December 24th , 2024
7 p.m.
Rev. Nicole M. Lamarche
In those days…that’s how the story begins in the Gospel of Luke. In those
days of Emperors and authoritative orders, in those days of decrees and
greed, in those days of government leading with a clenched fist,
dominating, and regulating bodies and livelihoods, squeezing the poor until
there is little left, sending a family expecting fleeing to a safer place. As one
scholar noted, time was shaped by the powers that be when the story
begins with when “Quirinius was governor of Syria” …
Time is denoted by who is in power.
The time of census and taxes and orders and pronouncements; 1 time
shaped by empire.
In those days as the story goes, some are weary and worried, some feel
tossed and terrified, and still, even then, even amid all of that, a presence
from another realm breaks in, an angel says to them, “Do not be afraid…”
And what I notice this year, is how essential fear has become as a tool of
empire. Are you with me? So much so that I wonder if a lot would fall apart
without it. What the angel is saying is quite subversive. Don’t buy into the
fear. Don’t accept the fear. Do not be led by fear.
Because here’s the thing: in those days and let us be honest on this
Christmas Eve, in these days too, on this day, those with power and
privilege are using fear as a weapon, pitting us against one another,
creating groups to hate or people to think of as less than, other than
human.. As Charles Campbell wrote, “The political powers in both Jesus’
day and our own, play on fear to get their way…” But with “this day” comes
a different possibility.
I wonder if this Christmas we might be moved to take this message to
heart. In those days and in this day, ruled by fear, separation, domination,
and exploitation, in this moment of time defined by empire, and the agenda
of billionaires and a profit driven hierarchy of humanity, a message comes
to us from the Cosmos, “Fear not!”
Choosing to live from a place other than fear, rooting ourselves in love and
the idea that each of us is sacred and that our lives matter, our hopes and
dreams for a common good and a just world for all make a difference. This
Christmas, let us subvert empire with our love and our joy, let us hear the
angels fully, let us let go of fear. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people!” With this day comes a new
possibility beyond those days. May it be so. Amen.
1 Charles Campbell in Feasting on the Word: Year C, Volume 1 Advent through Transfiguration.
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