December 24, 2005 At Saint Mark Church in Norman, OK
Isaiah 9:1-6 + Titus 2:11-14 + Luke 2:1-20
……………..following the proclamation of the Gospel, the children between the first and third grades are called to the chair. This homily is spoken to the children standing around the presider’s chair.
I want to make sure that you heard and that you know the Gospel story our deacon just proclaimed tonight, because there are some parts of it that are very important for you. Listen again to this part of the story.
…..One of the older children who is prepared takes the gospel book and reads:
There were shepherds living in the fields near Bethlehem keeping watch over the flock during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid. The angel said to them: “you have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you — tidings of great joy to be shred by the whole people. this day in David’s city a savior has been born to you, the Messiah and Lord. Let this be a sign to you: in a manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.”
So, in the first part of the Gospel story, the only ones who know who Jesus is and where to find him are the angels. The angels are very important. Without angels, no one would know one child from the next. Without angels, no one would know that the child born of Mary was the Savior and Son of God. Without angels, no one would know where to look. Probably without angels, the shepherds would never have thought to look in the manger.
I think God made angels to tell us three very important things: The first one is: God wants to be close to us. Very close. God wants to get as close as possible. So close that he can laugh and cry, and be hurt and comforted, grow and learn, be born and die, just like we do. When you understand that message, then you will begin to wonder how you can be close to God. The second message is about where to find God. Where do you look is what it’s all about. You have to look in unlikely places – in places where you would never expect to find God. Not with the powerful full and the rich and famous, but with the weak and the powerless – with those who need protection, like a baby.
When you understand that message, then you will begin to take care of others who are helpless and left out of life. The third message is about family. When God wanted to come to us and there was no room anywhere, there was room in a family. We all come from families, and every family looks a little different, but every family is a sacred and holy place. When you understand that message, then you will begin to see your church as your family and the place where you family and your home learns about God, about forgiveness, about love, respect, and holiness.
Now these are the things that angels know about and these are the things that the angels came to tell us: God wants to be close and we must find every way possible to be close to God. God is found where ever there are people who need protection, and we must take care of others who are helpless. God makes family holy and in our family we are safe with God, learn to pray and grow to be holy. Now you know who Jesus is. You know where to find him, and you know the message, so in a sense, you are angels – you have a message to tell and people to lead, and I think God wants you to spread the news, show the way, and give glory to God.
Let’s go bless the place in the chapel that reminds us of the message. Here’s the Gift of God to us, the sign of God’s desire, found in an unlikely place, and born into a fragile and troubled family of love.
Process with a wrapped gift containing the image of the Christ child which the children will unwrap and place in the nativity scene.