Readings
for Christmas 1A:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147; Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18
December 26, 2004
The Rev. Mary B. Blessing
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
Some of you are more familiar than others with the story of the baby born in Bethlehem and the great things he grew up to do. Some of you may be very new to this story, but I am guessing you have heard of the legacy of Christ's life. For through the lives of countless persons since the life of Jesus, a new light, which began in him, has shone forth, bringing hope to people living in darkness.
The Gospel of John does not tell us the story of a baby born. What this gospel does tell us, is that in the life of Jesus, something new came into being: a new light, emanating from God's creative power, came into our world. A new light that shines in the darkness of our world. This new light continues to shine through the darkness; the darkness of our world cannot overcome this light. This light brings new life, new hope to all. This light living in Jesus became a light to enlighten EVERYONE. All who choose to receive this light WILL share its brightness.
When the light of Christ shines in the life of a human being, we can see and feel a special energy emanating from that person. It is God's creative light, but it shines through the life of that person-through their being and their actions. In the life Jesus Christ, that light of God shone as it had never been able to shine before. Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we now live in the presence of the light of Christ. You and I can choose to invite that light--the warm, creative energy of Christ, into OUR lives.
What does it look like when the light of Christ lives in the lives of human beings? In the life of Mother Teresa, we saw the light of Christ through the life of a humble Albanian woman. Through her complete willingness to be Christ's hands in the world, she used the brilliance of the light of Christ to illumine her path, to give her energy to pick up dying people off the street. She literally picked up the poorest of the poor, living in the darkest of all darkness. She physically carried them from the gutter to a warm bed, and a simple meal. Her light of Christ brought them out of darkness, out of despair, allowing them the dignity of knowing they are loved. Christ offers his light of hope to all, even to those in deepest despair.
You may not be a Mother Teresa-few of us are-but God wants to touch your heart with this same spark of Christ-- to have it shine forth in your life. Anyone can receive this light, at any age, at any time. Let me share an example of a boy in Colombia, South America.
At age 8, Alviere, a "middle class" Colombian boy met an old woman in the streets of his village. As she told him her story of abandonment by her grown children, Alviere's heart was touched. This woman grew too old to go out into the fields to pick cocoa beans. She could not work on her own. Her adult children found her of no use. She and numerous other elderly abandoned men and women took to the hills on the outskirts of town. With only the clothes on their backs and a cardboard box, they tried to live on their own. They had no food, no money, no work. They were illiterate and felt useless. As they aged, the darkness of their lonely lives turned to despair.
The light of Christ enkindled Alviere's heart. He says, "Something tugged at his heart" when this old woman told her story. Immediately, he went home and took food from his parents to share with this old woman and the others. In time, his parents found out he was stealing food and why. Soon, they helped him care for these elderly people. By the time he was 10 years old, Alviere had gathered his friends, boys and girls 8-14 years old, to form the "Guardian Angels." These children organized food and clothing to take to the old people. They literally went to these cardboard homes, sat next to elderly people curled up in the fetal position, and fed them. Then, they picked up these old people, carried them out of their dark hovels, and bathed them. Pouring warm water over their heads, washing their hair, and even brushing with gentle strokes, Alviere cleaned up these people who were dying not of disease, but of extreme loneliness and abandonment.
Old, feeble women who could not walk on their own regained strength, because a 10-year-old boy and his friends brought a light of hope into their lives. Not only did the Guardian Angels care for them in their little cardboard homes, Alviere's parents let them come to their home, where the boy gathered them around the kitchen table and taught them how to write their names. Alviere also donned a big skirt, made a few skirts for the ladies, and taught the old men and women to dance. Then he hosted a dance party! For the first time in many years, these old, castaway men and women began to feel as if their lives had purpose.
Alviere and his young friends had a vision of these people moving out of their cardboard dwellings and into a group home. The children wanted to move these old people out of the darkness into the light, literally and permanently. When a documentary was aired in France about Alviere and his "Guardian Angels", the French were so moved, they sent donations totaling over $100,000. It took many years, but because of the persistence of the burning light shining within this young boy, the governor of Colombia and his wife provided land for the building of the group home. Alviere, who is now in his early twenties, runs this group home. If you look into the eyes of these elderly people, you see the new light of Christ shining brightly.
Today we honor Eagle Scouts who gave their time and talent to touch the lives of people who use St. Jude's facilities. The elderly people of our Senior Day Care Center, the Special Needs Families-those who are challenged to fit into the world around them-these people, as well as St. Jude's members, benefit from the construction of planted gardens, new picnic tables, new, safer walkways, an earthquake safe environment, a working irrigation system, and a refurbished climbing structure. The work these Scouts did to improve the environment here at St. Jude's is made more meaningful when these young men place this service in the context of a spiritual purpose. It is not just a job completed to be able to check off a list of duties to achieve Eagle Scout-it is an opportunity to bring new light, new energy, new compassion to those in need.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, has come into the world. Can you find a way to allow the light of Christ to enkindle your heart? Can you find a way to reach the lonely, despondent, depressed people of your neighborhood? Can you go to them and by your mere presence, by showing up with the light of Christ illuminating your path, give them this new light of Christ? If an 8-year-old boy can, then so can you.
AMEN
| Updated 12/27/04 |
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