SERMON

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Text: Luke 1:39-45

Today I've got some more exciting news, a wonderful secret, to share with you. Today I've been given the privilege of announcing that someone in this congregation, someone with us today, is expecting. In fact, it's more than one person.

Now we like to think that when someone announces they're expecting there's no other reaction but joy. But if we're honest we'll admit that isn't always the case. There can be all sorts of reactions depending on the circumstances. The person may not enjoy a supportive relationship or there may be already another eight children in the family, in such situations fear and anxiety about the future may replace all joy. As the hearer of the news I may be overwhelmed by jealousy because of my desire to have a child. And there can even be ridicule - well how would you react if I told you one was a 60 year old woman or even a male?

The truth is that each case I'm speaking about is a little different from the norm. And so I want to avoid feelings of fear, or jealousy, and I don't want there to be any ridicule. I want nothing but joy. The people I know are expecting are very well known to you so don't think that this won't concern you. Even if you've never worshipped with us before I can assure you you'll know at least one very well.

Let me tell you about the first person! There's no time to be tactful or polite. We can only deal in the facts. While the couple involved enjoy some relationship, they haven't yet been joined in a long term relationship. They hope, if things work out, to be united one day, but at the moment it's impossible. Some of you might blame the father because he's often not to be seen. He does try his best to show his love and commitment. Indeed, over the years he's proved himself to be the faithful supportive type. The trouble is he's got a lot of other people who are very close to him, to worry about as well. He could demand a marriage commitment, but he's not the domineering ogre type. If you knew the full story, I'm afraid you might want to blame the expectant one whose life seems to be totally occupied with all sorts of other things. "I'm not quite ready to commit myself to such an important relationship, there are so many things I want to do." That's the sort of attitude the Father has to put up with. All I can really ask is that you please be understanding and slow to judge. I guess if the father is willing to take his time and wait till his partner is ready, then who are we to judge. Though I must admit, the fact that they're expecting indicates to me that the father won't just sit back and do nothing. His love I'm sure will motivate him to continue trying.

Another one I know is very thrilled with their news. But let me warn you this person's joy tends to bubble over and swamp everyone they meet. It's a little hard to cope with especially if you happen to be childless yourself. This joy can cause feelings of jealously, but it has been known to arouse anger and hostility. As I see it, we've been created for a productive close relationship and that anger or jealously often indicates the feeling of meaninglessness that comes with an empty barren life. But excited expecting people need to be sensitive to the feelings they evoke in others they meet.

I admit I may be judging you harshly, but my fear is that people here may react with a little ridicule when you know who the third person is. Our world often ridicules or mocks anyone who appears different. Our world values conformity as any teenager will tell you. I think this person has accepted that their child will make them stand out as different. I think thy're prepared for some laughter behind their back, but you can never really tell. It would be good if we could not only accept them but really show them our full loving support. That's an important part of congregational life after all.

In fact you know the sort of reaction I'm asking for is the reaction Elizabeth gave to the young Mary when she came with the news she was expecting. Listen to the Gospel reading:

Text: Luke 1:39-45

Soon afterwards Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill-country of Judaea. She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, "You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me? For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness. How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!"

Joseph found it difficult to accept his fiancee's pregnancy. He was both judgmental and jealous. But at least his love didn't allow him to ridicule her. He wasn't going to make a big fuss of their breaking up. Until God stepped in anyway. But Elizabeth accepted her without question. She didn't judge. She didn't become jealous. She didn't ridicule. (Do you realize that Mary could have been as young as 12, 13 or 14 at the time?) She said, "You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Why should this great thing happen to me, that my Lord's mother comes to visit me?"

A humble response that shows clearly her belief that God had worked a wonderful miracle in this young girl, an even greater miracle than her own. She rejoices with Mary, points her to the one who deserves all the praise for this miracle of miracles, and encourages Mary in her faith, "How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!" No doubt she understood just how easy it is for us at times like this to doubt God's wonderful promises.

Surely that's our task too as we meet the expectant people I have in mind. It's God who really works this miracle in our lives. He's the one who deserves the praise and glory. And especially if it's a new experience, the expectant one needs our encouragement and support. Get to know them and their needs. Pray for them. Become supportive friends.

But I guess you're still eagerly awaiting the names. Who are these expectant ones? Well for a start there are all the children baptised among us, there's (JACOB, CATHRYN, GLENNA-MAY, JAMES, KAYCEE, KRISTINA, MITCHELL, CHLOE, MITCHELL, LOCHLAN). Then there's been a few searching and seeking visitors, have you noticed them? Did you make sure to get their names? Then there are those who have joined our congregation in the last few years. Then those who have been here for years. Hopefully I can add your own name as well.

Whether they completely understand it or not everyone who comes through those doors, especially at Chrsitmas is expecting; expecting the Christ-child to come into their lives with his marvellous presence; expecting his love and forgiveness to change their lives as surely as a real pregnancy changes physical bodies; joyfully expecting him to fill them with new life and a sure hope; expecting him to return to take them to be with him forever. We're all expectant mothers. That Bethlehem babe is your babe.

Listen to one of my favourite Christmas quotes from Luther,

"Everyone must accept the Child so that he can say and believe that the Child is his, as did the Virgin who conceived him. Whoever does not accept the Child in this way, for him the birth loses its significance. Take the child our of Mary's arms and regard him as yours. He was given not only to the mother but also to me. Carry him in your arms and say: 'This little Child is mine; he was born for me. He has to become completely ours, so that by faith we bear him in our laps and in our arms. like the mother.' If we believe like Mary, we shall receive Christ into our hearts in the same way as the Virgin received him into her heart before all physical conception and birth. Then the wonderful saying applies to us that we are all mothers of him whom we did not bear.' (To you is born this day a Saviour" - Harding Meyer LPH - page 25)

This is the miracle of Christmas, this is the miracle we celebrate again this year, this is the miracle we see every time we celebrate a baptism, or remember our own. This is the miracle that's taken place in your life and mine, the miracle God wants you to share with others. Today I say to each one of you "You are the most blessed of all people, and blessed is the child you bear!... How happy you are to believe that the Lord's message to you will come true!"

Like all expectant mothers in unusual circumstances you may at times be afraid of the future, you may doubt your strength to go on, you may even receive a hard time from some people, but never forget the wonderful promises your God has given you. Believe and trust. Support the other expectant people around you and above all rejoice in the God who's worked this wonderful miracle in each of us.