1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 Thanks guys. 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:06,200 Good morning. 3 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:07,400 Let me get situated here. 4 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:09,720 I didn't set my stuff up early. 5 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:13,560 And I think, thank you for water. 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:15,640 Greg always, I tease myself too. 7 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:18,880 I have baby, tiny child ears. 8 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:20,440 I should have just used the handheld. 9 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,200 These things won't even hang on to my little elf ears. 10 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:26,880 I tell you what, it's always a thing. 11 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,600 Okay, yes, it's because I'm a mythical magical creature. 12 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:31,440 Okay. 13 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:37,880 I am honored to be preaching this morning 14 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,600 as we begin the season of Advent. 15 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:45,600 To have this sacred calendar kind of schedule is helpful. 16 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,240 Sometimes we might find ourselves saying, 17 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:50,600 especially these days, right? 18 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,040 Because holidays are busy. 19 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,760 There's extra gatherings, extra commitments. 20 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,880 There's pressure of making everything just right. 21 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,200 You want that family photo or the perfect gift 22 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,360 or the holiday meal. 23 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:06,240 And we look at it all and we might think, 24 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:10,160 oh, modern us, we've complicated things 25 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,440 and we're so stretched and we're so busy nowadays. 26 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,320 So thank goodness for Advent. 27 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:21,320 But Advent has been around pre-elementary school, 28 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:24,640 Christmas pageants, pre-office job, work parties, 29 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:29,000 pre-Pinterest perfect holiday menus and tablescapes 30 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,680 because being obligated and stretched 31 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:33,680 isn't a modern concept. 32 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,080 It's been around always. 33 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:43,120 And I actually wondered like how long has Advent, 34 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:46,520 how long have we been kind of keeping this calendar? 35 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,800 So maybe you'd like to know too. 36 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:50,800 According to St. Gregory of Tours, 37 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:53,800 the celebration of Advent began in the fifth century 38 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,040 when it was directed that starting with St. Martin's Day 39 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,000 on November 11th, Advent would begin 40 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:00,760 and it would go through Christmas. 41 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:02,000 Thank you, Google. 42 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:08,480 So the fifth century, that was 1,500 years ago. 43 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:12,720 For 1,500 years, Christians have designated this time 44 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:16,040 leading up to Christmas as Advent, a time of expectation, 45 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,160 a time to focus on hope, peace, joy, love 46 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,840 and the light of the world come to us 47 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,080 because it's always been important 48 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,820 as humans stretched with obligations to set aside time 49 00:02:28,820 --> 00:02:33,360 and remember the truth and the promises of the one who was, 50 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,920 who is and who is yet to come. 51 00:02:36,920 --> 00:02:40,440 So let us begin with hope. 52 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:42,760 One of the traditional readings on the first Sunday 53 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:47,000 of Advent for hope is Isaiah nine, two through seven. 54 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,260 The chapter is actually entitled Hope in the Messiah. 55 00:02:50,260 --> 00:02:54,100 Here at the house, we aim to give the reading of scripture 56 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:56,180 our full attention and one way you can do that 57 00:02:56,180 --> 00:02:58,780 is kind of through a posture of attention and focus. 58 00:02:58,780 --> 00:03:00,100 So for some that might be standing, 59 00:03:00,100 --> 00:03:02,320 for others it might be sitting with your eyes closed 60 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:05,820 or opening your hands, whatever is meaningful. 61 00:03:05,820 --> 00:03:07,980 I invite you to join with me now 62 00:03:07,980 --> 00:03:12,300 in focusing on these words from Isaiah nine, two through seven. 63 00:03:15,620 --> 00:03:18,860 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light, 64 00:03:18,860 --> 00:03:21,140 a light that will shine on all who live in the land 65 00:03:21,140 --> 00:03:23,300 where death casts its shadow. 66 00:03:23,300 --> 00:03:26,060 Israel again will be great and its people will rejoice 67 00:03:26,060 --> 00:03:27,660 as people rejoice at harvest time. 68 00:03:27,660 --> 00:03:30,360 They'll shout with joy like warriors dividing the plunder 69 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:32,980 for God will break the chains that bind his people 70 00:03:32,980 --> 00:03:35,040 and the whip that scourges them just as he did 71 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:36,480 when he destroyed the army of Midian 72 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:38,080 with Gideon's little band. 73 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:41,940 In that day of peace, battle gear will no longer be issued. 74 00:03:41,940 --> 00:03:44,420 Never again will uniforms be bloodstained by war. 75 00:03:44,420 --> 00:03:46,320 All such equipment will be burned. 76 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,020 These will be his royal titles. 77 00:03:49,020 --> 00:03:51,940 For a child is born to us, a son is given 78 00:03:51,940 --> 00:03:53,980 and the government will rest on his shoulders. 79 00:03:53,980 --> 00:03:55,940 These will be his royal titles. 80 00:03:55,940 --> 00:03:58,540 Wonderful counselor, mighty God, 81 00:03:58,540 --> 00:04:00,960 everlasting father, Prince of peace, 82 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,820 his ever expanding peaceful government will never end. 83 00:04:03,820 --> 00:04:06,500 He'll rule forever with fairness and justice 84 00:04:06,500 --> 00:04:08,580 from the throne of his ancestor David. 85 00:04:08,580 --> 00:04:11,700 The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty 86 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:13,400 will guarantee this. 87 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:15,820 Let us pray. 88 00:04:17,280 --> 00:04:21,040 God of every tribe, every tongue, every color and nation, 89 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:24,600 our heavenly father, thank you for your living word, 90 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,920 which is the fuel and foundation for hope. 91 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:28,920 Thank you for your truth. 92 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:31,120 Thank you for your promises. 93 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:33,400 Be with us today as we take time to pause 94 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:34,760 and reflect on the importance 95 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:36,720 of your true words and promises. 96 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,520 I pray you'll bless our time together. 97 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,960 Open our hearts and minds to the revelations of love, 98 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,360 peace, joy and most especially hope 99 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,400 that your word and this time of year communicate 100 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:48,600 and represent. 101 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:49,520 I love you. 102 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:50,840 Amen. 103 00:04:50,840 --> 00:04:52,800 You can be seated if you're standing. 104 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:57,440 So our two minutes for one question was about nativities. 105 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,040 Do you put one up? 106 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:00,300 What's its story? 107 00:05:01,220 --> 00:05:02,720 I love nativities. 108 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,000 The little people one, right? 109 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:10,080 The fancy breakable ones, whatever it is. 110 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:11,400 I love nativities. 111 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:12,900 Some of my favorite Christmas time memories 112 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:17,720 are carefully, sneakily playing with my mom's nativity 113 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,060 that was always set up in the bay window. 114 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:24,320 And we also had these like very 70s style, 115 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,120 really small stained glass type angels 116 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:31,240 that were hung by string as a whole heavenly host 117 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,620 in all of the like diagonal paint windows. 118 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,760 And there was a bull or maybe like an ox that had horns 119 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,520 and they were springs. 120 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:43,580 And I just have these memories of like sitting 121 00:05:43,580 --> 00:05:44,800 in the bay window and playing with that 122 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:46,580 and being really intrigued by that. 123 00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:49,360 Or my dad's nativity, which typically went 124 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:51,800 at the other end of the house in the living room. 125 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,440 It had a cardboard manger with printed artwork details 126 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,500 and a lot of sheep, like more sheep 127 00:05:57,500 --> 00:05:59,960 than I've ever seen any nativity have. 128 00:05:59,960 --> 00:06:02,080 And lots of shepherds and like there were a lot 129 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:03,600 of like extras things. 130 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:06,720 And I remember when my mom told me that was because my dad 131 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,240 would save up money. 132 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,840 And when he was little, like Wally's age 133 00:06:10,840 --> 00:06:12,720 and he would go to the store and he would buy a piece 134 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:14,380 at a time and add to it. 135 00:06:14,380 --> 00:06:15,840 And it was like a point of pride for him. 136 00:06:15,840 --> 00:06:18,140 He loved that nativity his whole life. 137 00:06:18,140 --> 00:06:21,520 It was so special and important and dear to him. 138 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:23,640 And then it became special and important and dear to us. 139 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:24,800 It was like a treasure. 140 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:27,760 Well, we have a nativity at our house 141 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,220 and a special tradition with our nativity that I really love. 142 00:06:31,220 --> 00:06:33,720 I originally got this idea of it when Brennan and Liam 143 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:37,280 were still toddler age and I still read mom blogs. 144 00:06:37,280 --> 00:06:39,200 I don't do that anymore. 145 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,880 I just, I don't. 146 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,480 But yeah, I was reading this mom blog 147 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,200 and she did this cute thing each year 148 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:47,520 where when they set up their nativity, 149 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:50,240 they took the three wise men out from the traditional 150 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,020 crusher manger scene and she'd place them 151 00:06:53,020 --> 00:06:57,800 in the farthest, farthest most eastern part of their home. 152 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:00,440 And as the advent season progressed, 153 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,200 she would slowly begin moving their location 154 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,240 from far off in the east to slowly closer and closer 155 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:07,860 to arriving at the Christ child 156 00:07:07,860 --> 00:07:10,080 and the gathering of the manger scene. 157 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:12,320 And I loved that it brought this visual kind of 158 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,040 interactive alive depiction into this mama's home 159 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:16,920 and that they got to experience and remember 160 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:20,820 that the story of Jesus coming to earth involved a journey. 161 00:07:20,820 --> 00:07:24,660 And it was one that took a long time for everyone. 162 00:07:26,660 --> 00:07:27,820 Because just to read the story, 163 00:07:27,820 --> 00:07:30,300 we get Luke one, Luke two, and that's it. 164 00:07:30,300 --> 00:07:32,480 It all begins with a Jewish priest 165 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,960 and a few minutes later, the savior of the world is born. 166 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,240 It usually takes up maybe three pages in your Bible. 167 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:41,800 So this mom's idea grabbed a hold of me 168 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,080 and it put things into like a new perspective 169 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:49,080 and probably that's because I don't like to wait at all. 170 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:51,160 I don't like to just sit. 171 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:54,440 But the truth is Mary had to wait. 172 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:56,120 She had to sit with it. 173 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,200 And so I got the idea of how I wanted to integrate 174 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:00,760 this new nativity time marker tradition 175 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:02,760 into our family's home at Christmas time. 176 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:07,240 There's this, the originating like willow tree artist, 177 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:09,920 Susan Lordy, she created this sculpture in 2003 178 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:11,000 entitled Cherish. 179 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:14,480 And two years after that, I received it as a gift 180 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,080 when I was pregnant with Brennan. 181 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,800 And so this is the Mary figurine that occupies 182 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:21,680 our nativity scene until Christmas morning. 183 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,300 So that's how we set it up. 184 00:08:27,300 --> 00:08:31,880 And on Christmas morning, we get Mary that's kneeling 185 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:33,400 with baby Jesus. 186 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,600 And usually I'll read a little bit of the story. 187 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:37,800 I think last year Adley got to put Mary out. 188 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:41,040 Because Mary had to wait. 189 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:42,420 Mary had to sit with it. 190 00:08:42,420 --> 00:08:44,200 She didn't get to skip ahead two pages 191 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:46,660 and just understand how it all worked out. 192 00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:49,600 And she wasn't the only one. 193 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,160 We kind of laughed earlier when I said, 194 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:52,920 it all begins with a Jewish priest, 195 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,380 but those are the real words. 196 00:08:55,380 --> 00:08:58,580 Which I'm gonna have a moment of like author story 197 00:08:58,580 --> 00:09:00,880 writing dork because I just wanna say, 198 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,280 that's good writing on Luke's part, right? 199 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:06,000 Welcome to my book of the Bible. 200 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,280 It all begins with a Jewish priest. 201 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:09,520 That's so good. 202 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,360 Like you wanna keep reading that. 203 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,400 So I actually do wanna dive into that story 204 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,520 that we see in Luke and Matthew. 205 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:20,300 I know we already did our scripture reading, 206 00:09:20,300 --> 00:09:22,860 but I just wanna read the Christmas story to you, 207 00:09:22,860 --> 00:09:25,960 dare I say real quick, because it's weird, 208 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:27,720 but it's true that it really only takes 209 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,120 about two and a half minutes. 210 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:32,520 So in Luke one, we begin. 211 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:34,760 It all begins with a Jewish priest. 212 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,100 Zechariah who lived when Herod was the king of Judea. 213 00:09:38,100 --> 00:09:40,320 Zechariah was a member of the priestly order. 214 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:43,700 His wife Elizabeth was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 215 00:09:43,700 --> 00:09:45,800 One day Zechariah was serving God in the temple 216 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:48,000 for his order was on duty that week. 217 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,800 He was in the sanctuary when an angel of the Lord appeared 218 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:52,920 standing to the right of the altar. 219 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:54,800 Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear, 220 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,240 but the angel said, don't be afraid Zechariah. 221 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:59,240 God's heard your prayer and your wife Elizabeth 222 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:02,800 will bear a son, you are to name him John. 223 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:04,020 You'll have great joy and gladness 224 00:10:04,020 --> 00:10:07,800 and many will rejoice with you at his birth. 225 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,160 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, 226 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:11,400 the power of old. 227 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,160 He will proceed the coming of the Lord 228 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:15,560 preparing the people for his arrival. 229 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:16,880 Zechariah said to the angel, 230 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:19,800 how can I know this will happen? 231 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,480 I'm an old man now and my wife is also well along in years. 232 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,260 Then the angel said, I am Gabriel. 233 00:10:26,260 --> 00:10:29,440 I stand in the very presence of God. 234 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:32,440 It's he who sent me to bring you this good news. 235 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:39,200 And then further on, in the six month of Elizabeth pregnancy, 236 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:41,960 God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, 237 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,100 a village in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. 238 00:10:44,100 --> 00:10:46,040 She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, 239 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:47,740 a descendant of King David. 240 00:10:47,740 --> 00:10:49,360 Gabriel appeared to her and said, 241 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:51,800 greetings favored woman, the Lord is with you. 242 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:54,380 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think 243 00:10:54,380 --> 00:10:55,760 what the angel could mean. 244 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,620 Don't be frightened, Mary the angel told her, 245 00:10:57,620 --> 00:10:59,380 for God has decided to bless you. 246 00:10:59,380 --> 00:11:01,080 You will become pregnant and have a son 247 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:02,640 and you are to name him Jesus. 248 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:04,320 He will be very great and will be called 249 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:05,940 the son of the most high and the Lord God 250 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:07,760 will give him the throne of his ancestor David 251 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:09,480 and he will reign over Israel forever. 252 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:11,120 His kingdom will never end. 253 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:15,100 Mary asked the angel, but how can I have a baby? 254 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:16,440 I'm a virgin. 255 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:19,360 And the angel replied, the Holy Spirit will come upon you 256 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,060 and the power of the most high will overshadow you. 257 00:11:22,060 --> 00:11:25,800 So the baby will be born and will be holy 258 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,560 for nothing is impossible with God. 259 00:11:28,560 --> 00:11:30,780 Thank you. 260 00:11:30,780 --> 00:11:35,780 Joseph also, Joseph, her fiance, was a just man 261 00:11:41,580 --> 00:11:44,160 and in finding out that she was pregnant, 262 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:45,980 decided to break the engagement quietly 263 00:11:45,980 --> 00:11:48,260 so as not to disgrace her publicly. 264 00:11:48,260 --> 00:11:49,740 As he considered this, he fell asleep 265 00:11:49,740 --> 00:11:51,960 and the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 266 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:53,680 Joseph, son of David, said the angel, 267 00:11:53,680 --> 00:11:56,680 do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary 268 00:11:56,680 --> 00:11:58,720 for the child within her has been conceived 269 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,920 of the Holy Spirit and she will have a son 270 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,480 and you are to name him Jesus. 271 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:07,120 All of this happens to fulfill the Lord's message 272 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:08,000 through the prophet. 273 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,880 Look, the virgin will conceive a child, 274 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:22,880 she'll give birth to a son and he will be called Emmanuel. 275 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:23,920 There it is. 276 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:25,560 At that time, the Roman Emperor Augustus 277 00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:28,000 decreed that a census should be taken. 278 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,560 All returned to their towns to register for the census. 279 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,240 Joseph traveled to Nazareth and Galilee. 280 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:37,680 He took with him Mary, his fiance, 281 00:12:37,680 --> 00:12:39,720 who is obviously pregnant by this time, 282 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:42,160 while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 283 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,360 She gave birth to her first child, a son, 284 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,520 and wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth. 285 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:48,200 That night, some shepherds were in the fields 286 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:50,280 outside the village guarding their flocks of sheep. 287 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:52,640 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them 288 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:54,680 and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. 289 00:12:54,680 --> 00:12:55,320 Don't be afraid. 290 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:58,000 I bring you good news, a great joy for everyone. 291 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,920 The Savior, the Messiah, the Lord has been born tonight 292 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,840 and this is how you will recognize him. 293 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:04,960 You will find a baby lying in a manger 294 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,760 wrapped snugly in strips of cloth. 295 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,960 And the angel was joined by a host of others. 296 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:12,840 Glory to God in the highest heaven 297 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,480 and peace on earth to all whom God favors. 298 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:16,640 Praising God, they said. 299 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:23,840 And last, last of the story we get to hear about 300 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:28,760 the wise men who I love people are now beginning 301 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,440 to call the astronomers. 302 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,400 It's another dark moment for me, sorry. 303 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:37,840 Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. 304 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:39,920 About that time, some wise men from the eastern lands 305 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:41,840 arrived in Jerusalem asking, 306 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:43,800 where is the newborn King of the Jews? 307 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:45,600 We've seen his star as it arose 308 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:47,120 and we've come to worship him. 309 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:49,600 Herod was deeply disturbed. 310 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,640 Where did the prophets say the Messiah would be born? 311 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:52,680 He asked. 312 00:13:52,680 --> 00:13:55,600 In Bethlehem, they said, for this is what the prophet wrote. 313 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:58,720 Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah 314 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,320 for a ruler will come from you 315 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:03,640 who will be the shepherd for my people Israel. 316 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:08,640 And then it all ends nicely 317 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:14,720 and Mary treasures it all in her heart. 318 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:15,560 The end. 319 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,640 So Mary wasn't the only one. 320 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,720 Zechariah and Elizabeth also didn't know 321 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:24,120 how it was gonna end up. 322 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:28,040 When Gabriel came to Zechariah, Luke shares with us, 323 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:30,520 he was overwhelmed with fear 324 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:34,480 and to the message of God's archangel, his response was, 325 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:38,160 but how can I know it will happen? 326 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:41,180 And Mary, Luke shares with us 327 00:14:41,180 --> 00:14:43,760 that she was confused and disturbed. 328 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,920 And she said to the angel Gabriel, 329 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:48,320 but how can I have a baby? 330 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:51,120 Joseph too at first decided, 331 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:52,800 okay, I'm not gonna make a big deal. 332 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:54,920 We'll break it off quietly. 333 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:55,840 It's fine. 334 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:57,960 But the angel addressed his real feelings and said, 335 00:14:57,960 --> 00:14:59,400 do not be afraid. 336 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,780 Go ahead with your marriage to Mary. 337 00:15:01,780 --> 00:15:04,200 Even the shepherds were terribly frightened. 338 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,660 And then there's the astronomers, the wise men. 339 00:15:07,660 --> 00:15:10,000 They weren't filled with feelings of unsureness 340 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:11,880 or disbelief or fear or confusion, 341 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,400 but they were filled with big emotions of joy 342 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,620 and expectation when they saw the star. 343 00:15:18,060 --> 00:15:21,320 But they still had a question in need of answering. 344 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:24,100 Hey, where is the savior? 345 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:27,760 Every one of these characters, 346 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:31,300 they seem to have a few key things in common. 347 00:15:31,300 --> 00:15:36,300 For one, they all had big emotions regarding big questions. 348 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:42,620 And for two, they all had to just wait 349 00:15:42,620 --> 00:15:44,380 and hope it would work out. 350 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:51,100 So, Cynthia, your scripture reading was Isaiah nine. 351 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:53,240 It was about seeing lights where there's darkness 352 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,720 and the passionate commitment of the father 353 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:59,560 seeing that all things indeed guarantee a hope in the Messiah. 354 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:03,080 But now you just read a lot of Luke and a lot of Matthew. 355 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,240 I know, thanks for paying attention. 356 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:08,760 But stay with me. 357 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:12,120 Because here it is, the most beautiful, important, 358 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,440 third thing that all those people had in common 359 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:18,600 was that when they were presented with their trial 360 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:23,080 or their difficulty or quest even or command, 361 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:27,840 how can I even do that thing or hope? 362 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:32,720 They all had God's previously committed promise 363 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:34,880 and words to stand on. 364 00:16:36,340 --> 00:16:38,460 Isaiah nine said it, 365 00:16:38,460 --> 00:16:41,640 the passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty 366 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:43,460 will guarantee this. 367 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:46,680 To Zechariah, the angel said, 368 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:51,180 my words will certainly come true at the proper time. 369 00:16:51,180 --> 00:16:53,880 To Mary, the angel said, 370 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:57,000 God has decided to bless you, 371 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,640 for nothing is impossible with God. 372 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,700 To Joseph, the angel said, 373 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:06,320 all of this happens to fulfill the Lord's message. 374 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:09,920 The shepherds heard them say, 375 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:11,580 you will find him. 376 00:17:13,120 --> 00:17:16,740 And the wise men, a star will rise. 377 00:17:16,740 --> 00:17:20,660 O Bethlehem, a ruler will come from you. 378 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,500 All they could see was the star. 379 00:17:25,500 --> 00:17:28,060 They couldn't see the Savior. 380 00:17:28,060 --> 00:17:31,460 All Mary could see was her belly growing 381 00:17:31,460 --> 00:17:34,300 and she and Joseph couldn't see the Savior. 382 00:17:35,220 --> 00:17:39,300 The shepherds heard words, you will find him. 383 00:17:39,300 --> 00:17:44,000 But they hadn't yet ever seen or found the Savior. 384 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,900 Until they all did, 385 00:17:48,020 --> 00:17:51,420 because they all kept reminding themselves 386 00:17:51,420 --> 00:17:54,060 of the promises from their creator. 387 00:17:54,060 --> 00:17:55,900 That was how they held hope. 388 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:02,500 I think that's important. 389 00:18:02,500 --> 00:18:04,620 It's important to remember. 390 00:18:04,620 --> 00:18:07,620 And sometimes I wonder if there's a vision 391 00:18:10,140 --> 00:18:12,340 that you've forgotten in the darkness. 392 00:18:12,340 --> 00:18:15,040 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light, 393 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:17,320 a light that will shine on all who live in the land 394 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:19,660 where death casts its shadow. 395 00:18:19,660 --> 00:18:21,820 Is there a vision that you've forgotten 396 00:18:21,820 --> 00:18:23,040 because it's so dark? 397 00:18:25,340 --> 00:18:28,980 Liam, go ahead and show that first picture 398 00:18:28,980 --> 00:18:30,640 of the moon above the cottage. 399 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:36,220 This is a picture that I took at my friend's house. 400 00:18:36,220 --> 00:18:39,060 It's just a picture of her cottage 401 00:18:39,060 --> 00:18:40,540 and it was quaint and cute. 402 00:18:40,540 --> 00:18:42,240 I was there a couple of weeks ago. 403 00:18:44,700 --> 00:18:46,400 It looked cute when I was looking at it. 404 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:48,540 I was like the crescent moon above the thing 405 00:18:48,540 --> 00:18:50,100 and it was just really sweet. 406 00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:50,940 I love to go there. 407 00:18:50,940 --> 00:18:52,380 I have writing retreats there. 408 00:18:52,380 --> 00:18:53,820 It's a very special place to me. 409 00:18:53,820 --> 00:18:55,480 And so I was like, I just wanna capture this moment. 410 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:56,540 So I took a picture of it. 411 00:18:56,540 --> 00:18:58,140 It wasn't, it was, and I took the picture 412 00:18:58,140 --> 00:19:01,180 and I was like, oh, it doesn't look like that though. 413 00:19:01,180 --> 00:19:05,340 And I thought, well, what if I put my camera on night mode? 414 00:19:05,340 --> 00:19:06,300 Because you can do that. 415 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:07,380 That's so cool. 416 00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:08,700 So I put my camera on night mode. 417 00:19:08,700 --> 00:19:09,820 Liam, the next one. 418 00:19:09,820 --> 00:19:12,660 And so now, I don't know if you can see it. 419 00:19:12,660 --> 00:19:14,300 I was amazed. 420 00:19:14,300 --> 00:19:16,060 You can actually see, 421 00:19:16,060 --> 00:19:18,180 like there's a tiny little constellation 422 00:19:18,180 --> 00:19:20,900 to the bottom left corner of the moon 423 00:19:20,900 --> 00:19:24,340 and one in the like right side there. 424 00:19:24,340 --> 00:19:26,840 I mean, my eyeballs could not see that. 425 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:30,740 But my phone could in night mode. 426 00:19:30,740 --> 00:19:32,860 And astrophotography is that way as well. 427 00:19:32,860 --> 00:19:36,140 You can take a picture, time lapse it, 428 00:19:36,140 --> 00:19:39,520 and you get to see what the sky actually looks like. 429 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:41,580 Our human eyeballs don't see that. 430 00:19:41,580 --> 00:19:43,380 But my phone helped me see that. 431 00:19:43,380 --> 00:19:45,400 And so then I had this idea, 432 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:49,240 oh my gosh, if that's what that looks like, 433 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:53,120 what does the sky look like? 434 00:19:53,120 --> 00:19:56,240 And so it was cold and it had been raining, 435 00:19:56,240 --> 00:20:01,180 but I laid down on the ground and I put my phone up 436 00:20:01,180 --> 00:20:03,900 and I had it on night mode and I just took a picture. 437 00:20:03,900 --> 00:20:07,420 And what I was looking at with my eyes was not that. 438 00:20:07,420 --> 00:20:11,160 But that's what my phone could see. 439 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:14,920 And it was so beautiful to be laying there 440 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:19,080 and looking up with my eyes and just seeing some stars 441 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,320 that I could identify and I knew what they were. 442 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:23,560 But then to look at that image and know, 443 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:25,760 wait, but that's what's there. 444 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:27,820 That's what's there all the time. 445 00:20:27,820 --> 00:20:30,880 I just can't see it, but I can know that it's there. 446 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:33,960 I know that it's there and that's what it looks like. 447 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:36,560 And I laid there and I just started crying 448 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:40,520 and I actually said out loud, I didn't know. 449 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:42,220 I didn't know that that was there. 450 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:47,240 And so I just wonder if we're relying 451 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,520 on our human eyes too much sometimes. 452 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:54,120 Don't forget, just because you can't see it 453 00:20:54,120 --> 00:20:56,660 doesn't mean it's not there, right? 454 00:20:57,920 --> 00:20:59,100 I think that's an important thing 455 00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:03,040 that we can walk away with today for hope, right? 456 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:08,040 And or maybe even moving forward 457 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:11,320 in that Isaiah scripture that starts with 458 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,520 walking in the darkness and seeing a great light, 459 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:15,980 even though you can't see it, remembering it's there. 460 00:21:15,980 --> 00:21:18,160 But then also remembering the passionate commitment 461 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:20,900 of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this. 462 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:24,940 God's words are there for us. 463 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:30,600 And so I wonder if you could use that reminder of his words 464 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:33,100 or if you might be meant to be someone's reminder. 465 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:38,000 What's the truth that has been communicated 466 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:39,760 that's making your hope possible? 467 00:21:40,780 --> 00:21:42,760 Don't forget it. 468 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:46,040 Don't forget God's promise and truth. 469 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:48,840 Keep your heart and your eyes and spirit open 470 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:52,560 for opportunities to remind others of what is true 471 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:56,240 so that their hope can have a footing too. 472 00:21:57,560 --> 00:21:58,900 How can I know what will happen? 473 00:21:58,900 --> 00:22:01,780 Zechariah wanted to know his words will certainly come true 474 00:22:01,780 --> 00:22:03,080 at the proper time. 475 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:04,960 That's what he could remember. 476 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:07,060 You know, it's like a mantra. 477 00:22:07,060 --> 00:22:10,240 You can have a word from God that you can remember. 478 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,360 Mary, how can I have a baby? 479 00:22:12,360 --> 00:22:14,160 Nothing is impossible with God. 480 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:18,580 And because God's word, because of God's word, 481 00:22:18,580 --> 00:22:21,000 we all have those truths and those reassurances 482 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:22,720 and promises. 483 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:24,640 Don't forget, remind yourself this season 484 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:26,380 why you can have hope. 485 00:22:26,380 --> 00:22:30,680 But also don't forget that you can bring those words 486 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,780 to the ones who are having a hard time remembering. 487 00:22:33,780 --> 00:22:34,720 We've all been there. 488 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:37,760 Hope can be hard, especially when you have big questions 489 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:39,180 and big emotions about it. 490 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:43,200 I couldn't believe that this actually happened yesterday. 491 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:45,760 But yesterday, as Greg said, I had a really busy week. 492 00:22:45,760 --> 00:22:48,800 I was in Cedar Rapids and I dropped Adley off 493 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:50,580 for the afternoon Nutcracker performance 494 00:22:50,580 --> 00:22:53,400 and I went to Starbucks to finish this sermon. 495 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:57,160 And so I was sitting there writing a sermon about hope 496 00:22:57,160 --> 00:23:01,360 and I got up and I went to the bathroom. 497 00:23:01,360 --> 00:23:04,120 And I was in the bathroom and I started, I heard, 498 00:23:06,520 --> 00:23:08,480 and sometimes like, there's sniff. 499 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:09,480 Sometimes people sniff. 500 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:10,380 They do that, right? 501 00:23:10,380 --> 00:23:11,440 In the bathroom when it's all quiet 502 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,160 and you hear other people, and so they're sniffing a lot. 503 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:17,640 But then I realized there was like a rhythm to it, 504 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,120 some trembling breaths in between. 505 00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:23,480 And they were crying. 506 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:27,320 And so I prayed really quick, God give me wisdom. 507 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:29,000 Be here in this moment. 508 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:31,240 I said, can I help you in any way? 509 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:34,240 She said, I don't know, probably not. 510 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:37,560 And I wanted to make sure she was like physically okay. 511 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:40,080 I said, are you feeling sick right now? 512 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:41,280 No. 513 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:43,080 And then I heard myself saying, 514 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:44,940 how are you feeling right now? 515 00:23:44,940 --> 00:23:49,940 And she said, I feel depressed and hungry and hopeless. 516 00:23:56,500 --> 00:23:58,620 And I said, I'm so sorry. 517 00:23:58,620 --> 00:24:01,100 I'm so sorry you're feeling that right now. 518 00:24:01,100 --> 00:24:03,660 If you think you'd like to or could come out right now, 519 00:24:03,660 --> 00:24:06,220 if you're okay with it, like I could give you a hug 520 00:24:06,220 --> 00:24:08,180 or I'm here for you. 521 00:24:08,180 --> 00:24:10,460 I just want you to know it's gonna be okay. 522 00:24:10,460 --> 00:24:15,340 And she said, it's not gonna be okay. 523 00:24:15,340 --> 00:24:17,740 And so I told her, I've cried in the bathroom 524 00:24:17,740 --> 00:24:20,160 feeling depressed and hopeless before. 525 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:21,140 You're not alone. 526 00:24:22,540 --> 00:24:23,500 I wasn't gonna leave. 527 00:24:23,500 --> 00:24:24,700 I just knew I couldn't. 528 00:24:25,860 --> 00:24:28,060 I said, you said you felt hungry. 529 00:24:28,060 --> 00:24:31,140 I have a snack and a little bit of cash I could give you. 530 00:24:31,140 --> 00:24:33,060 Do you need a little money for food? 531 00:24:33,060 --> 00:24:34,020 And she said, yeah. 532 00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:36,260 She finally came out. 533 00:24:37,580 --> 00:24:40,020 And I told her, I said, I'm sorry 534 00:24:40,020 --> 00:24:42,560 that it's feeling so hard right now. 535 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:44,820 I'm sorry you feel hopeless and depressed. 536 00:24:44,820 --> 00:24:46,380 I know those feelings. 537 00:24:46,380 --> 00:24:49,180 And then I heard myself saying, but listen, 538 00:24:49,180 --> 00:24:51,040 you're not forgotten. 539 00:24:51,040 --> 00:24:52,460 You matter. 540 00:24:52,460 --> 00:24:53,540 You're not alone. 541 00:24:54,420 --> 00:24:55,380 You're loved. 542 00:24:55,380 --> 00:24:59,340 Even when you feel alone and forgotten, you're not. 543 00:24:59,340 --> 00:25:00,540 Not really. 544 00:25:00,540 --> 00:25:03,460 You're loved and you were created with a purpose 545 00:25:03,460 --> 00:25:04,920 and you matter. 546 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:05,760 What's your name? 547 00:25:06,680 --> 00:25:07,780 Heather. 548 00:25:07,780 --> 00:25:09,840 I said, Heather, you're not forgotten. 549 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,260 You're loved and you matter. 550 00:25:12,260 --> 00:25:14,260 And she started to get more emotional. 551 00:25:15,340 --> 00:25:17,700 I heard myself saying, I'm proud of you 552 00:25:17,700 --> 00:25:20,000 for managing as far as you have. 553 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:22,020 I'm proud of you that you're here today, 554 00:25:22,020 --> 00:25:24,540 even though it's hard and you're feeling so sad. 555 00:25:24,540 --> 00:25:25,460 Here you are. 556 00:25:25,460 --> 00:25:30,460 That's something that sometimes is the win for the day. 557 00:25:30,580 --> 00:25:32,860 But it won't always be like this. 558 00:25:32,860 --> 00:25:34,340 There's always good people looking out 559 00:25:34,340 --> 00:25:36,100 and it's gonna be okay. 560 00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:37,920 It's gonna be okay, Heather. 561 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:40,340 Don't forget, you're loved and you matter 562 00:25:40,340 --> 00:25:42,040 and you're not alone or forgotten. 563 00:25:44,940 --> 00:25:47,140 I heard myself saying those words to her 564 00:25:48,420 --> 00:25:53,420 and I knew that those, that was truth for her. 565 00:25:53,740 --> 00:25:55,660 Those were my words that I was saying to her, 566 00:25:55,660 --> 00:25:57,340 but they weren't my words. 567 00:25:57,340 --> 00:26:00,860 They weren't just my words, my truth, my promise. 568 00:26:00,860 --> 00:26:05,860 That was God reminding her of the truth, the promise. 569 00:26:05,860 --> 00:26:08,260 What's real, right? 570 00:26:08,260 --> 00:26:12,740 And so hope, waiting with expectation and anticipation 571 00:26:12,740 --> 00:26:14,820 can be difficult and uncomfortable, but don't forget, 572 00:26:14,820 --> 00:26:17,000 we can keep hoping. 573 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:23,280 God has words for us and we might have words for others. 574 00:26:24,980 --> 00:26:27,940 So Mary and Joseph couldn't see Jesus yet. 575 00:26:27,940 --> 00:26:29,860 The wise men hadn't seen Jesus yet. 576 00:26:29,860 --> 00:26:32,060 The shepherds hadn't seen Jesus, 577 00:26:32,060 --> 00:26:34,620 but they received a message, a promise, 578 00:26:34,620 --> 00:26:37,340 a truth to cherish in their hearts 579 00:26:37,340 --> 00:26:38,820 and that's how God does it. 580 00:26:39,700 --> 00:26:42,220 That's how hope happens. 581 00:26:42,220 --> 00:26:44,240 That's how you can have hope 582 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:48,220 and offer hope this Advent season and always. 583 00:26:48,220 --> 00:27:03,220 Amen.