Friday’s thoughts
In the 9th Chapter of Isaiah we hear the ancient prophet reminding his people for his day that there was hope on the horizon. It was a word to the people prior to the Exile. In one of darkest times and the people were reminded, “For unto us a child is born”.
The prophet was suggesting that in a period of months the Exile would end. It would be in the length of time it takes from conception to delivery a child would be born to us and, in that, there was hope.
The birth narratives pick up that theme and remind us of the birth of “the child” who, for us, is the Christ Child.
In the sermon I am exploring the way in which “a child” influences us and am suggesting two things:
1. A child has the capacity to lift us up when we’re down. A child can remind us that we are God’s children. We are people of worth. We are precious. Sometimes we do not feel our worth. Sometimes we lose sight of our importance and we degrade our value. A child will look at us with a “child-like” trust. We are important in the eyes of a child. In the Christmas story God comes to us in the form of a child to lift us up when we are down.
2. A child also has the capacity to give us perspective when we lose our balance. I child will bring us down to earth when we become “high and lifted up”. A child will remind us that we are all children of God. We are to care for the children of the world, and to be in a caring relationship with the world. Children do not understand war, or hatred, or greed. They stand with us, and bring us down to earth when we think ourselves too important or when we tend to overlook others who are in need of care or concern.
The Christ Child is prototypical of the concern of God who wants us to know we are God’s children.
This Christmas let us be open to the joy of “the birth of the child” in us. When we are down and out may we be lifted up. When we are high and mighty may we be brought back down to earth.
What influence has a child ever had on your life?
How will Christmas bring joy into your world?
It is “Joy to the World” and it comes to us through a child.
If you have thoughts on this and would like others to read them respond where it says “comments”. If you’d like to communicate with me directly write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
