Reflections on “Looking for Chrismons: Joy” Isaiah 35: 1-10; Matthew 11: 2-10

I think a fair critique of this sermon might be:  "If it's about joy, why did it not seem more upbeat!"

One of the ongoing themes in my theological reflection is if everyone could accept and believe deep down that God loves them, there would be a lot less issues in our lives and our world.  This sermon attempts to tie that theological reflection to the Advent theme.

I have not gotten into the routine of blogging my first reflections on the sermon text each Thursday.  I'm not sure if those reflections are helpful.  If you would like me to try and get my Thursday notes on the blog, let me know.  Likewise, if you would not take time to read them, let me know.  

“Looking for Chrismons: Joy”  SAPC, Troy; Advent 2; December 4, 2016  Isaiah 35: 1-10; Matthew 11: 2-10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord,

the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

    “Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.

    He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.

    He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

    and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer,

    and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,

    and streams in the desert;

the burning sand shall become a pool,

    and the thirsty ground springs of water;

the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,

    the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there,

    and it shall be called the Holy Way;

the unclean shall not travel on it,

    but it shall be for God’s people;

    no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.

No lion shall be there,

    nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;

they shall not be found there,

    but the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,

    and come to Zion with singing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

    they shall obtain joy and gladness,

    and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Move 1:  I like the idea of looking for Chrismons, not only because it gives us a chance to explore different symbols for Christ (I hope you are following along each day in the Advent devotional guide and take time today to make this Sunday’s Chrismon), but because it seems to me most of us are looking for something as we head toward Christmas, something we struggle to find.

a.     Like the country-western singer Johnny Lee who who sings of “looking for love in all the wrong places Looking for love in too many faces,” we are looking for that unknown something in all the wrong places.

1.  Looking for that something special in the parties and celebrations. We think, “If I can just create that perfect moment, or guest list, or dress to wear and food to serve, then somehow I will not miss my loved one who is not going to be here this year for Christmas.”

2.    We look for that indescribable thing in the gifts we give and receive.

3.      If we somehow give the perfect gift, it will elicit the perfect response, then everything will be ok.

4.    If someone gives us the perfect gift, it will mean our special someone, or our spouse, or our child, does love us and our broken relationships will somehow be healed.

5.    if we get all the gifts we want on our list, we will be happy and content.

6.    If we plan the perfect Christmas Eve service, surely everything will be ok!

7.    The pressure is on – we better make this the best Advent/Christmas season ever…or else.

a.    Then Christmas is over, we are in the bleak midwinter of January, and we feel emotionally drained and somewhat depressed.

1.    Despite all we did to celebrate the holidays, we still feel empty.

2.    We examine ourselves, and we have little to show for all our Christmas celebrating.

3.    We notice that despite all we have done to celebrate, our lives were not changed

4.    What we sought in all our festivities and activities has disappeared with the end of the year.

5.    But don’t worry, it’s only 330+ days until Advent starts again, and surely we can do better next time.

Maybe that description does not fit you, but it seems like a lot of us spend our holiday season looking for something that they cannot describe in all the wrong places.

Move 2:  If you know what I am talking about, then listen to what the prophet Isaiah tells us this morning.   

a.  Isaiah knows what we are looking for and where to find it. 

1.    At least Isaiah knows what the Israelites are looking for and where they can find it.

2.    The Israelites know about the barrenness of the desert.

3.    they have been defeated again and again.

4.    they feel totally out of control because the other powerful countries control their destiny.

5.    They are searching for something more because they cannot find anything to satisfy them.

6.    They are broken people.

b.    Isaiah tells this broken people that they need to know the joy God brings to them

1.     The brokenness, like the barren desert, will have flowing streams and blooming flowers.

2.    How?  Because the God to whom they turn is sending a messenger to save them.

3.    They can lay claim to the joy of salvation not because of what they can do for themselves, but because God chooses to save.

c.     As you make your Chrismon, you will decorate an angel who appears to be announcing something.

1.    The angel symbolizes joy.

2.    It reminds us that when the angel announces from the heavens the birth of Christ, is described as good news.

3.    And not just good news, but good news of “great joy.”

4.     The joy that Isaiah offered to the Israelites arrives in Bethlehem to save the world.

5.    The joy of salvation beckons for us today.

6.    no matter what we look for, what we hope to find, what we seek intentionally or unintentionally, can only be satisfied when we accept the deep, abiding joy grounded in the gift of salvation that Christ brings for us.

7.    When we lay claim to the God whose self-giving love leads to the coming of Christ; when we accept God did this for us, then we can begin to experience the joy that transcends the holiday season.

Move 3:  the joy of salvation we discover in Christ brings with it amazing opportunities.

 Isaiah has already prophesied about how the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

1.     The Gospel of Matthew tells this revealing story about what Christ offers to us.

2.     John sends word to Jesus – are you really the one.

3.     Not sure if John is just asking this question for others, or if maybe he is wondering himself.  He’s his cousin, after all.

4.    Jesus’ answer? 

 look at the evidence.

 Lives are changed;

 hope is given;

salvation has arrived.

5.     Sounds like the kind of Christmas gift most of us need.

6.    God sends Christ – not so we have a neat story to tell or a reason to have a great celebration.

7.    God sends Christ to save us and transform our very lives.

a.    When we accept the joy of salvation that Christ brings to us, we open ourselves up to being changed.

1.    Change that can only happen when we realize God loves us and enters the world to save us.

2.      A few years ago I read an article by Kathleen Bostrom in 11/20/06 Presbyterian Outlook that told of being in the hospital during Advent.

All the activities of her church were going on without her, which added to the medical issues that had her in the hospital in the first place.

She felt stuck in the hospital, and as she describes it, stuck with the sounds of code blue instead of the joyful sounds of Advent.

 As the lay in bed among the harshness of the hospital, she heard code blue, etc.  Once she thought she heard Brahms’s lullaby. She asked and was told that is was a hospital tradition.  When a baby was born, the lullaby was broadcast throughout the hospital.

Suddenly, in the hospital bed she was reminded of a baby being born.  A baby sent from God.  The Christ child who was sent to save the world, including her.

Suddenly, she was filled with joy right there in the hospital bed in the midst of her pain and suffering, at the realization of what God had done.

b.    Advent draws us back to what God was doing in the coming of Christ and what God wants to do in our lives.

1.     Christ brings us the joy of salvation.

2.    The grief and sadness we try to drown in our holiday celebrations cannot overcome the joy of salvation.

3.    The medical challenges we run from as we go from Christmas party to Christmas party cannot keep us from the joy of salvation.

4.    The brokenness we try to buy off with our gifts cannot keep us from the joy of salvation.

5.    The lack of confidence we try to hide behind our pretty holiday clothes cannot keep us from the joy of salvation.

6.    The fear we try to drown out by singing Christmas music as loudly and as often is possible cannot keep us from the joy of salvation.

Conclusion:  Flowers blooming and streams flowing in the desert – believe it; the joy of salvation has arrived.  

God’s loving and saving grace – believe it, the joy of salvation has arrived.

The Chrismon stands before us with an angel announcing great news – believe it; the joy of salvation has arrived.