ADVENT 4B

December 19, 1999

Surprising Gifts

by Linda Kraft

2 Sam 7:1-11, 16
Luke 1:26-38

Surprise. Our texts for today are full of surprises. Surprises for both a great ruler and a peasant girl. From the marble-floored, cedar-paneled palace of a king to the dirt-floored, mud-baked-brick walls of the home of an ordinary teenaged girl, God is seen reaching in and surprisingly changing lives.

• Several years ago one could not make it through the pre-Christmas season without hearing at least once O Henry's touching story called "The Gift" or some people call it the "Gift of the Magi". You'll remember it's about a young newly-wed couple who are living in extreme poverty. In their effort to make a good Christmas for each other, each one sacrifices some treasured possession in order to give the other a priceless gift. The young man, who admires his wife's long, lush auburn hair, pawns the pocket watch he'd inherited from his beloved father in order to buy her a tortoise-shell comb to style those beautiful locks. And, she, out of love for her dear husband, makes secret arrangements to sell her lovely hair to a wig maker so she can have just enough money to buy for him a golden chain from which to hang his father's watch. As each returns home that Christmas Eve and eagerly presents their gifts, they come to realize how deep their love is for each other  that each would sacrifice their most prized possession out of love for the other. Their surprise is only exceeded by the freshly-realized depth of their love.

The people of the old covenant had experienced many surprises in their lives. God had promised to be with them through whatever challenges life confronted them with. From their rescue from slavery in Egypt through the establishment of God-fearing kings, faithful people were aware of God's hand in their every-day lives. And, now, their greatest king, David, comes up with a wonderful plan. It occurs to him that he's living comfortably in a magnificent palace. While, outside the palace walls, the ark of the covenant is sheltered by the thin, wind-blown walls of a tent. The ark was the symbol of God's presence that had led the procession of God's people out of slavery and into the freedom of the Promised Land. David decided it wouldn't do for such an important artifact, the visual sign of God's presence among the people, to be out there exposed to the winds and the rain, the sandstorms and the cold. HE was going to make a house for the Lord.

But, surprise! God had other plans. God told David, through the words of the prophet Nathan, that David wasn't the one who would build a house for God. When the time is right, God said through Nathan, I will choose where to dwell. God reminded David that his success as king had not come through his own effort. God had CHOSEN David to be the leader that he had come to be. David's success hadn't come through his own genius or effort or even through Israel's strength, but all these things had come about as a divine gift. God says: "I took you up..., I have been with you..., I will make you..., I will appoint..., I will give you rest. God surprises David by saying, "Listen, David, don't forget who's in charge here. Don't get so full of yourself. I am the one who knows what's best. Listen to me."

The promise of David to the Lord, the promise to build a permanent "house", is turned around: Yahweh promises to establish DAVID'S house or dynasty FOREVER. The one who has blessed and prospered David will continue to do that and much more. Just remember who is in control, and the rest will be blessing, God promises.

The second surprise in today's readings comes, of course, to Mary. The Annunciation is such an old comfortable, familiar story for us, though, it's hard to hear it again and register any surprise. We know so well the rhythm of the words, the illogical logic of the presence of an angel, the graciousness with which Mary accepts the gift of God, that we sit quietly when the words are read. We, like a small child who chooses the same bedtime story night after night, are reassured by the story each time it's told. "THIS is what Christmas is about," we think. This is the kind of scripture reading I've been waiting to hear. And, we sit back and listen with a warmth in our hearts that transports us to memories of happy Christmases past.

But, what if you could hear these verses again with wonder and awe. What if this passage from Luke could awaken you to a new possibility. What if it could surprise you into a new realization? Listen as I personalize the wonder for you, and get ready to say your own name out loud:

At the right time of year, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Connecticut called Stafford Springs, to a person seated among the congregation at Holy Trinity. That person's name was [insert your name here]. And the angel came to that one and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But this church-goer was much perplexed by the angel's words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

So, the angel said, "Do not be afraid, for YOU have found favor with God. And, now you WILL receive in your life the Son of God, named Jesus."

Then the person in the pew said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

Are you surprised to hear the words of the angel addressed to you? The Lord is giving you permission to build a temple in your hearts, the temple denied to David's construction crews. Jesus is coming to make a home in your heart today and every day. Will your acceptance be as gracious as Mary's?

Maybe you remember a children's Christmas song from many years ago that goes:

• Oh, come, little children, oh come one and all.
  To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small.
  God's son for a gift has been sent you this night
  to be your Redeemer, your Joy and Delight.

Yes, the Lord Jesus, the babe in the manger, the inquisitive child in the temple, the teacher, the healer, the Redeemer is your most precious gift this Christmas.

As we receive the body and blood of our Lord at his holy table today let us remember how God presented this most precious gift to each of us in love. God's love is so deep and everlasting that the only son, Jesus, was given for YOU so that you may live in God's love throughout eternity.

Then let us respond to God's surprising gift of grace with the words of the hymn:

• Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
  Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
  Within my heart, that it may be
  A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

And, may we live our lives in such a way that everyone can see that Jesus lives in us! Amen

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, for all people according to their needs:

Ever-present God, you have brought us up out of the depths of despair; you have been with us wherever we have wandered; you have been with us in all our attempts to be what we are today. Grant us rest from our worries as we lay their burden at your feet. In times of pressure and stress help us to remember that you are always eager to give us rest from the challenges of life. Help us find our calm center in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16)

God of mystery and surprise, around the world and here in our home town, people are waiting to hear the good news of your grace in Christ. Raise up faithful leaders. Empower ALL your people to proclaim your message of hope to everyone they meet so that you might be praised and given glory forever. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Romans 16: 25-27)

God of strength and might, overpower us with your grace. Fill us with your presence. Remove our doubts and fears so that we might delight in your loving purpose for our lives. At times our hearts cry out as we cannot express all that this world needs. With your wise guidance, inspire us to provide from our excess for all your children here and around the world so that wars might end and all might find shelter, comfort and peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Luke 1: 26-38)

Rock of our salvation, giver of life and eternity, we ask that your presence may be made known among these who need your tender care: Are there others we should include in our prayers? Guide them to true peace in your constant love. Give strength to all those you've sent to care for them. Direct their lives in love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Psalm 89: 1-4, 19-26)

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(Comments to Linda at Linda_Kraft@Ecunet.org.)

Linda Kraft, Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Stafford Springs, CT
Secretary, Slovak Zion Synod, ELCA
Board Member: ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools