The Rev Mark Pendleton

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Christmas Eve 2021 The Rev. Mark Pendleton Christ Church, Exeter The Very Good Story of Christmas What is it about Christmas that gives way to so much story telling? We can easily list the classics and the modern: Dicken's A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, Polar Express, Elf, and of course, A Visit from St. Nicholas, known simply as 'Twas the Night before Christmas, written by a professor at my very own seminary in New York City in 1823, Clement Clark Moore. I want to talk about the story of Christmas tonight, but before I do, I offer a personal observation. In my almost nine years at Christ Church, I have come to believe that Exeter, New Hampshire has more English majors and teachers per square foot than any small town in America. There is something in the water here. John Irving, author of the classic A Prayer for Owen Meany - parts of which should be read by all every Christmas -- was born here in Exeter, as was The DaVinci Code's Dan Brown, whose mother was our church organist. Our own RiverWoods was founded as a community for those looking for ways to live while growing older, many of whom in the early days were teachers. With all that said, I hope I get this right when it comes to what makes for a good story. At least five elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and a theme or message. The story of the Nativity, which we hear and re-tell tonight, has them all. Characters are in abundance. Mary: young, faithful, strong. Joseph: fatherly, loyal, kind. The innocent, vulnerable and newly born baby Jesus. Over the last 30 years of ministry, I'm pretty sure I have commented on just about all the characters in the nativity story. There is the angel Gabriel, who is sent to announce some pretty radical news to Mary in Luke 1:31 that she will conceive in her womb and bear a son, and he will be great. I'm sure I have given a sermon on those hard-working and terrified shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Perhaps even offering a comparison to those who look from the outside-in at life, or to today's underpaid laborers who have to work on Christmas Eve, toil outside in the cold this time of year, deliver packages to our doors at all hours and do the kinds of jobs very few people want to do. But that was a more edgy Christmas Eve sermon - probably offered when I was fresh out of seminary - and since then I have learned that few come to church on this night to be stirred up to join a labor union. We come for the light, the tradition, and for an above average dose of mid-winter hope. Did I preach on the animals around the manger where the baby was laid? I would have to check my sermon file. But I'm sure I made the point over the years that a manger was a simple feeding trough for animals - then imagining that animals like sheep, goats, chickens, and camels had to be on the scene when Jesus was born. A point of connection for us with most of the characters of the Nativity story is that, when the angel showed up to tell of God's surprising announcement, everyone was just living their ordinary daily lives. Joseph and Mary were not royalty or saints - they were simply open to say: OK, God, that was not what I was expecting. But now show me how to make it through darkness and never leave me and let me know and feel that you are by my side even when I cannot see you. Setting. Every story needs a place and a time. Luke's gospel offers up details and more. A census, or registration, in the time when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem. The Plot. The plot got interesting indeed when Joseph and Mary arrived. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. There was no room for them. Plans had to be changed at the last minute. Someone, we imagine, got a knock on their door, and was asked if the couple would be welcomed. Someone made room for them that night. Strangers, the poor, outcasts, and refugees feature prominently in Scripture because they challenge us all to consider what it looks and feels like to be told that there is no more room, not enough food, a safe place to live, clean water to drink and a society that turns their backs and closes doors. In God's Kingdom blessings, not closed doors, are reserved for the poor, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. Many journeys begin not knowing where and how they might end. Something always seems to happen on way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A life we thought would unfold in certain ways can take dramatic and unexpected turns and leave any of us feeling lost and alone for a time. Few of us thought we would be where we are today. And we are not entirely sure how this pandemic ends. Yet, we move forward, endure, adjust, and make plans for tomorrow. We are Easter people after all even on Christmas Eve. This is the story we tell. Of a God who came into the world in a new way not though clouds, or fire, or whirlwinds, or riding through the sky in chariots, but born to a young mother in a backwater town at the edge of an Empire. Everyone can be seen by this God. No one is forgotten, turned away or rejected, but born into a world where there is always room for more of God's children. And that is not an essay message to take out into today's world. Conflict. Every good story needs some conflict, doesn't it? Yet my self-imposed Covid Christmas sermon time limit - with our aim at keeping this service on the shorter side - does not allow me the time to go much further. It would enough to say that there are some people in the world who live more by fear than love, whose insecurity and vanity can lead many to follow them. There are many King Herod's in our world today who haven't yet gotten the message. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Lastly, every good story needs a message. I hope you have heard yet again tonight, through song, Scripture, and my ramblings a piece of that message to carry you through the darkness of this night into Christmas morning - when the sun will rise, and we will begin again. In John's gospel we hear that in Christ was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. All who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. And that is us. May we tell the story of Christmas through our lives. Lives filled with unexpected turns yet where there is always room in the place where God lives forever. Merry Christmas to all of you, and may God grant us a peace-filled year to come. 2
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