In the Gospel of John, the wonder of Christmas begins when God’s Word becomes flesh and lives among us, full of grace and truth. God’s desire to be our companion runs so deep that it involves God coming among us – being born a baby, growing up in a carpenter’s house, sharing the village dramas of Nazareth, facing challenges in ministry in Galilee, and eventually enduring betrayal and death in Jerusalem.

That is God in human form, in Jesus. That's what we call the incarnation. It is a life, as John says, that is the light of the world; in fact, John goes on to say that the world cannot put out such light. God has come to pitch his tent among us in our darkness and live with us. 

But let’s bring the lens closer. Let us also see that the light of God’s presence comes in a defenseless baby. If Jesus were simply a superhero, why would he need to undergo the trauma of birth at all? You would think that he would just show up fully grown in Galilee, good to go. 

And yet, God doesn’t work that way. God comes into the world differently: God comes in the flesh as the most vulnerable person imaginable, a baby – all at the mercy of inexperienced parents, clumsy animals, dangerous buildings, and hostile rulers. How much more vulnerable can you get?

There were a hundred ways the birth of Jesus could have gone wrong. That is to say, if this is God’s masterplan to fix the world and set it to the right, you have got to say the risk register on this one is bursting.

The life of God in Jesus is the light of the world revealed in a vulnerable baby. On Christmas, we realize once again how far God will go to stoop to save us. Love in human form. Merry Christmas!

Pastor Andy Kinsey

It wasn’t the rich, the educated, or the powerful.  It was the most religious, most talented, or most popular.  Who was it that carried that first torch ablaze with good news?   It was a band of rag tag shepherds.  Shepherds.

They were disrespected, disregarded, and dismissed.  They lived outdoors, with the animals   They traveled often, moving from place to place to keep the animals fed.  They were not welcome in most circles.  They were the poorest of the poor.    They were often broke, dirty, and smelled like the animals they cared for.  They lived in the margins of society, carrying labels like “other,” “outcast,” and “stranger,” and even “crook.” 

It was to this group the angels spoke and ignited a fire of curiosity, hope, and purpose within their hearts.  It was to this group, that the good news of Jesus’ birth and the great joy of his promises fulfilled were first delivered, and it was this group that upon seeing the baby Jesus, went out and told the story - spread the light to those they met.   

This is a story of expectations, standards, and assumptions turned upside down.  When those who think they know, simply don’t.  This is the story of God’s love illuminating the darkness experienced by all those who felt cast out, pushed aside, judged, and ignored.  In the midst of struggle, hardship, oppression, division, and pain, God’s love comes.  In times of uncertainty, tension, and tragedy, god’s love comes.  When we are hurting, overwhelmed, or in some way, lost, God’s love comes. That is the good news.  That is the call of Christmas; to keep trusting - keep believing that the light of Christ shines in the darkness.  

It is to us, shepherds, in all our worry, fear, and turmoil; in all our messiness, grief, and division; it is to us who live in the margins, those who are alone, and those labeled “other.” It is for those who face uncertainty, devastation, and loss.  You.  Me.  We.  All are given the light of the shepherds to show us the way on our advent journey. 

This third weekend is about realizing we stand in a long line of storytellers.  Angels.  Prophets.  Shepherds.  Inn keepers.  Wise ones.  Children.  Young.  Old.  
May we always remember, there is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small flame.  Amen

Prayer - 
Like the candles lit before us, may your light break forth into our lives once more, in a new way, or perhaps even for the first time.  May your light shine love where there is hate.  Illumine hope where there is despair.  Radiate peace where there is chaos.  Pour out your comfort where there is pain.  May your life-giving story continue to shed it’s rays into the dark places of our lives, giving us courage to walk on through the shadows, strength to look forward through the clouds, and faith to trust you with each step.  May that same light penetrate the dark places of our world, bringing understanding, compassion, and kindness that we might know, experience, and participate in your kingdom here on earth.  In the name of Jesus, the Light, Amen. 

Pastor Jenothy Irvine

The prophet Micah, if you will recall, was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea. He was active in his ministry in a village southwest of Jerusalem, near Gaza. It would be easy to discount Micah as a country bumpkin or a small-town minister, but we can’t, as his message was very much in keeping with his compatriots in the capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah was seeing what the other prophets were seeing – rulers who were out of touch and very much out only for themselves. 
 
This is part of the longing in Micah’s words in Chapter 5: of seeking a ruler who will not only bring peace, but who will be Peace – a shepherd who will be able to gather a divided people and work to disarm the nations, who will challenge the inhabitants of the land to walk humbly and love mercy and do justice (6:8).

This leader would not just be anyone, but a person whose particular history and birth would remind Israel and the world that the God of Jacob keeps his promises, and that God does his best work among lowly people in unexpected places, that God has a way of revealing light where we see only darkness.
 
Remember that Bethlehem in Micah’s (and Jesus’) day was really nothing more than a small collection of shepherd outposts. It was off the beaten path, hardly the center of anything; just the opposite of Jerusalem, where God was believed to dwell, and power was held. 

Micah's message was ultimately a message of hope: he was sharing about the One who is to come who will unite and bring together his people. He will share peace and security in God's name and offer mercy and forgiveness to all who will seek him. May it be so.

Pastor Andy Kinsey