Merry Christmas to you all! We did it! We’re here! What a lovely night, what a special occasion to come together with family and friends to hear the story told once again, to listen to the readings from scripture and sing the Christmas carols. Welcome, welcome, one and all. It is a joy to be together with you this night, THE NIGHT, the night when we recognize and remember the coming into the world of a little baby born in Bethlehem. The angels brought the good news to shepherds watching over their flocks in the field by night, and this good news echoes throughout time to us on this night.
A Rose By Any Other Name? A Reflection of the Feast of the Holy Name
The second thing we are commemorating on this day is an idea, a concept about names. When you make a Feast Day for a name, it suggests that names matter. “What’s in a name”, Juliet said from the balcony. “That which we call a rose by any other name would be as sweet,” suggesting that names do not matter. But of course the rest of Shakespeare’s play reminds us that names very much do matter, with rather tragic consequences sometimes when we ignore the importance and the power of a name.
Christmas Eve Sermon
At the Threshold
We are at the threshold of a new year, at the beginning of something new. We also sense that we are at the threshold of a new world. It’s not just a new year, it’s a new era. And we are filled with trepidation.
The story of the epiphany is a threshold story. King Herod hears that the wise ones from the East have seen a new star rising, the star of the Messiah. Herod hears this and he is frightened, he is greatly disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him. And we know from history, that when Herod was disturbed, he was dangerous. He killed all the innocents in an attempt to kill Jesus.
Listen to or read Christine’s entire sermon by clicking “Read More.”
The Closeness of God
In Jesus, we learn what God is thinking. As we remember Jesus's story, we remember that God cares about justice, and God cares about mercy and compassion, and God cares about grace. We learned that God isn't just interested with the rich and the powerful, but God is close to those that we sinfully dispose of and push to the margins. God cares about them and God gets close to them.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the Sunday after Christmas by clicking “Read More.”
A Perfectly Imperfect Christmas
Merry Christmas! Our Advent journey has come to its end. We have arrived in Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph to welcome the birth of their son Jesus. Like the Shepherds, we have come to the manger to see this thing that has taken place. Whatever preparations we need to get done during Advent in order to celebrate Christmas--time's up. It's here. What has been done has been done, what has not been done has not been done. It's time to let it all go and simply savor this moment.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for Christmas Eve 2021 by clicking “Read More.”
Join the Magi
“The Magi are on the move. Today is the 10th day of Christmas, and the Magi continue their journey to Bethlehem. In my creche collection that I told you about and shared with you on Christmas Eve, about 15 of them include Magi. The Magi spend most of the Advent and Christmas seasons journeying around the house, searching for their respective creche scenes in the living room. A few of the toy ones peel off from the caravan from time to time, but most of them stay together as a group. There are a dozen groups right here on my bookshelf. They have made quite the detour to join us for today’s sermon. The Magi will return to their appropriate creches on Wednesday, January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, the day we commemorate and celebrate their arrival. Our American tradition is that the stockings and the presents come on Christmas Day from Santa. But that is not a worldwide phenomenon, even among Christians.”
Click “Read More” to read or listen to Bingham’s entire sermon for the Second Sunday after Christmas.
