the first Advent sermon I preached (way back at a church I helped lead worship with in seminary) focused on Jesus' humanity. At least, that was one of its foci (I tried to cover a lot in that sermon). I went back and read it this for some insights, but didn't get too many. I did talk a little bit about Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, which reminds me that both Luke and Matthew (the only two Gospels with the birth narrative) both have the genealogy of Jesus listed. I also remember that after the service one of the Elders (an older woman who had listened to Peter Marshall preach in her young adult days) came up to me and told me that it was fine to make the point that Jesus was human, but her hope is in the fully divine part of Christ. I bet most of us think like that.
Rev. Daniel Harrell tells the story of his childhood church going from a plastic baby Jesus to a live manger (much like we have here on Christmas Eve). the first year 3 month-old Trevor played baby Jesus. He had a older sister named Mary, who was still adjusting to having a baby invade her world. As the choir sang, "No crying he makes," Trevor, as baby Jesus, let out a blood-curdling scream. Apparently, he didn't like the feel of the hay on him. His sister turned toward baby Jesus and shouted, "Shut up." the next year they went back to a baby doll for Jesus. Christian Century, December 11, 2013, Living the Word: Reflections on the Lectionary,." Daniel Harrell (17)
Baby Jesus needed blankets and hay to keep him warm and give him comfort. he depended on his parents to provide for him as most babies do. Jesus was real. Don't believe the "no crying he makes" line in "Away in the Manger" One of my theology professors noted that the person who wrote that Christmas carol obviously had never had a baby.
Jesus' birth surely brought to Mary and Joseph both the joys of childhood and the challenges of being human. The whole birthing process can be scary and amazing, often at the same time.
Invited to join with Christ in the mess of our humanity. Not to escape to some fairy land.
Not sure where this sermon is headed at this time. Why does it matter to us in our daily living that Christ was fully human? How many of us would be fine with a superhuman Jesus who saves us?
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