Sermon for Jan 12, 2025; Luke 2:41-52

 

Rev. George Miller

Jan 5, 2025 (preached on Jan 12)

Luke 2:41-52

 

Here we are in the Gospel of Luke, with the author’s understanding of the past and unstoppable belief in the future.

 

We have Jesus: Son of Mary, Nephew of Elizabeth, and The happiness of Anna’s eyes.

 

Luke is taking his sweet time to tell us about the Jesus experience, including this tale about a young Jesus told nowhere else.

 

 

Jesus is no longer a babe; he’s not yet a man.

 

He’s a pre-teen boy doing what pre-teens do best-

causing his parents grief; talking back to his Mama.

 

Jesus may be the Lamb of God but he’s also a source of his Mother’s anxiety.

 

He’s with his parents making their yearly trip to the big city. 

 

Instead of going to the Arch or Busch Stadium, they’re at the Passover Festival.

 

Young Jesus is having such a good-time he doesn’t want to leave.  He stays behind while his parents journey home.

 

3 days later they find him in the Temple, astounding the local folk.

 

But Mama and Papa are not impressed.

 

“Boy, if you don’t get back here!”

 

“But Maaaaaa…..”

 

“Don’t ‘But Ma’ me!”

 

 

Well, Luke doesn’t tell the story this way; he tells it alot classier, having Jesus speak like a mini-college professor:   

 

“Why are you searching for me. Didn’t you know I must be in Abba’s House.”

 

But, I don’t go for that sugar-coated holiness put upon pre-teen Jesus.

 

I like to imagine Jospeh saying “Abbas’ House my foot!” and Mary with a wooden spoon in hand.

 

This is a delightful story, offering a glimpse into Jesus, his childhood, and his family relations.

 

One in which he is just like us, growing up, navigating his way from childhood to adulthood, inadvertently hurting his parents along the way.

 

Who here as a parent, uncle, aunt, an Oma or Opa, has experienced that moment in which-

 

the pre-teen you now know is no longer the child you once knew?

 

Who here knows what it is like to watch that child go from being lovingly dependent to becoming vocally independent?

 

And who here knows that THIS is the path all parents, uncles, aunts, Omas and Opas must take if that child is to grow into who they are supposed to be?

 

Yes, we all want our beloved children to stay young, stay innocent,

 

be that kid who once sat under the Christmas tree excited to open each and every present.

 

But eventually that child becomes the same one who rolls their eyes over how boring and silly family gatherings are.

 

Sure, we want to be with our child at all times, but at some point, if we truly love them-

 

we let them stay home alone without a babysitter, we let them go to the corner store unescorted.

 

We let them drive off on their own, standing on the driveway as we watch them pull away, praying to God that they’ll be kept safe.

 

As holy and sacred as we want the family of Jesus to be, most likely they were just like us.

 

As we heard today, Mary and Joseph had their trying moments with young Jesus,

 

and young Jesus definitely tested the limits with his Mom and Dad.

 

But here’s the Good News-

 

this story reminds us that Jesus was just like us.

 

That Emmanuel, God With Us, did not come to Earth to be a robotic vessel of heavenly information.

 

Jesus came to earth in the same flesh as you and me to experience the same life as we do.

 

God entered into human form to experience life the same way most of us do-

 

A complicated family structure, with its rules and expectations, and cultural traditions.

 

Even the boredom of travel that no family vacation is complete without.

 

Jesus lived like us, with us, beside us. 

 

In this way Jesus was empowered to understand  us, represent us, speak to and speak for us.

 

The child we see in today’s reading is tempestuous and wild, and we shouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Because the more human Jesus is and the more human we allow him to be, the more amazing we realize that Jesus is.

 

Because Jesus was born to a family, part of a family tree, Jesus becomes a richer, more developed savior of the family.

 

Through Jesus, God got to know, experience, fully understand the human condition, and what it means to live on earth.

 

Because of Jesus we have a Counselor we can turn to when we are frustrated,

 

when we feel let down,

 

when we are annoyed with our own family.

 

Because of Jesus, we truly know God is with us, not apart, not far away, not aloof, or distant.

 

But right here, by our side.  With us, and for us, forever.

 

Amen.

Anna- Woman of Blessedness, Happiness, and History; Sermon for Dec 29, 2024

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 29, 2024

Luke 2:21-38

 

When we read the Gospels, we get to experience Jesus from at least 4 different writers living during 4 different eras.

 

The Gospel of Luke reads as if it is written by someone with the luxury of time and observation.

 

The author appears to be fascinated with meals, miracles, the prayer life of Jesus and how he interacts with women.

 

Luke takes time telling us about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

 

He writes as someone who knows all about his people’s past and has confidence in their future.

 

Luke is someone who believes in tomorrow.

 

Because of this, Luke makes references to the matriarchs and patriarchs of our faith, such as today’s story of the baby Jesus being presented in the Temple.

 

Like a faithful Jew, Mary has her son circumcised 8 days after he is born.  Six weeks later she presents him in the Temple, where two Elders acknowledge that he is the Messiah.

 

There is Simeon who waited his whole life for such a day.

 

There is Anna, a woman who has devoted her whole life to worship and praise.

 

She not only celebrates God, but she tells all those she meets that redemption has come to the people. 

 

At 84 Anna becomes one of the first evangelists.  Who is this Anna?

 

Through bits of detail, Luke gives rich information, helping us to realize how awesome Anna is.

 

She is the daughter of Phanuel, a member of the Asher tribe.  Phanuel means “The Face Of God.”

 

Phanuel is also the name of one of the angels said to stand before God; the angel of repentance and hope for those who inherit salvation.

 

So…Anna is the daughter of a man who’s named after the angel of repentance, hope and salvation, who’s name means “Face of God.”

 

No wonder Anna had the honor of seeing Jesus and to recognize that he is the One who will redeem the people.

 

Anna was part of the tribe of Asher. Asher was the son of Jacob and means “Happy.”

 

When Asher was born, Jacob’s wife said “Happy am I, for daughters will call me happy.”

 

In other words- Anna is a member of the Happy Tribe.

 

Imagine how happy Anna must’ve been when she saw the baby Jesus.

 

But there’s more. Asher was given a blessing that he shall have tasty bread and treats.

 

The tribe of Asher had land on the west coast of Israel, the most fertile of soil, with rich pastures and prosperous orchards.

 

The Tribe of Asher was known for their olive oil and were the suppliers of  oil used in Temple ceremonies.

 

In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses says “Most blessed be Asher, may he be the favorite of brothers and may he dip his foot in oil.” (33:24)

 

Not only is Anna the daughter of Phanuel-The Face of God, she is the descendant of Happiness, and she belongs to the tribe that was responsible for the Temple’s oil and considered the most blessed..

 

Can we see just how awesome Anna is?

 

Anna, the descendant of happiness, blessedness, and anointing gets to see the Christ-child with her own eyes, praise God, and tell all she knew about Jesus!

 

But there’s more.  Since Asher’s mother was a servant, there’s a chance she was not an Israelite and of a different ethnicity.

 

In today’s terminology, there’s a chance that Anna and her family were mixed, with biological lineage tied to someone who was once a slave.

 

Second, the tribe of Asher was considered one the “Lost Tribes of Isreal” that had split from the south.

 

So now, we have a richer understanding of who Anna is, and how special her encounter with Jesus is.

 

She is the daughter of a man named “The Face of God.”

 

Her great ancestor was once a slave.

 

She is descended from “Happiness,” a child of mixed heritage who was called most blessed of all.

 

Anna comes from people who lived on fertile ground, providing oil for the Temple, and once considered lost.

 

 

This isn’t just the story of an old widow who sees Baby Jesus and praises his name.

 

This is the story of a survivor.  This is the story of someone whose ancestors experienced great blessings and great tragedies.

 

This is the story of someone whose family was different; a woman born out of the hope of repentance and salvation.

 

Anna is basically the Biblical narrative condensed into one person.

 

Therefor, Anna is all us of us.

 

Anna may not have a lot of space in today’s story; but in some ways Anna IS the story.

 

Anna is anyone who knows what it is like to have loved and to lost.

 

Anna is anyone who knows what it is like to be alone, but not feel lonely.

 

Anna is anyone who is different.  Anna is anyone who has come across hard, unexpected times.

 

Anna is anyone who dares to hold on to the promise that there is still hope, there is still happiness.

 

Anna is anyone who knows what it is like to wait…and wait…and wait some more.

 

Anna is YOU; Anna is I; Anna is US.

 

Like Anna, we are the children of Blessedness, we are the Children of Happiness, we are the children of fertile ground.

 

Which means we are all Children of Possibility.

 

And as Descendants of the Christmas Story, we know that in Jesus, we have seen The Face of God.

 

For that, we can say “Amen.”

Christmas Morning Message; Dec 25, 2024

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 25, 2024

Luke 2:8-20

 

Today we gather on this special moment- Christmas Morning.

 

Mary has bravely accepted the invitation from Garbriel to give birth to the Son of God.

 

Joseph has stayed by her side and together they made the pilgrimage to Bethlehem where she gave birth to the Holiest of Children, and lovingly swaddled him in cloth.

 

The babe in the manger is here, and with his birth is the promise of a new kind of life, a life eternal, a life of peace, in which nothing is impossible with the Lord.

 

Christmas Day is here, and we are gathered to celebrate, to remember, to look at what God has done.

 

And what God has done does not involve a child born to an earthly king, or the son of a wealthy CEO, or a gladiator with an iron sword.

 

But a child, a baby, so delicate, so vulnerable.

 

As psychoanalyst Carl Jung states “Anything new, any promising beginning, is in a fragile condition and needs special care and special protection.”

 

And that is just what Baby Jesus is, and care is exactly what he receives from Mary and Joseph.

 

Since Jesus, the Son of God, arrives to us so fragile, so in need to protection, it makes sense that angels would appear to the shepherds to give them the good news of the Messiah’s birth.

 

For as watches over the flocks, they knew exactly what it meant to watch over and care for that which is vulnerable and fragile, as they cared for the sheep and their lambs late at night, when they were easy victims to predators, marauders, and the elements.

 

But also- the shepherds themselves were vulnerable.  Back then, they would be seen as one of the lowest members of society.

 

They were the nightshift workers who did the job that not many wanted to do, out in the cold, surrounded by dark, often alone and without human company.

 

They were the physical laborers, the ones whose job went unappreciated, who most people would never listen to for wisdom or advice.

 

And yet- the shepherds are who God chooses to reveal the Christmas News to. 

 

They are the ones who the multitude of angels appear, sing and bedazzle with their words “Glory to God in the highest heaven.  And on earth peace and good will among people.”

 

And the shepherds, these hard-working night shift workers are the ones who are told to go where the baby is wrapped in bands of cloth.

 

The shepherds are the ones who get to the manger, see the Christ-child laying there, who get to tell Mary and Joseph all they know.

 

What’s so fascinating is that back in their day, if the emperor had a child, there would be poets and public speakers at the palace to sings their songs and offer their praises to the royal infant.

 

But here, in the humble manger, with very humble parents, these late night, hardworking, often looked down upon and underappreciated shepherds are the ones who get to stand before the son of God.

 

They are the ones who get to speak and share the words they heard the angels sing.

 

In doing so, the shepherds become the first Evangelizers of our faith, and our world will never be the same.

 

Today is Christmas, and we get to be in this moment, once again, realizing just how much Jesus came to change our world.

 

How Mary, as a woman, became the first to participate knowingly and willingly in God’s future announced to her.

 

How the shepherds, who were so often looked down upon and feared, were the ones to first evangelize.

 

How the Son of God did not come to us as the child of an emperor or a warrior or a famous celebrity, but that Jesus came just as we all did-

 

Fragile, vulnerable, in need of care.  And for that, we can say “Amen.”

Bravery of Mary; Luke 1:26-38

 

Rev. George Miller

Dec 22, 2024

Luke 1:26-38

 

Last month, our Pre-School had a book fair in which they sold “You’re So Brave”, featuring Biblical characters like Daneil and Deborah

 

Fitting, as it’s a theme we’ve been talking about. 

 

On the chapter about Mary, the author writes “One day, an angel came to Mary and said ‘God is giving you a special job…”

 

“Mary didn’t say, ‘That’s crazy!” or ‘I can’t do that!’…No, Mary was brave enough to trust God.  She wanted to obey Him.  Right away she said , ‘I’m ready to serve God.’”

 

There’s a major error in this telling- Mary didn’t respond right away with “I’m ready.”  Mary actually did question and ponder.

 

The author of this kids-book creates an image of Mary as someone who immediately acted with blind faith and said “Yes”.

 

But Luke tells us that Mary was perplexed, she asked “How can this be?” and only after some time, conversation, and further information, did Mary say “Here I am; let it be.”

 

Luke’s version does not make Mary any less brave, any less a hero, any less a person of faith. 

 

Luke’s version doesn’t change the fact that Mary was still brave or that she answered the call.  In some ways Luke’s version makes Mary more….human.

 

For 2,000 years Mary has played a special role in people’s faith.  Some folk try to portray her as so perfect, so demure, so gentle.

 

In the kids’ book, the image of Mary is someone who doesn’t take a moment to think, question, or seek clarity, but immediately says “I’m ready.”

 

In my opinion, how unfair this image is to present to children, especially little girls. 

 

This notion that faith doesn’t leave room for wonder or involve conscious decision making.

 

Mary does these things, and it doesn’t make her any less brave.

 

As Luke 1 tells us, Gabriel the angel comes to Mary, saying “Greetings favored one!”

 

Mary is perplexed.  As well as she should be.  Who in a healthy mindset expects to have an unexpected encounter with a celestial being?

 

Mary begins to ponder what kind of salutation this might be.  The word “ponder” can indicate that Mary was confused. 

 

One person at Bible Study used the word “curiosity” and how being curious allows us to think about potential.

 

In many ways, if Mary pondered and was curious, there is a good chance that part of her did say “That’s crazy!”

 

When the angel says “do not be afraid,” it indicates that Mary was indeed feeling some sort of emotion and needed calming validation.

 

How many of us can relate to this moment- having an unexpected opportunity or situation come your way, in which there is a decision to be made, one that can change the direction of your life, and how scary this can be?

 

Gabriel must have sensed this, because the angel goes on with information and the Biblical reminder that “Nothing will be impossible with the Lord.”

 

Who knows how long this conversation took place?

 

Do you think this sequence of events was within minutes, as written?  Could it have taken an hour or more, with Mary really pondering and thinking hard?

 

Is it possible this may have taken days of discussion, reflection and the author shortened it to speed things up?

 

How we view this narrative arc can shape how we see our own faith experience.

 

Is our faith and relationship with God about immediate actions that involve blind trust only?

 

Or does our relationship with God allow space to take our time, to think things through, to ask, ponder, wonder, to feel a whole sort of emotions from fear to joy to sadness to fearlessness?

 

I think Mary is very human; that she was someone who was astute, aware, and very brave.

 

Which leads us to another part of today’s reading, one we may not have thought about before.

 

Mary has an experience with Gabriel.  Gabriel means “The Lord’s Strength.”

 

She ponders, accepts, she says “Let it be.”  Then Gabriel, or “The Lord’s Strength” departs.

 

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, staying for 3 months.  When 9 months pregnant, she and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem.

 

Mary gives birth to the promised child, wraps him in swaddling cloth and places him in a manger.

 

As far as we know…there is no angel present.  As far as we know, Gabriel did not visit her again; there were no additional words from the heavens.

 

Sure, angelic news come to shepherds, but we’re not told angels were at the manger.

 

As far as we know, after the angel departs, it is just Mary, her time with Elizabeth, with Joseph, with baby Jesus, but no mention of an angelic advice afterwards.

 

Which may indicate that while Mary’s calling began with a heavenly interlude, everything else she accomplished, she did through her own inner strength, her own faith, and trust in God.

 

THAT was certainly an act of trust; an act of belief.  It is one thing to say “Let it be” when an angel called “The Lord’s Strength” is in front of you-  

 

it is another thing to say “Let it be done” when it’s just you, your day-to-day existence, and life is moving around you.

 

Maybe the bravery in Mary is not so much that she said “Here am I, servant of the Lord,”  Maybe the bravery is that although Mary was perplexed, afraid, pondered, needed reassurance, she still said “yes,” and-

 

even without an angelic presence afterwards, Mary saw it through- she did it, she lived it, she faced the opportunity before of her.

 

Mary showed faith even when angels were absent.  In the absence of angels, Mary found a way to be strong.

 

That’s bravery- to participate in God’s story and the Kingdom of Heaven even when we feel confused or curious.

 

As we move closer to Christmas, may we continue to find ways to be inspired by the people who shaped Jesus’s life and play a part in the Family of God.

 

Mary is indeed a wonderful role model for us to glean wisdom from and learn about.

 

And to be reminded of what it is like to be brave and what it is like to be present, especially when the mystery of the season surrounds us.

 

Amen and amen.