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Joy, peace, noel, hope, merry—words associated with Christmas.
Words are powerful, intriguing, encouraging, deflating, and hurtful. Words
can have the power to do good or evil. I think we need to change the child’s
nursery rhyme: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can scar forever.
Words can be problematic.
Words can cause stress and anxiety. I do not have to think for
long to recall words spoken to me that were wounding and hurtful. For some
these words may come from a parent, sibling, or spouse. Pastors can often
remember the harshness of a parishioner’s words as they battle through
their remnants of anger. Words can be painful.
Words also can be soothing, comforting, and calming. I can remember
words of encouragement and faith. I do not struggle to recollect words that
challenged me to greater heights or called me to a deeper life.
How do we deal with words at Christmas, especially words that
evoke painful emotions and memories? We could make up our own words: Santa
Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, chestnuts, holiday, carols, cantatas, and musicals.
Do any of those sound familiar? Today it’s politically incorrect to
say “Merry Christmas.” To avoid offending others we say, “Happy
Holidays.” We now substitute TV shows for the substance of the Incarnation
narratives. Many of our concocted words, however, leave us empty and tired.
How many times can you really enjoy Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus?
We might choose to simply be silent: speak no words and hear
no words: withdraw, avoid, dodge, evade. Do any of these sound familiar? But
we find ourselves blinded by the lights of Christmas all around us—we
cannot avoid them. We cup our hands over our ears as we’re deafened
by the sounds of the season—carolers on the corners and musicians in
the malls—we cannot escape it.
To help us deal with these words we need look no further than
the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word was foretold by the
prophets, entered our world, proclaimed by the angels, and celebrated by the
shepherds. You see, God spoke the Word. He gave us a “word,” and
the celebration of His gift has become known as Christmas. “Christmas,”
what a word! Let’s try a couple of more words: Advent, Incarnation,
Salvation.
The purpose of this Advent series is to highlight five words,
not all of which are blatantly associated with Christmas. All five, however,
flow from the Christmas narratives. Let’s listen closely to the texts
and hear the Word spoken long ago and far away, yet spoken again now and here,
in our time and in our world.
This passage from Luke is referred to in Christian tradition
as the Annunciation—the announcement to Mary that she would give birth
Jesus, the Christ child. This text is preceded by the story of the angel’s
announcement to Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, was going to have a son,
despite her old age. Following the Annunciation, Mary visits Elizabeth—a
meeting of two people with impossible life-situations. The flow of these narratives
creates a growing tension of the impossible becoming possible.
The historical context of this narrative must be remembered
as you work through this passage. Mary and Joseph were poor. They belonged
to the race of people being dominated by the Roman Empire. They lived within
a strictly governed community regulated by religious laws and customs. Mary
could have been stoned for being pregnant and unmarried. Joseph could have
been shamed into leaving all he held dear.
Also keep in mind the emotional components flowing through this
story. What bride is not excited about her engagement and approaching wedding?
What groom is not anxious about the new chapter in his life? If not for the
angel’s visit to Mary could we even imagine the panic and the questions
she would have had—a virgin having a baby—impossible! Would Joseph
understand? Would the angel visit him with the message of the Messiah? Would
Joseph be obedient even if the angel told him the truth?
Was there ever a groom-to-be who was not somewhat jealous and protective of
his bride-to-be? She was his and he was hers. Think of the disappointment
Joseph suffered. Imagine his emotional pain and angst as he discovered Mary
was with child—and the child was not his. No one would surmise the actual
circumstances—a virgin having a baby—impossible!
Their hopes and dreams were teetering on the edge of total collapse.
The home Mary dreamed of, the happy marriage Joseph desired, and the family
they longed for were all in danger of complete disappearance. Consider the
stress the extended family put on this young couple. Would Mary’s family
believe her story? Would Joseph’s family believe her story? Would you
believe their story? Talk about tension! Peace would seem rather impossible.
The angel comes to Mary with a message of grace. “Highly
favored” (v. 28) means “to grace,” or to be the object of
grace. This phrase is also translated as “accepted” in Ephesians
1:6. I imagine there were times for Joseph and Mary when it didn’t feel
like grace and acceptance.
Another word requiring attention in this passage is “impossible”
(v. 37), which means to be “unable.” This word comes from placing
a negative prefix on the word “possible,” changing something from
being able to unable. As we dig deeper into the root of the word “possible,”
we discover the root is a Greek word for “power.” The basic meaning
of impossible is “to not have the power necessary for the situation
or task.” Impossible means to be without power. Impossible means there
is no power or ability to accomplish the task.
Contrasted with the word “impossible” is the name
of God, “Most High,” in verses 32 and 35. The only other place
this name is found in the New Testament is in Luke 8:28, the story of Jesus
healing the demon-possessed man. “When he saw Jesus, he cried out and
fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want
with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!’”
“Most High” connotes power—even the forces of evil recognize
the power of the Son of the Most High God.
This is a story of impossibilities. Consider the impossibilities
Mary faced in this story: She is a virgin and pregnant—she is having
a child while she is a virgin. Impossible! No way! Won’t happen! Joseph
has to follow through on the marriage after he discovers Mary is pregnant.
Impossible! Mary must avoid being stoned to death when the neighbors hear
the news. Impossible!
Consider the impossibility Elizabeth faced. She was well past
the childbearing age, and yet God says she is going to conceive and bear a
child. This impossible news left old Zechariah speechless. Impossible! No
way! Won’t happen!
This is a story of biblical impossibilities. But, what are the
impossibilities in our world? What would you label “impossible”
in your life? Peace in our world. Impossible! No way! Won’t happen!
Christian values returning to our nation, morality becoming the norm? Impossible!
Our church reaching our surrounding community and making our world different?
Impossible! Restoring relationships, healing past hurts in our lives. A relative
or friend entering a relationship with Christ. Breaking an addiction and overcoming
past hurts and disappointments? Impossible!
We find ourselves with the same troubled mind as Mary, wondering
over the impossible (v. 29). We even ask the same question Mary asked, “How
will this be?” (v. 34). To us it seems impossible! No way! Won’t
happen! The real question for people today is “How can the impossible
become possible?”
The key is found in the language, in the word. This whole story
is dripping with words and images of power: Great (v. 32), Most High (v. 32),
Lord God (v. 32), throne of his father David (v. 32), reign (v. 33), kingdom
(v. 33), never end (v. 33), power of the Most High (v. 35), and Son of God
(v. 35). Even in verse 28 the greeting of the angel, “the Lord is with
you,” is tied to Immanuel (Hebrew) from Isaiah (which was given in a
power context). Powerful words flow through this situation.
It doesn’t stop at the announcements. Mary goes to see
Elizabeth and as soon as Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s baby leaped
within her. When she told Mary what happened Mary began to sing (what is known
as the Magnificat, or the glories). Look at these power phrases and images
we find in Mary’s song of praise: He has power enough to overcome (vv.
49, 51-52), He has power enough to be pure (vv. 49), He has power enough to
be compassionate (vv. 52-55). How can the impossible become possible? How
will this be?
“The power of the Most High” (the immediate force
of the Godhead delivered by the Holy Spirit) will “overshadow”
(envelop in a haze of brilliancy—the image of a cloud coming upon her).
The image may even be linked to the cloud in Exodus 40:38, representing the
presence and power of God. It reminds me of how God’s Spirit hovered
over the waters in creation, although it is a different word it has a similar
feel.
How can the impossible become possible? The power of God is
going to be released into the life of Mary and Elizabeth. God is going to
act on their behalf. God is going to speak His name–-Son of the Most
High—into their world. He is going to say the Word . . . “possible.”
When the Most High God says the Word, the impossible becomes possible.
Mary asks “how” and the angel says, “by God’s
power.” Then the angel says, “By the way, in case you didn’t
know, you wondered about it, you had questions, you had doubts, let me tell
you, inform you, remind you, announce to you—nothing is impossible with
God! He has all power and can do all things!” (v. 37). Into our world
of impossibilities, God the Most High gives the word for the day . . . “possible!”
Our response is very simple, yet absolutely necessary and is
the same as Mary’s, “I am the Lord’s servant. . . . May
it be to me as you have said” (v. 38). I must be a willing and surrendered
participant. When God’s power is met with a willing and surrendered
heart, the impossible becomes possible!
We respond to God, “Let the power of God turn the impossible
into the possible. I am surrendered and willing.” Our response is to
go beyond simply bringing our impossibilities to God. We are to bring ourselves
to Him first and then our impossibilities. He will say the Word and the impossible
will become the possible.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
Preaching the Christmas story is always challenging because
it is so well known. This text lends itself to the problem-answer-response
approach. The sermon sets itself up to address the seemingly impossible situations
in which people find themselves. Sometimes those situations are of our own
making and sometimes they are simply the result of life. Whatever the cause,
God can say the Word into our lives and the impossible becomes possible.
Be careful not to start “scratching itching ears.”
People will be inspired by the hope of the impossible becoming possible
—that’s great! But, don’t let them miss our response: to
surrender and yield ourselves to the will of the Most High.