December Sermons

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on, all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty...”

The mission of our church is “We use our resources, tangible and intangible, to minimize human suffering and enhance human well-being. This is godliness to us.”

The term Advent refers to a season of the church year during which the people of the Christian faith tradition prepare to celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ's first coming to earth.

Advocacy is defined as the public support for or recommendation of a particular cause, policy, or person. Advocacy is telling or demonstrating to improve the quality of life for others.

In her worship, she proclaims a religious revolution: that God has chosen a woman to be the means, way, and instrument through which God’s decisive disclosure to the world is released, and a young, unmarried mother at that.

In her worship, she proclaims a social revolution: that the proud, those who think themselves better than other people, will be brought down, and the humble, the despised, and the outcast will be seen as the proper recipients of God’s favor.

In her worship, she proclaims a political revolution: that the powerful will be defeated and the oppressed will be freed, given the fullness of life.

In her worship, she proclaims an economic revolution: that the hungry will be fed, and those who are rich now will feel what it is like to go short.

If we are celebrating Advent/Christmas authentically, we acknowledge God’s immense love for the marginalized.

If we are to celebrate Advent/Christmas authentically, we must refuse to adopt the strategies of abuse and indifference employed by the powerful and prestigious.

If we are to celebrate Advent/Christmas authentically, we commit to seeing God’s generosity and justice at work in our homes, communities, cultures, and nations.

If we are celebrating Advent/Christmas authentically, then our worship on Sunday should create a revolutionary perspective to use our “blessings”, tangible and intangible, to benefit others.   

Frederick Buechner writes: It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.”

“It is easy to think Christmas, and it is easy to believe Christmas, but it is hard to act Christmas.” Anonymous