Sunday, December 17, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28

Always rejoice.

The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because it focuses on joy. “Gaudete” means rejoice. Our scriptures for today speak of joy. In Isaiah, the people rejoice about the good things God has done. The psalmist sings about God restoring the fortunes of His people. Paul encourages the Christians to always rejoice. John the Baptist brings Good News.

We get confused, though, because we live in this time when joy or happiness is tied so closely to physical and material things. We talk about the joy of the season, and we do what we can to create that joy, but we often fail. Unfortunately, there are many people who are dealing with troubles that make joy the last thing on their mind. They are worried about how they are going to pay the bills, whether they will have enough money to pay the rent so that they will have a roof over their head. They know that there will be no money for Christmas presents and that their kids will have to settle for baloney sandwiches rather than a meal with roast turkey and all the fixings. They aren’t planning parties; they are praying for a warm winter so that they don’t have to turn up the heat. And though most of us aren’t dealing with those problems, we have our own worries and frustrations.

Others are dealing with illness or loneliness. This is the first Christmas that many will spend without a parent or spouse. Mothers will mourn over the children that died in infancy. Terminally ill patients often linger through the holidays to spend one last Christmas with those they love, and their families face the reality that they will be gone soon. Some people have had to move too far from family and do not have the money to go home for the holidays, or their jobs do not allow them the time for a vacation. They will be alone for the holiday, struggling to find joy.

Most of us are probably not facing such desperate times, but the words of Paul in today’s epistle text really strike us as impossible. I’m a pretty happy person, and not giddily happy, but content, and yet I have moments when I have difficulty finding joy. I get angry and I’ve been hurt by those I loved. I have been so sick with a cold or flu that I was sure I would not live to see another day. I’ve worried about how to pay my bills and missed people who are far away on earth and in heaven. I can’t be joyful all the time. Paul writes, “Rejoice always.” How is that even possible? We have good times, and we have bad times. Even Jesus wept; it is foolish and unhealthy to ignore those feelings. Sorrow is a natural part of life and can offer healing and growth.

I found a meme the other day about how a mom might answer the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” The answer was real and heartfelt. “I want you to keep coming around. I want you to ask me questions. Ask my advice. Tell me your problems. Ask for my opinion. As for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life. Whatever. Tell me about your job. Your worries. Your classes. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me or laugh at me. I don’t care, hearing you laugh is music to me. I want you to spend your money making a better life for you. I have the things I need. I want to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas I say ‘Nothing’ because you’ve already been giving me my gift all year. I want you.”

I liked this meme because it is true. I don’t need anything. I’ve had some tough news this year, I’ve lost some good friends. I’ve realized I don’t need so many things, especially since my kids don’t want most of my dust-catchers. I can’t think of anything, especially in an appropriate price range. I love the gifts my children give me, but do I really need another... anything?

I know, however, that gift giving is truly a part of the Christmas spirit, and it can bring as much joy to the giver as it gives the receiver, even if it is something that comes from a wish list. I try hard to think of something so that they can have a small gift for me under the tree; I don’t want them to ever to celebrate Christmas begrudgingly. I want them to find the joy that I have always known in giving and receiving at Christmas.

There was once a Christmas episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Raymond and his brother Robert were planning a weekend trip to play golf, but Raymond had to convince his wife Debra to let him go. He decided the best way to do so was to make her very happy and then ask her when she was in a good mood. If she was happy, she would surely want him to be happy. Christmas Day was the perfect opportunity. Robert happened to walk in a room when Debra was wrapping a tie. It was for Robert, but Debra lied and said that it was for Raymond. Robert excitedly told Ray about the gift, and so Ray chose a present for Debra that would be better than an ugly tie. It was a nice gift, two actually. Debra was thrilled when she opened them; they brought her joy because it was what she really wanted. Then she gave Robert his present: the tie. The men were shocked. Debra admitted her lie and then brought Ray his gift: a DVD player and a bunch of movies. Ray was disappointed because he thought he had to buy something worth more money than what she bought him to make her happy. Sadly, he missed her joy. He was sad because he was happy about his gift, too.

Isn’t it silly how caught up we get in the Christmas present race? We buy too many gifts out of duty or because we are using them to get something for ourselves. I am always surprised when I see commercials for car dealers at Christmas. Are people really buying cars to put under the tree? Some car dealers even offer big red bows! We are so busy spending money and buying for everyone for all the wrong reasons. We are so concerned about giving something, anything, that sometimes we don’t even bother buying a present. We buy gift cards. And while we might be purposeful in choosing the store, what point is there in giving a gift card to someone who will probably just give us a gift card back. That’s not much different than just handing each other twenty-dollar bills.

This isn’t about the usual question whether or not Christmas has gotten too commercial, though that can definitely be a problem. There is one commercial on television that drives me crazy. A woman approaches her husband and puts too fitness watches on the counter. “I bought one for both of us for Christmas.” The man says, “I bought something for both of us, too.” He directs her outside where there are two brand new vehicles in the driveway. I can’t imagine buying one car, let alone two cars, for Christmas. Yet, the world tries to make us feel guilty if we don’t spend enough money on those we love. We don’t have to feel guilty; we need to remember to approach the season with the right attitude.

We are right to consider how Christmas has become too commercial and the misplaced focus on the day. Every year people talk about how they are going to cut back so that they can center on the real reason for the season: Jesus. But gift-giving is very much a part of Christmas. The first - and most important - gift is Jesus Christ, born for our sake and salvation. The nativity story has examples of gift giving. Many Christmas legends are about simple but heart-felt gifts. Gift giving is a part of the ministry of Jesus and the early church. Consider the woman with the alabaster jar of perfume, Barnabas who gave the profit from the sale of property to the Apostles, and Dorcus who gave handmade robes and clothes to the poor. Our problem is not gift-giving, but our motivation.

We are reminded that the type of gifts that God gave were not material. In this passage from Isaiah, we see the miraculous things God has done. Jesus came to accomplish these promises for His people. Jesus came to preach good tidings to those humble enough to listen. The Gospel is the greatest gift because it is eternal life for those who believe. Jesus healed the sick, but dis-ease is more than just physical health. Jesus heals our bodies and our souls. Jesus freed those who were imprisoned, not just behind bars of iron but even more so those trapped by sin and death. Jesus brought grace. He comforted those who mourn. He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and feet to the lame.

We may not be able to give physical healing to the people suffering in this world, but we can share Jesus. And we can consider our gifts more carefully. Instead of trying to get a gift that will serve our purpose, whether it is duty or because we want something in exchange, let us look more closely at those to whom we wish to give ourselves, that we might touch their hearts honestly and deeply, so that they will truly be happy. Let us give ourselves to those we love.

A police officer died in the line of duty. It was a tragic story. Policemen from around the nation came to the funeral along with friends and dignitaries from the town. There were many tears as people grieved his loss. Though she was grieving, the man’s wife also wanted the funeral to be a celebration of his life. She had a band playing music while everyone gathered to share their stories. Through the tears there was laughter as they remembered the things that made him loved and loveable. Some were bothered by the rock music and party-like atmosphere; they thought it was disrespectful to have laughing at such a tragic event. However, many appreciated the focus on life rather than death, on hope rather than despair.

God has a sense of humor. Jesus often joked when he preached about God’s Kingdom, though often the humor is lost in our modern point of view. Jesus and the disciples are often found around a table with a meal. These were social events with friends. I’m sure they often laughed and enjoyed each other’s company.

There are several places in the scriptures that suggest that in our sin we should not laugh, but rather mourn. In Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 we hear, “Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” Laughter is seen in a negative light, which means many to take life too seriously. However, we also hear about the joy that comes from God’s gifts. Miriam danced when the Israelites made it across the Red Sea. David danced as he led the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. It is very difficult to dance in celebration and joy without laughing!

It is said that laughter is the best medicine. I think that may be true, but even more so, joyful laughter shows the world the condition of your heart. Joy comes from God, and when we know He loves us, we feel the joy of His salvation. The people of God had been through tough times. They were returning to their home after exile, a home that needed to be rebuilt after tragic destruction. But they rejoiced because they remembered the saving grace of God rather than the heartache of the past. They looked to the future, to the chance to make a difference in their world. They remembered that they were God’s chosen people, and they laughed. They received His gift with joy, and when we know the joy of the Lord, it is impossible not to laugh. When we do, the world sees that God has done a great thing for us.

I can’t help but wonder what Paul was thinking when he wrote this guide of faithful and faith-filled living suggestions. “Always rejoice.” How is that possible? We have good times and we have bad times. Even Jesus wept; it is foolish and unhealthy to ignore the feelings of grief, doubt, anger, hurt, and frustration. Sorrow is a natural part of life and can offer healing and growth.

We wonder what was Paul thinking when he wrote “Rejoice always,” but the rest of the passage isn’t any easier. He wrote, “Pray without ceasing.” Paul must not have had a day job. How can we spend every minute of every day in prayer? Most of us have trouble coming up with five minutes to set aside to talk with our Father. Oh, many of us pray while we are doing other things. I like to pray while I’m driving and doing the dishes. But is it enough to chit chat with God while we are busy with other things? Don’t we get distracted by the other drivers on the road or that stubborn greasy stain on our pot?

“In everything give thanks.” Everything? Should I give thanks when the cats spit up hairballs on my newly cleaned carpet? How about when my checking account is near zero and I still have bills to pay? Should I be thankful when the storms flood my house or a drunk hits my car? How can I be thankful when I am afraid of what tomorrow holds?

“Don’t quench the Spirit,” Paul says. But do we really know when it is the Spirit talking? We are all dealing with the questions we face living in today’s world. Where do we go from here? Are those who want change speaking for the Spirit? Or is the Spirit speaking through those who believe that we should hold to traditional values? Is God speaking through that dirty, smelly stranger on the street corner preaching a message of repentance? Or is He speaking through the protesters who are marching on City Hall? Which message does He want us to hear? Should we allow those other voices to continue causing confusion in an already chaotic world?

“Don’t despise prophecies.” I have to admit that I find this one especially difficult because I have heard prophets that prophesy messages that fall far from God’s good and perfect word, and they love this text. Anyone who questions the authority of their words is labeled as an unbeliever and destined for hell. Paul says to “prove all things” and yet this is often difficult. How do we prove faith? How do we prove the things of faith when there is so much in the world seemingly disproves everything we believe?

“Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.” This sounds easy, and yet how often have we lost touch with the things that are really good? Even now, as we wander through Advent, are we really paying attention? We are spending so much of our time busy with Christmas preparations like shopping, decorating, baking and wrapping that we forget to spend time in prayer and thanksgiving. We are so worried about whether or not we have picked the perfect presents that we forget that God’s perfect gift of Jesus.

“Abstain from every form of evil.” This makes sense, and we try. But how many of us can honestly say that we can abstain from every form of evil, even for a day? Remembering, as so eloquently worded in Luther’s Small catechism, that every commandment is not only a message of what not to do, but what we should do to keep our neighbor from suffering. In other words, it is not enough to obey the ‘shall nots.’ We are expected to also do the things that will make life better for our neighbor. We shall not murder or endanger or harm our neighbors, but instead help and support our neighbors in all life’s needs. To keep food from the hungry is to do them harm.

Paul seems to ask too much of us. This is a great deal to ask of us, but there is comfort in this passage, the greatest comfort we can be given. Paul writes, “He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.” We cannot uphold all these expectations. We can’t rejoice always. We can’t pray without ceasing. We can’t, or don’t, give thanks in all circumstances. It is just beyond the ability of our flesh. We will doubt what we hear, and we should question every word, until we are sure that it comes from God. Our grasp is tenuous, and no matter how hard we try we will let go of what is good and we will fall into that which is evil. But through it all, the God who calls us is faithful and He will be with us. He will help us through. He will help us to rejoice, pray, give thanks, listen, accept, grasp, and abstain from evil. He will forgive us when we fail. He will give us another chance to live faithfully according to His Word.

Joy isn’t the same as happiness. The world tries to make us think that getting bigger and better presents will make us happy, but John the Baptist reminds us that we aren’t meant to be chasing happiness as our Advent journey leads us toward Christmas.

The people wanted to know John the Baptist. They wanted to know who he was and where he came from. They were so taken by his ministry that they even wondered if he was the one for whom they had been waiting. He quickly put that rumor to rest, saying that he was not the Christ. “Well,” the people asked, “if you aren’t the Messiah, are you Elijah? Elijah was expected to return to announce the coming of the Christ. As a matter of fact, the Jewish people are still looking for Elijah’s return. They set a place for him at their Seder tables and hope that he will come soon. It was natural for them to think that perhaps John the Baptist was Elijah. John said, “No.”

If John wasn’t the Christ and he wasn’t Elijah, then perhaps he was the Prophet. In this case they were referring to the prophet described in Deuteronomy 18:15, “Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.” John emphatically denied being this Prophet, too.

It is interesting that Jesus refers to John the Baptist as Elijah in Matthew’s gospel. He also fulfilled the description of the Prophet in Deuteronomy. John wasn’t being unduly humble by denying that he is either Elijah or the Prophet. Instead, John denied identification with those promises because he knew that the work of God’s kingdom that he has been sent to do has nothing to do with him. If he accepted the role of Elijah or the Prophet, the people would put too much authority and power into his hands, authority and power that was not his to have. He denied those roles because it was never about him. It was always about Jesus.

John’s task, besides preaching, was to baptize the people for the remittance of sin. The priests and Levites were offended by his boldness. Who was John to baptize? John answered that his baptism was nothing. “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know. He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.” The baptism to come would be far greater than anything John could do. Even now, though, John warned them that they would not even recognize the Messiah. The Messiah was in their midst. He was standing with them on that shore, and they did not know it.

John the Baptist knew that he was unworthy of the task to which he had been called. He did not want anyone to give him credit he was not due or a title which was not his. I wonder how often we get lost in despair and disappointment because we have tried to be something we are not. We see it at Christmastime as we struggle to do everything and be everything to everyone. In the midst of all the busyness of the holidays, we forget the reason we are doing it all.

Last week the message we received from John was a call to repentance, a reminder that we are nothing but grass. We will wither and die. This week we receive another message: a call to joy. It is not the kind of joy we seek by exchanging presents. It is the joy that comes from knowing the presence of Christ always. This is a joy that should be shared and so we are called, like John the Baptist, to share the light of Christ with the world. Jesus is the best gift we can give to anyone, not only during the Christmas season, but throughout the year.

When we read the words of Paul to the Thessalonians, it seems like impossible expectations to which we’ve been called. Yet, we are reminded of John the Baptist who was given the most extraordinary task of paving the way for Christ the Lord. Were the people ready? Too many came looking for baptism without truly understanding what Jesus was coming to do. They were ready to lift up John to be something he wasn’t. When Jesus came, they did the same to Him, expecting an earthly king rather than an eternal Savior. We are like John, sent to share the light of Christ. We are reminded in this text that we are not the light. We are simply sent to bear witness to the light. We are to trust that God is in control, and live with that attitude through the good and the bad.

Paul may ask too much of us, but he wrote about the life we are meant to live in faith. It is hard to be joyful when our world seems so out of control, but Christmas reminds us that we can rejoice, pray, give thanks, listen, accept, grasp, and abstain from evil. It is not about us. It is never about us, but it is about God. We are going to fail. We are going to get too caught up in the commercial aspects of Christmas, buying gifts for all the wrong reasons, but God is faithful, and He will use our gifts to His glory despite our failure to live up to the purpose for which we have been created and called.