Third Sunday In Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle C
Object:
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Zephaniah 3:14-20 (C, E); Zephaniah 3:14-18 (RC)
No doubt this was the word all the troubled people of Jerusalem hungered for. The prophet has promised that God would come among them, come as a warrior, overcoming all their enemies, treating them with love rather than judgment. He would care for the lame and the outcast. He would see them safely home. Here again, we sense the plaintive inner cry of lonely, fearful, troubled people, waiting for the healing and rescuing word. How sad that history must report that this never really came to pass. The role of the Jewish people was destined always to be a troubled one. Even when, in our own time, they had a home of their own, it is a troubled, embattled home. What all of this has done is develop a strong, fierce, independent spirit. One aspect of Zephaniah's prophesy has come to pass for many of us: "I will make you renowned and praised...." But as for preaching values here, we might refer to the irrepressible optimism of a people who, despite their suffering, despite their disadvantageous location, surrounded as they usually were by warlike nations, never ever gave up. They believed. They trusted. No doubt, many individuals within the various communities lost hope, but as a nation, as a people, from that day to this they have remained fiercely loyal to each other, and indefatigably determined to at last create that idyllic community so frequently predicted by the prophets of old.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:4-7 (C, RC); Philippians 4:4-7 (8-9) (E)
This is a hope-filled word indeed. "Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart." We must ponder that word "need." Not "want" but "need." And the result? "God's peace." There are so many people out there who need to hear this word. Paul is assuring us that God wants us to have joy in our lives, and assures us that whatever it takes to create joy and peace -- he mentioned both those specifically -- is available to us through prayer. And whatever we need to make this possible will be ours through our prayer.
This is a good time to share with our people what we know about the power of prayer to bring peace of mind. It isn't in expensive presents, that's for sure. After my first wife's death one August, I went overboard buying gifts for my daughter at Christmas. She was just eighteen, and I guess I thought I could assuage both her grief and mine by spending money. It didn't work at all. I'd guess that for all the hundreds of dollars I spent that year, today she couldn't tell you anything I bought her. On the other hand, a few years later, we made a covenant in our family that no one was to spend more than five dollars on a gift. We would take the balance of our normal expenditures and give it to charity. The one proviso was that the gift had to be very personal -- show thoughtful effort. We all remember that Christmas.
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18 (C, E); Luke 3:10-18 (RC)
Boy, John the Baptist sure did lay it on the line. I love the Good News version: "You snakes." And the essence of his message was a moral demand, and a simple one at that. Be honest. Treat people with fairness. And don't get the mistaken idea that because you are sons of Abraham, you are exempt from all of this. Your pedigree isn't worth beans, my friends, if you don't at least try to measure up to God's ethical demands. If you are in a position of authority, a politician, a soldier, for example, discharge your duties with integrity. Don't take what doesn't belong to you. If you agreed to work for a given sum, be content with that.
The next sentence is revealing: "People's hopes began to rise." Those were the victims of the hypocrisy and abuse which prevailed among many at the time. Maybe this is the Messiah, they began to think. He has come among us at last. Wrong, but also right. Now the marvelous news: "... one who is much greater is coming ..." "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
The message of John? Those who are striving to lead decent lives may wait with hope and joy the advent of the Messiah. Those who are living lives of deceit and dishonesty should very well fear for their souls. Maybe that's a word a great many people would do well to heed today. He is here.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "Though There Be Darkness"
Text: Zephaniah 3:17a
Theme: "The Lord your God is in your midst." There's the heart of all Old Testament faith, is it not? History shows that the predictions here did not come true quite as written. But anyone familiar with the history of the Jews knows of their profound sense of solidarity, their unparalleled courage in the face of prejudice and opposition from many directions.
As this applies to us in our time, it too promises that the Lord is in our midst as well, a guiding force as history unfolds. Our New Testament faith would inform us as Paul put the matter, that "the whole creation groans in travail, waiting ..." No! That idyllic conclusion is not to occur in our time, not in the real world of the present. Oh, just as was probably true then, many of us live in comfort, protected from our enemies. But many do not. Our society as a whole is confronted by a host of enemies in the form of drugs, crime, AIDS, corruption in high places, injustice -- but we still believe it is all leading somewhere, that there is a redemptive force at work within our world, that if we display courage and faith, if we at least act out lives on the side of kindness and decency, we will help usher in that time of peace. Maybe not here, not now. But our faith teaches us to see this world as part of a total creation which Jesus assured us reaches beyond this world. Our faithfulness here will play a major role in our experience there.
Tho darkness hold the world in thrall,
Fierce enemies abound;
Tho heartless men make good men fall,
And hateful voices sound.
Tho anguished mothers wail their fears,
And children cry for food;
Tho dread disease sweeps cities clear,
Truth be misunderstood;
Yet, still, among the people stand
Those who will not be lost,
Those men and women, faithful band,
Regardless of the cost.
Their heads held high, eyes turned above,
Their courage sure and true;
Their lives of faithful, kindly love,
Can still make all things new.
And God through just such ones as these,
At last will win the day.
He'll spread redeeming love abroad,
Prevailing, come what may.
And those who trust will know that He
Will one day give us peace,
That inner, healing, certainty,
That tragedy will cease;
That good will win out at the last,
And honor will not fail;
That when all suffering has passed,
Still Christ's love will prevail
(Author unknown)
Title: "Joy and Peace: Yours If You Wish"
Text: Philippians 4:4-7
Theme: We will soon celebrate Christmas. Most of us actually think we have been in "the Christmas Season" for several weeks. Now we mustn't be the Grinch who stole Christmas. Trees and lights and parties and trips downtown to see the lights are perfectly all right. Time with friends, theater presentations about Christmas are fine. It's just that it is so terribly important to include worship, and prayer, and reflection about the true meaning of Christmas as well. One essential factor in a joyous, peace-filled Christmas is charity toward others. Frankly, at the risk of offending our merchant members (bless their hearts) I wish we could completely quit the gift giving, except for two or three little presents for kids under twelve, and focus on the true meaning of this wonderful season. I know, that's not to be. But you know, finding peace of mind has one similarity to losing weight. To do that you must reduce calories and you must exercise. There's no other way. Likewise, it's not negotiable -- to find true peace of mind as Paul meant, prayer and worship and charity are essential.
1. Prayer.
2. Worship.
3. Charity.
Title: "The Power Of The Presence Of God"
Text: Luke 3:16b (read 3:7-18)
Theme: H. G. Wells wrote a story, The Soul Of A Bishop. In it he listened in on a conversation between the bishop and an angel. The bishop, believing this a special opportunity to learn, asked the angel, "What is the truth?" The angel smiled, cupped his hand over the bishop's bald spot, stroked it affectionately, and said, "Truth! Yes, I could tell you. But could this hold it? Not this little box of brains. You haven't things to hold it with inside this."
I sometimes feel like that bishop must have felt. Baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire? How can this tiny little mind of mine possibly grasp, much less try to tell others what this is all about? Yet that's my mission. And yours. This Sunday, we must reach way down inside, pray with all our powers, and try to tell our congregations what it means exactly to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
1. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God. This has to be made concrete. Glittering generalities are a waste of a preacher's time. It seems essential to me that the preacher be very explicit, and not get carried off into vague statements about God. I mentioned my friend who has recently faced cancer. He could answer the question: what is meant by the Holy Spirit? He's there every time a woman faces tragedy and holds her head high, facing her life with courage. He's there every time a businessman says, "No. I won't do that. The profits aren't worth my integrity." He's there when a teenager says no to drugs when his buddies taunt him. He's there whenever we stand up for what we know is right, even when the cost will be high and we may have to, for a while, walk alone. He's there every time someone accepts responsibility for moral failure and bows down in contrition, asking for forgiveness.
2. Fire. Isn't that the biblical symbol for truth? For cleansing? For renewal and the opportunity for new growth? Our souls are seared with the cleansing fire when we genuinely accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Let's remind ourselves, however, that there are two ways in which people receive Christ. According to the Jungian categories, the majority of people kind of slide into the faith. Such people are usually raised in loving environments, are surrounded by people like themselves with good values, may have attended church since childhood, and have pretty much assumed the Christian faith as their own. For them, it only remains for this faith to deepen as the result of some stressful life situation. Pitrim Sorokin, the sociologist, observed this phenomenon and called these people "fortunate altruists." Of them he wrote: They "are loving and friendly from childhood, and grow graciously in their love behavior, without any catastrophic conversion ..."
Miller wrote that "There is a second group, however, for whom the pathway to religious and personal maturity is more difficult. Those in this group typically go through a period of prolonged distress, lasting sometimes into adulthood." William James called these people "sick souls" not to disparage but to acknowledge their pain. Sorokin called them "late catastrophics" or "late altruists." These are the people who, after a more or less lengthy period of rejection of traditional religion, typically experience a dramatic religious conversion, what used to be called a mountain top experience. James used the analogy of snow on a roof, when that last flake of snow becomes "too much" weight and the roof collapses.
It's probable that some people in one group find it difficult to understand those in the other group. I suspect there are churches composed almost exclusively of one or the other group, which may explain why we often hear one group question the "faith" of the other group, or the "intelligence" of the other group, depending upon which group we may find ourselves in. As preachers, it's important that we not expect anyone to receive the faith in one particular way, but to respect the varying personalities and life experiences of our people, allowing them to be the ones who verify their claims to faith.
3. Validation lies in the kind of person I become. Jesus taught us that to be a Christian is, by definition, to be a lover of others. "They will know us by our love," we sing. Not that any of us gets a perfect grade, or for most of us, a very high grade. But the evidence of the working presence of the Holy Spirit in anyone is the loving way that person treats others, and the values which exemplify that person's life. There is no place for violence, or prejudice, or disdain in true faith. Those hate groups who lay claim upon the name of Christ defame his name and, I most solemnly hope, will either find redemption or will be called to account. So we close the hymn "Where Charity And Love Prevail" with these words:
Love can exclude no race or creed,
If honored by God's name;
Our common life embraces all
Whose maker is the same.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
James Dobson told of the time he played Monopoly with his family. He really wanted to win. As the game progressed, he acquired more and more property, and as he later admitted, became quite overbearing. Finally, he had most of the property on the board, drove the other members of his family into bankruptcy, and was blatantly proud of himself. At this point, his family quietly informed him that he could put the game away, they were going to bed. And there he sat, the triumphant winner. He had won the game -- and, for the moment, had lost the affection of the family he loved. He said he learned again the lesson he himself had often preached. Winning doesn't mean much in the long run unless we win in such a way that others can also win. It isn't just whether you win, it's how you win that matters.
____________
A number of years ago, a seminary student in Chicago went down to Maxwell Street which, at that time, was heavily populated by homeless people, many of them alcoholic and drug addicted. Wearing old clothes, and with several day's growth of beard, he blended in with the other people and was soon accepted as one of them. His intention was to understand such people better and, he hoped, be able to help some of them. Then one of the homeless men became quite ill. He obviously needed warm food and a safe bed, so the young seminary student took a hundred dollar bill from its hiding place in a hem of his coat and offered to care for the man. But from that time on, he was no longer accepted by the others. When they saw he was not really homeless, they realized that however sincere his intentions, the young man could never really understand what their lives were like, because though he might share their physical discomfort for a few days, he could never share their disillusionment, their sense of lost meaning.
____________
While serving my first church in a small Indiana town, my wife and I learned of a dirt-poor farm family living just outside the town limits. One Christmas we contacted the family and offered to take their two young daughters on a shopping trip. When we arrived the mother explained that her son was out hunting and only if he was successful would they have anything to eat that night. The two girls were about nine or ten and perhaps eleven. Most of our shopping was for practical things, basic needs for winter wear. But the older little girl could not keep her eyes off a shiny pair of patent leather shoes with big silver buckles. She said nothing, but her eyes hungrily looked at the shoes she knew she could never wear. My wife and I couldn't resist. Maybe it was extravagant, we decided, but we bought the child those shoes. I thought she would not be able to control her excitement, and as we drew near her home, she had the shoes out of the bag, ready to show her mother. Of course, when we entered the house the girl held her wonderful new prize up to show her mother. To our shock, the mother grabbed the shoes from her daughter's hand and threw them across the room, shouting at the child that she should be ashamed of herself wasting money like that. There were several broken hearts in that room, and my wife and I quietly departed. We never really understood. Maybe Mother was jealous. Maybe Mother was simply hate-filled. I do not know. I only know I had just witnessed the opposite of love and that mother had just killed something inside her daughter that I doubt would ever live again.
____________
In the play Inherit The Wind Henry Drummond, attorney for the defense, says of Matthew Brady, the fundamentalist prosecutor who died after his aborted attempt to punish the liberal defendant: "Poor Matthew Brady. He was a good man but he sought God too high up and too far away."
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Isaiah 12:2-6 -- "Behold, God is my salvation."
Prayer Of The Day
Our spirits rise in optimism as the day draws near and we will celebrate again the blessed Savior's birth. As we join together with loved ones for this event, we pray first for those who will face unhappiness this year. Show us how to help change this for someone. Also, we pray for good spirit, that our particular hangups may not intrude and bring discomfort to those around us. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: Zephaniah 3:14-20 (C, E); Zephaniah 3:14-18 (RC)
No doubt this was the word all the troubled people of Jerusalem hungered for. The prophet has promised that God would come among them, come as a warrior, overcoming all their enemies, treating them with love rather than judgment. He would care for the lame and the outcast. He would see them safely home. Here again, we sense the plaintive inner cry of lonely, fearful, troubled people, waiting for the healing and rescuing word. How sad that history must report that this never really came to pass. The role of the Jewish people was destined always to be a troubled one. Even when, in our own time, they had a home of their own, it is a troubled, embattled home. What all of this has done is develop a strong, fierce, independent spirit. One aspect of Zephaniah's prophesy has come to pass for many of us: "I will make you renowned and praised...." But as for preaching values here, we might refer to the irrepressible optimism of a people who, despite their suffering, despite their disadvantageous location, surrounded as they usually were by warlike nations, never ever gave up. They believed. They trusted. No doubt, many individuals within the various communities lost hope, but as a nation, as a people, from that day to this they have remained fiercely loyal to each other, and indefatigably determined to at last create that idyllic community so frequently predicted by the prophets of old.
Lesson 2: Philippians 4:4-7 (C, RC); Philippians 4:4-7 (8-9) (E)
This is a hope-filled word indeed. "Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart." We must ponder that word "need." Not "want" but "need." And the result? "God's peace." There are so many people out there who need to hear this word. Paul is assuring us that God wants us to have joy in our lives, and assures us that whatever it takes to create joy and peace -- he mentioned both those specifically -- is available to us through prayer. And whatever we need to make this possible will be ours through our prayer.
This is a good time to share with our people what we know about the power of prayer to bring peace of mind. It isn't in expensive presents, that's for sure. After my first wife's death one August, I went overboard buying gifts for my daughter at Christmas. She was just eighteen, and I guess I thought I could assuage both her grief and mine by spending money. It didn't work at all. I'd guess that for all the hundreds of dollars I spent that year, today she couldn't tell you anything I bought her. On the other hand, a few years later, we made a covenant in our family that no one was to spend more than five dollars on a gift. We would take the balance of our normal expenditures and give it to charity. The one proviso was that the gift had to be very personal -- show thoughtful effort. We all remember that Christmas.
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18 (C, E); Luke 3:10-18 (RC)
Boy, John the Baptist sure did lay it on the line. I love the Good News version: "You snakes." And the essence of his message was a moral demand, and a simple one at that. Be honest. Treat people with fairness. And don't get the mistaken idea that because you are sons of Abraham, you are exempt from all of this. Your pedigree isn't worth beans, my friends, if you don't at least try to measure up to God's ethical demands. If you are in a position of authority, a politician, a soldier, for example, discharge your duties with integrity. Don't take what doesn't belong to you. If you agreed to work for a given sum, be content with that.
The next sentence is revealing: "People's hopes began to rise." Those were the victims of the hypocrisy and abuse which prevailed among many at the time. Maybe this is the Messiah, they began to think. He has come among us at last. Wrong, but also right. Now the marvelous news: "... one who is much greater is coming ..." "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
The message of John? Those who are striving to lead decent lives may wait with hope and joy the advent of the Messiah. Those who are living lives of deceit and dishonesty should very well fear for their souls. Maybe that's a word a great many people would do well to heed today. He is here.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: "Though There Be Darkness"
Text: Zephaniah 3:17a
Theme: "The Lord your God is in your midst." There's the heart of all Old Testament faith, is it not? History shows that the predictions here did not come true quite as written. But anyone familiar with the history of the Jews knows of their profound sense of solidarity, their unparalleled courage in the face of prejudice and opposition from many directions.
As this applies to us in our time, it too promises that the Lord is in our midst as well, a guiding force as history unfolds. Our New Testament faith would inform us as Paul put the matter, that "the whole creation groans in travail, waiting ..." No! That idyllic conclusion is not to occur in our time, not in the real world of the present. Oh, just as was probably true then, many of us live in comfort, protected from our enemies. But many do not. Our society as a whole is confronted by a host of enemies in the form of drugs, crime, AIDS, corruption in high places, injustice -- but we still believe it is all leading somewhere, that there is a redemptive force at work within our world, that if we display courage and faith, if we at least act out lives on the side of kindness and decency, we will help usher in that time of peace. Maybe not here, not now. But our faith teaches us to see this world as part of a total creation which Jesus assured us reaches beyond this world. Our faithfulness here will play a major role in our experience there.
Tho darkness hold the world in thrall,
Fierce enemies abound;
Tho heartless men make good men fall,
And hateful voices sound.
Tho anguished mothers wail their fears,
And children cry for food;
Tho dread disease sweeps cities clear,
Truth be misunderstood;
Yet, still, among the people stand
Those who will not be lost,
Those men and women, faithful band,
Regardless of the cost.
Their heads held high, eyes turned above,
Their courage sure and true;
Their lives of faithful, kindly love,
Can still make all things new.
And God through just such ones as these,
At last will win the day.
He'll spread redeeming love abroad,
Prevailing, come what may.
And those who trust will know that He
Will one day give us peace,
That inner, healing, certainty,
That tragedy will cease;
That good will win out at the last,
And honor will not fail;
That when all suffering has passed,
Still Christ's love will prevail
(Author unknown)
Title: "Joy and Peace: Yours If You Wish"
Text: Philippians 4:4-7
Theme: We will soon celebrate Christmas. Most of us actually think we have been in "the Christmas Season" for several weeks. Now we mustn't be the Grinch who stole Christmas. Trees and lights and parties and trips downtown to see the lights are perfectly all right. Time with friends, theater presentations about Christmas are fine. It's just that it is so terribly important to include worship, and prayer, and reflection about the true meaning of Christmas as well. One essential factor in a joyous, peace-filled Christmas is charity toward others. Frankly, at the risk of offending our merchant members (bless their hearts) I wish we could completely quit the gift giving, except for two or three little presents for kids under twelve, and focus on the true meaning of this wonderful season. I know, that's not to be. But you know, finding peace of mind has one similarity to losing weight. To do that you must reduce calories and you must exercise. There's no other way. Likewise, it's not negotiable -- to find true peace of mind as Paul meant, prayer and worship and charity are essential.
1. Prayer.
2. Worship.
3. Charity.
Title: "The Power Of The Presence Of God"
Text: Luke 3:16b (read 3:7-18)
Theme: H. G. Wells wrote a story, The Soul Of A Bishop. In it he listened in on a conversation between the bishop and an angel. The bishop, believing this a special opportunity to learn, asked the angel, "What is the truth?" The angel smiled, cupped his hand over the bishop's bald spot, stroked it affectionately, and said, "Truth! Yes, I could tell you. But could this hold it? Not this little box of brains. You haven't things to hold it with inside this."
I sometimes feel like that bishop must have felt. Baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire? How can this tiny little mind of mine possibly grasp, much less try to tell others what this is all about? Yet that's my mission. And yours. This Sunday, we must reach way down inside, pray with all our powers, and try to tell our congregations what it means exactly to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
1. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God. This has to be made concrete. Glittering generalities are a waste of a preacher's time. It seems essential to me that the preacher be very explicit, and not get carried off into vague statements about God. I mentioned my friend who has recently faced cancer. He could answer the question: what is meant by the Holy Spirit? He's there every time a woman faces tragedy and holds her head high, facing her life with courage. He's there every time a businessman says, "No. I won't do that. The profits aren't worth my integrity." He's there when a teenager says no to drugs when his buddies taunt him. He's there whenever we stand up for what we know is right, even when the cost will be high and we may have to, for a while, walk alone. He's there every time someone accepts responsibility for moral failure and bows down in contrition, asking for forgiveness.
2. Fire. Isn't that the biblical symbol for truth? For cleansing? For renewal and the opportunity for new growth? Our souls are seared with the cleansing fire when we genuinely accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Let's remind ourselves, however, that there are two ways in which people receive Christ. According to the Jungian categories, the majority of people kind of slide into the faith. Such people are usually raised in loving environments, are surrounded by people like themselves with good values, may have attended church since childhood, and have pretty much assumed the Christian faith as their own. For them, it only remains for this faith to deepen as the result of some stressful life situation. Pitrim Sorokin, the sociologist, observed this phenomenon and called these people "fortunate altruists." Of them he wrote: They "are loving and friendly from childhood, and grow graciously in their love behavior, without any catastrophic conversion ..."
Miller wrote that "There is a second group, however, for whom the pathway to religious and personal maturity is more difficult. Those in this group typically go through a period of prolonged distress, lasting sometimes into adulthood." William James called these people "sick souls" not to disparage but to acknowledge their pain. Sorokin called them "late catastrophics" or "late altruists." These are the people who, after a more or less lengthy period of rejection of traditional religion, typically experience a dramatic religious conversion, what used to be called a mountain top experience. James used the analogy of snow on a roof, when that last flake of snow becomes "too much" weight and the roof collapses.
It's probable that some people in one group find it difficult to understand those in the other group. I suspect there are churches composed almost exclusively of one or the other group, which may explain why we often hear one group question the "faith" of the other group, or the "intelligence" of the other group, depending upon which group we may find ourselves in. As preachers, it's important that we not expect anyone to receive the faith in one particular way, but to respect the varying personalities and life experiences of our people, allowing them to be the ones who verify their claims to faith.
3. Validation lies in the kind of person I become. Jesus taught us that to be a Christian is, by definition, to be a lover of others. "They will know us by our love," we sing. Not that any of us gets a perfect grade, or for most of us, a very high grade. But the evidence of the working presence of the Holy Spirit in anyone is the loving way that person treats others, and the values which exemplify that person's life. There is no place for violence, or prejudice, or disdain in true faith. Those hate groups who lay claim upon the name of Christ defame his name and, I most solemnly hope, will either find redemption or will be called to account. So we close the hymn "Where Charity And Love Prevail" with these words:
Love can exclude no race or creed,
If honored by God's name;
Our common life embraces all
Whose maker is the same.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
James Dobson told of the time he played Monopoly with his family. He really wanted to win. As the game progressed, he acquired more and more property, and as he later admitted, became quite overbearing. Finally, he had most of the property on the board, drove the other members of his family into bankruptcy, and was blatantly proud of himself. At this point, his family quietly informed him that he could put the game away, they were going to bed. And there he sat, the triumphant winner. He had won the game -- and, for the moment, had lost the affection of the family he loved. He said he learned again the lesson he himself had often preached. Winning doesn't mean much in the long run unless we win in such a way that others can also win. It isn't just whether you win, it's how you win that matters.
____________
A number of years ago, a seminary student in Chicago went down to Maxwell Street which, at that time, was heavily populated by homeless people, many of them alcoholic and drug addicted. Wearing old clothes, and with several day's growth of beard, he blended in with the other people and was soon accepted as one of them. His intention was to understand such people better and, he hoped, be able to help some of them. Then one of the homeless men became quite ill. He obviously needed warm food and a safe bed, so the young seminary student took a hundred dollar bill from its hiding place in a hem of his coat and offered to care for the man. But from that time on, he was no longer accepted by the others. When they saw he was not really homeless, they realized that however sincere his intentions, the young man could never really understand what their lives were like, because though he might share their physical discomfort for a few days, he could never share their disillusionment, their sense of lost meaning.
____________
While serving my first church in a small Indiana town, my wife and I learned of a dirt-poor farm family living just outside the town limits. One Christmas we contacted the family and offered to take their two young daughters on a shopping trip. When we arrived the mother explained that her son was out hunting and only if he was successful would they have anything to eat that night. The two girls were about nine or ten and perhaps eleven. Most of our shopping was for practical things, basic needs for winter wear. But the older little girl could not keep her eyes off a shiny pair of patent leather shoes with big silver buckles. She said nothing, but her eyes hungrily looked at the shoes she knew she could never wear. My wife and I couldn't resist. Maybe it was extravagant, we decided, but we bought the child those shoes. I thought she would not be able to control her excitement, and as we drew near her home, she had the shoes out of the bag, ready to show her mother. Of course, when we entered the house the girl held her wonderful new prize up to show her mother. To our shock, the mother grabbed the shoes from her daughter's hand and threw them across the room, shouting at the child that she should be ashamed of herself wasting money like that. There were several broken hearts in that room, and my wife and I quietly departed. We never really understood. Maybe Mother was jealous. Maybe Mother was simply hate-filled. I do not know. I only know I had just witnessed the opposite of love and that mother had just killed something inside her daughter that I doubt would ever live again.
____________
In the play Inherit The Wind Henry Drummond, attorney for the defense, says of Matthew Brady, the fundamentalist prosecutor who died after his aborted attempt to punish the liberal defendant: "Poor Matthew Brady. He was a good man but he sought God too high up and too far away."
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Isaiah 12:2-6 -- "Behold, God is my salvation."
Prayer Of The Day
Our spirits rise in optimism as the day draws near and we will celebrate again the blessed Savior's birth. As we join together with loved ones for this event, we pray first for those who will face unhappiness this year. Show us how to help change this for someone. Also, we pray for good spirit, that our particular hangups may not intrude and bring discomfort to those around us. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
