Sermon Reflections and More!
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The Fourth Sunday in Advent December 20, 2015

This Weekend's Readings (click each reading to view the passage)

Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

Pr. Christine's Sermon: What to Expect When God's the Father

Children's Sermon: What Does Mary Look Like?

Youth Bell Choir - Advent Anthems

Christmas Cantata - 2015

Christmas Pageant 2015 - 'Twas the Light Before Christmas

Sermon Notes from Pastor Christine...

When you're a girl or a young woman, the story of Mary and her divine pregnancy gets heard in a certain way. I'm not sure that how it's heard is really how it's told or even the intent, mind you, but for many girls (and probably boys too) a kind of awe, magic, and beauty gets wrapped around Mary.

I love that innocent memory.

I didn't know that Mary's story could be a heartbreaking one for those who never had children of their own, who had lost a child due to illness or other tragedy, or who had suffered miscarriages. I didn't know that while others were gleefully belting out 'Joy to the World' and welcoming the Christ child, there were others quietly (and guiltily) resenting his birth and the ridiculous ease with which Mary became pregnant.

I didn't know those things.

I know them now. And I can't unknow them. I can't hear the story the same way ever again. I wish I could, but one doesn't lose a baby and not know at a gut wrenching level that pregnancy and birthing are fraught with apprehension, complications, and fear. That life itself is a very, very fragile thing.

The underscored 'part' of Elizabeth now makes so much more sense to me now. I'm so glad she's in the story. Who knows how many years she and Zechariah tried to have children, who knows how many miscarriages and stillbirths she had, who knows how many dreams they buried?

History doesn't tell us that.

I'm guessing that she and Zechariah had stopped dreaming that dream long before she was unable physically to conceive, because at some point you just have to stop believing that you could be like all the other women around you.

It's too painful a dream.

In my younger, more na�ve days, I assumed Elizabeth was filled with joy and excitement that this gift had finally come to her and could hardly keep the secret to herself, but now I know better. It makes sense to me that Elizabeth wants nothing more than to keep this pregnancy secret.

We are told that she stays secluded for 5 months. Nobody else, save her husband, who is mute so he can definitely keep a secret, and the angel know her condition. If something goes wrong like every other time, she can quietly bear her pain and disappointment alone, and not have to endure the pity of her family and friends one more time.

Elizabeth knows there's more to the 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' book of life than people like to talk about. Elizabeth knows what real pregnancy holds. She knows that any pregnancy has the potential to birth life or death.

But then, as the months ticked by and the growing fetus sucked more and more of her energy and life, she had to be thinking, this whole pregnancy thing is made for younger, more vibrant bodies, maybe someone like her cousin Mary.

"What was I thinking? What was God thinking?" Pregnancy is not for the faint of heart.

But, unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Mary is pregnant too. Neither should be, but regardless the circumstance, they both find themselves with child. Mary and Elizabeth are surprising foils for one another - one informing the other. Elizabeth imparting wisdom and practicality; Mary reminding Elizabeth of innocence and possibility.

No matter the woman, there is a strange kind of submission which happens when one discovers she's pregnant. Even if the pregnancy is planned and wanted, she soon discovers that she's agreed to more than she planned. Her life and body no longer belong entirely to her, even in the first months, before anyone else knows of her condition, her hormones determine which foods she can eat and which foods might just induce vomiting.

Her freedom decreases as the baby increases. It becomes harder to walk, painful to sit, exhausting even to sleep. More and more of herself is released to the life which is growing inside her. And yet, this life doesn't really belong to her, but only belongs to itself. Or maybe to God.

As I said, pregnancy and all that it entails - from conception, to birthing, to raising - is not for the faint of heart.

No wonder Mary stayed for three months with Elizabeth. They hang onto each other for dear life, because life is about to change and it's all beyond their control. Because even though both of these hushed pregnancies would become scandalously public, they didn't have anyone else.

There was no excitement or baby showers for these two women. There was no "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book for Elizabeth and Mary to consult. And plus, from what I remember of the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book, there are no chapters entitled:

What To Do When God's the Father.

But maybe there should be. Because, this seems to be the problem.

The story of Mary and Elizabeth is one that proclaims, regardless of age or gender, regardless of status or race, we are all favored by God.

Apparently, anyone can become pregnant by God.

A barely pubescent virgin and a post-menopausal woman are only the beginning.

The 'What to Expect' book relays factual information, but it doesn't tell you this truth, whether you are Mary or Elizabeth, whether you are a man or a woman, whether you are ever called mom or dad...

In some very real ways we are all impregnated by God. This means you too men. Because hidden in the unlikeliest of places, God is growing the kingdom.

So, maybe a few chapter highlights from the much needed book, "What to Expect When God is the Father" are in order:

Morning Sickness

Don't be fooled by the title. When God is the Father, it's morning, afternoon, and evening sickness. And, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn't get progressively better as the months ticks on. No, when God is the Father, the pain and hurt of the world will make your stomach turn with waves of nauseousness throughout your life.

Cravings

No cravings for vanilla ice cream topped with pickles when God is the Father, but the cravings and desires are just as fierce. Impregnated with God's Spirit, you'll long for justice and peace and often go to great lengths to satisfy your obsession by uplifting the poor and downtrodden, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. Good news - these cravings often satiate morning sickness

Growing Pains

When God is the Father, it is not your belly which expands with each passing day, but rather your heart. This can be amazing! You'll most acutely feel the expanse within your chest cavity as your heart swells almost to capacity. Don't worry, the muscle is incredibly elastic and will not burst, despite the fact that it can also be downright painful. When God is the Father, your heart recognizes all as your brothers and sisters; all as your own children, even those with whom you fight, disagree, and hate. This heart expansion allows you to see more goodness in the world and in others than readily meets the eye.

Labor and Delivery

Unfortunately, in this regard the author can be of little help. When God is the Father, each person's labor and delivery is unique and specific to each pregnancy. Some birthings are very messy and painful; some are smooth and uncomplicated; some result in life and some in death, but rest assured that when God is the Father something beautiful always comes into being, even when it doesn't look that way. This is the gift of the resurrection and is covered in the subsequent book, "What to Expect at a Funeral God Runs".

What to expect when God's the Father? Anything and Everything.
And what does God expect of you? Anything and Everything.

Just as Mary and Elizabeth were transformed by their pregnancies and not merely vessels through which babies passed, so too are we.

Bearing life is fragile and unpredictable...maybe a part of the Christmas story we don't often talk about. But when we make room for God, He conceives Himself within us and it is then that we too experience the expectant kick of being close to the Spirit.

We learn that the love growing within us is the truest thing we know, the truest thing there is, and all else begins to fade away. Only God can say what this new thing, this new spirit forming inside of you will be...

Bearing God's child is not for the faint of heart but your very life depends upon it. Amen.