12 13 2003—Sojourners Devotion
Contrary to what we think, we have all received many presents at Christmas. But for the life of me, not many have survived down the years. When we moved or when we get a bit bigger or when the Macy’s ads don’t feature leisure suits anymore, we put away many presents. Most of us probably don’t even remember what we got last year!
Every year at Christmas time, we receive the gifts of Christmas. Two weeks ago, it was hope. Last Sunday, it was love. And tomorrow, God is giving us the gift of Joy. These are enduring gifts of Christmas and the reason for the season. God’s gifts like the Energizer Bunny keeps giving, giving, giving. They last for our entire lives.
Today, I think we are afraid of being happy. The answers to “How are you?” are usually, “I’m too busy, too stressed out, too tired.” People have more room in their lives for foul weather rather than for fair weather. We make a big deal when it’s raining or snowing outside but when the sun is out, we hardly take notice.
In Philippians 4:4-7, we read,
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your
gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry
about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
While Paul was in jail, he had this joyful attitude and it demonstrates his faith triumphs over adversity.
Paul’s missionary journeys were the way he lived out his service to God. Our journey is also a part of our gift to God as well. Each one of us arrived to this church and to the Sojourners by different routes. Some grew up here. Others have come from other churches to end up here. And perhaps there will be others whose life’s journeys will take them to yet another place from here.
Wherever we start or wherever we end up, God has given us the hope, the love, the joy and peace necessary to find meaning and value in what we do and who we are. We may each make the journey differently, but God gives us the raw materials to make the life’s journey one that can radiate joy.
There’s a story that I would like to share with you. It’s a true story of two elderly women who found a way to rejoice always. A couple traveling through New England spotted a sign in a yard that read simply: “Antiques.” They stopped and went into the house and were greeted by two elderly matrons. The ladies invited them into the living room for tea. After a pleasant conversation the man asked if they could see the antiques. One of the women said, a little sheepishly, “You’re looking at them.”
She meant by her answer to the question about the antiques not any of the furniture in the room, but the women themselves.
Hen she explained that when they had moved to this particular town, they were already getting on in years and had no friends. They rarely had company and they were lonely. So they hit on the idea of the sign, hoping that people would stop in and visit. The plan had worked better than they could have hoped. They made permanent friends; there were people who stopped by every now and then. Soon their new friends stopped by each time they passed through the town—just to see their “antique” friends. The other woman commented that they never intended to deceive anyone and had not really advertised that there was anything for sale. She then added, “I hope God will forgive us for our little ruse, and we hope that you aren’t angry with us.”
Those two women not only rejoiced, but they rejoiced greatly even in their frail lives.
One of the enduring gifts of Christmas given to us by God is joy. The angel said to the frightened shepherds,
“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for
all the people: to you is born on this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is the messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10)
Let us pray.