On The Edge
Advent 4a, December 22, 2013 (Matthew 1:18-25 and Isaiah 7:10-16 with Romans 1:1-7 in b.g.)
I have to confess. I am relieved that at least some of you are here. Last week was our big splash: The Children and Youth's Christmas Pageant. We had about 140 people here – to see our kids, to hear that story – told in a post modern idiom – Advent – IN ACTION. Looking ahead: in two days well, you know - it will be Christmas Eve. There will be amazing carols, glowing candles and special music. Thanks be to God, this place and many others like it around the world will be PACKED. But that's in two days. So, I thought that today without any Sunday School, sandwiched in between last week and two days from now, NO ONE, OR EVEN FEWER OF YOU MIGHT COME.
What would a preacher do then, if no one came? To top it off, my long time colleague Richard Hergesheimer is here today. Say what you want, gee, I'd like to make a good impression. You know, I do have a little pride. So what if no one came? I am relieved, you are here...
But then today's Gospel raises its head. Joseph, not in a techni-colored dream coat, but in his dream. There is in this dream some confusing talk of a baby, not even his baby, mind you. Nevertheless, this special baby, is called in Joseph's dream, the Messiah. Let me tell you, that's a loaded word. How can I talk to you about that – in a way that's real for you, that's true, that makes a difference in all of our lives and the life of the world. This gig of being a Pastor isn't easy...
So, let me ask you this. Have you ever been on the edge of anything really important? When you are approaching something really important, standing or teetering on the edge of it, you have a choice. You can step or crawl forward to go over the edge – or you can take a moment to look either backwards or forwards, and become afraid, be unable to move because of that fear. But then we may not go over the edge, to see or experience what's on the "other side". ..
Today we are on the very edge of Christmas? Dare we go over the edge and actually move forward? Dare we in whatever state our lives are in, ask God for a sign: a sign that we are not alone – that we can go on, that whatever going over the edge may entail – we won't be lost or utterly destroyed?
Being on the edge of anything important can be both frightening and exciting.
I remember deliberating whether or not to ask Martha to marry me. It took me months. I mean getting married is an important decision. I wasn't worried about her – she was and is amazing, faithful, kind, bright. Well, OK maybe not that bright in her marriage decision. But my relationship record was horrible. And what did I have to offer her – a Pastor in a very small town with little money. I have to tell you, my future career options were anything but certain. On the other hand, if I did ask her to marry me and she said yes – well who knows what the possibilities would be for us – and for the world? It was one of those "edge" moments...
Edges are frightening because we don't know what will happen next. Often we think or even feel that it's really important to know what's going to happen next. There are familiar rules, conventions, folkways and mores. Especially when the rules benefit us, we like to have them followed. Joseph knew rules of his time and place. His marriage had been arranged. His and Mary's families were working at getting along. There was an expected timeline for their marriage. All seemed to be in order. Oh, their lives were to be lived out, for sure, but he could see something of the outline. Someday in the future after she had come to live at his home, they would have some children. Hopefully, Joseph thought, there would be a son to pass on his legacy, to carry his name. Speaking of names, he would be the one to name that child. It was the father's duty, privilege. Joseph very likely had some names in his mind.
But then life happens! Joseph discovers, that Mary, HIS BETROTHED, this woman with whom he supposedly would share the rest of his life IS... PREGNANT. He knows one thing for sure: THAT CHILD growing within her isn't his! Consequently Joseph is face with a choice – of two options– according to the "rules" of his time and place. He can choose to exact the punishment due Mary and if possible whoever the father of THAT CHILD might be by outing them. Or, Joseph can DIVORCE MARY, and so end all of the covenantal, contractual relations between the two of them and their families - as quietly as possible. He is strongly leaning towards this latter choice, supposedly to lessen the blow to Mary. She has enough problems already, as a single woman – with THAT BABY.
But then more life happens. Joseph has a dream. In his dream a messenger of God speaks to directly to him. He is NOT TO DIVORCE Mary. Instead he is to take her as his wife. THAT CHILD growing within her is somehow of God. Finally, Joseph is told by the angel, the name that is to be given to THIS CHILD: Jesus – GOD SAVES, GOD DELIVERS.
So, Joseph's choice is now to include a third option - one that is anything but conventional or rule observing, but seemingly is from God. Miraculously this is the option that Joseph makes. JOSEPH TAKES THAT CHILD TO BE His child. He takes Mary to be HIS WIFE. He works at loving them. Joseph moves over the edge from confusion, fear, paralysis, exacting what is right from others – to love, obedience, faithfulness and risk taking. The result? THE WORLD HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME SINCE...
Where are we on the edge – personally... collectively... globally?
Are there areas in our lives where we are afraid – where we know that what we have done or not done, is not where we need to be – where we could be, where dare I say it, GOD WOULD HAVE US BE? Are there places in our lives where we need to confess our wrong doing, our causing pain, in order to seek forgiveness, to experience that and be enabled to move on in new ways?
Are there areas in our lives where as a congregation we have been "keeping on" without asking why – or experiencing an incredible heaviness, as if it were all up to us? ... Can there be new life – new direction, new birth for us, for others, for this crazy wonderful and at the same time sometimes horrendous world? Will we ask God for help – for transformation, for courage, for faith? ....
God knows there is beauty and wonder, horror and tragedy, injustice and mercy in our world. 7 million refugees from Syria. People being gassed by their own leaders. A typhoon in the Philippines. Gang warfare at home – women, young and old on the streets, homeless people while others spend to the max to meet someone's else's expectations. But there is also giving, sacrifice, risk taking for the well being of others by countless people.
We need someone to lift us up beyond ourselves – to love us unconditionally, to help us realize that we are important, accepted – that every single person and the whole creation matters! Could we be on the edge of that, on this fourth Sunday of advent? Will we dare to ask God to help us to see, to believe, to work for all of this becoming reality?
May God help us like Joseph to hear the messenger or messengers of God: the people , ordinary, far from perfect, God sends, whom God calls, including... us. May God help us to see in something so seemingly ordinary as a child born to a very young girl in a backwoods place, the very face of God. So it is, God comes to be among us, for us, to be with and for the world. God wills to push us over the edge - from our limited and limiting ways to new ways, God's ways: of risky love, of delirious joy and hard won peace. These are not easy ways – but the only ways that bring life in the midst of death, hope with the capacity to transform despair. These are the ways that last in time and through time to beyond time.
We are on the edge. God continues to lead and push us so that we can see, believe and follow the One who is Emmanuel. This is our dream which can lead beyond dreams, so that the world will not stay the same ... Amen.