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…from Worship at Good Sam on December 21, 2104
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16 (Click to go directly to the NRSV Bible Text) Instead of David building a house (temple) for the Lord, the Lord promises to establish David’s house (dynasty) forever. Centuries later, after the Babylonian exile, no king sat on the throne. Even then, however, the people of Israel remembered this promise and continued to hope for a king, the messiah, the Lord’s anointed.
Second Reading: Romans 16:25–27 Paul closes his letter to the Romans by praising God because in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ God has revealed the promised, divine plan of salvation for all humanity. Paul proclaims this gospel of Christ in order to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations.
Gospel: Luke 1:26–38 In this annunciation, Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people (Mary) from little known places (Nazareth). This king will not be born to royalty in a palace, but to common folk in a stall. Here Luke highlights the role of the Spirit, a special emphasis in his gospel.
Christmas begins with an announcement. We call this the Annunciation. Gabriel comes to Mary with news, but is also in awe of this one who God so favors. “Greetings, O Favored One,” he says to her. Perhaps the news of the coming child is a miracle but so too is the pure faith with which Mary receives this announcement. Truly, the open door of faith opens the way for God’s strongest activity in human history and in human hearts. Perhaps this Christmas we too may find the faith within us to make way for God’s miraculous activity in our lives and among us. It will certainly make this a Merry Christmas.
Message at Good Sam on December 21, “An Open Door Through Which God Enters”