SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 27, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

I’m not done with Christmas – I’m not ready. This Sunday I want to take just a few minutes to unpack what it is that we have just celebrated and what it is that I pray we’ll carry with us through this coming year - the enfleshment, the carnality, the humanity of God. Is it possible that anyone walking in off the street might think we’re koo koo?

Imagine someone sitting in or looking at church for the first time. Wonderfully poetic strains of the baby Jesus, word made flesh. References from Isaiah to the one who has made bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. They must wonder how one known as the Prince of Peace may be the warrior king.

The Jewish people returning or returned from exile were looking to someone whose stature and prowess would cause those behind him to marvel and those before him to cringe. And who shows up wriggling and writhing? Jesus. (Thank you, Jesus.)

These times demand all that God is and all that we can be as God’s people. Let’s look to a post-Christmas, post-pandemic, post-inauguration and a post-masked time when our smiles will be seen. Let’s begin this Sunday as the days lengthen. (Yay!)