Advent Dreams, Advent Actions: Their Watch of Wondrous Love
Rev. Jimmy Moore & Rev. Mary Beth Morgan, co-preaching
Luke 2:1-7
Barbara Brown Taylor writes that according to the Talmud, every blade of grass has its own angel bending over it, whispering, “Grow, grow.” That is, there are loving and watchful energies encouraging love and blessing surrounding all of us, and all of creation. We might ask, “What do those angels look like? If we could notice them, it might help us be encouraged.” Some of us probably picture them as the winged creatures of much Christian art. Others of us smile as we remember George Bailey’s guardian angel Clarence Odbody in “It’s a Wonderful Life”, who needed to help George in order to earn his wings. But perhaps we really are looking for them in the wrong places.
The stories in the Gospels that tell us about the birth of Jesus had angels dancing all over them. Matthew tells us of the angel that visited Joseph, and declared to him that God was active in Mary’s life and that he should not be afraid to marry her. In Luke, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, has a conversation with the angel Gabriel, who had already appeared in stories in the Hebrew Bible. Zechariah wonders how he and his wife, in their advanced years, will have a baby. And later, Gabriel has a conversation with Mary, who is more ready than Zechariah to receive the great news she is given.
In the beloved carol, “O, Little Town of Bethlehem” we sing the lines, “While mortals sleep, the angels keep, their watch of wondering love.” The loving watch, the carol suggests, opens a path to understanding, and an anticipation of the grace and love that is waiting to emerge. And if we are blessed, and patient, we can notice it, and even encourage its emergence. “Grow, Grow.”
We’ll discuss this “wondering love” in worship this Sunday. Mary Beth Morgan and Jimmy Moore will co-preach the sermon, “Advent Dreams; Advent Actions: Their Watch of Wondering Love”, arising from Luke 2: 1-14. The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa, will lead us in worship. We hope to see you in worship this Sunday.