Cry of Tiny Babe

December 23, 2007
George J. Saylor
(This sermon was presented in dramatic form as a first-person narrative. The person is none other than God. While I was hesitant at first to take this perspective, the biblical account gives so much insight into the birth of Jesus, and into the character or God, that I ultimately determined that this could be done in a reverend and faithful way.)

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.”
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25

I love that child . I so want to help him. He is so full of anger; so full of pain. He wasn’t always this way. I remember watching him play. Watching him discover the beauty and joy of the world- of my world. He could sit for hours watching the ants at work- wondering, just wondering. What were they doing? What drove them to work so hard? And nobody loved the stars as much as he did. At night, when none else was awake, when it was only the two of us, we would stare out into the night sky wondering, and marveling at it all.

To me it is as yesterday, but for him it was a lifetime ago. The memories of good times are buried so deep now. Huddled there in the corner, trying to go unnoticed. Trying to become part of the scenery, lest he become part of the violence again. It really is remarkable how quickly kids learn to become unseen- I made chameleons to blend in, but children are meant to stand out, to be noticed and celebrated.

He is so cold, sitting there in the draft of winter, wrapped in pants that are too small, and a jacket that is too big- both too dirty to be seen in public. He is so dirty too. It’s been a week since he had a hot shower after gym class. That was the last time he had a hot meal as well. Some kids love Christmas breaks, any break, any time to be away from school and with family. And he used to feel that way too. Before school was the only warm place, the only place to cleanup, the only square meal he would eat all day, the only safe place.

Safe place? That’s a relative understanding. The other children mock him mercilessly. Each day is a strategic exercise in avoidance and survival. Teachers that once cared for him, started to feel sorry for him, but now, they just don’t know what to do. Some try to help, in small ways they do. But what can they do to really change his world to good again?

But I still see him. And I know how to build a fire. I know how to clean a dirty rag. I know how to fill an empty stomach. I can be a safe place.

I love that woman. I so want to help her. She is so lonely, so hopeless. She wasn’t always this way. She used to be so full of hope and joy. She was the life of the party. People were just drawn to her. All sorts of people. Her laugh was infectious. When you told her stories or a joke, you knew she really cared- she was actually interested. When she asked, “How are you?” She really wanted to know how you were. And so when she talked to you, you were interested too. Why is that so rare among people today?

But it was her family that was most important. She loved her husband and her children with selfless abandonment! Her husband adored her; her children, well, their mom was their world. But all that has changed now. Now she wakes up everyday to her worst nightmare, a living reality. It’s always hardest for her this time of year. It’s been so long since she laughed. So long since she asked anyone, “How are you?” So long since anyone took the time to ask her. So she sits in her chair, rocking back and forth. She tucks her knees to her bosom. She looks like she is still comforting a child, but now she is the child looking for comfort.

She hasn’t eaten, but she’s not hungry. She hasn’t been out of the house in days, but she’s not looking for anything to do. She hasn’t talked to another person in ages. She only wants to talk to the ones that can’t answer her now. If she could exchange her life for theirs it wouldn’t even be a question. But that’s impossible. People try to comfort her and say things like, “They will always live in your memories.” They mean well, but I know that’s of little comfort. What are memories compared to flesh and blood? What are memories compared to their laughter? They only serve to sting the wounds of her lose.

But I still see her. I remember how to laugh. I want to ask how are you my child? I know what it means to give life, and to have life taken away.

I love that guy. I so want to help him. He’s so afraid, so insecure. It wasn’t always this way. We used to talk. He looked to me for guidance and help. He wanted to make a difference. He was going to truly live his faith and his values. Talk about an idealist! He was going to change lives and change the world!

And he had everything going for him- talent, education, and opportunity- the world was his oyster. He was climbing the ladder as they say. Making a name for himself, and making a family. A trophy wife. 2 beautiful kids. A house to die for. A cottage at the lake. It just started to take over his life. The only problem was that after a while, he started to believe his own image.

Oh it didn’t happen over night. It never does. You don’t lose your dreams fast. It’s a long process, a slow, steady wearing down. You make one allowance, then one exception, then change one habit, tweak one value. Pretty soon the years have passed by, and you’re a different person. You’re doing things, saying things, being things you never thought would happen. Everyone changes, every one must grow and learn and mature. But in the process the world just seems to squeeze so much of the good stuff out too.

He just keeps doing now. Doing all the work, going through all the motions. Even the motions of our relationship. He still goes to church, when he’s in town. He certainly makes sure his kids are involved. And that’s good. It makes him feel good. It takes his mind off some of the harder questions. It takes his mind off the fact that he knows he’s blowing it. That he knows his kids are growing up without him. That his wife is growing away from him. They’ll stick together for the family. But they are just going through the motions of the relationship too. He’ll be a great provider, and that’s what a father does, or so he tells himself. Sometimes he almost believes it, believes that providing excuses his presence. He just doesn’t see that he’s losing them- losing them to the world. And that he’s losing himself in the process.

But I still see him. I’m still here to talk, to lead, to give him a purpose. I know what it’s like to feel the pressure of the world weighing on your shoulders, and I know how to overcome.

I love that girl. She sits, warming herself by a fire in a humble home in Nazareth. To you it was 2000 years ago, for me it is as if it’s still unfolding. She’s such a good girl. She’s young. She’s so young. Can she really accept what must be? Is this too much for her? Is this too much for anyone? I know she can, for I know her. If she were any older, maybe she wouldn’t have the faith to believe that what is impossible for man is possible for me. With age comes wisdom, but with youth comes the faith to simply say, “Yes.” Yes Lord, may it be unto me as you have said.

She dreams of an ordinary family and an ordinary life. It will be far from that. The angel visit, the birth, the visitor’s from far away lands, an escape to Egypt, a return to their homeland. Life will never be the same for her, or for Joseph.

Joseph is such a good man. I know I’ll have to send Gabriel to him as well. He’ll be prepared to do what he knows is the right and honorable thing to do, when you find yourself engaged to a girl who says she’s a virgin, but is obviously pregnant. How could anyone be expected to believe such a tale?

They’ll be married soon, but by then it will be too late. This must take place now. And it must happen this way. I know she won’t understand, how could she? How could any one of my children? But this isn’t about understanding how it’s going to turn out. It’s about faith, faith in how it’s going to begin.

This is the way it must be. If I tried to walk along side of her, she would think it was an earthquake, that the ground itself would swallow her. She’d only run away in fear.

If I tried to speak to her, she would think my voice alone would incinerate her. She’d only close her ears in terror.

If I showed her my glory, she would think the world itself had come to its end. She’d only hide her face, and she’d ask me to hide mine.

If I only sent my messenger, she could still doubt my love. No, I’ve gone that that route before. I know that some things must be done in person- in flesh and blood.

So I will come to her, by her. And then, then she will know my love as I grow inside of her womb. With each passing day she will know my love as her skin stretches tight. With each passing week she will know my love as each kick reminders her, I am with you. With each passing month she will know my love, even as the people around her question the kind of love she has known.

She will know my love as she brings my life into the world. I will be her flesh and blood. So now, when I first walk along side of her, it will be in the first steps of a child. When I first show my face to her, she will look and see her own resemblance. When I first speak to her, it will be in the cooing of a tiny baby. When I come to her, I will be her own son. Then she will know my love.

And even thought I am the author of her life, she will be the one to bring my life into the world. And even though I am the spring of living water, she will first nurse my life. And even though I am the bread of life, she will first nourish me and fill my empty stomach. Even though I know the plan for her life, she will teach me how to walk and talk and read and write. Even though I know her inside and out and every day of her life, she will come to know me, inside and out, an every day of my life, from my birth in a manger in Bethlehem, to the day I will give my life on the cross. As she gives her life over to me, I will give my life for her, and for all my children, so that the sins of my children may be forgiven, and that they may truly know I love them. This is how it must be. This is how it will be!

I love a child. And I will come to him. I will come to him because I love the little children and the orphans and the outcasts of this world. I will come to him, and then he will know my love.

I love a woman. And I will come to her. I will come to her because I love the widows and the broken and the hurting and the hopeless. I will come to her, and then she will know my love.

I love a man. I will come to him. I will come to him because I love the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, the ones who remember me, and the ones who forget. I will come to him, and then he will know my love.

I love them. I love them all. And so I will come to them. I will come to them all- men and women, young and old, rich and poor of every tribe and nation, I will come them and be with them because I am the wonderful counselor; I am Almighty God; I am the Everlasting Father; I am the Prince of Peace. I am the Christ. I will come to them. I will break the silence and my first words to them will be the cry of a tiny babe…

Ponder These Things...

December 9, 2007
Connections Community Church

Charles Dickens is synonymous with Christmas. Everyone knows his famous tale- a Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, Tiny Tim- great stuff. But Dickens wrote another story that, in my opinion, captures the spirit and experience of Christmas even better than he did in the Carol. I don’t think he knew he did, and I don’t think anyone else, to my knowledge, has ever made this connection. But the very first line of his famous Tale of Two Cities rings true for most of us this time of year-

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times!”

For most of us Christmas and New Years is sort of like the best of times and the worst of times. I hope all of us have some great memories of Christmas, and are already making new ones. Just yesterday I took all my kids out skiing to the Boler Bump. It was my 3-year old son’s first time. He was awesome- just like his dad at that age! And my daughter Karis, 5 years old, lost both of her front teeth this week. Both of them! You can’t plan stuff like that! We are already making some amazing Christmas memories.

But not everything is great this time of year. There’s only 15 more shopping days left until Christmas and you haven’t even made your list yet. Just out of curiosity, who here has finished their Christmas shopping… Most of you haven’t even sent out your cards yet. Some of you forgot until right now that you are supposed to send out cards.

For some of you this is actually the hardest time of year. This is your first Christmas without your spouse, or without your children, or without your parents. You are already dreading this season. You already have bills to pay through June. You have to figure out how you are going to visit with four different sets of family. You know that Uncle Joe is going to show up with his new girl friend, and nobody is going to like her. You already know that Dad is going to drink too much eggnog and make a scene, but everyone will be polite and make excuses for him. And while this past week held some great memories for my family, one of my high school friends died lost he battle with cancer this week. On his birthday. A guy my age. His mom made the blanket you see my son constantly holding onto. This is the worst of times for his family now.

Christmas can be the best of times and the worst of times. And you know what, there’s not much I can do to fix that for you this morning. You probably can’t fix everything to micro- manage a perfect Christmas for your family (Although this doesn’t stop millions of Moms and Dads from trying to put the veneer of a perfect family Christmas together). There’s nothing much that you can do to fix a lot of circumstances out of your control this morning, or in the coming weeks. Yes, you can and should make some decisions that are in your control- don’t over spend. Don’t over eat. Don’t over drink. Don’t go and see the movie Fred Claus, no really, don’t.

But here’s the thing- here’s what we can do- just stop. Just pause. And just ponder what this is really all about. Because if we do that, we might just gain the perspective we need to make it through. We might just gain the insight we need to know what this season is all about. We might just push the balance a bit, so that this is not so much the worst of times, but is a bit more the best of times.

You know what else- this is really nothing new. I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special the other night with my kids, telling them how I watched it when I was there age. I watched as the credits rolled- 1965. For more than 40 years kids and parents have been watching that special- and the message of it rings as true today as it did back then- Charlie Brown laments that everyone’s forgotten the real reason for the season- his own sister, his own dog, all his friends have gone commercial. Finally, in desperation, Charlie Brown screams out- “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?” Hey, watch it for yourself…

And if Linus had continued he would have said this,
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2: 8-19

What would it look like for us to stop, to pause, and to ponder these things in our heart? To ponder what Christmas is all about, instead of getting caught up in the craziness of it all. To ponder, can we make this the best of times?

So this morning I want us to ponder two things…
First, the classic Christmas question-

what do you want for Christmas?

What do you really want for Christmas this year? For some of you you’re already there! You want the car, you want the vacation, you want the new game system, you want something. And you know what, that’s cool. I want new skis. I don’t care if you want some stuff- stuff isn’t bad. Cordless drills are cool. I like my son’s remote control car more than he does. Buying my wife jewelry brings her happiness, makes her look good and then through a chain reaction of events eventually leads to a very merry Christmas for me. Stuff isn’t all bad- so I’m not knocking stuff.

But you know it can take over. You know it can consume you, and usually does. You know it doesn’t lead to real happiness and joy and fulfillment and peace. So I’ll ask again, what do you really want for Christmas? What do you want that goes beyond the stuff? Can you name it?

There are at least four words very closely associated with Christmas- we see then in card after card, hear them in song after song- hope, peace, love and joy. Many churches light what are called Advent Candles- each standing for one of those things. These are the kinds of things I’m talking about pondering. Look at your life, ponder your deepest needs, what do you really want? What do you want to arrive in your life this year?

Ponder Hope. Do you want hope? Are you in what seems to be a hopeless situation? A hopeless marriage, a hopeless addiction, a hopeless job, a hopeless future? Are you held hostage to a bottle, to a pill, to a person, to a pleasure? You have the proverbial monkey on your back. You can’t stop thinking about that person, even though it can go nowhere. You can’t stop looking at pornography, even thought it only makes you feel worse about, everything. You are in this downward spiral that is spinning out of control and it just seems hopeless? What are you hoping for?

Ponder Peace. Is your spirit restless? There is a war going you’re your life. A war that rages for your heart and soul and mind and strength. You don’t know what to do with your life. You feel like you’re just going through the motions, punching the clock, paying your dues, working for the weekend. You are so ill at ease that your goal is not to get in touch with your feelings or your dreams, your goal is to get numb. To get through the day. What difference would peace make in your life?

Ponder Love. Do you want to feel the love of your parents? The love of your spouse? The love of your children? The love of another human being because you are isolated and alone? Do you want to know the love of God?

Ponder Joy. Have you lost your joy for living? Are you weighted down with the burdens of the world? You worry about family and kids, and work and school and government and poverty and world hunger and war and all the other bad things in the world- because we know they are out there. But there can also be joy- beauty and laughter and joy in life.

So ponder what you really want in your life. Ponder that which would bring you true hope, true peace, true love, true joy. And be as specific as you can get- name it. Because something happens in naming the need. I drive my wife crazy every Christmas- what do you want George? “Oh you know, whatever, something that I like.” That’s really helpful because she was seriously thinking about buying me something that I would really detest! Just like it helps to actually name the gift we want (skis), name the longing in your life. You have to bring it forward and bring it before God.

Then second, in light of what you are longing for, in light of what you really want,

ponder this story

Ponder, as Mary did, all these things. She pondered all that had happened in the previous year…

A young girl, a teenager most likely, was dreaming of the day in the near future when she’d be married to Joseph. Six months after a visit to her old relative Elizabeth, an angel came to Mary. She was troubled, as everybody always is when an angel visits. But the angel comforted her and gave her even big news- she would give birth to a son, and he would be named Jesus, which means save, for he will save the people from their sins. He will be great and he will be the son of the Most High God. He will establish a kingdom that know no bounds- of place or of time.

Mary asked how this would be, for she was a virgin, pledged to be married. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the child born would be the Son of God. Even now, he said, your relative Elisabeth is six months pregnant- for nothing is impossible with God. And Mary’s response was simple: I am the Lord’s servant- may it be unto me as you have said.

Joseph began to notice a change in his fiancé Mary. The whole tale would be hard to swallow. So he decided to quietly divorce her because he didn’t want to put her through any more shame. So there was another visit by an angel- he came to Joseph in a dream and told him the plan. Joseph woke up, went to Mary, and took her home as his wife.

Some months later Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census be taken, and that all people needed to register in their hometown. So Joseph and a very pregnant Mary started their journey to Bethlehem. The town was so full that they could find no place to stay but a stable, and it was there that Jesus was born and laid in a feeding trough.

That very night the angel appeared to the shepherds and told them all that had unfolded. “Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy for all the people of the world- today, in Bethlehem, a savior is born, he is Christ the Lord!” And then the sky was filled with angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth people to men on whom his favor rests!”

I tell the story because I have no idea if you know it or not, but it is so important to me, and so important to all the world, I want to be sure you hear it at least once this Christmas. I want you to have the opportunity to actually ponder this story, to treasure it in your heart, and decide what you make if it.

I invite you to stop, to pause, and to ponder this story because maybe here lies the answer to all the things we really want this Christmas- all the things we really want in life. I invite you to ponder this story because here we find the one who can bring us hope in a world of dead ends. Here we find the one that can bring us peace in the war that rages in our soul, and even the wars that rage in our world. Here we find the love that we long for, the love we were made to receive, and extend. Here we find the joy that brings purpose and meaning and beauty to life.

There is a fifth candle that is traditionally lit at Christmas in many churches- one that is lit on Christmas Eve. A candle that sits in the center of the other four: taller, bigger, brighter. It is the Christ candle. This is his story, the story of Jesus. The story of the God that came us as a baby born in a barn in Bethlehem, to become one with us, to live among, to eventually die for us so that me might have the forgiveness of our sins and new life in his resurrection.

Here’s the thing, I’m not at all surprised that the world tries to squeeze this story out of Christmas. That’s just what the world does, that what life does. It wants to squeeze God to the margin, squeeze out the meaning and the beauty and the art of it all. You know what surprises me? That it still hasn’t happened, and that I don’t think it ever will happen. Despite all our troubles, and all the bad stuff that happens, all the craziness of Christmas of shopping and traveling and visiting and sending cards and office parties and everything that squeezes in on us this time of year- despite all that, we haven’t forgotten the meaning. You haven’t forgotten the meaning. You’re here! You’re learning the story, or remembering the story. You know what Christmas is all about- a God who loves us so much he became one of us. A God who loves us so much he came not in power, but as a helpless babe. A God who loves us so much he set aside his glory and the riches of heaven to become flesh and blood and in a barn in Bethlehem.

In two weeks, on Dec. 23, through song, through word and through drama we are going to tell the story again- in way you’ve never heard even if you’ve heard it before. We are going to tell it in a way that will make you ponder it as you never have before, and maybe help you to understand it in a way you never have before. We are going to tell it in a way that you can bring your family, your friends, you neighbors to hear- and they won’t be criticized for never coming to church. They won’t be confused by how the service runs. But they might just hear this story for the first time, or in a way that finally makes sense. And they too may ponder these things in their hearts- and find hope, peace, love, joy- the God they have longed for all their lives. The God we have longed all our lives.