“A Baby Changes Everything” 

  [This message was delivered at the Community of the Savior, Rochester, NY, on 12/31/23, based on Luke 2:22-40. It can be viewed on the Community of the Savior Facebook page. Note that the message includes sections of the song “A Baby Changes Everything,” written by Craig Wiseman and Tim Nichols and sung by Teressa Bala, my daughter. I wrote the brief verse in the middle of the sermon.]

       

The season of signs is not over. The birth has happened, that star over Bethlehem is yet to come. Between the sign of the manger and the sign of the star, there is a visit to the temple, itself a sign, though most unusual. In Advent we heard again those ancient prophetic words: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) A sign.

We have had a big sign on the brick wall rising above our entrance doors, telling of the Christmas Eve worship services. Some people came here last Sunday because of that sign.

An old country pastor needed to have a sign made that would tell the people passing the church building about the wonder of Christmas. He lived out of town and did not have access to any of the modern electronic conveniences. He went to the sign maker in town and said he didn’t have much of a budget, so he said to make the sign exactly as I have written it here. The sign arrived before Christmas Eve and he hung it on the side of the building facing the road. The sign said: “Unto us a child is born—6 feet wide and 3 feet high.”

“This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) The signs are everywhere, sometimes subtle and sometimes bold. He comes to us as a baby. A mere child. Born in the humblest of circumstances. The signs are everywhere to be seen. A baby! Sign of hope in such unexpected circumstances.

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what’s to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

The man she loves, she’s never touched
How will she keep his trust?
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

Is anyone ever prepared for the arrival of a baby? There are plenty of books for expectant mothers. But perhaps the best wisdom comes from the elders, those that have survived the harrowing journey of the birth canal, and babyhood, and the terrible twos, and the trying teen years, and young adulthood, and middle age, and have arrived at what some call the golden years. The AARP season. For many years, I would preach on this passage at this time of year about Simeon and Anna. Now, I am preaching with them. They are my people. I am their generation. How old are they? They are accomplished pickle ball players. For them, for us, Christmas is less about the gifts and more about the gift. Less about the decorations and trappings and more about God become flesh and blood. Less about the holly and more about the holy. Less about presents and more about presence.

The young couple act “According to the law….” Five times the law of the Lord is mentioned in this passage. I have a lover’s quarrel with religion. My life’s work has had me in organized religion, yet I don’t consider myself that religious. Religion troubles me in many ways. It tends to be harsh and rigid and judgmental. In his adult ministry, Jesus was almost constantly in trouble with religious leaders. I love the Lord, but I am often deeply troubled by organized religion, including Christianity, which too many times is so removed from the Good News Jesus brought and brings. I resonate with people who desire to be spiritual, but not religious. But here I am moved by how the religious practices of Mary and Joseph are guiding them. When unsure of what to do, of where to go, they obey the law of the Lord and it guides them faithfully. Three cheers for having rites and traditions passed down to us by those who have gone before us.

What to do? Where to go?

Keep the law; God must know

And she cries/ And he cries

Ooh, they cry

But faith must move beyond mere law keeping. If religion stops at law keeping, it is hardly worth the effort. The law of the Lord always points beyond the law to the law giver. To the realm of the Spirit. To matters of the heart. To acts of mercy and compassion.

Mary is so young for all this. And now the spotlight of the cosmos focusses on this young couple, on this teenaged mom with a little baby. They bring him to the temple because that is what they are supposed to do. And when you aren’t sure what to do, maybe the best thing is to do is what the generations before have done. Bring the baby to the Lord. Surely the Lord has some words of wisdom. And God does have some words, but these are words no one is expecting.

An old man named Simeon is there. Why, he might be as old as I am. He has been hanging on to hope for years and he wonders how much longer he can hold on. The Holy Spirit once whispered to him that he won’t die until he sees the Messiah. He sees this young couple with a baby. They look poor, yet rich. She glows with joy. He radiates pride. And they are both just a bit fearful. The baby is just being a baby. In Luke 1-2, there have been three men vitally involved in the story: old Zechariah the priest, young Joseph the carpenter, and now old Simeon just hanging on. Zechariah loses his voice for nine months. Joseph never says a word. Simeon finally breaks the male silence.

First Simeon speaks words that are at once comforting and challenging: “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” That warms my heart.

Then Simeon blesses them and speaks to Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” That sends a twinge of cold in my heart. But it’s part of the story. There will be suffering; that too is part of the glory. Mary will ponder these words too. I wonder if Simeon wishes he hadn’t said that; but he did. There will be suffering and death—and Mary will be there for it all. Another sign about this baby who will change everything.

Choir of angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything
Everything, everything, every day
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

My whole life has turned around
I was lost but now I’m found
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And we marvel at the manner of the sending. Poet Lawrence Lee writes, “In the midst of political upheaval, we hoped for a king. In the midst of wars and rumors of wars, we hoped for a general. In the midst of religious tumult and controversy, we hoped for a high priest. But you send us a baby. [pause for bewildered reflection] Interesting choice, God. “

Yes, a baby changes everything. This baby will change everything.

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