you have filled the hungry with wonderous things

 
"You have cast the mighty down from their thrones, & uplifted the humble of heart"
~The Magnificat


Canada's WestJet Airlines has a brilliant holiday commercial...

Mary has to be one of my most favorite figures in the Bible; she is thoughtful, thoroughly human and remarkably faithful.
Truth be told, the thing that made me fall for Mary is the song she sings after the angel visits her.
Contrary to what we'd expect, living under the thumb of a cruel empire & now bearing an unplanned pregnancy, Mary sings that this work of God is a blessing. 
Here's the thing about this blessed work of God, though; Mary sings that this miracle is a blessing that is good news, not just for her, but for everyone; everyone.


The WestJet commercial gets us in the gut; these unsuspecting flyers all land at their destination and, lo & behold, Santa has delivered.
That's the kind of Christmas miracle we all want.

After the warm glow of the commercial fades away, the hot chocolate is finished and the next Christmas Special airing isn't one you care for, however, you may begin to wonder.
You might wonder about those who can't afford a plane ticket (you might be one of those people yourself), you might wonder about the folks who don't want the newest tablet but just their next meal.
You might, and I hope you do wonder such things; because here's the rub, WestJet's good news isn't good news for everyone. Finally, WestJet's good news isn't actually good news; it's a sales pitch (and a good one).

While corporations may be able to capitalize on a real human desire and make a profit for shareholders; corporations can't deliver on the implicit promise their ads make.
These ads promise that you're cared for, you're loved, you matter, Christmas will be a blessing, and the like.
Good as these promises are, if you can't afford a ticket, if a storm delays your flight, if you're fighting with the family you're flying out to see, if death comes unexpectedly; no amount of WestJet tickets (or any other product for that matter), will be able to deliver on the promises we long to be fulfilled (that we matter, we're loved, cared for, that somehow Christmas will be a blessing).

The only one, finally, who can deliver on these promises, is the one who comes to unsuspecting people, in unlikely places and for an unexpected price; nothing.

I pray you have the kind of Christmas WestJet is trying to sell; but more fervently I pray the one who can deliver on these promises interrupts your regularly scheduled programming to deliver the promise we all need.

Trinity will have Christmas Eve services (12/24) at 5:30 and 9 pm. Regular services are Saturday Evening at 5:30 and Sunday Morning at 9 am.
Our local paper, The HawkEye has a listing of all the church services in the area in the "Church News" section on Saturdays, and here's a link to the ELCA congregation locator.
 
Blessings from the child who was born among a poor family and spent his life among the least, last and lowly.
Amen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

in measured hundredweight and penny pound

Image
when the man comes 'round Sixth Sermon from the book of Revelation: passages from chapters 17 & 19 Today’s scripture isn’t THE End , but it’s pretty darn close.  This is the Final battle. The battle that ushers in The End. The battle where Good and Evil have it out. The battle that determines what The End will look like. And honestly, it doesn’t go down the way we were expecting.  First of all, it’s no actual battling in this battle.  There’s no fighting! Jesus just shows up. The only weapon he wields is his presence, his word. And it’s enough!!! Because secondly, the battle is over before it even begins! Jesus simply arrives, and his mere presence is enough to subdue the enemies of God. This Final Battle does not go the way we would expect. Without any fighting, concluding before it can even begin. Of all the surprises, though, the biggest is something of a detail , so let me read the passage to you: “(Jesus, the Rider of the white horse)
Read more

i take flight

Image
on borrowed time A sermon on the conclusion to Philippians : Seeing as my second month of sabbatical is about to begin, let’s play a little game !   One of the express intents of sabbatical is to provide rest . And while I could provide of list of the things that tire me out, I think we would all agree that what’s really tiresome about a vocation are its worries . So, let me ask you, what do you think I worry about? What do you think keeps me awake at night? Or, since you all know me, when have you actually seen me worrisome? Go ahead! Really think about it. The rest of the sermon will work better if you engage. What do you think I worry about? I came up with this idea for this game while working on the first draft of the sermon. Initially, I made a list of things I worry about. However , the prospect of reading that aloud seemed so dull and so trying that I couldn’t countenance the thought of subjecting you all to that. Nevertheless, now that I’ve asked, it only seems pro
Read more

anywhere you wanna go

Image
i really want to roll with you a sermon on S. Paul's perfect opening salvo of 1 Corinthians : How’s it going ? How did last week go ? And how do you feel about this upcoming one? Or, what about you ? How are you ? I mean, really , how are you?   Or, what about that old question? You know, the one clergy used to ask, but now , for whatever reason, never seem to anymore. You know the question. How is it with your soul ? Well, how is it? I mean it! How goes it? Take a moment to consider the inquiry. Whichever one you like, too. As it suits you. How are you ? How’s life ? How’s your soul ? Well? Honestly, you probably won’t be asked to consider your interior life this week. What’s more, you won’t be asked in a place like this . This is a space that’s as sacred as it is safe . You’re in practically the ideal place to consider how it’s going. Not only are you protected , eternity itself is also shedding its indelible light upon your reflections.   Not bad. Huh? But that’s not all,
Read more