Christmas 2007                             The Rev'd David C. Cobb,

Luke 2                                           Blessing of the Creche

                                                     & Early Mass of Christmas Eve                                                      & Sung Mass on Christmas Day

                          

If there is anything more frustrating –—than being the parent of two year old (which of course is a in a wonderful sort of frustration) —it is probably being a two year old with parents—who, for all their supposed adult skill and expertise—just can not hear what's being said.  They  can't understand grunts, grimace and squeals.  The challenge for both is simply this- the two year old can know and want far more than she can say—and the parents, attentive and anxious- don't have a clue. 

 

That is not the only human situation where a failure to communicate obtains—and isn't that one of the most repeated lines from a movie?  WE don't understand each other—we can't put into words what we want to say to those closest to us—and move out of the most intimate relationship and we can't understand the perspective and the intentions of the other—language becomes a barrier when I do not have the vocabulary to express my self or follow your meaning, I may not even be paying attention—and so will not hear, even if you and I share sufficient language for the conversation that is needed.  . 

 

And so we can see what has happened between us and God.  If a gulf separates, if communication fails, if messages are ignored or twisted—between neighbors and at the breakfast tabel, how can I hope to understand God who speaks the world into existence?  Too often we do not understand and out of our confusion create idols and the conviction that what God demands is violence and division;  a response that veers wildly between self-loathing and pride, an attempt to live and work as if there were no God—to easily, we assume that what we can't know or see just plain is not there.  We humans can not make out what God is saying-  what is asked of us or what is promised us.  Indeed, a failure to hear and understand.

 

And so, to bring into  harmony what has been discord and confusion—to fulfill the glory of creation and to complete human nature's potential—the Eternal God takes human flesh and lies as an infant in Mary's arms.  Silent- and without power to coerce or command—save for the call to love and delight that any infant speaks eloquently.  Silent and without defense—except for trusting what is best in us that is God's own creation.  The Word lies in our midst—silent and yet calling forth a response that sets the world singing.  God intended this through all the ages of creation.  This is exactly what God intended, even if we could not understand or would not listen.  Glory and peace—and the clear voice that speaks in the silence of an infant's smile. 

 

If God's Word to us is this infant—it is not a matter of memorization and a few rules of grammar—to listen requires the same patience that a frustrated two-year old deserves and  the years that any dear friendship needs to mature.

God chooses to speak in creation, in the words of prophets who come close to catching the vision, and in the actions of ordinary men and women—revealing truth, beauty and goodness.  You can see it and hear it—if you look around you.  But you have to pay attention and you have to listen.   In many and various ways, God spoke of old… the writer of Hebrews says.  And sometimes, in many and various ways, we listed.  But not often enough. 

 

Then, in the fullness of time and yet with our being prepared, God speaks in the infant that lies in Mary's arms—in the young man who left her side and went out to gather a group of friends and teach them.  God speaks in the death to which we condemned him and in the mercy that lifts our sentence of condemnation.  God speaks in the silent presence of the Risen Lord, now in our midst as bread and sustenance, as challenge and mercy.  “ In many and various ways God spoke of old, now God has spoken to us by a Son ”.  This is how God speaks- in flesh and blood like yours and in the rhythm of your life's days, months and years.  And you listen in the same way—with your body as you try to follow the path and the actions—with your days and years as you question and listen once more—as you doubt- with earnest and attentive mind and as you believe with joy and by obeying the call to love God and neighbor. 

 

God's word is spoken into our lives this night   (Day)- in a thousand ways- in the joys that bless us this festival—in the longings that speak of what might be—in the hope that we can carry forward something of this night's generosity, that we can speak and live something of the peace that the angels promise and sing our parts with delight – even we can only mange to hum along.  God speaks and waits for our answer, and no matter how feeble, it will add to the glory reaching from this dark earth to heaven's heights.

 

God's word is spoken – and it is spoken to you—as surely as it was to Mary and Joseph, to shepherds on hill sides and magi on their long journey.  God's word is spoken——your life is the answer to God's gracious word.  May we have ears to listen and minds to understand—and then, may we live confident and hopeful– an answer  that is peace and that echoes glory, now and evermore.