If Paul directed the Christmas pageant (instead of practicing a homiletic style that puts teenagers to sleep in second story windows) Improv on Philippians 4: 4-9 Rejoice in God always, again I will say – eat the cookie, hang the tinsel, wear the antler headband, explain the candy cane, show everyone the star in the apple. Let your acceptance of the needle-dry highs and lows of this season be known to everyone. Emmanuel is near – don’t worry about your plans, but plan them anyway, because last-year’s college grad is willing to become the second magi between two fourth graders. And the peace you don’t expect arrives when the angel with a star on a stick walks the wrong way and shines light into the heart and mind of someone who really needs Christ Jesus. Finally my friends – whoever is so young she forgets, ”baa,” whoever is so shepherd he, keeping watch, takes her hand, whoever plays “just Joseph,” in both senses of the word, whoever, playing Mary a second year as pure and sweet, suddenly understands how scary it all must have been … a pleasing angel, improvising bits from various dance recitals to the glad tidings echoing over the plains, the visiting commendable cousin who steps into Narrator at the last minute because we all live in the last minute, excellent friendly beasts discovered inside the asses and sheep of any congregation when we are asked to sing, and the innkeeper worthy of praise because doing your job doesn’t mean you can’t show someone the way to the manger. Think about these things, these children, this story told again and new. Keep on keeping Christmas messy with straw and wax drippings, as you have learned and received, heard and seen -- and the God who sends peace on earth will be with you.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 10:19:37 +0000
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