Getting closer to the story

(This week was our annual Christmas play and we used the congregational play the ABCs of Christmas again, with some very small edits. Worship planners felt it was important to read one of the lectionary passages and for me to give a message about joy, considering all that is anticipated in the New Year. So I kept it brief because 'the play's the thing'.)

Philippians 4: 4-7
New Ark United Church of Christ, Newark, DE
December 15, 2024

Photo of a refugee family walking, carrying shopping bags with belongings. A tall man with dark hair and a beard carries a child on his shoulders. A woman wearing a hijab and scarf walks behind them. The caption reads "every day somewhere in the world the nativity scene is alive".

Last week I got political with my sermon once again. It’s hard not to, actually. From one end to the other, the Bible is a treatise against empire and corrupt power. In biblical terms, being political means being concerned about the needs and the justice of the people, especially the oppressed and marginalized. The Bible wasn’t written for people like me but for those that empire tramples on. If being political in church is offensive, then we need to ask ourselves who is the Jesus we follow? Both Jesus and John the Baptist were executed by those loyal to the Roman Empire because they dared to be political with what they had to say about God and who God favors.

The apostle Paul was also an enemy of the Roman Empire because of his preaching and teaching, the content of which undermined loyalty to imperial hierarchy and authority. When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi, he was writing from prison, and yet this letter is his happiest one. Of all the churches Paul initiated, this one was his favorite. He opens with these words: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you…”.



His joy can hardly be contained, not even by imprisonment. He writes, “As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work to do.” And there is never a shortage of good work to do with those whom empire steps on. But how does one remain joyful, how does one choose goodness even when life is hard?



Last week I also said that I think those of us with privilege who do care are about to find out what it’s like to live as exiles in our own country, like the millions of already oppressed people. Ironically, as we hear of threats of future mass deportations and transgender youth and adults fearful for their safety in their own country, we are getting closer to the story of Christmas and the gospels. How to have joy, peace, hope, and love in the shadow of empire. These Advent words have been domesticated and homogenized into something less than the very real power they possess.



A joyful, peace-filled, hopeful people who love their neighbors and their enemies are free. They cannot be controlled or made to be fearful. They do not obey in advance. They do not give up. They do not stand for injustice. They do not put their trust in money or powers or institutions but in people. They know that so long as they are alive in a body, there is good work to be done.



As I was writing this, I tried to think of what it is that brings me joy, and it all came down to love. Love gives me joy. The whole point of being alive in body is to love and be loved. We can’t be loved any more than we already are because God’s love for us is unlimited. There’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love because it is unmerited. There is no end to God’s love for us because it is unconditional.



We can love extravagantly because we are loved extravagantly. There are days and there will more of them when we may not be sure if this is true.

But when we get closer to living the story,

the story that says that those who hunger and thirst for justice will be filled,

the story that says that the incarcerated, the sick and hungry, the unclothed and unhoused, and the stranger matter more than the rich and powerful,

the story that says empire and might will fall and love will triumph,

the closer we are to God,

the closer we are to joy.

Amen.

Benediction – enfleshed.com

Go forth—yes, even amidst the sorrow of the world—making a way for joy.

For the Holy lives in the deep blue of the night and the shimmering of the star.

Go with God—our Accomplice, our Delight, our Hope.