Prayer

Lord as we ponder your words open our hearts that we may understand and know you. Amen 

Sermon    

 Needed a bit of a break from all the Christmas music. Some guy keeps singing about dreaming about a white Christmas.  We all know we are supposed to be going Green.  Out with Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and in with ABBA.  The music can be somewhat seasonally related. Like SOS, or Money Money Money must be funny in a rich man’s world, dreams of my last summer or Take a Chance. Take a Chance on me. 

I don’t often take chances. I am United Church most of my big decisions are made by calling a committee and having a casserole

I did a chance when I applied to University. I was not known for my academic prowess

Trent University took a chance.  Perhaps saw something others did not and took me. I did spend a year on academic probation. 

I have learned to perhaps take chances. 

 I took a chance and picked up a paint brush, a spatula a camera.

In this moment stop and look at the chances you have taken, take a moment to think on what you have created, accomplished seen. 

    All things are possible with God.

God believes in us.

Imagine what it must to been like to be Mary 

 What was she doing, baking bread, cleaning house, looking out the window at the tree in the garden?  When standing next to her is an angel of the Lord, like one of the top four players.  Let’s be honest from a complete human stand point.  Your there and an angel of the Lord appears and says your name.  You are going to need a change of nickers. 

 Then Mary said, "Here am I the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.  The gospeller makes Mary sound so serene. 

But one thing is for sure Mary is bold. She listened and took the chance.

She right there and then gave herself over to God/ Anything is possible with the Lord.

Did she know what was to come? No She trusted and believed took the hand of the Holy Spirit and moved forward. Mary took the chance.

Granted after a second thought Mary did kind of wonder “hmm how will I explain this one to Joe. 

Joe Comes home from a busy day of working in the city of Sepphoris not all that far from Nazareth. Bit of a commute, there was  traffic a horse threw a shoe backed up things for minutes. 

Joe comes in table all set, fresh wicks and oil in the lamps lit on the table (really not a lot of choice) favorite meal Bread and fish. Old family recipe.  Just going for a second helping of hummus and Mary says and by the way the an Arch Angel of the Lord   Gabriel dropped in this afternoon for Tea, just to let me know that the Spirit of Lord was going to be upon me and I am going to bear the Son of God. We are going to name him Jesus and that same spirit will make me pregnant. More bread. 

Tense moments so it is no wonder God had to visit Joeseph in a dream to smooth things over.   And Joeseph took a chance. He said yes to the endless possibility of God. 

   We Spend a lot of time thinking of what we can't do as compared to what we can.

This is a reminder of what God can do,  how God touches our lives  Touches our lives with Love.  For nothing is impossible with God.  We just have to believe.

Some people never believe in themselves. They are never content with were they are. They lament and see everything as God against them.   

Some people see life as something to hold them back blaming others blaming God for whatever has happened in their life.  We ask God to change our lives rather than asking God for the courage to or the strength to face what life has dealt us. The courage to follow the path that life has set for us.

This Past Thursday was the Winter  Solstice.  It is the first day of winter,    the days begin there patient march back towards the longer day and life returning to the world.  The celebration of the birth of Jesus is where it is because this is the time of light breaking into the world, those lengthening days.  The love of God breaking into the world in the light of Christ illuminating all the potential that is there to be realized.

Today is a reminder of how much God loves us that when we accept God's leading we believe in ourselves all things are possible. Even virgin births. In response to the love of God we say yes here am I your servant O lord let it be me according to your will.   We are called to share that love. By encouraging others to see their value and their potential. Helping them see That with God through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit all things are possible.  My prayer for you has not change. Be here in this moment.

  and look at all that you have accomplished. Find a moment to not think of “what next”,  to not worry about having to be there, or plagued by the endless list of to do    Take a breath of Christmas coming, Christmas here. To savoir the light coming into the darkness.  To find that moment to rest in God’s embrace In Gods Hope, Gods Peace, God’s Joy but most of all God’s love and know That we are just not alone. God is with us.