Each family has their own ritual of decoration. Or decorating time was the day after Thanksgiving each year, and the decorations would be taken down before the new year. "It is bad luck to have Christmas decorations up after January first", I can still hear my mom say. I though there was some unholy connection between black-eyed peas, cornbread, collard greens and Christmas trees. Only later did I realize that this was simple parental motivation to get things in the house back in order for the year that was just beginning.
The in-laws always decorate on Christmas or afterward. This is very odd to me, but this ritual was necessitated by Sarah's mom working in retail. Her father was busy and usually did not have time. Two years ago there was even the case of the missing tree, at the Bedenbaugh house. When it was located, Sarah and I decorated it when we got there for the holidays...sometime around December 27.
This season is full of ritual and ceremony. My favorite has been even more enjoyable this year. This is the first year that Douglas has been interested in watching the Christmas Classics: Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, The Year without a Santa Claus, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and the best Christmas movie of all time...Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Rudolph has always been my favorite; barely eking out How the Grinch stole Christmas. I still cannot resist singing the sinister song describing the Grinch, in the cartoon classic:
Each year, my sister calls and reminds me that it is on; always a holiday treat.
Rudolph is the true launching point for the sermon today. Each week I have held up an ornament before you and talked about the memories that it evokes. Today, we have before us an ornament from the Rudolph collection. Do you all know who this little fellow is?
Hermie is a kindred spirit to Rudolph. They were both Misfits. It seems that all of humanity is aware of the malady of Rudolph. Do we remember the issue with Hermie? He was one of Santa's elves, but his heart just wasn't in in. He wanted to be a dentist. He was ostracised and ridiculed and eventually took off away from Christmas Town with Rudolph. They ended up on the Island of Misfit toys where they encountered several other oddballs: a "Charlie-in-the-box", a train with square wheels, and a cowboy who rides an ostrich.
Are misfits only imaginary characters in the world of Animated cartoons? Let us explore a familiar story in the scripture found in the second chapter of Luke...as we go searching for misfits.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The text for this third Sunday of the advent season is so very familiar. In fact, it is probably the most well known group of verses in the entirety of scripture, rivaled only by John 3:16. It is a passage filled with misfits, given to misfits. In many churches each week the minister stands before the congregation and after the morning scripture reading says,"The Word of God for the People of God." This is said because the characters in the bible speak to us today, on a deep, shared level.
The misfit characters of Luke 2 speak loudly to the inner misfit in each of us. Mary and Joseph are misfits. Do we actually think that they felt like everyone else? Mary was unlike any young woman ever, as she was filled with child...after never having relationship with a man. She was chosen, because she was a misfit. She was unique, chosen for this task of being the mother of the Savior of the World. Joseph was a misfit, as he had been given the task of believing this elaborate story told to him by Mary. This story was so unbelievable...God sent an angel to him to confirm that it was actually true. Parents have much anxiety in raising children today, as questions come often like, "Am I doing enough, Is this the right thing, am I modeling the right images and ideals to my little one." Can you imagine the pressure of raising the Son of God? True misfits indeed.
The shepherds were misfits of the highest order. Each year thousands of children don bathrobes and walk down the main aisle of the church to visit the makeshift manger in Bethlehem. They always leave and invite the congregation to go and tell the world about that which they have just seen. A cute scene indeed, but the real shepherds were far from cute and believable. The scripture speaks to the fact that they were not reputable characters. People wondered about what the shepherds were saying. Why is that? They were vagabonds; the equivalent to today's travelling carnival workers. Not exactly folks that "fit in."
The wise men were not really kings. Each year we sing We three Kings, and the song no doubt conjures up images of a caravan of crown wearing dignitaries travelling across the desert. Actually they were stargazers, astrologers traveling looking to the skies for guidance. At a close examination, they more closely resemble Dionne Warwick and her psychic friends, than special kings from a foreign land. Not exactly people that you would see as having a valuable part in the plan of God. The amazing part of the story is that they were non-Jewish. Gentile astrologers were the first to come bearing gifts to this long expected Jewish messiah. Misfits delivering gold, frankincense and myrrh to a baby king that would be more than a Jewish political revolutionary. He would be the cause of a revolution in many heart; Jew and Gentile.
Now we focus on the biggest misfit of all of the cast of characters in this spiritual drama, played out thousands of time since the first Christmas in Bethlehem. We have spoken of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men. Who is left? Of course it is the main character in this drama unfolding before humanity. We like them, peer into the manger, and look at the feeding trough to find the biggest misfit of all. Jesus, the Christ is not only there...this morning he is here. Many years ago, the scripture tells us that God revealed himself in a tangible way. The Unknowable became the crying one that cried, ate , and did the other thing that babies often do. The creator of it all became flesh and blood. As the scriptures state, in John 1:14 "and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
He came for folks that just feel out of place. Some of this feeling is of our own doing, and some of it is simply due to the circumstances of life. Not to long ago, I had a conversation with a gentleman in his seventies. His wife had just died after a prolonged battle with cancer. For years, he had been visiting his son's home and being a vital, warm, healthy part of family functions. He had always felt comfortable, welcome, and at home there. However since the death of his wife he no longer feels the same. He is now a misfit, as his lifelong partner is gone, leaving him to stand alone.
Another friend after the death of his spouse tells me of the pain of eating alone. His other half is not there, and things are not as they once were. He remarried quickly to help to ease the pain. This, in retrospect was a big mistake, as that was not a good fit either. He is just another misfit in this land of sin and brokenness.
You and I are not immune. We are not as we should be. We are designed to live in communion and fellowship with God and each other. Often our personal relationships are fragmented and broken, and we seem so far away from God. Our sins often break that fellowship that is vital in a healthy relationship that fosters growth. We, too are misfits and need to be reborn. We need to be remade and have our relationships healed and restored.
This morning we light the candle of misfits. The good news of this Christmas season is that (recounting other candles of advent) Although we are dumbfounded in our steps of Faith, God takes misfits, and makes us family. He does this through the image described in the center candle; the Christ. We will not be here on Christmas morning. During your time of celebration, we invite and encourage each of you to pause, as a family and light this tea-light candle. As you light it remember the story of the advent season. The light of the world, cutting through the darkness; that is who this Christ was, and is still. (Dispense tea-lights as each parishioner leaves worship area)
Hermie and Rudolph, painfully sing the song of Misfits:
Why am I such a misfit?
I am not just a nitwit.
You can't fire me I quit, since I don't fit in.
Why am I such a misfit?
I am not just a nitwit.
Just because my nose glows, why don't I fit in?
Because of Christ, the elderly man that no longer fits in, my friend that has a failed marriage, each of you here this morning and this misfit preacher can sing a new song. A song that on this day will serve as our benediction. A benediction that ushers us and allows us to capture the message of this Christmas season. The greatest gift ever received is found here. Join me, as we sing together, "The Family of God."
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God
From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I'm not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong!
I'm so glad. I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God.
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