091220a

Micha 5:2-5a

Hebrews 10:5-10     

Luke 1:39-45(46-55)

From those readings today we really should know it’s now Advent, the beginning of the new year for the church, with pronouncements of what is to come and I have no doubt that you noticed that there are elements of prophecy in each of the readings we’ve just heard.

Micha predicted that from the small town of Bethlehem, one of the smallest towns in Judah, a great ruler will come, at which time the people living in exile would return to their land.

Hebrews;  Here, the writer points out the flaws in the Jewish Law which required sacrifices and burnt offerings as atonement for sin. He points out that God neither wanted, nor was pleased with, such offerings of burnt animals on the altar and makes the very pertinent point that if the people were really purified by those sacrifices, why was it necessary to repeat them year after year?    In reality those sacrifices only served to constantly remind them of their sins, hence, God’s supreme gift to mankind - to all of us - His Son, Jesus Christ who was brought into this world to live among us, live as one of us, and to die for us.  He was chosen for, and he accepted, that supreme, ultimate sacrifice anyone could make in order to save others.  He gave his life for our perpetual forgiveness - and all we have to do is to acknowledge our wrong-doings, repent and accept Christ as our Saviour.  By those simple acts on our part we are forgiven - and it’s forgotten!  Something most of us have yet to learn how to do completely, - forgive and forget!

Luke - Mary’s been visited by the angel who had told her she was to bear a son.  The angel also tells her that her son will be known as the son of the Most High God, which must have been rather difficult to grasp, initially, bearing in mind that Mary was only about 16 years old.  Then, when she visits Elizabeth, who also is pregnant, Elizabeth is astute enough to reads the signs of great things to come, beacause even before Mary has told her about her experience with the angel. Elizabeth’s baby moved in such a way that she knew the Holy Spirit was with her, as well as Mary, and that Mary’s baby was a truly special and blessed baby.  To quote from the reading, (Luke 1: 44) “For as soon as I heard your greeting the baby within me jumped with gladness.  How happy you are to believe that the Lord’s message to you will come true.”   That’s a very different translation from the King James version, or other earlier versions, because the word “happy” has replaced the word “blessed” and “happy”, in my opinion, just doesn’t indicate the same meaning as the earlier translation.   I think the words attributed to Elizabeth in earlier translations are much more meaningful; “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”   I’m sure they were both happy to be having a child but I’m also sure that they both felt truly blessed; Elizabeth, because of her somewhat “senior” years and thinking she would never conceive, but for Mary there was a very special blessing.  She was the vessel of God’s special blessing for all mankind, and that’s the reason we too should feel not only happy at this time but also truly blessed.

 Mary’s response was to praise God in the words we now know as “Mary’s Song” or “The Magnificat,” the words of which I read as aprt of the Gospel reading.   It is a beautiful song used from time to time within our Liturgies. ( I think the choir will be singing it during our communion so if you want to follow the words you’ll find them on page 93 of our prayer book.)

While still talking about Mary, I have to say how disappointed I am that an Anglican church - or any Christian church for that matter - would display a picture with a caption such as the one put up by St.Matthew’s in the City in Auckland.  I find it offensive, in extremely poor taste - “tacky” is one word that comes to my mind - and verging on blasphemy. 

So, here we are on the fourth Sunday of Advent with only five days to go before Christ’s birthday, the special day we can really celebrate the first coming of our Saviour, and what a joyous day that will be, although I have to say that there’s no truer saying than “anticipation is half the enjoyment.”

The service this evening of Nine Lessons and Carols is another part of that anticipation which I personally get tremendous pleasure from, as I’m sure you will too,  assuming you decide to be here and be part of the Advent story and sing your heart out.

The lighting of the candles of the Advent wreath each week has reinforced the Advent story and each week we have had a brief  description of the symbolism of each candle and I want to again briefly repeat what they represent;

The first candle reminds us that we are waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus.

God kept His word to Abraham and his faithful people at the first coming and He will keep His promise again at the second coming.  May we all be faithful and prepared.

The second candle reminds us of the Old Testament prophets who all foretold the coming of the Messiah, the Christ Jesus.  The accuracy of their prophecies still amazes me.

The third candle is to remind us of John the Baptist who prepared the way, calling us to repentance and be washed clean by Baptism.  May we continue to hear his call to repentance and be washed clean by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Today we lit the fourth candle to remind us of Mary - how she responded faithfully to God’s call to be the Mother of Jesus.    May we also, like Mary, be faithful to God’s call and, through His Holy Spirit allow him to use us as His servants, serving him with true faithfulness, humility and love.

Today we can say what many of us at some time have probably told our children; “only five more sleeps to Christmas,” - five more nights before lighting that final candle, that bright light in the middle of our Advent wreath; in the middle of our lives and, hopefully, in the middle of our hearts.

I pray that all believers throughout the world will experience the true meaning, the true blessing of Christmas 2009.   I also pray that God’s love will fill every heart and the world will know the full meaning of His gift to us.

May  you all have a happy and blessed Christmas.

Amen.