Aerial view of church property
2016-12-28
Anticipating Incarnation: The Empty Manger Luke 2:1-20
An Incarnational Journey
Aerial view of church property
This photo serves as a symbol for the ‘empty manger’ – revealed and filled in the birth narrative of Jesus (Luke 2)
1
2016-12-28
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ... All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. Luke 2:1,3,4
‘Travelling’ becomes a symbol for our own life of faith Biblical language of ‘sojourners’ ‘Live your lives as sojourners here in reverent fear’ (1 Peter 1:17)
1. Travellers A census is called and the holy family make their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem A rugged journey along the Judean Hills from Galilee to Judea Walking and by donkey Mary and Joseph travel the journey
Here is a call to remember that we are travellers – don’t become too settled – a call to live in the context of the big picture
2. Outsiders And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
People of no status All the rooms are taken by more prestigious folk They make their home in the manger (used 3x – v7,12,16)
Luke 2:7
2
2016-12-28
Where is our true home? What is our true calling or vocation?
They remind me of moments when it is clear – if I have eyes to see – that the life I am living is not the same as the life that wants to live in me. In those moments I sometimes catch a glimpse of my true life, a life hidden like the river beneath the ice. And in the spirit of the poet, I wonder: What am I meant to do? Who am I meant to be? Parker J. Palmer
3. Humble Birth Embrace your true calling – which is to know God and live in light of the greater truth
Solidarity This is a God who is in solidarity with us in our fragile condition Complete identification of Jesus with the poor A God who accepts our ordinary life and meets us in this place
The same text reinforces the humble circumstances of the holy family Born in a manger not a palace
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1
3
2016-12-28
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
4. A Birth with Glorious Overtones Simple shepherds watching their flock by night (v8) Receive the angelic visitation (v9) – “the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified”
Saviour, Messiah, Lord A message of good news/ glad tidings A message of great joy (v10) An extraordinary birth announcing a Saviour, a Messiah and Lord (v11)
For all People (v10b) It is a message of good news/great joy to Jew and Gentile alike It is good news to all people in every place and time
These 3 titles include the work of salvation that this anointed child will achieve Saviour – Jesus=Joshua/salvation Christ – Greek translation of Messiah/anointed one Lord – title used of the Father
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16
4
2016-12-28
5. The Shepherd’s Curiosity The Angelic choir explodes in praise and reinforces the sign ‘of a child being born in a manger’ (v12) In amazement the shepherds leave their flock and go to Bethlehem seeking the child – there they find the child, tell their story and worship the babe (v15-16)
The entire story is an invitation to consider God’s work in our world and lives To be receptive and to enter into the story of good news
More can be made of us than we suspect. If Christ is formed in us, we can never form too high a conception of ourselves. We are more than we can imagine. So let us sing with the gaiety of a heart which is set free for God’s eternal youth. Karl Rahner
5
Anticipating Incarnation: The Empty Manger Luke 2:1-20
An Incarnational Journey
Aerial view of church property
This photo serves as a symbol for the ‘empty manger’ – revealed and filled in the birth narrative of Jesus (Luke 2)
1
2016-12-28
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ... All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. Luke 2:1,3,4
‘Travelling’ becomes a symbol for our own life of faith Biblical language of ‘sojourners’ ‘Live your lives as sojourners here in reverent fear’ (1 Peter 1:17)
1. Travellers A census is called and the holy family make their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem A rugged journey along the Judean Hills from Galilee to Judea Walking and by donkey Mary and Joseph travel the journey
Here is a call to remember that we are travellers – don’t become too settled – a call to live in the context of the big picture
2. Outsiders And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
People of no status All the rooms are taken by more prestigious folk They make their home in the manger (used 3x – v7,12,16)
Luke 2:7
2
2016-12-28
Where is our true home? What is our true calling or vocation?
They remind me of moments when it is clear – if I have eyes to see – that the life I am living is not the same as the life that wants to live in me. In those moments I sometimes catch a glimpse of my true life, a life hidden like the river beneath the ice. And in the spirit of the poet, I wonder: What am I meant to do? Who am I meant to be? Parker J. Palmer
3. Humble Birth Embrace your true calling – which is to know God and live in light of the greater truth
Solidarity This is a God who is in solidarity with us in our fragile condition Complete identification of Jesus with the poor A God who accepts our ordinary life and meets us in this place
The same text reinforces the humble circumstances of the holy family Born in a manger not a palace
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1
3
2016-12-28
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
4. A Birth with Glorious Overtones Simple shepherds watching their flock by night (v8) Receive the angelic visitation (v9) – “the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified”
Saviour, Messiah, Lord A message of good news/ glad tidings A message of great joy (v10) An extraordinary birth announcing a Saviour, a Messiah and Lord (v11)
For all People (v10b) It is a message of good news/great joy to Jew and Gentile alike It is good news to all people in every place and time
These 3 titles include the work of salvation that this anointed child will achieve Saviour – Jesus=Joshua/salvation Christ – Greek translation of Messiah/anointed one Lord – title used of the Father
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16
4
2016-12-28
5. The Shepherd’s Curiosity The Angelic choir explodes in praise and reinforces the sign ‘of a child being born in a manger’ (v12) In amazement the shepherds leave their flock and go to Bethlehem seeking the child – there they find the child, tell their story and worship the babe (v15-16)
The entire story is an invitation to consider God’s work in our world and lives To be receptive and to enter into the story of good news
More can be made of us than we suspect. If Christ is formed in us, we can never form too high a conception of ourselves. We are more than we can imagine. So let us sing with the gaiety of a heart which is set free for God’s eternal youth. Karl Rahner
5
