CHRISTMAS – FROM THE VERY BEGINNING (Genesis 1:1-25)

Once upon a time – the very first time actually, because it was the very beginning of time, at least in the way we know it – God – who is before and after, above and below, inside and outside everything, including time – began to create the earth and everything else. The earth was covered with emptiness. There was a huge empty wind blowing over a vast empty ocean, and the ocean covered almost everything. But if we had been there we wouldn’t have seen any of it because the darkest darkness you can imagine covered it all. As an old Sunday School teacher once said, “The whole thing wasn’t nothin’ but a mess of bad weather,” and he was right. It was all very big, HUMONGOUS actually, but none of it meant very much. No matter how big or small things are, they only mean something when they fit together with other things in a story, and there were very few things, and there was hardly any story... yet.

So God made light. I don’t know how he did it; nobody knows. Maybe it’s not the sort of thing you can know. He just sort of thought it up I guess, like he thought up all the other stuff: the earth, the water, the darkness. Perhaps it was sort of like when you and I think up stuff. Do you know how you think things? I sure don’t. It’s a mystery.

Anyway, after he made the light and everything could kind of see where it was, or actually that it wasn’t anywhere in particular, he began to make places and put things where they belong. He loved the light, so he made a place for it, kind of like “day”; he also loved the darkness, so he made a place for it too, sort of like “night”. –Sometimes people think that light is good and darkness is bad, but both are very good when they’re where they belong. Almost everything’s good when it’s where it belongs. – And God said to himself, “That’s a pretty good days work for a first day.”

The next day God sorted out the water. He made the sky and put some of it there. And then he made the rest into oceans, rivers, lakes, streams and ponds. Wherever there wasn’t water there was dry land, and that was good because God had plans for all of it. As we will see, he had plans for the sky, the water and the land.

God made plants for the land: trees, bushes, grass, vines, moss and mushroom type things, and certainly some kinds that I don’t know the names for. He made them with flowers and fruit and seeds so that they could reproduce and spread everywhere. And all of the plants were very good, and none of them were weeds, because a weed is just a good plant that’s growing where you don’t want it to grow. In the beginning God put everything where he wanted it, so everything was were it belonged.

God filled the sky with the sun to shine and make daytime on the earth, and the moon and stars to shine in the night. He made birds for the air, and fish for the oceans, rivers, lakes, streams and ponds. He made animals and insects and set them free to wander all over the dry land and to live wherever they wanted to live. And he looked at it all, and he thought to himself, this is pretty good.

Now, there are couple of things I need to mention, in case you haven’t noticed. The first is that I’m talking about God as though he’s a person like you and me, and even as though he’s a “he”. That’s pretty silly and childish, of course, but it’s the best I can do because we’re all silly children when it comes to talking about things that are too big and mysterious for us. When we say that God “makes”, or “does”, or “thinks” or “loves”, we must always remember that we are talking baby-talk. Some of what we mean when we use these words may apply to God in some way, but I suspect that some of what we mean is just confused and foolish. And even if part of what we mean is right and good, it can never be big enough to fit God. When you or I talk about God we are like little children on their first trip to the beach talking about the Pacific Ocean. It’s salty, wet, big, beautiful, scary. All these things are true I suppose, but just barely. We speak of things too wonderful for us.

And secondly, this whole “experiment” (which is almost certainly the wrong word) seems pretty chancy. With all these things happening together, what might go wrong? To be honest, sometimes I’ve looked around and wondered if it might have been better if God hadn’t made anything at all, or at least if he hadn’t made people. But, as I’ve said, I’m just a child, so what do I know?

Next... the chanciest thing of all

JUST TWO MORE SHOPPING DAYS TILL ADVENT

Last Tuesday afternoon Suzanne and I went to see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 1. It’s amazing and very dark – kept me awake all day – and a great way to spend an afternoon. But it’s hard to imagine what anyone would think if they had not seen the previous movies or read the books. It would still be enjoyable of course. There’d still be lots of action and the special effects would still be stunning, but all sound and furry, signifying nothing. Indeed, one reviewer, who I expect has not appreciated the previous movies, and probably hasn’t read the books, observed simply, “Too loud”.

The Deathly Hallows is the last book in a series of seven published over a ten year period. It takes a certain patience and dedication to comprehend it all and, though millions of children have managed to read all 3,357 pages, I don’t expect everyone to have done so. But that being said, if you’re going to really “get it” you just have to do the work.

Well, Christmas is almost upon us again, and I can’t help feeling that for many it’s a bit like walking into The Deathly Hallows with no introduction. Christmas is the culmination of a long story and it’s hard to really “get it” if you haven’t been following along. Of course, in the case of Christmas, most people have a personal history of family and celebration to look back on, so it has a charm and beauty quite apart from the God and Jesus stuff, but for me it’s the beginning of the last episode in a colossal story, and I like to review the story a little as I prepare each year.

So this year I’m going to simply do that. I think I’ll spend Advent, November 28^th to Christmas Day, retelling the story in my own words, from the beginning. I’ll tell it as I would to a child, not because I think you are children, but because that’s the way I understand things best. And, without apology, I’m going to view it from my own perspective, and put my own personal interpretation on the whole thing.

If you would like to come along you’re more than welcome. And if you want to share your thoughts as we go along that’s great too. As you may have noticed, the spammers have forced me to start reviewing comments before they’re published but I’ll do my very best to keep on top of that. I don’t filter for agreement or theology or anything like that, just for spam, so please share. Christmas is all about sharing you know. Well, maybe not all about sharing, but sharing is important as we get ready for Christmas.

PS: I won’t get started right on the 28^th because I’m away this weekend, but I’ll see you early next week.

LIFE IS A MINEFIELD...LET’S DANCE

Beyond the simple resources necessary for life, and the forgiveness that makes community possible and life worth living, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for guidance. That’s three things: bread, forgiveness and direction.

This third item should not come as a surprise, when he called each of us Jesus said “Follow me.” The life he calls us to is purposeful, and the purpose is not our own. It is a walk strewn with stumbling-blocks, a voyage through reefs and storms, a dangerous and challenging pilgrimage. Triumphs will come, but only with courage, and treasures with dedication and perseverance. We live to serve God and one another, to help move things along, so how we move, or more precisely how we follow, is important.

But when it comes to the challenges of life there are two unhelpful tendencies that beset us. The first is denial, the pretence that life is all sweetness and light. The second is to make too much of the dangers, either to cower before them or to arrogantly seek them out. Jesus steers a middle course.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matt 6:34

and

“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matt 6:13

It takes great resolve to live a full and worthy human life. It takes commitment, trust, faith, hope and love. A few days ago a friend sent me a video. I suspect it made her think of us because Suzanne and I have been married for over 38 years and have been honest enough to tell her it hasn’t all been easy. But to me the song is about far more than what it takes to have a good marriage. It’s about what it takes for all of us to live worthy lives together, to dance in the minefields, to sail in the storms. It’s about trusting each other’s promises and the promises of God. Check it out.

Dancing in the Minefields by Andrew Peterson

With God’s faithful leadership, and our faithful followship, we just might get through this mysterious and sometimes miserable world with all our parts and people pretty much where they belong. At least, we would do well to pray to that end.

Good plumbing is good for everyone.

I recall a Saturday afternoon, about fifty years ago, when I was complaining to my mother that I had nothing to do. She made a few uninspiring suggestions and finally in frustration said, “Why don’t you hike on over to the church and go to confession?” I responded that I’d been to confession at school the previous Wednesday. “O, come-on”, she laughed. “are you trying to tell me that after three whole days you have nothing to confess?” Yes, in my world sin was a given, but forgiveness was routine.

I’ve often wondered if this is one of the reasons why I’m not one of those Christians who struggles with inordinate guilt. Of course many Catholics do, so regular confession is certainly not the perfect solution. But it seems to me that confession and forgiveness, as part of an ongoing program of spiritual hygiene, should help. I don’t feel guilty about body odour, as though after all these years I should be above that sort of thing. I just shower regularly and put on deodorant.

In Jesus’ day the function of normalizing sin was performed by ritual cleansing. For example, an Essene underwent full immersion baptism every day, and the Pharisees practiced ritual hand washing. Jesus challenged these practices when it seemed they were becoming substitutes for repentance, but he did recognize the value of symbolic cleansing. And he washed his disciples feet in preparation for the great spiritual trial they were about to undergo in his impending crucifixion.

John 13:8-11 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

This little exchange implies that, as we walk in this world, sin and forgiveness are matters of routine. But the reference to Judas also indicates that sin must still to be taken seriously. Though readily available, forgiveness is serious because sin is serious. Again, when we go to the bathroom we wash our hands, not because we’re ashamed, but because we realize that some of the stuff we routinely produce in our lives is dangerous; it can actually kill someone.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matt 6:12

We forgive and seek forgiveness, not just for our own spiritual health, but for the health of the community. If we are to touch one another for healing we need to be clean. And if forgiveness is to flow through us we must be open to God and one another.

Sometimes people have objected that Jesus seems to be implying that God’s forgiveness is somehow dependent on our willingness to forgive. But he is not implying this, he’s saying it explicitly, and he immediately goes on to reiterate the point. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt 6:14-15

God intends us to be channels of forgiveness as well as many other blessings, but a channel, a waterline for example, can be closed off at any point. If I shut off the intake, of course, the flow stops. But the same is true if I shut off the outflow or allow the line to become clogged. But it’s really not that big a deal, just basic plumbing. Or as Jesus told his disciples on another occasion, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Matt 10:8 In other words, just keep it flowing and go with the flow.

THE ECONOMY OF FORGIVENESS

Jeremy Putz, the lead pastor of the church we attend, has recently returned from a trip to Israel/Palestine, and there is probably no better place on earth to reflect upon Jesus’ words “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matt 6:12 than in the land where he spoke them. The heart-wrenching conflict that has defined this part of the world is driven by unforgiveness, but when you see the situation up close you are overwhelmed by a realization of why that is; real, effective forgiveness is not only risky, but unimaginably costly.

In his sermon on John 15:9-14 True Love Defined: Following Jesus Example Jeremy observes that great love always demands great sacrifice. Therefore real forgiveness involves letting go things we feel we should have every right to keep. In Israel/Palestine for example, where people have been killing each other’s relatives and stealing each other’s property for generations, the forgiveness that might be great enough to bring peace must be far more than simply saying “I forgive you”, even if you really meaning it. Such forgiveness requires laying down all claim to your house or land, which means giving it to whoever happens to have it now. It means, not only letting go of your bitterness toward the one who killed your father or daughter, but a willingness to lay down your own life for them as you would lay it down for your father or daughter.

If our first basic need is daily bread (the essentials of physical life), our second is surely forgiveness. And though It would be too much to suggest that unforgiveness is essential to all human discord, there are few things more effective for maintaining the cycle of conflict than the refusal to forgive. Families, friendships, workplaces and communities of all sorts, are bound together by the things we do for one another. We assist one another, encourage one another, protect, honour and feed one another. And we forgive one another. These are the economies that create and maintain community, and no society can survive without them.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matt 18:21-22

Our need for forgiveness is as daily as our need for bread, but where do we get it? Well, from the same place we get bread. Forgiveness is a gift from God, as mysterious as the grain that grows, so we pray for it. And, like God’s other gifts, when we receive it, it’s not just for us. It's a form of love and, like all love, it grows as we share it.

US AND OUR NEEDS

The first priority of prayer is God and his will; the second is us and our needs. This may seem surprising – one might imagine that humility should demand that others be given priority over us – but this is a rare occasion when thinking first of others is a matter of pride.

After God, our first concern in life is us. We may not be the neediest folk we know, but we are the ones nearest at hand. We may not be the worst folk we know, but we are the ones we know best and can influence most. There are many things we might desire for our families, friends, and even enemies, but to be great husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and even enemies; these are the things we’re most responsible for. So, after the things of God, we pray for the things of us. And these things fall into three broad categories, the first of which is material needs.

Give us today our daily bread. Matt 6:11

Here, as on countless other occasions, it is hopelessly misleading to read Jesus literally. “Bread” is an obvious metaphor for all of the immediate needs of earthly existence. But two things we should note: first, bread is a staple need for everyone, and second, it is a daily need; daily to consume and daily to produce.

Community is central to life, and especially to life as a disciple of Jesus. And bread is a symbol of community because it’s much more than a thing. Bread is a communal activity. From grain growing, to milling, to marketing, to baking, to eating, it is something we do together. When the devil tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread (Matt 4:3) it’s not about the evils of fast-food. It’s about meeting his own needs by his own power. It’s about being self-sufficient, independent. Later Jesus will make bread (Matt 14:15-21) but for others, from bread provided by others. And when Jesus gives his disciples a symbol by which to remember him it is a simple meal of bread eaten together. Our word “companion” is, literally, one with whom I share bread, from the Latin word panis (bread) and the prefix com (with).

There is something radically communal about all our basic needs. Strengths and achievements set us apart, but needs transcend distinctions of person, family, ethnicity, race, religion, class and even enmity. To pray for daily bread is to acknowledge that we are, first and foremost, people like other people. It is to embrace the interdependence of all life. So, I cannot rightly pray for daily bread for me and mine while desiring less for anyone.

In the Old Testament book of Proverbs we read:

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Prov 25:21

Admittedly there is a wry humour in this admonition as the next verse reads: In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,... but it’s an irony born of the focus on a common bond that we have both been missing. Coals enough for everyone perhaps.

Father,

meet each need each day:

all the needs of all of us,

and all the days

of all of

us

.