Bishop Lane's Christmas message
In my preaching during Advent, I noticed a phrase in the Epistle from 2nd Peter that I had not really seen before. The lesson for the Second Sunday of Advent reads “...in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.” 2 Peter 3:13
A new heaven and earth where righteousness is at home. “Righteousness.” Right relations with God and one another. Right relations between neighbors and among nations. Mutual respect. Shared wealth. Peace and harmony. God’s dream for us and all God has created.
The birth of Jesus in a stable in Nazareth, a child born into poverty and oppression, is both a sign of this new home and a promissory note for it.
Listen to what Isaiah prophesies: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.”
God-with-us, born among us. Fully human and the son of God. Something entirely new in human experience – promising something even newer in human experience: an end to the prejudice, the competition, the greed, and the pride, which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.
The child in the manger, the precious gift of a helpless child, is the sign that a better world is possible and the reason we can trust the promise. He is the one who will make it so: the wise one, the power of love, the protector and guide, the peacemaker. If we will follow him, he will lead us to the world where righteousness is at home.
Our hearts melt at Christmas because we know this world is possible, not perhaps by our own actions, but with God’s help. We know that God wants to love us into that reality. And, for a little while, we let that love inhabit us and give us hope.
This year may that love also inspire us to be part of building a world where righteousness is at home. May we know that we are loved. May we know that we are worthy of taking part. May we know that God wants us to offer ourselves and our gifts and that God will use what we offer for the sake of that new world.
Christ is born among us and a new world is on the way!
May God bless you with hope and courage for a new heaven and a new earth. Merry Christmas.
+Steve