St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Owings Mills MD
December 25, 2021
Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4
John 1:1-14
Messengers of Peace
Merry Christmas!
Although the pandemic forced us to scale back in different ways, we still had glorious celebrations last night.
This old holy place looked – and still looks – so very beautiful.
I would not have thought it possible, but the music was even more glorious than I imagined.
Although we were sorry to not have a pageant, our adorable children did a great job with the Christmas tableau.
It was all quite amazing.
And now, after a quick night’s sleep, here we are again.
Merry Christmas!
I will confess to you that as beautiful as the Christmas Eve services are, it’s Christmas Day that is my favorite.
The church is still beautiful, but it has grown quieter.
Maybe this morning is a little bit like what Mary and Joseph experienced after the angels and shepherds had departed – when it was just the two of them, exhausted and excited, alone with the newborn Son of God.
Now, as the child slept softly, maybe Mary and Joseph had a few minutes at last to catch their breath, to reflect a little on what this new life means for them and for the world.
Each year on Christmas morning we read and hear the Prologue to the Gospel of John.
This familiar and rich passage is the product of several decades of divinely inspired reflection on who Jesus is and what his coming among us means for the world.
In his version of the Christmas story, John doesn’t give us any information on shepherds or angels, nothing about no room at the inn, no mention of a newborn baby placed in a manger.
Instead, John gives us a kind of cosmic Christmas, taking us all the way back to the beginning when the Word was with God – when, in and through the Word, God created everything – and now that Word has come among us in and through a real-life flesh and blood human being, Jesus.
John loves to describe Jesus as light – the light shining in our shadowy world – the light that is never overcome by the forces of fear and hate – the light that defeats death itself.
Lots of people had longed for this day, not least prophets like Isaiah who could see ahead to a time when we would abandon our fears and hatreds, when we would lay down our weapons – the day when all of us would gather on God’s holy mountain for the best party of all time.
That day arrived when Mary and Joseph placed the newborn Son of God into a feeding trough meant for animals.
That day arrived when the Risen Christ appeared to his frightened disciples, saying “Peace be with you.”
But, at the same time, we don’t have to look very hard to see that for many people the day of rejoicing has still not arrived.
And that’s where we come in.
Long ago, the Prophet Isaiah wrote:
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation…”
This Christmas, when it is bright and joyful in here but so shadowy and sad out there, you and I are called to be messengers of peace.
You and I are called to be messengers of peace up and down the hills and valleys of the county and on the streets of the city.
You and I are called to be messengers of peace at home, at work, in school, in line at the supermarket, and online where there is so much ugliness.
You and I are called to be messengers of peace by welcoming the stranger, sharing what we have, and offering words of comfort to the many suffering people all around us.
So, on this quiet Christmas morning, let’s reflect a little on what it means that God has come among us – the light shining in our shadowy world.
And, let’s recommit to being messengers of peace, each of us in our own way brightening the shadows with the light and love of Christ.
Merry Christmas!
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