Readings
for Christmas Eve 2004:
Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Luke 2:1-20
December 24, 2004
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
An old Rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun. "Could it be," asked one of the students, "when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?" "No," answered the Rabbi. Another asked, "Is it when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a fig tree or a peach tree?" The Rabbi shook his head. "No," he replied. "Then what is it?" the students demanded. "It is when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see that it is your sister or brother. Because if you cannot see this, it is still night."
On this holy eve of Christmas, we celebrate the birth of another Rabbi who was born some 2000 years ago. This Rabbi however, was different from all the others. "In him was life, and the life was the light of humankind."[Jn. 1] Born in Bethlehem to a peasant family, surrounded by unclean people, Jesus grew up in a nation of little importance by comparison to the great powers of the time. He lived among the poor in a marginal area named Galilee. He emerged as a prophet of God, who inaugurated a kingdom of love, peace, generosity, inclusivity, and justice. He wasn't satisfied with simply educating people. His goal was the eventual transformation of the human race.
Much of what is happening in the world today goes against the words, works, and spirit of Jesus. But despite all that is happening, all that is unjust, all that is painful and in violation of everything that Jesus represents, there is still hope for a new creation. And from where does this hope come? The Spirit of God, who became enfleshed in the person of Jesus, is the same Spirit of God who can transform the human heart. All that is required for this transformation to happen is a posture of hope, an open heart, and a willingness to place God at the center of our lives. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
So what about the darkness? What about poverty, terrorism, conflict, fear, and all of the suffering in the world today? In times of darkness, the pupils of our eyes open wider, and we are able to bring into focus, that which beforehand was invisible. "When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." (R. W. Emerson) Remember, "[God] is not intimidated by the darkness or by the rejection of his own. His light is stronger than all the shadows." (Gustavo Gutierrez)
In any dark time, there is a tendency to become afraid and overwhelmed by how much is wrong in the world. Do not focus on that. There is a tendency to dwell on all the things that are outside our reach. Do not focus on that either. Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out our hands to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, kind thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to relieve a portion of the suffering in this world, will be of great help.
It does not take everyone on Earth to bring about justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up. That small determined group of people could be you! You are the ones who have gathered together (year after year) to hear the Christmas Story, as a reminder of what is possible. And what is it that is possible? If we turn our hearts toward the Light, then one day all people of every nation, race, creed, and orientation, will be able to look upon the face of any man or woman and see that they are a brother and a sister.
So once again, as on a silent night long ago, we are challenged to live and love with outrageous hope. May the Light of Christ, illuminate your heart, give birth to shouts of hope, songs of peace, and signs of transformation. Have a blessed Christmas and may God bless each and every one of you.
| Updated 12/27/04 |
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