Emphasis Preaching Journal

On a trip to New York City this month, visiting my daughter at college, I popped into Macy's at Herald Square, the iconic flagship Macy’s. I wanted to see what Christmas looked like at the store that sponsors the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York.

“...and Mary gave birth to her first born son...and laid him in a manger..”

(V. 7a)

Merry Christmas children,

I love Christmas don't you? There's the tree, the lights, the carols, the nativity scene, families getting together --- and the presents! Were there any presents at your house?

(children respond)

“...blessed are you among women...” (V. 42b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I am loving seeing you today. How are you dear children? Getting excited for Christmas? Are you planning special things with your family?

(children respond) (presenter may share personal plans and/or experiences)

Today, this Sunday, is called the 4th Sunday of Advent. We call it that in the church calendar. But I have a better name. Know what it is? Mother's Day!!

Contents
“Seeing the Future” by Peter Andrew Smith
“A Distant Land” by Frank Ramirez


Seeing the Future
by Peter Andrew Smith
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20

John sat at the edge of his bed in the half way house staring out the window.

“Are you okay, John?” Carl asked from the doorway.

Contents
“First Encounter” by Keith Hewitt
“That’s Weird” by C. David McKirachan


First Encounter
by Keith Hewitt
Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Isaiah 62:6-11
This seems to be a change he looks forward to in Old Testament times. Isaiah is looking forward to the Lord’s coming. He is telling the people in that day to look forward to Jerusalem being restored, Jesus is the only one who can restore it.

Several future books in the Old Testament have restored watchmen to wait on the Lord’s coming. It sounds like we must spend all our time waiting for the day the Lord has promised. It sounds like we must give him no rest until we get it.

All the lessons testify to the theme of why Christmas matters! The festival encourages sermons on what Christ accomplishes in our lives and a joyful celebration of thanks for the best Christmas present of all -- the babe in the manger.

Isaiah 62:6-12

Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah…(Micah 5:2).

Most towns have a slogan. We remember the clever ones.

I spent part of my childhood in the city of Azusa, California. The town was named after the Susa family, ranchers who owned much of the land during the days of Spanish colonization. But the town fathers decided they needed something a little more catchy, so they advertised that Azusa has everything from A to Z in the USA.

“Current Events” can be very significant at the time they happen, but they can change and/or grow in significance as time goes by. Micah addresses a current political situation in his day that is pretty significant. Judah is under siege from Assyria. But the words of hope that he shares grow in significance over the centuries until hundreds of years later biblical experts are able to tell the Magi that Micah is telling us -- and is still telling us -- that the greatest king of kings will be coming from one of the smallest of the clans of Israel.

Call to Worship:

Come, let us go even now to Bethlehem with the shepherds and the angels and see Mary and Joseph, with the baby lying in a manger.

---

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we come to worship the baby in the manger.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we come to offer ourselves and our own gifts.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, we come to absorb your love.
Lord, have mercy.

While I consider myself to be very much in tune with the modern era, well into technology and all that it can offer, there are times when I look back with nostalgia to the past.

The Christmas concert was about to begin. The professional musicians were ready. All eyes were on the band director as he brought down his baton. Softly, flutes began weaving a magical introduction, capturing the audience's spirit. An instrumental duet formed with clarinets adding their voices. Then more wind instruments came in. Finally, brass and percussion entered and volume and tempo increased. Each section's contribution melded into a harmonious voice. The rehearsals had been worth it; the time and labor had not been in vain.

Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once observed that the Christmas event can only be spoken about in poetry. He went on to comment that over the centuries preachers have analyzed it in their sermons and have turned Christmas into dogma. "Dogma," he said, "is rationally petrified poetry." I think I understand what he means. He means that Christmas speaks to the heart.