Claimed, gathered and sent

  This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy Lutheran Church on Christmas Eve. The text was Luke 2:1-20.  We gather to proclaim the coming of the light. In this familiar account of Jesus’ birth, the eveningsky is bright with the heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the highest.” Amid our broken world,we proclaim that the prince of peace is born among us. (Sundaysandseasons.com). Keeping a distraught family together, struggling to get a job, and worrying about a loved one serving overseas are some of the things that we have to do after all the shopping, cleaning, cooking, and preparing. The short, simple, peaceful word that we are of infinite value and worth to God is perhaps just what we need to hear this morning. We long and hope that God will counter the challenges of our lives and our world. We look to One who claims us from marginal lives and engages us in this story of hope and promise. In Bethlehem, God reveals his power in weakness and the people who count include...

This is the sermon I preached on Christmas Eve at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The text was Luke 2:1-20. On a long winter evening, we gather to proclaim the coming of the light. Isaiah announces that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Paul reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. In this familiar account of Jesus’ birth, the evening sky is bright with the heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the highest.” Amid our broken world, we proclaim that the prince of peace is born among us. (Sundaysandseasons). After all the shopping, cleaning, cooking and preparing and after trying to make ends meet; keeping a distraught family together, struggling to get a job and worrying about a loved one serving overseas—after all the stuff that makes our lives crazy—the short, simple, peaceful word that we are of infinite value and worth to God is perhaps just what we need to hear tonight. We long and hope that God will counter the ch...