Readings for Lessons and Carols Sunday:
Genesis 3:1-15, Isaiah 7:10-16, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 1:18-25
December 23, 2007
The Rev. Karen Faye Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
Genesis 3:1-15
“You will never be happy with what you want if you are not happy with what you have.” [unknown] Human beings have a tendency to live in the future, always seeking for something they do not have. Being unsatisfied with what they do have, many come to believe that if they just had that “one more thing”, then all would be well. Then, once they get that “one more thing”, the satisfaction only remains for a period of time. This cycle continues over and over again. The truth is, once people have their basic needs for food, water, shelter, love, and meaning met, any remaining void can usually only be filled by a deep abiding relationship with God. It is unfortunate that many try to fill that void with everything else except God.
Today’s reading from the book of Genesis is a biblical myth written to communicate a deeper truth. In this story, we hear about Adam and Eve who are in a garden of paradise and have all of their needs met. However, they are not satisfied with what they do have and they want more. Rather than listen to the wisdom of God, they are seduced by another voice which distorts God’s wisdom. This seductive “other voice” could care less about their long-term, well-being. The result of their choice did not bring them happiness but rather alienation. For me, one of the truths of this story is this: “You will never be happy with what you want if you are not happy with what you have.”
Isaiah 7:10-16
Century after century, people of faith have searched for a personal experience of God, (i.e. God being with us). In Ancient Israel, people often experienced God through the prophets, through saving acts in human history, in creation, and in the Holy Scriptures. For them, God was not some philosophical idea, religious ethic, or distant deity. God was part and parcel of everyday life.
In today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah, King Ahaz is reassured that his political tenure is not over in spite of the threat of his neighboring enemies. To prove his point, Isaiah promises King Ahaz a sign from God, The sign is this: “The young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel” (meaning God is with us) ... and before this child get older, the countries of the two Kings whom Ahaz fears will be destroyed. {Isaiah 7:14-16}
Who this woman and young child are, remains a puzzle for us today. However, the early Christians experienced “Immanuel”, God being with us, in the person of Jesus. Through Jesus’ ministry, words, and spirit, we now know God’s desire for humanity. For Christians, God is not some philosophical idea, religious ethic, or distant deity. God is with us. God is that in which we live and move and have our being. So as you continue in your journey from a place of fear to a place of love, look for signs of God being with us.
Isaiah 35:1-10
This past week, we lit the pink candle on the advent wreath and celebrated Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete comes from the Latin word to rejoice. Rejoice, joy, joyful ... these are key elements in the life of a Christian. Joy is not the absence of sorrow but the deep abiding presence of God. This means that those who are deeply connected to God can experience joy even in the midst of hardship. Joy and happiness are two different emotions. However, people who experience joy, often experience happiness too.
In this reading from Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to a people some 2600 years ago, who have been exiled from their homeland and suffering great hardships. Isaiah offers them a vision of the future; a vision where the exiled Jews will return to their homeland, safe and sound.
Isaiah paints a colorful picture of this joyful vision: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly ... And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.”
When was the last time you rejoiced with joy and singing? If it has been awhile then perhaps you might spend some time deepening your relation with God. Joy is not the absence of sorrow but the deep abiding presence of God. “Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel ... Shall come to thee O Israel.” {Hymn 56}
Matthew 1:18-25
Each gospel takes a different perspective when it comes to telling the story about Jesus’ birth. The gospel of Matthew begins by giving an account of Jesus’ genealogy and then tells the story about Mary becoming pregnant before being married. The good news is, mother and the baby are doing well. The bad news is, the baby is not Joseph’s. I can’t imagine the difficulties that Mary and Joseph must have gone through given this situation and the cultural values of 1st century Palestine. But I do know, the baby Jesus was loved, cherished, and honored and was able to flourish as an adult.
What was it about Joseph’s character that allowed him to move through feelings of doubt, betrayal, hurt, and embarrassment? What was it about Joseph’s faith that helped him mover through the process of forgiveness to one of embracing his new family with care and concern? Joseph must have been a man of deep faith, having a love for both God and Mary.
It seems to me that we can learn a lot from his example. With God, all things are possible, even forgiveness in the face of deep hurt and betrayal. “What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? This, this is Christ the King, the babe, the son of Mary.” {Hymn 115}
| Updated December 28, 2007 |
|