Friday’s thoughts
December 23rd I’m going to include some preliminary thoughts about the sermon for Christmas Eve, December 24th. The title of the sermon is, “The Fight on the Night He Was Born”
This sermon was inspired by something I had known about the name of the town Bethlehem. One of the translations of the town Bethlehem is “House of Chaos/Fighting”. It is important for us to remember that there were conflicts going on at the time of Jesus birth. There were wars and people were fighting and dying. It was a terrifying time to live. Into that setting comes one we call “The Prince of Peace”. The fighting and chaos are part of the story. The fighting carried through years of struggle and misunderstanding, and it is clear that there was little recognition of the birth of one who would have the words and the Word that could end all fighting and could restore order to a world in chaos.
The implications for us are massive. If we concentrate on the mainstream of things we will become pretty discouraged. However, once we begin to look off into the margins of life we find people trying to confront the chaos and to bring peace and calm to the perpetual conflicts. The sermon will look at the ways in which God comes to us, not in the middle of things, but off to the side. The sermon will raise questions about how we might participate in the “peace-making”.
Christmas Eve Schudule
3:00 Children’s Service Sermon “The Give Away” Joel Kershaw
5:00 & 7:00 Traditional Worship Service with Sanctuary Choir and Special Music Sermon: “What Color Were the Swaddling Clothes”
Charles Schuster
8:30 - 10:30 Communion available in the Chapel
11:00 Midnight Worship Sermon: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
David Dalke
Christmas Eve Sermon
The title of the sermon is “What Colors Were the Swaddling Clothes?”
In the research on the subject I have discovered some facts that are new and interesting to me. It was tradition to “swaddle” babies (to wrap them up with strips of cloth and to salt their bodies). It made them feel safe and secure.
In thinking about the “swaddling clothes” and in speculating on the color it seems to me the color of the swaddling clothes is the color of love. The question is “what is the color of love?”
Two Questions:
1. How does Jesus’ birth confront the chaos of our world?
2. What is the color of love?
If you have some ideas on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. Click on the blank space and the email address will appear.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
