Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
I wanted to do a special Christmas version of my blog. Below is the sermon I preached on Christmas Eve. If you want you can follow me preaching it by using the YouTube clip. (You can find more of these on the church's YouTube page.) Or you can just read it below. God's Blessings to everyone this Christmas. Enjoy! ‘Tis the night before Christmas, and all through this church, Like the shepherds did for Jesus, we have now ended our search The Christmas banner has been hung with care, And good old Christmas hymns sound in the air; The children are restless waiting for the presents to come Yet we gather tonight to praise the birth of God’s Son. Yes this baby Jesus was sent from above. This little tiny baby is the embodiment of God’s love. The prophet Isaiah promises from the stump of Jesse will come up a shoot. The prophet Isaiah promises that its branch will bear fruit. Truly this child king will bring with him peace Truly this child king will show God’s love will never cease This king came in the midst of a royal decree. This brought to Bethlehem the family of Joseph of Galilee. This royal baby’s birth could not have been stranger, Because this baby was not born in a palace but laid in a manger. He laid in hay because there was no room in the Inn. And somehow this lowly baby would come to erase our sin. Angels came to nearby shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. They shared this good news of the Messiah who was wrapped in cloth tight. Then angels gathered and sang something truly to savor, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place!” And the shepherds did find that baby in the manger space. They shared what they heard and Mary treasured them in her heart. She held her first born yet she knew it was just a start. When it came to Jesus’ glory she didn’t need anyone singing, “Mary did you know?” She cherished the king she cradled and who slept while she looked at him below. Upon seeing and witnessing to Christ in his bed, The shepherds went from town to town praising God so that Christ’s message may be spread. Sharing about the birth is certainly nothing new; Sharing the news of Jesus is still something we are all called to do. It’s not done by putting up lights or letting people know Santa is near. It’s done by putting Christ in your Christmas cheer. It is Christ who was God on earth. It is Christ who came by way of human birth. It is Christ who healed the sick and cast demons aside. When it came to learning about God, Christ was our guide. It is Christ who died on the cross for us and drew his last breath. It is Christ who rose from the grave proving he had conquered death. It’s no secret coming to a Christmas service is usually less about God’s mission. The attendance is higher because you may have wanted to make a family member happy or because its tradition. My hope this Christmas is that when the secular parts of Christmas begin to seize us. We can hold onto and remember Jesus. So as we sing some of the good ole carols, those good ole Christmas hymns As we partake in communion and feel Christmas joy in our limbs. Let us not forget that Christ died for all. Yes he rose to save us even though his beginning was so small. Praise be to Jesus Christ God’s shining light. And merry Christmas to you all, and to all a goodnight.
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Here is a reflection on the 4th verse of the Advent hymn, "Prepare the Royal Highway". If you would like to see reflections on previous verses you can find them in the archives. Also, look for a special Christmas edition that should be out either Christmas day or the 26th.
4 His is no earthly kingdom; It comes from heav’n above. His rule is peace and freedom And justice, truth, and love. So let your praise be sounding For kindness so abounding: (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! It seems our royal highway has not been so royal for this coming King. Our King was not greeted properly, received properly, yet he showed up to earth anyway. Or maybe that’s the point about Christ’s royalty and his royal highway. When we see pictures drawn of heaven we often see giant golden palaces. If Christ came from heaven above and was born in a lowly place it makes me wonder what the Kingdom of Heaven really looks like. If we look to Christ’s birth as a look into heaven maybe it is a place where women and children are prominent. Maybe it is a place where the lowly blue collar workers get to witness Jesus before the upper class Magi. I’ve never been there. I guess all of us will have to wait and see. What I do know is that the kingdom of Heaven is full of freedom, justice, truth, and love. That is something worth remembering as we “Prepare the Royal Highway” for Jesus. Pondering Points: 1. If Christ’s rule is peace, freedom, justice, truth, and love then what parts of your life would continue in the Kingdom of Heaven? What parts of your life would be changed upon Christ’s return? 2. We are always preparing the way for the Lord. His way is peace and love. This Christmas season as you are surrounded by family (some of which you may not like) try your best to live out that peace and love. I was a little under the weather and missed last weeks not-so-random rev's rambling. I have decided to post last weeks reflection and this week's reflection in the same post. The reflections were written by Ruth Swanson and Augustana is indebted to her for her lovely writing. Enjoy!
2 God’s people, see Him coming: Your own eternal king! Palm branches strew before Him! Spread garments! Shout and sing! God’s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you! (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! Dirt. Dirt is under everything. Right now we see the fresh dirt revealed as farmers till the ground where they have just harvested. In warm weather children and adults alike enjoy going barefoot or wear flip-flops. And feet get dirt-y. When we think of a child being born today, we can’t imagine the floor of a hospital being a dirt floor. But that is exactly what the floor was where Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inns but given a stable with animals and a dirt floor for His birth. Where were the palm branches? In Jesus’ time a good host would wash the feet of his guests when they arrived. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples when they met for the Passover meal. Jesus is not unaware of dirt, of being dirty. He KNOWS we are ALL dirty within. We are dirty with sin. He came to clean us of this dirt. Not the dirt on our feet but the dirt of sin within us. He is our Savior! He is our King! As followers of Him, we KNOW that now. But it was a long hard road for He and His disciples to trod and spread the Word. It was not a Royal Highway. It was a dirt road leading from town to town with dirty people needing not just their feet cleaned but their hearts within them needing cleaned. Because we KNOW He is our Savior and King, let us prepare the Royal Highway spreading the Gospel as we do so. Points to Ponder: 1. Do remember a time when you like to play in the dirt? When was it no longer okay to do so? Why is that? 2. Jesus cleansed us from sin. Next time you go to wash your hands think of the soap as God's love and the water as Christ's death on the cross. 3 Then fling the gates wide open To greet your promised king! Your king, yet ev’ry nation Its tribute too should bring. All lands, bow down before Him! All nations, now adore Him! (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! Weddings. Joyous occasions. We recently heard the announcement of Prince Harry and his plan to marry. A Royal wedding! The kingdom rejoices!!! Do you expect to be invited? I’m doubting an invitation. I am filled with joy to know that I have been given and I have accepted an invitation from the King of Kings for eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven! Our God left His kingdom to become a man; to be like a human, so He could unite us with Him to become heirs to His kingdom! England will prepare a Royal Highway for the Prince and his bride to travel on their wedding day. We will likely have the ability to watch the Prince and his bride travel this highway, along with the ceremony and glamour involved, on television since we won’t be invited in person. And I am good with that. I have a King and a mansion in His kingdom waiting for me. And so do you. Because we have a Savior and King, let us prepare the Royal Highway spreading the Gospel as we do so. Ponder Points: 1. Jesus said he goes to prepare a room for us. What do you think would be in your room? 2. If we are heirs to God's kingdom that means we are royalty. Jesus has made this so for us. Sit in your favorite chair and look out at your house. Does this feel royal? Why or why not? How might Jesus be making it royal for you? The ramblings coming for the next four weeks are not so random. Our Advent theme at Augustana is "Prepare the Royal Highway". We are singing a verse from this hymn and hearing a narrative that juxtaposes the royalty of the verse with the story of of Christ's birth. This reflection was written by me, but the next two weeks will have a reflection written by a parishioner of the congregation. Enjoy!
Prepare the Royal Highway v. 1: Prepare the royal highway; The King of kings is near! Let ev’ry hill and valley A level road appear! Then greet the King of Glory Foretold in sacred story: (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! "Prepare yourselves for the coming Lord! The King of Kings is near! Like any king, this coming Jesus needs to be taken care of. We need to pull out all the stops. Surely his parents will be welcomed too as we prepare the Royal Highway for the birth of Christ. But that’s not what happened is it? Joseph and Mary weren’t welcomed at all. Instead, they were sent away from home. By decree of the current king, Emperor Augustus, Joseph and Mary were forced from their home in Nazareth and told they must go to Joseph’s home town, Bethlehem. Jesus was sent with them rather than being welcomed because he was still in his mother’s womb. Surely this cannot be the king of kings if he is sent rather than welcomed. I guess we will have to wait and see." - Pr. Reed Lee Pedersen Pondering Points:
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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