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God’s Love: Always on the Move
Luke 2:3-20

    I love to give gifts to others, I’m sure you do as well.  I’ve gone down memory lane this week and thought about presents I’ve given or received.  My favorites, hands down, are home-made or sentimental in some way.  I was so happy this Thursday when I finally found the small box containing my in-laws’ Christmas angels.  We chose just three among the assortment that Rose and Charles displayed in their homes over the decades.  Looking at them has brought me such joy.  
     I’ve often bought Christmas ornaments for our kids, that in some way represent that year’s interests in their life.  Found on the branches of our tree are figures of Ronald McDonald, Scooby Doo, Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop, and Thing One and Thing Two.  Plus there’s Batman, Pet Shop, Veggie Tales’ Larry Boy and more.   
     The angels and tree ornaments bring me such joy, but my season to savor them is rather short. The pine needles will fall off from our tree, signaling it is time to take everything down.   I’ll pack the ornaments carefully away, then we’ll unwind the colorful strings of lights.  Next, we get out a rather beat-up box with Styrofoam to hold each character and animal from our nativity, plus the angel, trumpet, stable and bright star.  Another special treasure is our hand-painted ceramic tree; it has lost some of the small lights over time, but in our eyes it’s as lovely as the first year we plugged it in and enjoyed it.  
    Added to our home, though, here and there, are some gifts we’ve given or received from those we know and love.  Simpler is better in our eyes, more so every year. We also appreciate letters we get from those we know, and photos too.  Then on Christmas Day we love to talk with family or these days, ZOOM.  
     Jesus, the Son of God, born in Bethlehem is the beautiful reason we celebrate this season.  He broke into our world, surprising many, and as the Good News spread it brought indescribable joy.  
     Speaking of joy and surprises, I want to show you a video I’ve very much enjoyed. There are several small but important things that happen, so keep alert. 
    You’ve just seen a flash mob. The scene opens in a mall with people shopping for Christmas gifts.  Whether they have a list they’re checking off, or none at all, I like to think that most of them want to choose good gifts.  They want those who receive them to open it and smile, laugh or say, “You know, I really needed one of these!”  
       Perhaps you noticed some people-watchers?  Standing or sitting, they seemed to be waiting… perhaps they were the chauffeur for the day.  
      Now for the good part.  Did you like it when an adult finally went all the way up to the child to ask them what help they needed?  That is humanity at its best.  Then, they are trusting enough to let the child lead them over to an adult.  From there they are good natured enough to  walk under a bridge of netting and eventually sit down where asked.  
      Two other adults were also willing to join in, but they had no idea what would come next.  Out of nowhere, a cake and then a gift box appears in front of them.  They are surprised by the gifts, but clearly happy.  Everyone loves getting a gift. People all over the mall have paused to watch - the chosen ones with their gifts have drawn their attention.  
       Adding to all of this was the superb and joyful singing.  A single voice got a few people’s attention, then others joined in.  Most were quietly hidden in the wider crowd.  The cumulative effect was a choir, a diverse mix of people, singing with enthusiasm.  Joy spread to all, young and old. 
      This flash mob event has some good reminders for us in these final days before Christmas. People do need help, but they don’t carry a sign around with those words on it.  Not many people may notice… some do but never close the gap and make a difference.  You and I can be humanity at its best in this world.   Let’s be ready and willing to help others.   
      Others of us may be like the chauffeurs, in a service capacity most of the time.  Perhaps not as recognized as others might be, but very necessary.   God needs quiet servants.   Or perhaps we’re like the “get it all done” list-makers out shopping at the mall.  Not everyone thrives that way, but praise God for those whose energy and organization are top notch.  The church is blessed by them.  Some of us are like the joyful singers: we aren’t in the spotlight, but we are part of a community, ready to use our gifts in ways that please God and bless others.
       During these days before we celebrate the birth of God’s son, let’s remember this: the most remarkable things can happen when we least expect it.  Mary and Joseph would agree; so would shepherds and many others.   Let me leave you with a question to ponder this week.  What if some of the most amazing days of your life have not yet happened?  On ordinary days yet to come, you might be surprised with the best news.  
       Even when the lights and the excitement and the joy of the Christmas season are gone, more joy is coming. The Source of All Joy is Jesus; he is the Reason for the Season. May you feel the joy of Jesus in your heart –
the love of Jesus in your heart –
the peace of Jesus in your heart –
the hope of Jesus in your heart.
​I wish you all these things! Amen.  

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