Christmas Eve 2012

Joy to Be Shared Christmas Eve 2012 Some of you may be familiar with the name of Karl Barth. He was a Swiss theologian who died in 1968. He wrote, among other things, a thirteen volume series of books titled Church Dogmatics. He wrote hundreds of pages outlining great theological thought. It seems that late in his life, he was asked to give a lecture to a group of young seminary students at Chicago Divinity School. It was quite a lecture although he was already failing in health. At the close of the lecture, the president of the seminary said this to the students, “Dr. Barth is not well and while he would like to take your questions, he is unable to do so.” He then turned to Barth and said, “I would like to ask you just one question on behalf of all of us. Of all the theological insights you have ever had, which do you consider to be the greatest of them all?” What an amazing question for a man who had penned some of the most complicated explanations of theology ever written. Apparently, the students put their pens to paper, ready to record the answer. It is reported that Dr. Barth, closed his eyes for just a moment, and then replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” And, that was that. As I reflected on these profound words of Karl Barth, well-known to me through my childhood, I tried to grasp what those words really mean—Jesus loves me, this I know. Now I will admit to you that I have thought about this reflection for weeks—you know, it’s Christmas Eve, and all preachers know that their words should reflect the importance of this night. And, then, I came across this story of Dr. Barth and the seminarians and it knocked me to my knees. Forget all the lofty words, the deep theological insights—this is Christmas Eve and Jesus loves me—this is what I know and of this is what I should speak. Jesus, this tiny babe in a manger, loves us. Jesus, this man who walked and talked with the poorest of the poor and the sickest of the sick, loves us. Jesus, this man, both God and servant of God, loves us. Jesus, the Rock of Salvation, Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace, loves us. US! Beckoning to us to come and see, the Light of God shows us the way. And we come, not as children, the passage of time knows better; but we come as children of God—each year, welcomed anew to deepen our relationship with all that is Holy in our lives and with the God, who created all things. We come to be forgiven and healed, comforted and made whole, embraced and filled with joy. And, so, together we go—these are some of my private musings with this tiny baby, loving teacher, servant God. I picture myself standing in front of Mary, gazing at the child. I remember to tell Mary that her baby is beautiful and she smiles. Then my eyes and my heart rest on him. My soul sings as Mary’s did just a few months before. And I know that I am blessed. I know that God has chosen me to love and to use in this world as a servant of Divine Love. God fills my heart with Joy and sets my feet to dancing to the rising of a heavenly song. I am aware on this night, like no other, that God has created me to be the person that I am—all that I am—and has guided me through all my life. It occurs to me that I am twice the age that Jesus was when he began his ministry on earth. And, here I am, still a beginner in this experience called life; but God calls me to learn more and more of the Sacred Truths of what it means to be God’s child. And, here in front of this baby, I begin anew, on the holiest of nights to seek and find the peace that surpasses all my understanding but is freely given in the light of this Holy Child. Tonight, I open my heart wider still to receive the grace that God longs to pour into my life. Tonight, I invite you to place yourselves in front of the manger, for I believe that God has Sacred Truths in store for every one of us. I invite you, to find a place of quiet even if only for a moment, to seek out what God has nestled in the manger along with this baby that is your gift from God tonight. This Christmas Eve may you find the song that shapes your souls and may you travel to Bethlehem and stand with lowly shepherds and proud new parents and see the child that was born for you. May you hear and feel God’s gracious and loving embrace of you and all that you are. May you know the blessed peace that comes from journeying to the silent place in your heart where God waits ready to speak your name and call you to joy. Tonight, all God’s people whisper, Amen and amen. And we are family tonight. I invite you to turn to those around you and say “Merry Christmas, Jesus loves you!” Joy to the World