The Nativity Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2-7 (C); Isaiah 9:1-7 (RC); Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7 (E)
What words can we find to depict this passage adequately? Glorious? Stunning? Magnificent? If God ever literally put words in the mouth of a prophet, surely these are those words. Yes, we all know there is debate about this „ whether these words were an oracle for the coronation of an earthly king of the time, or whether Isaiah was looking to the future. No matter. LetÍs leave that to the intellectuals and try to lay hold of the grand truth which stands before us here. ñWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.''
In reading this, go back to the last two verses of chapter 8 where we read: ñThey will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry; and when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will curse their king and their God, and turn their faces upward; and they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust into thick darkness.'' Then read those words of our text: ñThe people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.''
It hardly seems fair that we mere mortals must try to convey to our own hungering people the enormity of this promise, and yet we must try. Being somewhat addicted as I am to the three-point sermon (which doesnÍt always have to have three points „ it is far easier for a listener to follow than any other form), I propose to turn to verse 6 for our text for this Sunday.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11-14 (C, RC, E)
The weight of biblical scholarship leans toward the belief that the ñpastoral epistles'' reflect the teaching of Paul but were probably written by a teacher or other admirer of PaulÍs based on private corespondence in his possession. William BarclayÍs commentary has an excellent explanation of the rather complex reasoning which leads to this probability. Certainly the evidence in the letters themselves makes it difficult to believe that Paul actually wrote these. Yet, as Barclay remarks, ñwe hear the voice of Paul'' in the two letters to Timothy and this one to Titus. For our purposes, then, we shall consider these words as though written by Paul.
The import of this passage is a call to prepare oneself for the arrival of the Lord by an inward renunciation of all moral wrong or compromise, and a determination to live as godly a life as we can. This is possible to us by the grace of God, and Jesus will cleanse us inwardly, delivering us from all lawlessness. In preaching we must remain aware that most of us will require a great deal of help to achieve this high goal. Speaking as one who believes himself to be a Christian, and as one who avidly desires to achieve this pure state, I must confess that much of the time I feel a long way from being successful. We all have drives and desires with which we must constantly do battle if we are to attain even some degree of success, and I think my hope „ our hope „ lies in that promise that God can enable us to make progress greater than any we might attain on our own. This needs to be a focal point of our preaching on this text.
Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 (C); Luke 2:1-14 (RC); Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) (E)
The Christmas story. If we know the Christian faith at all, we know this story well. As is frequently true of biblical passages, we could be sidetracked by concerns of the historical accuracy of a report such as this. Those of you whose theological training was done in an Evangelical tradition will be horrified at the very fact of raising such a question, whereas those of you whose training was done in a mainline tradition have long since wrestled with the question and, one hopes, come to terms with the problems such concerns raise and have decided where you stand. As for me, I am convinced that God acted in a one-time invasion of the human scene, revealing the divine nature in the person of a man. I am convinced that GodÍs purpose was to work within the material world, respecting our freedom to accept or reject, yet doing everything possible to win us short of abridging our freedom. Whether this particular story is historically accurate or a myth plays little part in my faith in Christ as that revelation. Beyond all this, each preacher must use this passage based on two facts: your personal belief regarding the event, and the needs and faith of the people to whom you preach. Suffice it to say this is a lovely story about something God has done.
I suppose it would be possible to preach for weeks, perhaps all year, on this story without exhausting its possibilities. Angels; an army from heaven; the birth „ but I think, given the state of things in our cities (Indianapolis where I write had a record number of homicides last year, and is already ahead of that rate this year), I will choose that assurance in verse 14: ñGlory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.'' Or as the authorized version phrases that last, ñmen with whom he is pleased.''
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñMarvelous Man''
Text: Isaiah 9:6
Theme: The nature of Christ as foretold in Isaiah refers to three dimensions of his nature: First, Wonderful Counselor. If the role of a counselor is to hear our fears and concerns as well as our joys, and to help us sort them out and face our problems triumphantly, this is surely what Jesus Christ does in our lives best of all. Second, he is Mighty God, Everlasting Father. The two go together, for the use of ñFather'' (and I do realize that if all of this had happened today it might have been ñMother'') describes the nature of God, yet ñMighty God'' reminds us of the nature of the Father. Bringer of Love he is. Third, Prince of Peace. This latter theme is an important one this time of year, as it reminds us that to follow this Christ makes us responsible to work to create that Peace.
1. Jesus helps us in our troubles. I will include below a splendid example of the power of God in Christ to change and renew.
2. Jesus opens us up to a relationship with God in which there is power brought to bear, yet wherein we encounter patient love and forgiveness. We are never lost no matter how dark our sins, how deep our misery.
3. Jesus offers peace to us, and calls us to be instruments of that peace to others. There is much darkness in our world right now. The proliferation of drug addiction, violence, broken relationships, war, fear „ it makes any thoughtful person aware that as individuals we must do something to reverse the trends, to bring light into the darkness.
Title: ñWaiting For A Savior''
Text: Titus 2:11-14
Theme: We have a teenager at home and a college-age daughter who comes home fairly often. Anyone with kids that age knows how messy the house can get. I heard of one teenaged girl who had a friend over for a visit. She said to the friend: ñI must apologize for the condition of my room. My mother made me clean it up.'' Frankly, my wife and I arenÍt much better. Marianne is a full-time teacher and I manage to stay busy. We do our best, but a surprise visit to our home would probably reveal magazines and papers on the floor, coats on the back of the couch, soiled dishes in the sink, and who knows what else. I have always said that a light is something no teenager has ever turned off, and a cupboard door is something no teenager has ever closed. You get the idea. But we like to entertain, and when company is coming we all pitch in and our house sparkles when they arrive. We do this partly out of self-respect, but mainly out of respect for our guests.
Paul was urging the same thing spiritually. A newcomer is to enter our lives. We are to prepare ourselves by a process of moral, spiritual cleansing. Maybe mine is a faltering analogy, but what is meant here is that as Christmas arrives (or at any time when Christ is near) we are to cleanse our lives. As one Collect reads: ñCleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and magnify thy holy name.''
1. We are to do some honest self-appraisal. What have I been doing in my life lately? I told a little fib yesterday. The day before, I passed along a criticism of a fellow pastor which I heard from one of his members. I felt sort of good at the time, as though I was somehow better by comparison. But is that really the kind of person I want to be?
2. We are to repent. That word ñrepent'' will show up from time to time. It means more than being sorry. It means energetically making an effort to change oneÍs ways. It means confessing to God in prayer what we have done. It means asking and receiving forgiveness, but only after sincere soul-searching, and sincere confession.
3. We are to make a genuine effort to be the kind of people Jesus asks us to be. This may require regular prayer, and it means we will have to make some sacrifices as we pass up opportunities to benefit in the short run by saying or doing things which deep in our hearts we know to be wrong.
Title: ñLet Us Walk In Harmony''
Text: Luke 2:14
Theme: Peace on earth is an almost heartbreaking phrase, given the profound yearning we feel for just that, yet we see all about us the diametrical opposite. Our confrontations with Middle East nations, the tragic violence of Africa, and in places like Northern Ireland, and China, and certainly our own cities, filled as they are with homeless people, with children facing loveless existence „ we all know the litany. It would be naive to think that God will somehow change all of this by a miracle in the sense that we might wish. Jesus Christ has revealed to us the conditions which can lead to peace, but the achievement of that peace, remote as the possibility appears, is up to us, each of us as individuals.
1. Peace is not going to happen if Christian people look to some monolithic governmental effort. However impressed we may be at the sight of high government leaders, the truth is that they are no more qualified than are we to practice what Jesus preached. I love the scene near the end of The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy and her friends have reached their goal, the city of Oz, and have entered the room where ñthe great Oz'' appears on a screen surrounded by burning lights and sounds, giving the appearance of an awesome figure of wisdom and power. But little Toto the dog drags a curtain back to reveal the real Wizard as just as powerless and inept as the others feel themselves to be. That ñWizard'' is a symbol for all high authority, including us clergy, if we pretend to a greatness which we do not possess. No, whatever hope peace has is up to you, and to me, and to the people whom we address.
2. Our vocations offer an opportunity to take a step toward peace. Some time ago, my wife and I were vacationing at a lake many miles from our home. She had discovered a physical symptom which could be ominous, and both of us were worried. By coincidence, we ran into her physician in a restaurant. When he learned of my wifeÍs concern, he told her to be at his office early the next day, which was a Sunday. When she arrived, the office nurse was there as well, though neither would normally have been there. A test was done (everything was fine). We were spared an extra day or two of anxiety. A small thing, maybe, but an example of a man who took his role as healer seriously. Whether one be a plumber who arrives on time and charges fairly, an attorney who seeks fairness and acts honorably, a teacher who loves her children in the class „ whatever our work, it is where God has put us to work toward peace on earth.
3. In our everyday personal relationships we can foster peace. Patience with a new young waitress. Kindness to an elderly man having trouble with a heavy door. A smile for the men collecting trash, a word of thanks to the mail person. We have a dozen, maybe a hundred, encounters in a day. In a world of competition, of minor irritations, of constantly running behind schedule, if we start the day with a prayer for peace in our own hearts, God will equip us to be this kind of person. So we can try to do as we sing, ñLet us walk with each other in perfect harmony.''
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
In the book The Corner: A Year In The Life of An Inner-City Neighborhood, the authors David Simon and Edward Burns make this terrifying observation about drug addiction and crime in a typical crime-ridden part of Baltimore: ñWe canÍt stop it. Not with all the lawyers, guns, and money in this world. Not with guilt or morality or righteous indignation. Not with crime summits, or task forces, or committees. Not with policy decisions made in places that canÍt be seen from the lost corner of Fayette and Monroe.'' The authors continue, insisting that despite all efforts, ña line of gaunt, passive supplicants stretching down the alley and around the block'' will daily queue up for drugs. ñThe corner is rooted in human desire,'' they continue, ñcrude and certain and immediate. And the hard truth is that all the law enforcement in the world canÍt mess with desire.''
____________
As reported in The Indianapolis Star newspaper on its front page, Saturday, February 14, 1998, under the headline ñMother convicted of prostituting her daughter, 11'': ñSheÍd tell me hurry up, or get started,'' the girl said. ñIf I didnÍt do this, sheÍd pull my hair or slap me.'' The article reported that ñMaggie Moore cried in court Friday as her twelve-year-old daughter described how Moore used to flag down tricks on East Washington Street and force the girl to have sex with the men in exchange for crack cocaine money.'' The mother was found guilty and faces up to 46 years in prison. The girl, now in an institution where she is receiving counseling, described her mother this way: ñThe Devil.''
____________
Indianapolis „ January 1998. Mark Marshall had always taught the Boy Scouts in his troop to be prepared for all emergencies in life. Then driving home from work he saw a young woman jump from the bridge over Fall Creek into fast-moving frigid waters. He stopped, realizing he would quickly freeze if he entered the river. So would the woman. The 41-year-old Marshall then practiced what he had long preached. He jumped into the freezing water and somehow made his way to the drowning woman. He managed to grab her coat, turn her over, struggle for shore. Tree limbs blocked his way. The cold ñgripped his lungs like a vise. Within fifteen feet of the bank he could hardly breathe or move.'' He was losing consciousness, yet refused to let the woman go. Then another man, Robert Dillahay, having gotten lost after crossing the bridge, turned back, saw a crowd watching, and dived in also. Later he said of Marshall, ñIt didnÍt look like he was going to give her up to save his life.'' Dillahay was able to grab a tree limb and thereby give Marshall something to pull himself in to shore by. As he stood shivering on the bank, Marshall remarked to a policeman that he wondered if heÍd done the right thing since the woman apparently wanted to die. The officer replied: ñAnytime a person saves a life he does the right thing.'' The two men received medals for bravery from the Indianapolis Fire Department. The woman fully recovered and said she was happy to be alive.
____________
A friend of mine, finishing his final year in seminary, once wandered the streets of New York, struggling with his call to ministry. He walked to the street outside the famous Riverside Church where the great Harry Emerson Fosdick was still the preacher. Deeply troubled, he entered the church and went to the office. He told me he knew the premier preacher in America would surely be too busy to talk to him, yet he didnÍt know where else to turn. Taking a deep breath he asked to see Dr. Fosdick. The secretary called on the inter-office telephone and told Fosdick that a young man was here, without an appointment, but wanting to talk. Dr. Fosdick asked what the young man wished to talk about. When told my friend, still very young, was struggling with a call to ministry, Fosdick said, ñBy all means send him in, and hold all my calls for the next hour.'' Little wonder that in his later years this preacher almost worshiped Fosdick.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 96 (C, E) „ The King who has come to judge the world.
Psalm 95:1-3, 11-13 (RC) „ Hear GodÍs voice today.
Prayer Of The Day
In gratitude we come to you, O God, thankful for the gift of hope and new life in the person of your Son, Jesus. Strike the blinders from our eyes, O God, and heal the deafness of our souls, as we most earnestly desire to see and hear the wonders of this great gift. Give us the faith by which to walk in his way. Amen.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2-7 (C); Isaiah 9:1-7 (RC); Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7 (E)
What words can we find to depict this passage adequately? Glorious? Stunning? Magnificent? If God ever literally put words in the mouth of a prophet, surely these are those words. Yes, we all know there is debate about this „ whether these words were an oracle for the coronation of an earthly king of the time, or whether Isaiah was looking to the future. No matter. LetÍs leave that to the intellectuals and try to lay hold of the grand truth which stands before us here. ñWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.''
In reading this, go back to the last two verses of chapter 8 where we read: ñThey will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry; and when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will curse their king and their God, and turn their faces upward; and they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust into thick darkness.'' Then read those words of our text: ñThe people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.''
It hardly seems fair that we mere mortals must try to convey to our own hungering people the enormity of this promise, and yet we must try. Being somewhat addicted as I am to the three-point sermon (which doesnÍt always have to have three points „ it is far easier for a listener to follow than any other form), I propose to turn to verse 6 for our text for this Sunday.
Lesson 2: Titus 2:11-14 (C, RC, E)
The weight of biblical scholarship leans toward the belief that the ñpastoral epistles'' reflect the teaching of Paul but were probably written by a teacher or other admirer of PaulÍs based on private corespondence in his possession. William BarclayÍs commentary has an excellent explanation of the rather complex reasoning which leads to this probability. Certainly the evidence in the letters themselves makes it difficult to believe that Paul actually wrote these. Yet, as Barclay remarks, ñwe hear the voice of Paul'' in the two letters to Timothy and this one to Titus. For our purposes, then, we shall consider these words as though written by Paul.
The import of this passage is a call to prepare oneself for the arrival of the Lord by an inward renunciation of all moral wrong or compromise, and a determination to live as godly a life as we can. This is possible to us by the grace of God, and Jesus will cleanse us inwardly, delivering us from all lawlessness. In preaching we must remain aware that most of us will require a great deal of help to achieve this high goal. Speaking as one who believes himself to be a Christian, and as one who avidly desires to achieve this pure state, I must confess that much of the time I feel a long way from being successful. We all have drives and desires with which we must constantly do battle if we are to attain even some degree of success, and I think my hope „ our hope „ lies in that promise that God can enable us to make progress greater than any we might attain on our own. This needs to be a focal point of our preaching on this text.
Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 (C); Luke 2:1-14 (RC); Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) (E)
The Christmas story. If we know the Christian faith at all, we know this story well. As is frequently true of biblical passages, we could be sidetracked by concerns of the historical accuracy of a report such as this. Those of you whose theological training was done in an Evangelical tradition will be horrified at the very fact of raising such a question, whereas those of you whose training was done in a mainline tradition have long since wrestled with the question and, one hopes, come to terms with the problems such concerns raise and have decided where you stand. As for me, I am convinced that God acted in a one-time invasion of the human scene, revealing the divine nature in the person of a man. I am convinced that GodÍs purpose was to work within the material world, respecting our freedom to accept or reject, yet doing everything possible to win us short of abridging our freedom. Whether this particular story is historically accurate or a myth plays little part in my faith in Christ as that revelation. Beyond all this, each preacher must use this passage based on two facts: your personal belief regarding the event, and the needs and faith of the people to whom you preach. Suffice it to say this is a lovely story about something God has done.
I suppose it would be possible to preach for weeks, perhaps all year, on this story without exhausting its possibilities. Angels; an army from heaven; the birth „ but I think, given the state of things in our cities (Indianapolis where I write had a record number of homicides last year, and is already ahead of that rate this year), I will choose that assurance in verse 14: ñGlory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.'' Or as the authorized version phrases that last, ñmen with whom he is pleased.''
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñMarvelous Man''
Text: Isaiah 9:6
Theme: The nature of Christ as foretold in Isaiah refers to three dimensions of his nature: First, Wonderful Counselor. If the role of a counselor is to hear our fears and concerns as well as our joys, and to help us sort them out and face our problems triumphantly, this is surely what Jesus Christ does in our lives best of all. Second, he is Mighty God, Everlasting Father. The two go together, for the use of ñFather'' (and I do realize that if all of this had happened today it might have been ñMother'') describes the nature of God, yet ñMighty God'' reminds us of the nature of the Father. Bringer of Love he is. Third, Prince of Peace. This latter theme is an important one this time of year, as it reminds us that to follow this Christ makes us responsible to work to create that Peace.
1. Jesus helps us in our troubles. I will include below a splendid example of the power of God in Christ to change and renew.
2. Jesus opens us up to a relationship with God in which there is power brought to bear, yet wherein we encounter patient love and forgiveness. We are never lost no matter how dark our sins, how deep our misery.
3. Jesus offers peace to us, and calls us to be instruments of that peace to others. There is much darkness in our world right now. The proliferation of drug addiction, violence, broken relationships, war, fear „ it makes any thoughtful person aware that as individuals we must do something to reverse the trends, to bring light into the darkness.
Title: ñWaiting For A Savior''
Text: Titus 2:11-14
Theme: We have a teenager at home and a college-age daughter who comes home fairly often. Anyone with kids that age knows how messy the house can get. I heard of one teenaged girl who had a friend over for a visit. She said to the friend: ñI must apologize for the condition of my room. My mother made me clean it up.'' Frankly, my wife and I arenÍt much better. Marianne is a full-time teacher and I manage to stay busy. We do our best, but a surprise visit to our home would probably reveal magazines and papers on the floor, coats on the back of the couch, soiled dishes in the sink, and who knows what else. I have always said that a light is something no teenager has ever turned off, and a cupboard door is something no teenager has ever closed. You get the idea. But we like to entertain, and when company is coming we all pitch in and our house sparkles when they arrive. We do this partly out of self-respect, but mainly out of respect for our guests.
Paul was urging the same thing spiritually. A newcomer is to enter our lives. We are to prepare ourselves by a process of moral, spiritual cleansing. Maybe mine is a faltering analogy, but what is meant here is that as Christmas arrives (or at any time when Christ is near) we are to cleanse our lives. As one Collect reads: ñCleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and magnify thy holy name.''
1. We are to do some honest self-appraisal. What have I been doing in my life lately? I told a little fib yesterday. The day before, I passed along a criticism of a fellow pastor which I heard from one of his members. I felt sort of good at the time, as though I was somehow better by comparison. But is that really the kind of person I want to be?
2. We are to repent. That word ñrepent'' will show up from time to time. It means more than being sorry. It means energetically making an effort to change oneÍs ways. It means confessing to God in prayer what we have done. It means asking and receiving forgiveness, but only after sincere soul-searching, and sincere confession.
3. We are to make a genuine effort to be the kind of people Jesus asks us to be. This may require regular prayer, and it means we will have to make some sacrifices as we pass up opportunities to benefit in the short run by saying or doing things which deep in our hearts we know to be wrong.
Title: ñLet Us Walk In Harmony''
Text: Luke 2:14
Theme: Peace on earth is an almost heartbreaking phrase, given the profound yearning we feel for just that, yet we see all about us the diametrical opposite. Our confrontations with Middle East nations, the tragic violence of Africa, and in places like Northern Ireland, and China, and certainly our own cities, filled as they are with homeless people, with children facing loveless existence „ we all know the litany. It would be naive to think that God will somehow change all of this by a miracle in the sense that we might wish. Jesus Christ has revealed to us the conditions which can lead to peace, but the achievement of that peace, remote as the possibility appears, is up to us, each of us as individuals.
1. Peace is not going to happen if Christian people look to some monolithic governmental effort. However impressed we may be at the sight of high government leaders, the truth is that they are no more qualified than are we to practice what Jesus preached. I love the scene near the end of The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy and her friends have reached their goal, the city of Oz, and have entered the room where ñthe great Oz'' appears on a screen surrounded by burning lights and sounds, giving the appearance of an awesome figure of wisdom and power. But little Toto the dog drags a curtain back to reveal the real Wizard as just as powerless and inept as the others feel themselves to be. That ñWizard'' is a symbol for all high authority, including us clergy, if we pretend to a greatness which we do not possess. No, whatever hope peace has is up to you, and to me, and to the people whom we address.
2. Our vocations offer an opportunity to take a step toward peace. Some time ago, my wife and I were vacationing at a lake many miles from our home. She had discovered a physical symptom which could be ominous, and both of us were worried. By coincidence, we ran into her physician in a restaurant. When he learned of my wifeÍs concern, he told her to be at his office early the next day, which was a Sunday. When she arrived, the office nurse was there as well, though neither would normally have been there. A test was done (everything was fine). We were spared an extra day or two of anxiety. A small thing, maybe, but an example of a man who took his role as healer seriously. Whether one be a plumber who arrives on time and charges fairly, an attorney who seeks fairness and acts honorably, a teacher who loves her children in the class „ whatever our work, it is where God has put us to work toward peace on earth.
3. In our everyday personal relationships we can foster peace. Patience with a new young waitress. Kindness to an elderly man having trouble with a heavy door. A smile for the men collecting trash, a word of thanks to the mail person. We have a dozen, maybe a hundred, encounters in a day. In a world of competition, of minor irritations, of constantly running behind schedule, if we start the day with a prayer for peace in our own hearts, God will equip us to be this kind of person. So we can try to do as we sing, ñLet us walk with each other in perfect harmony.''
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
In the book The Corner: A Year In The Life of An Inner-City Neighborhood, the authors David Simon and Edward Burns make this terrifying observation about drug addiction and crime in a typical crime-ridden part of Baltimore: ñWe canÍt stop it. Not with all the lawyers, guns, and money in this world. Not with guilt or morality or righteous indignation. Not with crime summits, or task forces, or committees. Not with policy decisions made in places that canÍt be seen from the lost corner of Fayette and Monroe.'' The authors continue, insisting that despite all efforts, ña line of gaunt, passive supplicants stretching down the alley and around the block'' will daily queue up for drugs. ñThe corner is rooted in human desire,'' they continue, ñcrude and certain and immediate. And the hard truth is that all the law enforcement in the world canÍt mess with desire.''
____________
As reported in The Indianapolis Star newspaper on its front page, Saturday, February 14, 1998, under the headline ñMother convicted of prostituting her daughter, 11'': ñSheÍd tell me hurry up, or get started,'' the girl said. ñIf I didnÍt do this, sheÍd pull my hair or slap me.'' The article reported that ñMaggie Moore cried in court Friday as her twelve-year-old daughter described how Moore used to flag down tricks on East Washington Street and force the girl to have sex with the men in exchange for crack cocaine money.'' The mother was found guilty and faces up to 46 years in prison. The girl, now in an institution where she is receiving counseling, described her mother this way: ñThe Devil.''
____________
Indianapolis „ January 1998. Mark Marshall had always taught the Boy Scouts in his troop to be prepared for all emergencies in life. Then driving home from work he saw a young woman jump from the bridge over Fall Creek into fast-moving frigid waters. He stopped, realizing he would quickly freeze if he entered the river. So would the woman. The 41-year-old Marshall then practiced what he had long preached. He jumped into the freezing water and somehow made his way to the drowning woman. He managed to grab her coat, turn her over, struggle for shore. Tree limbs blocked his way. The cold ñgripped his lungs like a vise. Within fifteen feet of the bank he could hardly breathe or move.'' He was losing consciousness, yet refused to let the woman go. Then another man, Robert Dillahay, having gotten lost after crossing the bridge, turned back, saw a crowd watching, and dived in also. Later he said of Marshall, ñIt didnÍt look like he was going to give her up to save his life.'' Dillahay was able to grab a tree limb and thereby give Marshall something to pull himself in to shore by. As he stood shivering on the bank, Marshall remarked to a policeman that he wondered if heÍd done the right thing since the woman apparently wanted to die. The officer replied: ñAnytime a person saves a life he does the right thing.'' The two men received medals for bravery from the Indianapolis Fire Department. The woman fully recovered and said she was happy to be alive.
____________
A friend of mine, finishing his final year in seminary, once wandered the streets of New York, struggling with his call to ministry. He walked to the street outside the famous Riverside Church where the great Harry Emerson Fosdick was still the preacher. Deeply troubled, he entered the church and went to the office. He told me he knew the premier preacher in America would surely be too busy to talk to him, yet he didnÍt know where else to turn. Taking a deep breath he asked to see Dr. Fosdick. The secretary called on the inter-office telephone and told Fosdick that a young man was here, without an appointment, but wanting to talk. Dr. Fosdick asked what the young man wished to talk about. When told my friend, still very young, was struggling with a call to ministry, Fosdick said, ñBy all means send him in, and hold all my calls for the next hour.'' Little wonder that in his later years this preacher almost worshiped Fosdick.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 96 (C, E) „ The King who has come to judge the world.
Psalm 95:1-3, 11-13 (RC) „ Hear GodÍs voice today.
Prayer Of The Day
In gratitude we come to you, O God, thankful for the gift of hope and new life in the person of your Son, Jesus. Strike the blinders from our eyes, O God, and heal the deafness of our souls, as we most earnestly desire to see and hear the wonders of this great gift. Give us the faith by which to walk in his way. Amen.
