Christmas
is coming and for most people that’s something to look forward to.
People are filled with anticipation, eagerness, and a sense of hope because we
may even be able to gather with a small group of friends and family again over
the Christmas season. Beautiful bright lights and decorations, along with
cheerful Christmas music is found everywhere we go. Yet for some of us, the joy
and cheerfulness all around us can’t really make through into our hearts and
lives. Some of us find ourselves wishing we could join in with the celebrations
going on all around us, but the weight, the pressures, the losses and grief many
of us have experienced this past year or so prevent us from feeling it, and
many of us would simply like to retreat from all the festivities because it’s
too hard right now.
The
prophet Micah is writing to the Jewish people, warning them that
God’s unhappy with them. God’s unhappy because there’s so much injustice going
on, so many vulnerable people being taken advantage of, so many people getting
hurt by those who were only concerned about themselves and what others can do
for them to help them have an easy life. These were dark and hard times for so
many of the Jewish people. God hears the cries of the widows, the orphans, the
poor and others who are going through hard times because those who could make a
difference were only looking out for themselves. This is why God sends the
prophet Micah to challenge the oppressors and call them back to who God’s
calling them to be as his people, to bring hope to those being oppressed, letting
them know that God hears their cries and cares deeply for them.
Through
Micah, God promises a son who will be like a shepherd to his people, a
shepherd who will protect his people, provide for them, and will guide his
people into peace, into shalom. This is a big
word with a whole lot of depth and meaning. What the people who are hurting
hear the prophet Micah say, is that God is sending a shepherd who is going to
bring peace, quiet and tranquility. We hear echoes to Psalm 23, the
Shepherd psalm where the shepherd leads the sheep beside quiet water and to
green meadows, places of peace that soothe the soul and heart. God’s telling
them that he cares and he knows their aching hearts and what they’re looking
for: hope and new life.
Most
of us here this evening have experienced loss or hurt this past
year, or a deep pain in the past we’re still mourning, and we need a place, a
moment to come to God and tell him that we’re hurting and we need some healing,
we want the tears and the ache to stop, or at least get less so we can move
through our days and weeks with hope again. My father went home to the Lord
this year, and for a number of reasons, we were unable to hold a ceremony for
him, it’s delayed until spring. The ache goes on. The economy is still hard and
many are finding it stressful to just get by, the pandemic has strained many
friendships, and loneliness is the new pandemic. Our hearts ache, our souls are
tired, and we’re looking for hope.
Christmas
and all its celebrations are hard, but it’s in what we remember at Christmas
that brings hope, comfort and peace; God comes to earth as a child in the
person of Jesus. Jesus comes as the son that Israel was waiting for, the
shepherd who will provide for and protect his sheep. Jesus comes to experience
life as we live it, in the chaos and messiness of family with its joys and
stresses, he experiences rejection and loneliness, he experiences sorrow when
loved ones die, he knows our hearts because he becomes one of us and knows what
we need, what we’re looking for.
Jesus
doesn’t come with might and power, he comes from a small insignificant
people, from a simple regular family, just as we do and he comes to walk with
us and offer healing, rest, and strength with gentleness and compassion. Jesus
comes with arms open, tears in his eyes, and an ache in his heart for you.
Jesus knows your ache, and in the ache, he comes to bring you comfort, peace,
and healing.
When
you’re feeling sorrow, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, Jesus reaches out
to you and invites to come to him for rest, “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For
my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Accept Jesus’
invitation to rest, close your eyes and tell Jesus, “Here I am, tired,
afraid, and hurting. Hold me close, let me feel your peace, and give me
strength for the days, weeks, and months ahead.” May you experience his
peace this Christmas season.
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