Back on January 15 of this new year, something happened in the African nation of Congo that did not really make the headlines over here. On January 15, Christians in the village of Lubero were targeted for attack. On that day 53 Christians were slaughtered simply because they profess faith in Jesus Christ. Since Christmas Day, at least 128 Christians have been martyred in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Before us this morning is the story of a wedding. Now, when it comes to weddings, we might say this wedding is quite unspectacular. There is nothing exotic about the destination. It’s not some white, sandy beach somewhere at sunset. It is in a little village in Galilee, considered by many at the time to be “hillbilly country.” It did not take place in a grand old church with a long center aisle and a magnificent pipe organ; it likely took place at the groom’s home.
We have to be very careful with our identity nowadays, don’t we? We hear much about “identity theft.” There are bad actors in this world who will steal your information, your name, image, likeness, and use it for bad things. They might become “you” and get a credit card and run up a huge bill. They might become “you” and buy all sorts of stuff on Amazon.
The celebration of Epiphany is really a localized event. What I mean is that there is a location that is associated with Epiphany. That place is Bethlehem. Herod’s priest directed the Wise Men to Bethlehem. The star in the sky stopped over Bethlehem. They found Jesus in Bethlehem. They presented gold, frankincense and myrrh in Bethlehem.
This past Saturday, December 28, was “Good Riddance Day.” Did you know that? Good Riddance Day is observed each December 28 in Times Square in New York City. Each year people are invited to write down mistakes and regrets from the year and then these mistakes and regrets are eliminated in some creative way. One year they were written down on paper and the paper was shredded in a huge shredder. One year the paper was burned. This year they were written on a white board and erased.
Those of you who grew up with brothers and sisters know the conversations that sometimes take place within such families. Siblings will reminisce about what it was like growing up together. Invariably they will have the “who-was-mom-and-dad’s-favorite” argument. “You were always mom’s favorite!” “Dad thought you were perfect and could do no wrong!”
Do you like a good mystery? Many people do. They like to read “mystery novels.” Or they like to watch “mystery” movies. To us, the concept of mystery suggests something unknown. This comes out in the way we say we don’t know the answer to something. We sometimes say, “It’s a mystery to me.” The story of Christmas is a good mystery. Let me explain.
It would come as no surprise to you if I asserted that manifestations of God in the Bible are generally quite impressive. For example, after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, they camped at the base of Mt. Sinai. There the Lord God appeared on the mountain, and we are told, There was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast…Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder…The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:16-20, excerpts) There! At Sinai! Behold your God!
You have likely all seen this before. People are gathered around opening gifts at Christmas. There is that person frantically tearing paper off a package. They open the box and then there is a pause…and a gasp! And then they say, “For me?!” The answer is, “Of course it’s for you! The little tag on the present had your name on it!”
This past week I heard about something I had never heard of before. I learned what a “blue Christmas” is. I am not referring to the famous Elvis Presley song. I have heard that before! I am referring to what some churches call a “blue Christmas service.” This is a special Christmas worship service for people who are especially struggling with sadness at this time of year, maybe the sadness of loss of a loved one, or sickness, or loneliness. The service is often held on December 21, the longest night of the year.
