Dennis Sepper, Puyallup, WA

Warm-up Question

• What contemporary songs are there that focus on the theme of being “who you are”? (Some examples might be Brave, Shake it Off, This is My Fight Song)
• What contemporary Christian songs have the theme of being “who you are” as a Christian? (Some examples might be I Know Who I Am, Free to be Me, Who Am I)

Living Out Our Identity

 December 1, 2015—In an effort to create programming targeted to its desired audience of 12 to 34 year olds, MTV interviewed more than 1000 young people born after December 2000, seeking to understand what forces are creating their generational identity. This is a generation which has grown up with social media and thus has had earlier access to the world in ways that shape its collective perspective. According to MTV President Sean Atkins, “They have this self-awareness that systems have been broken.” This has tended to make them more realistic and risk-adverse. MTV has given this generation the name “Founders” though other labels exist such as Homelanders, the Plurals, the App Generation and Generation Z.

For the whole article please see: http://time.com/4130679/millennials-mtv-generation/

Our identity as individuals is influenced by a number of things: genetics, family, ethnic background, friends and our generational peers. As Christians we believe that a part of our identity is given to us by the Holy Spirit in the waters of Baptism. We are, like it or not, part of the Body of Christ in the world today.

One of the developmental tasks of growing up is to sort out our identity and answer the question “Who am I in the world?” As we wrestle with that question we are also challenged to “be who we are in the world” and not let ourselves be conformed to an identity that is not true to who we are. In that struggle we are not alone for scripture tells us that Jesus had enter that struggle himself.

Discussion Questions

• So what do you think about MTV’s study and research? If you are under 16 years old, does it resonate with you? In what ways?
• If you were born before 2000 do you see a difference in the “younger generation”? Again, in what ways?
• Have you thought about what things have shaped your identity and influenced who you are in the world? What are some of those things?

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings
For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Two weeks ago in Faith Lens it was noted how Jesus’ identity was confirmed in Jesus’ baptism and in the voice from heaven saying to Jesus, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.” That identity is then tested by the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13 which we will consider the First Sunday in Lent). The question Jesus must wrestle with and answer while being tempted in the wilderness is “what kind of messiah is Jesus going to be?” Will Jesus use power and fear or compassion and love? Jesus resists the temptations of the devil who then departs until “an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Thus Jesus is now secure in his identity and begins his public ministry.

The story continues in our Gospel text today. Jesus begins preaching and teaching and soon comes to his hometown Nazareth in Galilee. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus “went to church” and was asked to read the scripture. Jesus was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He located the passage he wanted and then read, “The Spirit of the Lord is up me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

This was a very well known passage from Isaiah and, most likely, surprised no one in the synagogue. But then, Jesus sat down (a significant move because rabbis and teachers taught while seated), all eyes were fixed on Jesus and he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” That was a surprise! Jesus is claiming the words of Isaiah as his own mission statement. It is not “someday” all of this will happen…it is “today” this promised has been fulfilled.

The significance of that should not be lost on us. As the body of Christ in our day the mission of Jesus becomes our mission. That vocational call comes in our own baptisms and is lifted up again when we affirm our baptism. Consider this portion of the Affirmation of Baptism service in Evangelical Lutheran Worship:
You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

Each person responds:
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

The pastor then lays hands on each person and says:
Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in name the gift of your Holy Spirit; confirm her/his faith, guide her/his life, empower her/him in her/his serving, give her/him patience in suffering, and bring her/him to everlasting life.
Amen

It sounds a bit like Isaiah doesn’t it? Indeed a part of our identity is given to us by God through the Holy Spirit to follow the example of Jesus in our daily living.

How we accomplish that mission differs for each of us, as St. Paul is trying to note in our second reading about the body of Christ. We can’t all be Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King Jr and that’s okay. As Paul notes everyone cannot be an eye or a nose or a foot or the body would not be a body. In fact Paul says that the lesser known members of the body are indispensable and should be treated with great respect (see 1 Corinthians 12:22ff). In addition, carrying out the mission of Jesus is not ours alone but the work of the Church.

Part of our identity is to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus, and to be a part of the body of Christ in our local congregation and as a part of the ELCA.

Discussion Questions

• Take a look at the promises made in the affirmation service.  How have you lived out those promises?  Where might you grow as a disciple?
• What gift do you bring to the body of Christ to make it stronger in its mission to proclaim Christ?

Activity Suggestions

To begin, as you gather with your youth group or Bible study think about and discuss how the Christian faith and mission is a part of your identity, who you are in your church, family, and community.

Next, make a list of the ways your congregation or faith community is the body of Christ in the place where you live. How does your church carry out the mission of Jesus? Do you have a number of worship opportunities where the gospel is proclaimed? Does your church have a food bank or community garden? Does it support a prison ministry? Remember as you create this list that even the small things are indispensable and contribute to the work of the body of Christ.

Also, if you are a member of an ELCA congregation, do some exploring and research to see how your Synod is carrying out the mission of Christ. Again using Paul’s image of the body of Christ, each congregation in the Synod forms a part of a larger body that proclaims the Gospel and serves a much larger area.

Closing Prayer

Almighty and loving God, through the Holy Spirit you call and gather us into the body of our Savior Jesus Christ. You contribute to our individual identity that we might join with others to carry on the mission and ministry of Jesus. Give us eyes to see ways in which we might proclaim the good news and serve others in your name while making us aware of how with our brothers and sisters in Christ we can do even more that we can by ourselves. To you be all glory and honor now and forever. Amen.

 

Danny Stone, Marion, IA

Warm-up Question

Share a story from a wedding you attended? Extra points for heart warming, amazing or face-palm worthy.​

Marriage

Wedding ceremonies and celebrations are a beautiful mix of private and public. At its simplest, a wedding requires an officiant (clergy, clerk, judge, justice of the peace, ship’s captain), the couple getting married, and witnesses. Couples have been married in hospital rooms, canoes and a replica Tardis (see Dr. Who). A wedding can be simple, stress free, affordable and private. The shenanigans multiply as the once private wedding becomes a public event – maybe even a public spectacle.

Entertainment Tonight and the tabloids blast the details of celebrity weddings in the same way ESPN broadcasts playoff scores. A small, private wedding in Hollywood is nearly impossible. Some were private ceremonies; others were lavish galas, besieged by buzzing helicopters. Heaven help the celebrity marriage that crashes and burns. Break-ups get more invasive coverage. There is always a headline about private details in the checkout line.

Better pray that you don’t end up with your wedding on America’s Funniest Home Videos. You might get lucky and have Maroon 5 use your wedding for a video shoot. You can watch My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Bridezillas, Four Weddings, My Teenage Wedding . . . I am a survivor of a failed marriage that began with a wedding worthy of reality TV. My forever marriage is getting close to its 6^th anniversary and began with a wonderful wedding full of stories worthy of telling the grandkids and not being broadcast on cable. That’s how it should be.

I asked my extended community to submit real – and brief – stories from their weddings that did not make the tabloids. Enjoy the amusing wedding stories from non-celebrities.

Edith—When my cousin got married, her husband said “I do” every time the priest paused to breathe… At least five times.

Peggy—When choosing the date for your wedding the second time around, make sure you clear it with your future partner first…..it may just be the same date that she married Mr. Wrong!

Linny—My dad looked at me as we were about to go down the aisle and said, “If you don’t want to do this, we could always go take over a third world country instead…”

Lori—Try to encourage guests to NOT fill the bridal couple’s vehicle with sawdust until the horn honks interrupting the receiving line…. Thankfully it was my sister’s wedding and not ours.

Sarah—I started crying at our wedding the moment I saw my Dad waiting to walk me down and proceeded to cry throughout the ceremony. The first opportunity my groom had to say anything to me was during the lighting if the unity candle, when he whispered “suck it up. SUCK IT UP!”

Heather—When the grandfather of the groom was being escorted down the aisle, he says very loudly, “Where in the hell are we sitting? I am three sheets to the wind, so I don’t know.”

Timothy—A friend of mine was getting married. The bride chose the opening of deer hunting as the date for their wedding. The groom, an avid hunter, questioned that choice. The bride said, “But wouldn’t you give up deer hunting just this once so that we can get married?” He said, “Of course I would give it up this once. But are you going to want to spend every anniversary thereafter alone?” They got married January 1 instead.

Liz—My favorite thing about going to a wedding with Ruth is when they do the unity candle she whispers under her breathe….Don’t blow your individual ones out. Keep and shine together as well.

John—While still in college, with a couple of weeks to go before the end of the semester, the bride and groom got married. In attendance were a few of their professors. In the greeting line, one professor congratulated them both and said, “Will I be seeing you in class now that you’re married.”

Ruth—I was in my brother’s wedding, standing on the bride’s side (for this wedding). It was July in Rock Island, IL, and fricking HOT. My Dad and his BFF/brother’s Godfather were officiating the wedding. I was wearing something close to a spaghetti strap type dress, and I could feel the sweat running down my back in material that had never heard the word breathe. When sweat started rolling down my face, I took the occasion to blow on a sweat bead, which sailed upwards towards the Pastors right at the moment my Dad looked towards me….and I got THE LOOK.

Traci—We had to delay our rehearsal because someone had just knocked off the bank down the street and fled on foot. Police were searching the church. Good times!

La Vonne—My husband to be and I planned a small wedding. I shopped for my dress and found a cocktail dress that was nice but it had a tie that was supposed to make a knot over the front bodice of the dress. On my wedding day, I wore my dress backswards, intentionally deciding that it looked much better with the bow in the back and a square neckline in the front.

As I was dressing for the day, I realized that I had forgotten SHOES! My friend canvassed the dormitory and found one girl that had a pair of white pumps, size 10 that I could borrow. Having a size 8 myself and having not worn heels much, I struggled and almost came right out of the shoes as I knelt down during the service….

Suzy—We did communion at my wedding, but at the rehearsal dinner we hadn’t actually talked about what you say when you are doling out the bread and wine … I drew a total blank and panicked…luckily my dad was one of the first to come up for communion so I secretly asked him what to say when people dipped the wafer…I found out later that the man I married, however, was gleefully telling the guests in his line, “One dip only!”

Kathy—The Lutheran chaplain at KI Sawyer AFB who married us told us we’d be lucky to last three weeks. I guess we took it as a challenge since we celebrated our 50^th anniversary last year. Wish he were still alive so we could tell him!

Amy—We got married in rural WI and the tuxes were delivered via UPS…all except my husband’s tie! The groomsmen had ties of another color, but the groom and the ring bearer had the same color (silver). We called the company and they sent a tie express – 4 hours. It was time to take photos! So what did we do? The groom wore the 3-year-old ring bearer’s elastic, slip on tie! It was super long for a 3-year-old and short for the groom – but he buttoned his coat and no one was the wiser. His tie DID arrive in time for the ceremony!

Wilma—This bride and groom were married on a very cold June Day. It was so cold they had to wear topcoats! It was during the war years when there was rationing of many items including tires, gas, & food. The honeymoon was a single night at the Cedar Rapids Roosevelt Hotel. When we got there and unpacked, I realized I had forgotten my comb. I asked my new husband if he had remembered his……well he was a bald as a cue ball! As he unpacked his clothes, we saw that his pajama bottoms were sewed shut with big red buttons. Oh well, we got home to our little rented house and found that we had no lights in the bedroom and our bed had been short-sheeted by some practical jokers. But one of our best gifts was a 2-quart jar of sugar!

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think American media is so obsessed with weddings?
• List the phrases and euphemisms common and uncommon for “getting married.”
• What would make a great wedding? ceremony, reception, music.
• How have weddings and marriage changed since the time of your parents? grandparents?

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 62:1-5

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

John 2:1-11

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

 

Gospel Reflection

We forget that the Wedding at Cana is not just about Jesus’ first miracle. It is a story about hospitality. Running out of wine was a serious disaster!

The rules of hospitality in the ancient Middle East were a serious matter. Hosts were obligated to give travelers a place to stay, food, water and have a servant wash the guest’s feet.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it”. – Hebrews 13:2

The traveler was required to accept all that the host offered – refusal was an insult. Host and guest would share a meal as a token of friendship. Hosts would even offer their daughters to an angry mob to protect the guests; remember the story of Lot and the angels.

Ancient wedding customs added more layers to the hospitality rules. Marriages were arranged, and had a long betrothal. A friend of the groom would chaperone the bride during the betrothal. The ceremony was held at the groom’s family home and would LAST SEVEN DAYS. Yes, seven days. Guests were given new clothes to wear, entertained, fed and given wine. Running out of wine was a serious infraction of custom and ritual. Running out of wine was a blemish on the groom’s family and was a horrible omen for the new couple.

Jesus’ miracle saved a family from embarrassment. They could again be hospitable.

Discussion Questions

• Is hospitality a dying custom? How have we changed?
• How would weddings look if families invited the poor? What if the couple tithed a portion of their wedding budget and gifts?
• What could we do (individually and as a church) to be more hospitable?

Activity Suggestions

• Invite elder members of your congregation to share the story of their courtship, wedding and life together.
• Have a recent bride or someone well along in the planning process share their bridal planning book.
• Fire up the smart phones and large sheets of paper – make a wedding budget.

Closing Prayer

Dear blessed parent, please help us to be more hospitable in our celebrations and daily lives. Help us to give generously and accept comfort and assistance. In your name we pray. Amen

 

Scott Mims, Virginia Beach, VA

 

Warm-up Question

• Have you made any New Year’s resolutions for 2016?  If so, what are they?
• If not, then are there any things you hope will be different in your life this coming year?
• What hopes do you have for the world in general?

Important Questions

Okay, I’ll admit it, this is yet another piece about “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”…sort of. Currently the film is just 12 days into its box office run, and already it has grossed over $1.2 BILLION worldwide.  As one who has seen the movie twice myself, I certainly understand the appeal.  It’s a great story; I find myself both drawn in and left wanting to know more.  For instance, I am intrigued – who is this new character named Rey, really?  Where does she come from?  Where is she heading?  As the storyline plays itself out in the inevitable sequels, where will the drama take us and what part will she have to play? Will my current speculations turn out to be true, or is there a twist awaiting?

At their heart, these are more than just questions about the plot.  They are identity questions and questions about meaning.  And even though most of us live our lives on a much less epic scale, they are the same questions we all confront in one form or another.  Who am I?  Where do I come from and where am I going? What difference does my life make?  The answers we give help to shape and form us in many ways.  Yet there is a sense in which the options we have these days to answer such questions are more fluid than ever.  For a recent look at how these questions of identity been very much a part of the landscape of our news this past year, checkout a recent program from “On Point with Tom Ashbrook.”  You can find a link to the program here: https://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/12/23/culture-race-identity-politics-year-in-review

Discussion Questions

• How do/would you answer the question, “Who are you and why?”
• What impact do you think some of the following have on how we understand our identity: race, gender/orientation, friends/social groups, extracurricular activities/sports, careers/professions?
• Do the “labels” we wear or the ones others put on us truly define who we are?  Why/why not?

Baptism of Our Lord

Isaiah 43:1-7

Acts 8:14-17

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

 

Gospel Reflection

Identity Questions

A fiery young preacher appears in the wilderness region, and, with echoes of Israel’s own entrance into the Promised Land, he calls people to make a new start by being immersed in the Jordan River. His message is stark yet stirring, while the baptism he offers speaks in symbols both powerful and prophetic.  Like rumors of a map to Luke Skywalker, John’s appearance awakens the hopes and expectations of many people.  Could he be the long-awaited Messiah?

Who exactly is John, son of Zechariah (a.k.a. John the Baptist), really?  And who is Jesus, son of Mary?  These are the essential identity questions that swirl around our gospel lesson this week.  Part of this passage we have just recently heard.  Our readings from the middle weeks of Advent focus specifically on John and his call to repentance.  Furthermore, for those who have been following the story since Chapter 1, Luke has made clear that John’s roles are those of preparer and messenger (Lk. 1:16-17, 76-80).  Now, the people who are actually in the story hear from John himself what we already know: John is not the Messiah.  “I baptize you with water;” he tells them, “but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  Who is this coming one?  His name is Jesus.

The Baptism of Jesus

According to Luke’s chronology in 3:1-2, Jesus appears at the Jordan to be baptized by John as a man in his early 30’s.  Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke does not have the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus just as he is coming up from the water.  In fact, Luke doesn’t describe Jesus’ baptism at all.  He only says that Jesus had been one among many who had been baptized by John.  Perhaps this is due in part to a certain sensitivity about having Jesus partaking in John’s “baptism of repentance.”  Or perhaps Luke simply chooses to focus on two themes that will play important roles in all that is to come: prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.”

Throughout Luke’s gospel account, Jesus is shown to be a person of prayer.  What’s more, his life of prayer serves as an example and model for all who would follow him. We see this especially in Luke’s second volume, the book of Acts.   Likewise, the Holy Spirit is a very important character in the Christian story and the hallmark of the life of the church as Luke understands it.  Both of these themes will surface again and again in the year ahead as we hear the story of Jesus primarily from Luke, but for now the focus is solely upon Jesus.

Identity & Vocation

While Luke’s phrase that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus “in bodily form” asserts the certainty of the experience, it is the voice from heaven that affirms Jesus’ true identity: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  What we have heard thus far only through the voices of angels (Lk. 1:31-32; 2:10-11) is now confirmed by God.  And with this confirmation of Jesus’ identity there is also a foreshadowing of his vocation – how he will live this identity out.  The beginning part, “You are my Son, the Beloved,” comes from Psalm 2:7.  This psalm is a royal psalm that was used at the coronation of Israel’s kings.  The second part comes from Isaiah 42:1, one of several prophecies in Isaiah that speak of God’s redemptive activity through a servant who suffers on behalf of the people.  Thus, even at his baptism, Jesus – God’s Son and Messiah – comes under the shadow of the cross.

Discussion Questions

• God says of Jesus, “You are my Son, the beloved….”  What does this say to you about who Jesus is?  What difference does that make?
• When we are baptized, God names us as “beloved” and claims us as God’s very own.  What does this say about our true identity, who we really are?  What difference does this make?
• Look over the promises that are made during the Affirmation of Baptism. How can/does following Jesus shape your own life?

Activity Suggestions

• Jesus & Prayer – using a Bible concordance, or a Bible app on your tablet or phone, search for the verses in Luke and Acts which mention pray, praying, or prayer.  Split the results up among your group, and have them read and report back:
  • At what moments is Jesus shown to be in prayer?
  • At what moments are his followers shown to be in prayer?
  • What does Jesus demonstrate /teach about praying or prayer?
  • What do you discover in these verses about the place of prayer in the life of a Christian?
• The Holy Spirit – similar to activity above, search for verses in Luke and Acts which mention the Holy Spirit or Spirit.
  • What role does the Holy Spirit play in Luke?  That is, at what moments is the Holy Spirit active, and what does this Spirit do?
  • What role does the Holy Spirit play in Acts?
  • What sorts of things does the Spirit do in the lives of people in Acts?
  • Do you expect the Holy Spirit to be active in your own life?  Why or why not?  What assurances does Luke give us that the Spirit is present in our lives?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.  As God’s voice affirmed and confirmed your true identity, send your Spirit upon us that we know that we, too, are among God’s beloved people. Guide us in our living that we may boldly follow where you bid us go. This we pray in your holy name.  Amen.

 

Dave Dodson, Fort Walton Beach, FL

 

Warm-up Question

Is there anyone in your life whom you would consider a hero?  What is it that makes them heroic?

The Force With You

As I sit writing this lesson, I know that tonight the new Star Wars movie will be released at midnight.  Perhaps many of you will have seen this movie already by the time this lesson reaches you.  I hope it was magnificent!  I hope that it captured all of the heroic glory of the originals, drawing us ever into an epic tale of adventure among the stars.

Commentators on the original Star Wars movies commonly note that the story is actually a very old one.  In many, many ancient tales, a young hero from humble origins is whisked away on a journey to reach a destiny he could never have dreamed of before.  He is mentored by an old, but powerful figure, who teaches him how to maximize his potential in order to defeat a potent enemy.  Many of our films capitalize on this archetype – after all, doesn’t this same storyline fit adventurous heroes like Harry Potter and Katniss Everdeen?

If it isn’t the basic storyline that has made Star Wars unique and beloved for four decades, then what is it?  Perhaps it is some of the mystique that comes with the Star Wars universe.  For me, the coolest part of the Star Wars story has to be the Force.

If you aren’t a committed geek like me, you may not know that the Force, in the Star Wars films, is a powerful, pervasive entity that is present in all life.  For those who know how to tap into it, it enables them to not only achieve great power, but also to be much more aware of their surroundings – and even able to feel and communicate instantly across wide distances of space.

It isn’t just magic, though.  The Force can be used for good or evil.  It is a mystical energy that even the Jedi, its strongest users, struggle to fully understand.  The Jedi are heroes not only because of their power through the Force, but even more so because of their wisdom and their commitment to use the immense power of the Force with restraint and a commitment to peace.

Discussion Questions

• What did the heroes you spoke about in the Warm Up Question have in common?  Do the heroes of our favorite films share the same traits?
• To what degree are we capable of the same greatness that our favorite heroes show?

Second Sunday of Christmas

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Ephesians 1:3-14

John 1:[1-9]10-18

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

 

Gospel Reflection

This passage is a tremendous one to follow our study of the miraculous and inspiring setting of Jesus’ birth.  You see, the story of Jesus’ birth reminds us of the humble way that God chose to be born among humanity.  Jesus is born to the family of a carpenter.  At the time of His birth, there is no room at the inn, and so He is born among the animals in the stable.  The first dignitaries invited to the court of this newborn King are but humble shepherds, watching over their flocks by night.  (The magi would have arrived later.)

These themes are crucially important to our understanding of the Christmas story.  Our Christmas plays and pageants always focus on them, and many pastors are careful to ensure that their congregations hear the magnificent story of Jesus’ arrival through the lens of His humble birth.  It is an amazingly powerful story, and it reminds us of the tremendous love that our Savior has for us!

There is a problem, though: Sometimes, we are so busy telling each other about the humility of Jesus’ birth that we forget about the majesty of who Jesus really is.  This passage from John’s Gospel reminds us just who it is that came to live among us mere humans.

“He was in the world, and the world came into being through him…”

Though God the Son came to live among us, it was not the beginning of his existence.  The Son is part of the omnipotent Trinity that created our world, crafted our existence, and guided the people of Israel throughout the thousands of years preceding the Gospels.

“From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.”

It is God that enables grace, power, and beauty to be present in our lives.  It is God who is created us.  It is God whose infinite nature means that He holds the entire universe in His hands.  And it is God who deigned to be born in a manger.

As we celebrate the humility of Jesus’ birth, let us take a moment and try to imagine the awesome love that God must have to have put aside His majesty to dwell among us.

Discussion Questions

• The Hebrew people were known for calling God many names — Elohim, Adonai, El Shaddai, and so on — to represent the many things God is to us.  We use many names for God as well.  God is the Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).  What name might you add to this list of epithets for God?
• This text highlights the Trinitarian nature of God — God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all together.  How do you understand the Trinity?  How does one God have three personas? (*Note: While this question is germane to the text, it is a difficult one for teenagers.  Additional documents, such as “A Lutheran – Orthodox Common Statement on Faith in the Holy Trinity”, may help you prepare for this question.)

Activity Suggestions

Prepare for the coming of Jesus in the Gospels as if it were the release of a film.  One group of youth can design a movie-style poster.  Another group can write and record a trailer.  How will you capture the essence of this story for the release?

Closing Prayer

Holy God, in your infinite love, you came down from heaven and lived a life of peace and service to your humble creation.  Thank you for always continuing to be present and powerful in our lives.  Grant that we would always be inspired by your words and works among us.  In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

John Hougen, Elkins Park, PA

 

Warm-up Question

In one minute, how many examples can you list of underdogs beating the odds in sports or politics or entertainment? In the next minute, list unlikely heroes and contributors to the common good: people you know or have heard about who were thought to be ordinary, but then did something extraordinary, showing great generosity, talent, compassion, or courage. End by naming people you know who have “hidden talents,” people who have the ability to do something extraordinary, but are not yet recognized.

God’s Odd Choices

Today, the forces of evil (e.g. illness and death, cruelty, war, violence, hatred, and fear) seem to have the upper hand in our world, in our country, and in too many neighborhoods and homes. Those who contribute to the common good and give us hope that good will prevail, often emerge from obscurity, beat the odds with courage and tenacity, and surprise the world with their success. They are God’s odd choices.

Personally, I waver between pessimism and optimism that good will ever overcome evil. Keeping up with current events pushes me toward pessimism. The media is saturated with news of epidemics, poverty, hatred, and violence. Plus, everyone I know knows several others who are hurting emotionally or physically or are afflicted with life-shattering mental illness or addiction: problems that afflict the wealthy and the poor, strong families and broken families, children, youth, and adults.

My work pushes me in the other direction: toward optimism. I am blessed to be in contact with people and organizations that I firmly believe are God’s allies, inspired by the Holy Spirit (who, in my world-view, inspires Christians and non-Christians alike) to address the root causes of violence, overcome hatred with respect, and relieve suffering with acts of compassion. Knowing them makes me optimistic that the world will not spiral down into irretrievable chaos.

If pessimism is on one end of the spectrum and optimism is on the other, I am near the middle. I’m not wildly optimistic because the power of evil seems so great; but I locate myself slightly off center, toward the optimistic side, because I see so many people of good will helping others, doing their best to make flawed institutions better, and creating a better life for themselves.

Discussion Questions

• Do you agree that God’s spirit “inspires Christians and non-Christians alike”?
• Do you believe people from diverse races, cultures, religions, and socio-economic circumstances share the values necessary to work together for a common good?
• What are the chances good will win out over evil? What personal experiences have contributed to your optimism or pessimism?

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:2-5a

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

 

Gospel Reflection

Today we are considering God’s choice of Mary to be the mother of Jesus, and whether you and I might also be chosen to be God’s allies, to partner with God in saving the world. Mary was “perplexed” when the angel announced to her she was God’s choice to bear his child. She couldn’t understand how this could happen or how someone as young and insignificant as she was could do anything really important.

Luke reports that a few days after Mary “was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18), she went with haste to visit her relative, Elizabeth. The Lutheran Study Bible suggests that she went “with haste” because she was (probably) thirteen years old and (certainly) afraid she would be severely punished, even stoned to death, for becoming pregnant before she was married. She had to get out of town, and fast!

After Elizabeth greets her, Mary responds with the “Magnificat” (Latin for “magnifies”): “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

This is an extraordinary song because it was sung

• 2,000+ years ago;
• in the boonies (a “town in the hill country”)
• “of Judea” (a tiny territory at the far eastern edge of the Roman Empire)
• by one of the oppressed citizens in that occupied territory;
• who was a pregnant thirteen year old,
• running away from home.
  

In her song, Mary proclaims that, though she has no worldly status, (see bullet points above), God has “looked with favor” on her and “done great things” for her. She feels privileged and sings these words in spite of the fact that God’s odd choice of her to be the mother of the Messiah has brought shame to her family, alienated her fiancé (Matthew 1:18-19), and put her life in danger. We also know the rest of the story: God’s “favor” will cause Mary tremendous sorrow and suffering some thirty years later. Her beloved child will become a wanted man, a tortured man, a man dying a cruel death in front of her eyes. Life would have been easier for Mary and for many others called by God, if God had just left them alone. We learn from Mary’s experience that God’s favor does not shield us from suffering and pain.

Mary ends her song in Luke 1 verse 55 by stating her conviction that all God’s saving actions, including asking her to be the mother of the Messiah, are meant to fulfill “the promise God made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (God’s promises to Abraham are found in Genesis 12:1-2, and 28:13-15).

Mary thinks she will be remembered in the company of Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Moses and Miriam, David, Bathsheba, and Jeremiah. She believes that, just as God enabled each of them to rise above their situations in life to do something extraordinary, so she will be enabled to take on the challenges God sets before her.

Mary understood that if she did her part, did what God called her to do, God would find a way to make her contribution fit with the contributions of others, all working together to bring God’s mercy and justice to the world. Somehow, God would enable her to have a part in bringing down the haughty and the proud: those who have riches and power but lack humility and compassion. God would enable her to have a part in lifting up the suffering and oppressed. Somehow she would be involved in blessing the lowly both spiritually and materially, bringing them hope, freedom, healing, prosperity, and peace.

Discussion Questions

• Are you one of God’s odd choices? If not, what makes you less qualified than Mary was? If so, do you believe, as Mary did, that if you do your part, God will enable you to make an important contribution to God’s work in the world?
• What opportunities is God giving you (right now) to participate in bringing down the haughty and / or lifting up the suffering and oppressed?
• More than 40 years ago, Frederick Buechner wrote about “vocation”: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” (Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC, p. 95) Ten years from now, what can you imagine you could be doing that would place you where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet?

Activity Suggestions

• Read the other texts assigned for this day (Micah 5:2–5a; Psalm 80:1–7; and Hebrews 10:5–10). Working in pairs, note which verses in these three texts make a point similar to a teaching in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 1: 39-55). Then, pair the pairs so you are now in a group of four, and compare your notes. Explain why you think these texts teach similar lessons (or why not).
• Write your own “magnificat,” (individually or as a group). Compose a song, poem, or prayer of praise and thanksgiving for God’s role in your own life. Include examples of how you have experienced “God’s favor” in spite of your “lowliness.” Include examples of the “great things God has done for you” or that you know God has done for others, recently and in the past.

Closing Prayer

A prayer attributed to Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.