Up-Down, Down-Up

December 18, 2007

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Ah, the joys of church maintenance.

Our elevator broke on Sunday.  After church, as people were taking the elevator down to the fellowship hall, the doors froze shut, trapping them inside.  And to make matters worse, when they pressed the “up” button, the elevator went down.  And when they pressed the “down” button, the elevator went up.  Fortunately, nobody panicked, and after just a short while, they were able to exit unharmed, albeit bewildered and relieved that their church campus roller coaster ride had come to a safe and complete stop.

The elevator repair company came this morning to give us the verdict.  A small piece of candy had fallen into the door sill and jammed the doors.  All of that fuss, all the disruption, and all the trauma of an elevator literally turned upside-down — caused by an innocent piece of spearmint hard candy.  

Sometimes the smallest, most unsuspecting events can cause the most turbulent of upheavals.

Just ask the gospels.  Over 2,000 years ago, the world was flipped on its ear.  A reversal of seismic proportions shook humanity at its core, and its after shocks continue to this day.  Up became down, and down became up:
    
     “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”
    “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
    “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

All of this change was caused by a tiny baby, candy-wrapped in swaddling clothes.  This baby is still turning our world upside-down, proclaiming a message of peace in a world addicted to violence, self-sacrifice in a culture compelled by its self-interests, forgiveness for relationships bruised by revenge, and powerless love amidst people who love power.

In “The Disarming Child,” Jurgen Moltmann wrote:

     “For to us a child is born.  To us a son is given.  The government is upon his shoulders.”  The liberator becomes a pleading child in our world, armed to the teeth as it is.  And this child will become the liberator for the new world of peace.  That is why his rule means life, not death; peace, not war; freedom, not oppression.  This sovereignty lies on the defenseless, innocent and hopeful shoulders of this child.  This makes our fresh start into the future meaningful and possible.  The oppressed will be free from oppression.  And they will also be free from the dreams of darkness, the visions of revenge. They stand up and rejoice, and their rejoicing frees their masters too from their brutal armaments.  The oppressors with their cudgels, their iron shoes and their bloody coats will be freed from their grim machinations and will leave the poor in peace.  For the new human being has been born, and a new humanity will be possible, a humanity which no longer knows either masters or slaves, either oppressed or oppressors.  This is God’s initiative on behalf of his betrayed and tormented humanity.  “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”’ It is the zeal of his ardent love.

This Sunday, we make our penultimate stop on our road to Bethlehem.  Join us as we “Experience the Wonder” of Christ’s arrival with a sermon titled “The Wonder of Peace.”  And be sure to come by early for our Advent Festival from 9-10am.  Children, families, and people of all ages are invited to this special time of  Christmas crafts, songs, stories, and an old-fashioned taffy pull.  And, of course, be sure to join us on Christmas Eve at the 5:00 or 6:30 service, featuring candle lighting, carols, and the coming of Christ once again into our world.

Grace, Hope, and Peace,

Magrey


The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA  51012
Ph:  712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org

Matthew 1:18-25
18  Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19  Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
20  But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21  She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
22  All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23  "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
24  When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife,
25  but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.