12-26-2010

“Angels Among Us”

 

As Kaye mentioned last week there is not a lot told about the childhood of Jesus. There is some in some books like the Gospel of Peter which didn’t make our Bible, but for the most part we only have a few stories. We read these Christmas stories from Matthew and Luke of him as a baby. We remember the story from Luke of him being in the temple after his parents thought he was lost. Then we have this story of Jesus being taken to Egypt by his parents to avoid being killed by Herod. This story doesn’t get read on Christmas Eve because we prefer to read of angels and shepherds and peace on earth to all. We don’t like to read of stories of violence and the killing of innocent children.

 

While it is often believed to be true there are no real credible writings that substantiate the story of this slaughter of thousands of children. However all who wrote of those days, and those who lived in those days and wrote say that this would certainly not be out of character for Herod. If his kingdom had been threatened in any way, swift and decisive action would be taken to prevent problems.

 

So into this world Jesus is born; a world of violence and power by a king. Then an angel comes to Joseph and tells him that he must take Jesus to Egypt to avoid being killed by Herod.

 

Part of this passage reminds us that we do unfortunately live in a violent world. With Jesus being less than two years old, his parents take him out of Bethlehem to save his life. They had gone to Bethlehem to pay taxes and now the family must move to Egypt in order to avoid certain death.

 

This was no easy trip. The distance from Bethlehem to Alexandria Egypt, the largest closest city at the time was around 300 miles. That would be like driving from here to Atlanta. Now remember in those days there were no mini vans with DVD players, no Cracker Barrels, no Wal-Marts to buy stuff and most of it was on foot with the occasional donkey ride.

 

Travel was hard and not very safe, between the elements, finding supplies, wild animals and thieves in various places along the way. Having to stop to rest with a small child, they could only cover maybe 15 miles a day, so we can imagine the trip would take them anywhere from 20 to 30 days to cover. We should probably be amazed that they even made it to Egypt.

 

Having a Sunday so close to Christmas, we can be reminded that the joy of these last couple of days will soon fade as we return to our routines with the world waiting; and the world will be waiting. Rising unemployment, low pay, crime, sickness, accidents and any number of things that will try to steal our joy.

 

But we can always hold on to Christmas and God’s love made known to us in the person of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that even though this world can be harsh and cruel we are not alone. The very word Emmanuel, means God with us.

During the Christmas Season at least once the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is shown. In the movie, Clarence, an angel trying to get his wings, is sent to take care of George Bailey who is on the brink of taking his life. Those of you who have seen the movie know George Bailey never got to do what he had hoped to do, travel the world. Each time he would be ready to leave, something would happen that would prevent him from leaving the town. So here he is years later, believing that this money has been lost and he will go to jail, his only option is to take his life. He believes that he is worth more dead than alive. Then Clarence enters into the picture and shows him the difference he has made and the way it has been connected to other events in the world.

 

We don’t really like to talk about angels very much. There is something rather strange about angels and their involvement in our lives and the world. But angels aren’t necessarily some heavenly beings that sing grand entrances or move in our lives to save us from harm. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in angels. I believe that angels are all around us, but often the angels we see are those sitting all around you.

 

A youth choir at a church was in rehearsal preparing a pageant which included some upbeat songs and choreography.  One of the regulars in the group, Melissa, had brought a friend who was not catching on to the rhythm or the words.  As sometimes happens, the regular had become focused on her own preparation and had forgotten about shepherding her friend.  Also in the group was a boy named Cash Box because he always seemed to have money in his pocket, which won him favor with some.  His social awkwardness and offensive banter, however, usually left his interpersonal balance sheet in the negative.

 

As the rehearsal continued, Melissa's friend became more and more embarrassed, feeling clumsy and out of place. Finally she broke from the group. Down the hallway she fled, trying not to be noticed, pretending to read a bulletin board, flushed with tears, mortified, wishing she had never come. Soon footsteps approached from behind. It was Cash Box. The youth pastor edged closer to the scene, concerned over what Cash might say. "Hey, I saw you in there. Don't worry, this song's kinda hard; don't really know it myself. But we can't learn it standing out here. C'mon, let's go back in. You won't be alone. I know what it's like to be alone."