve ever been to a place like Pennsylvania the first thing you’d notice is how there are no straight roads! Driving there is like driving down in a ditch because the trees come right to edge of the road. Here our roads are in that familiar grid pattern set up a long time ago.  But it’s really very different in Israel. Israel is a very narrow strip of land only about 30-40 miles wide and a little more than 200 miles long. The whole area would easily fit in the strip of land from here to Woonsocket, down a little bit further than Norfolk, NE (or Easily between Mitchell, Sioux Falls, I90 and I80).  But where this end of South Dakota is fairly flat, Israel (today) has a difference of over a mile. The lowest point (also the lowest point on the globe) is –1338 ft below sea level (the Dead Sea) and the highest point is a mountain peak at 3963 ft (Mt. Hermon?). By the way only 17% of the land there can be used for farming. So as you can see talk about changing the kind of geography of Israel, is really a project of epic proportions.

But that is the kind of change that John is preaching about. It’s enormous, noticeable, radical change. Of course John isn’t really talking about geographically, is he? He’s telling the people around him that they better get their act together. Something radical is about to happen: God is coming. “Get ready!” He’s saying, “the Lord is coming. You’d better get prepared. Level the land! Tear down the mountains fill in the valleys. Do the impossible!”

This isn’t the first time God’s people have been told to make a radical change. In fact, John is using the very same words here that were spoken by Isaiah some centuries before. Isaiah was also calling for radical change. Back then God was telling the people of Israel that even though things looked pretty good right then, they weren’t. They were going to be conquered. They were going to go into exile. It was punishment for rejecting the God who had saved them from being salves in Egypt; the God who had given them the land they were living in. This punishment was going to be harsh; it was going to be radical. God was coming in judgment; it was time for a radical change of heart. That’s what John was saying, too. The Lord is coming! It’s time for a radical change of landscape, a radical change of heart.

Those words also speak to us. Here we are in advent looking forward to celebrating Christmas. Remembering that Jesus has come and more importantly that He is coming again. And He is coming “to judge the living and the dead” as the creed says. It won’t take us too long to see that we need that same radical change of heart that John is talking about. The way of our lives is full of valleys and mountains; full of crooked roads and rough ground. But we are to make our way straight if we are to be ready. We need to live in the way of the Lord.

So what does it take to live in the way of the Lord? Have you ever tried? I mean really, really tried to stop sinning? Have you ever tried to stop lying, for instance? What does it take to completely get rid of lies in your life? Well, first of all, you have to hold your tongue. You have to not say things that are untrue. Especially things that are untrue about yourself. Oh but how hard that is when you really need to boost your standing among people you want to impress. How hard it is when you really need to show people your position is well founded. And maybe you can do that; maybe you can stop them some of the time. But don’t they somehow come creeping back when your defenses are down? They are there deep inside you holding it in just makes it worse.

So that one’s too hard to get rid of: What about gossip? That one should be easier, right? So you try to stop saying things about people. But that telephone is always ringing with some more news. You tell yourself that people need to be informed; people really do need to know what’s going on. And you know that even the truth can hurt people when it’s spread around. But some things are just too hard to keep to yourself.

Well again let’s try something easier: What about treating all people the same? Ok, you start by vowing to make it work, and then you are confronted by that person who you’ve never trusted. So you skip them and try to do it for everyone else. But you see a dirty, unkempt person walking toward you on the street and all you just want to crawl under a rock, or run the other way. You can’t help thinking about how spend the assistance they receive on cigarettes or liquor, when they should be spending it on new shoes for their kids. No matter how hard you try you can’t treat everyone the same because your feelings about them bubble up from your heart, and the only way to get rid of those feelings is to be dead.

Well there is always trying to do good things to make up for the bad things you do. So you try that. You find a worthy cause; build a mountain of Christmas presents for under-privileged kids; volunteer time to stalk the food bank shelves; help your elderly neighbor scoop snow; dig deeper into your pockets and give more money to the church. Those are all great things to do. And you feel good doing them. Maybe that’s the answer to the radical change. If you just do enough good things you won’t have time to do the bad. But if you think about it, your heart might be in the right place but you know that your mind wanders. Pretty soon you find yourself saying to yourself, “I hope so-and-so sees me doing this.” Or “at least I’m doing better than that person who never does anything!” or “God sure must be proud of me for all I’ve done for Him.”

Well so much for radical change. That fact is, and you know it as well as I do, that kind of change is impossible. Maybe you know it because you’ve tried and failed. You seem to make progress and when you turn your attention to the next thing the other returns. And maybe you know the things you do are wrong but you just plain don’t want to stop. You know your heart and you know that sin lives there. You know that the kind of radical change that John is talking about is impossible. It is impossible because the problem is just too deep. The valleys are too low and the mountains are too high. The roads we really want to go down are not the straight one but the crooked ones. I guess John wants us to do the impossible. We may as well try to level mountains and fill in valleys. The preparation he wants is just as impossible.

If that’s what you’re thinking I have to say that you are exactly right. In order to prepare ourselves for the Lord we’d have to be perfect in every way, no bumps, turns or lumps. Just perfect.

But Luke and John do leave us there. They tell us exactly what to do to prepare. They’re not really saying to get out the monster machines and start digging. And they’re not saying to quit smoking, lying, and cheating. They don’t even say do your best and the rest will follow. They tell us what John’s message is really all about. John’s message is more radical than that. John went all over the geographic area of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He’s saying to take your sins to God and He’ll forgive them.

That’s what the coming of Jesus is all about. It’s about a radical change of landscape. It’s about receiving forgiveness for your sins. It’s about a radical change of heart. It’s about repentance, it’s about turning to God saying, “Lord, I am a sinful person, forgive me!”

We look at the little baby Jesus in the manger, we think about Him sleeping quietly in His mother’s arms. It’s a sweet picture but what that little baby really is really the radical thing that God is doing. That little baby is God’s way of making the rough things smooth. In fact, that little baby isn’t just God’s messenger; He is God coming to do what is impossible for you and me. He comes to live the way of the Lord.

You know all those things that you tried to fix in your life and can’t get done? He didn’t have that problem.  He did everything perfectly. Jesus is the truth and the life. Lies are no part of Him. Jesus loves and cares for all people equally. He gives help when help is needed, comfort when comfort is needed. Jesus treats everyone the same, the rich and the poor, even prostitutes and tax collectors. That’s the way of the Lord. That’s the way of Jesus our Lord. Everything He does is perfect and good. His way is very different from our way. His way is something radical. His way leads to the cross. And in His way He takes the punishment for our lies, and hate, and selfishness. He bears it all in His way. And in His way His death takes our punishment away. His way is a very radical way.

So how do we prepare for His coming? How do we move mountains, the way Jesus did? We can’t. And we don’t have to. The radical thing that God is doing is the radical thing that we can’t. We can’t remove sin from our lives any more than we can make a mountain fill up a valley. But Jesus has done it already, and He does it for you every single day. It’s the same thing that John was preaching about, repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus has taken your sins away. That’s His Christmas gift to you. He’s leveled the mountains and valleys. And He has made a way straight from you to Him. That’s what repentance is. Jesus way of preparing you is to say to Him, “Lord Jesus, I have sinned against you in thought word and deed, by what I have done, by lying, and gossiping, and treating people badly, I have sinned in what I have left undone and what I have done with an insincere proud heart. Forgive me Jesus!”

And Jesus says, “I forgive you, my child. I will prepare your heart. I will make the change in you that is necessary. I will make my way, your way.”  And today you have the opportunity to receive those words right here at his altar.  When you open your mouth God pours in the forgiveness of sins, the radical change of heart that John is talking about.

John says to us, Prepare the way of the Lord. Well, it’s not just something we do for Christmas. It’s something Jesus does for us every day of our lives when we confess our sins to Him. It’s something He does for me and something He does for you. It’s a radical change of landscape. It’s a radical change of heart. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Weekday Advent Service Two, Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Weekday Advent Service Two       Updated, Dec 7!
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Howard, SD
The Hymns of AdventComfort, Comfort, Ye My People (TLH31 / LW28 / LSB347
by Johann Olearius, 1635-1711 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

Hark, the Herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance
Since the Kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.

Grace and peace to you from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

I love this hymn, but sometimes I wonder if we really need to sing it.  When I look at the way we live everyday, especially at this time of year, I don’t see the need what this hymn says, that is comfort.  I heard on the radio that the average person will spend over $700 on Christmas presents this year.  That’s over 100 bucks on family and about $60 for friends (each!).  And you know what I already said about those “Christmas Sale” flyers in the newspaper.  I’ve a weakness for them.  They present us with things we just can’t live without.  They tells us what will make our life better, more comfortable.  Today’s answer to fear, grief, pain and trouble is spending.  

God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay.
Remember things are still on sale from now till Christmas day.
Just spend some cash and soon you’ll find some comfort on its way.
O buying of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O buying of comfort and joy.

Do you remember the Peanuts Christmas special “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown?”  Sally Charlie’s sister writes a letter to Santa Clause.  “I’ve been especially good this year so my list is long, please note the size and color of each item and send as many as possible.  If this is too much trouble just send cash, tens and twenties.”  

“Good grief!” Charlie Brown reacts.

Well, that’s the way we live.  If you don’t deny it, I won’t either.  Every day we act as if money is the answer to all our problems.  We act as if we can just buy our way into a more comfortable life.

But you and I are influenced by all this, too.  Sally is us.  You know what happens.  You’ve got to have what’s new.  The beautiful Christmas tree you bought this year instead of reusing the plastic one is a fire hazard at Christmas time because you couldn’t wait till after Thanksgiving to get one up.  The new extra expensive Christmas Ornament ends up glass shards on the carpet that the vacuum cleaner won’t pickup, but they very readily stick into your fingers.  Grandma says (and I’ve heard this from quite a few grandmas), I just don’t know what the (great) grand kids like so I just give cash.  Then they can get whatever they want.  

And that’s just at Christmas time, it goes on all year.  The cell phone you got last year isn’t up to snuff anymore.  Oh, you can make calls with it and all but it doesn’t take pictures, or allow you to get on to the web to do your shopping, or whatever else they do now.  The new car costs twice as much to maintain as the old one, and you don’t dare to open the hood ‘cause you couldn’t fix anything there anyway.  You’ve a kitchen cabinet full of gadgets you couldn’t live without that you’ve used just one time.  

Ah, you and I both know that the truth is none of this stuff brings comfort.  And these kind of things are just the tip of the ice burg as far as our lives go.  It’s just at this time of year, our brains go cloudy, it must be the twinkling lights, or the cold temps, or something.  We all know none of that stuff brings any kind of lasting comfort.  Life is hard and the only break from it, the only comfort we’ll really get is death.  Look at the hymn again.  

Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;

God is saying that he wants us to have comfort, and He never gives anything half way.  When He says to give comfort He’s talking about the real thing.  The kind we know need when the lights go out; when rust takes over our possessions; when we get tired of taking care of the things that are suppose to take care of us; when towers fall on top of people and kill them; when accidents strike without warning; when we are personally staring down death; that’s when we need God’s comfort not the joy to the world feelings we have this time of year.  They are mostly just a very thin covering.

Jesus strips it all away and gets right to the heart of the matter (as he always does!).  When some people were talking about how Pontius Pilate killed some Galileans because they defied him, He said,

“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-5, ESV)

And there it is a pretty clear need for comfort.  You and I are no better than the folks who die every day by accident, or the folks in the World Trade Center, or those killed in tsunamis or earthquakes or even car accidents on SD Hwy 34.  That because the world is a dangerous place for sinners (that’s what Jesus says!).  I just doesn’t matter how much stuff you’ve got, or how much money, or farmland.  Sinful people, (and here you can insert your own name) need to be on guard.

So, I guess we do need comfort, don’t we.  I think we do need this hymn because it reminds us where real, true, and lasting comfort can be found.  And, not only that but it actually speaks God’s words and promise of comfort right into our ears and it says That His Word is never broken.

Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.

The hymn recognizes our need, actually speaking back to God what He says about us.  We are under sorrows’ load.  But peace waits for us (whenever hymns like this one speak of the OT Church using terms like Jerusalem or Israel, we can apply it directly to us the NT church, baptized Christians).  The problem with the world for sinners is sin.  God promises peace to us because He covers over our sin.  The warfare against the sinner’s greatest enemy, God, is over.  That means that the troubles we experience in life can’t be punishment.  

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,Blotting out each dark misdeed;All that well deserved His angerHe no more will see or heed.

God pardons and blots out sin.  He doesn’t see it anymore.  It’s not because He sweeps it under the carpet and ignores it.  That wouldn’t really take care of it would it.  Dirt under the carpet has to be taken care of sometime or another.  No, for God to actually blot out and pardon sin, for His anger to be no more seen, sin has to be dealt with in the only way that sin can be dealt with… suffering.  

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:18, ESV)

So God no longer sees the need to punish us for our sins.  They were suffered away by Jesus on the cross.  He was righteous but suffered for the sins of the unrighteous.  That’s you and me.  Now the hymn continues:

She hath suffered many a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

How is pining sadness turned into ever-springing gladness?  Especially when we consider that our sadness, our troubles, our sufferings haven’t ended since the cross.  All those things that I talked about are really true for us.  Life is still difficult and full of sorrow and pain.  So, what’s the point of all this talk of comfort?  Just like that old commercial asks, “Where’s the beef?” we ask “Where’s the comfort?”

St. Paul:

For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:5-7, ESV)

St. Peter:

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13, ESV)

What they are saying is this.  The comfort of God is this.  The trouble we’ve got every day isn’t as punishment for our sin, but to turn us to Jesus.  

Hark, the Herald's voice is cryingIn the desert far and near,Bidding all men to repentanceSince the Kingdom now is here.Oh, that warning cry obey!Now prepare for God a way;Let the valleys rise to meet HimAnd the hills bow down to greet Him.

This verse lands us squarely in Advent, standing right next to John the Baptizer, who is preparing the way for Jesus.  God is coming in the flesh Blotting out each dark misdeed.  God is coming headed for the cross.  God is coming to restore His control over the world and remove sin and all its consequences forever.  So, what’s this repentance that the Baptizer is calling for?  Repentance is simply recognizing that because of our sin we’ve got trouble; because of our sin we’re in trouble.  Life doesn’t work the way God intended.  We don’t work the way God intended and He’s the only one who can fix it.  Said simply, we are sinners in need of a Savior, God in Human flesh, Jesus Christ.  The things that we suffer, by our own sin and just because the world is a difficult place to live, actually prepare us for His coming when they turn us to God, looking for forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  That’s what repentance is.

So John says “Prepare for His coming.”  He was talking about Christ in the manger.  We are also looking forward to His coming again.  When He does he’ll bring everything that He accomplished to full completion.   That is, through faith in all that Jesus did we have all of His promises and all the comfort we need right now.  The comfort of knowing that:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life,…

We could add in here, “any kind of trouble, little or big, any kind of failure, any kind of pain or sorrow,”

… nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39, ESV)

That’s the comfort this hymn of Advent talks about.  And it ends looking forward to all that God promises yet to come in Jesus.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

First Sunday in Advent, December 3, 2006, Luke 19:28-40

Luke.19.28-40
First Sunday in Advent, December 3, 2006,
St. John’s, Howard, SD

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:28-40, ESV)
(from an outline by Rev. Harold Senkbeil, Concordia Pulpit Resources, Vol 17, 2006)

Grace and peace to you from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Oops! Is that right?  That sounds like the reading for Palm Sunday not Advent.  That sounds like preparation for Good Friday not Christmas.  We seem to have skipped right over Christmas and dropped into Lent and Easter.  Are you sure pastor you’ve got the readings right?  Well, yes I do.  The new lectionary (series of readings that go with the new hymnal) has made this small change for the beginning of Advent.  It sets before Jesus going into Jerusalem to give his life on the cross for our forgiveness.  It makes sure we have all our ducks in the right row, so to speak, as we approach Christmas.  You see, the cross and the cradle are connected together.  Christmas isn’t just a story about the birth of a baby; it’s the story of the birth of a particular baby.  He is born for a certain specific task: to die for the sins of the world.  But you don’t have to take my word for it, just listen to what the angels tell the shepherds:

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11, ESV) (Emphasis mine)

You see, the whole story of the birth of Jesus Christ is told for the purpose of telling us about what He did to be Savior of the whole world.  It links together the cross and the cradle.

The birth of Jesus tells us a very important thing about Jesus.  It tells us that he is completely human, completely flesh and blood.  He was born just as every human being is born.  He was a helpless infant just like every human being.  It tells us that God didn’t just make some far out way of salvation for us, but He came to us in human flesh.  That very same human flesh hung and bled and died on the cross.  But to do that God had to take on human flesh, being born of a virgin, in a stable, in diapers, so that the law would actually apply to him.  St. Paul says it like this:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:4-7, ESV)

So we have the wood of the cradle on one end of the story, and the wood of the cross on the other.  So today with the cradle in mind we look ahead to the whole point of the story, Jesus purposely going to the cross to give us peace.

First be clear that what Jesus does is not an accident.  He knows where he is going.  It’s his plan from the very beginning.  That is just what he tells his disciples.  They don’t like it.  They don’t understand it.  But Jesus makes his plan clear.  And along the way the way he spends time with sinners in Jericho.  These were the folks other folks only want to avoid, like blind people that he gave their sight, and Zaccheaus the tax collector who Luke tells us received faith in Jesus.  You remember Zaccheaus hanging up in the tree to see Jesus, and Jesus telling him to get down because he was going to see him at his house.  Along the way to die Jesus spends time with those he came to “seek and to save.” (Luke 19:10, ESV) And in our reading today he sets the dramatic stage for it all.   He sends the disciples ahead to arrange things.  You remember a colt “on which no one has ever ridden” you know the one that Jesus said would be there.  The disciples go and find it just as Jesus said they would and they bring it and say exactly what they are told to day.  “The Lord has need of it.”

It is all very dramatic and on purpose.  Luke wants us to be clear about what Jesus is doing and who he claims to be.  The donkey was an important symbol.  By riding into town on it Jesus is claiming to be the new true king of Israel; the one King Herod was really afraid of; the one he tried to kill by killing every child under two years old in Bethlehem.  And not only that but Jesus is saying by this very action that he is God come to do what God has promised to do all along, save his people.  The prophet Zechariah:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9, ESV)

And yet, riding a donkey is a very humble pose for God to enter a city.

And not only does Jesus know where he’s going, he knows exactly what he’s doing.  He didn’t get killed by accident.  The folks around him didn’t see it coming, but Jesus knows.  They couldn’t understand why he would have to die, why (from their perspective everything he had done would come to an end).  But Jesus knows it all.  He sets his whole being toward the cross.  He knew he had to suffer and die and be raised again according to God, the Father’s plan.  He knew he was the sacrifice for the sins of the world, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

The baby in the manger is headed for glory.  And yet, it goes a way that we don’t necessarily like or understand.  Did you hear on the news the other day about the Church that got in trouble for building a Christmas float with a crucified Jesus on it?  People what to see the baby, you and I want to see the baby, but we like to put the cross out of our minds.  Even if it is just for Christmas we think that we can put aside Christ’s sacrifice.  It’s just as St. Paul said the cross is a public offense.  But Jesus glory, his victory over sin, death and Satan only comes through the blood of the cross.  We can never hear about it enough.

The disciples didn’t understand it either.  Even though Jesus told them what was going to happen, they thought that march into Jerusalem was the beginning of Jesus sitting on the throne right there in their capitol city.  Just like the crowds, listen again to what they were shouting:

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38, ESV)

It must have been a surprise to all of them (and a let down) when he when straight to the temple instead of the palace.  Jesus told his disciples that his kingdom was coming in full only on his return.  That’s what we sang about that in the new hymn we learned today.  Jesus’ road to glory passes through the cross.  As his followers our road passes that way too.  We enter the glory that Jesus has set aside for us only through much trouble and pain and death.  St. Paul preached that very thing to the young churches he started “saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22, ESV)  By the end of the week the king who rode into the city with cheers has other voices mocking him as he dies on the cross.  Jesus is the sacrifice for their sin.

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king;Peace on earth and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled."

“Peace on earth.” We sing.  Jesus does all this to bring peace on earth.  He breaks the bonds of sin to reconcile sinners to God.  Just ask Zaccheaus!  Jesus came down from heaven as a human being, born in a lowly stable.  He did that to bring peace by joining God to man.  He brought peace “on earth” by shedding his blood on the cross.  He returns to heave to join man to God.  He sits at the right hand of God declaring that human beings are now at peace with God again.  In his Word he proclaims to you and me that we are released from the slavery of our sin.

Well, that’s all well and good, Pastor.  Peace on earth that’s what everyone wants.  But how can I have peace?  What about me?  When do I get peace?  Life isn’t easy you know, Pastor.  It seems to be for everyone else but not me.  I don’t have what I need to live.  Everything I do turns sour and worthless. The holiday stress only puts my family at each other’s throats.  I doesn’t seem like I get to slow down and enjoy the good things in life?  When does the ‘holiday spirit’ return for me since my father / mother / sister / brother / child died?  The empty space at the table seems to suck up all the joy that should be here.  What about some peace to wipe away the memories of the shameful things I’ve done that plague me at three in the morning?  At least the baby in the manger story is a happy one.  What you are telling me today, though Pastor isn’t a happy story.  It’s the story of blood and pain.  It’s a story of suffering and death.  I get enough of that in my life without smearing the good feelings of Christmas with it.

When you look on the baby in the cradle and see also there the cross that is the best picture I can paint for you of God’s peace.  It is God coming because you lie awake in sweaty guilt; exactly because you suffer the loss of love in death and struggle with living every day; because sin makes life a burden.  That’s the problems that Jesus comes among us to resolve.  

He brings peace from God and he brings it right here where you can so easily find it.  We hear Jesus speaking words of peace right here.  We call it the Gospel.  The word means “Good News.”  It’s not just good news because it tells us a sweet story, it tells us the good thing about Jesus, who came to our Savior; Jesus who was born into human flesh.  That very same Jesus enters our hearts and minds through his Word and the water of Baptism and the bread and wine.  He comes to you and me through faith and He comes to hold them us up when life is difficult.  From the words he speaks into your heart He reminds you that even though things are hard, he makes sure it all works out for your good.  He reminds us that God is in control of everything he even counts the hairs on your head.  And that nothing can separate you from his love, even down feelings that seem to pop up this time of year.  And He whispers in your heart the truth about love and death.  That it isn’t the end it is only a temporary separation for those who live in faith.  When we approach this altar and feast with Jesus we join in a heavenly feast that our missing loved ones are celebrating already; with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.  And when Satan reminds you that you’ve failed, usually while you lay sleepless in your bed, Jesus is here (in your heart) to calm your fears and remind you that he suffered and died to put away your guilt forever.  That’s the peace that Jesus brings.  That’s the peace that comes by his cross and cradle.  That’s the peace that comes in the name of the Lord.  

That’s the peace that we have through God’s Word working in us, and it’s a peace we joyously proclaim.  And it’s not just lip service either.  We do it by taking time during our busy holiday schedule to serve, and there’s lots to do this time of year isn’t there.  We got trees to decorate with mittens, Christmas baking to deliver, and toys for tots to purchase.  Not to mention just giving a helping hand and a cheerful word to our neighbors.  But Jesus in us isn’t just for this season either.  Actually, we serve all year round.  We do it every day as we work the work that has been given us to do, like planting crops, baking bread, making pizza, delivering housing materials, teaching children, or whatever it is that you do for work.  That too is the peace that Jesus brings through his cross and cradle.  Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.