A revelation - but whose?

 Today, we celebrate Epiphany whilst it is, to a certain extent, about things like gold, frankincense and myrrh it really is not about these physical things. They just point towards an epiphany a realisation of some form. Yet the question must remain for us, as it does not appear to be clear from the text; Whose epiphany?

Epiphany means a revelation. If you have seen the Karate Kid film you will remember the epiphany that the boy had after his extreme frustration with Mr Miyagi. He had been told that he would learn karate and all that he had been doing up until this point was "wax on" and 'wax off" or "paint up" and 'paint down'. (Think of his actions). The kid then blows his top and wonders why Mr Miyagi had not fulfilled his part of the contract and taught him karate.  At which point Miyagi punches him saying "Wax on". The punch is of course blocked and there is an epiphanic moment as the kid realises that indeed he has been learning.

So whose Epiphany? Certainly not the wise men (or people) as they already knew who they were looking for - the King of the Jews. They ask after him at the court of Herod. So it can be no epiphany for them they already know. What about Herod? Well I suppose in a way but really he doesn't care except to ensure that there is no threat to him. Like all despots from Pol Pot to Idi Amin and others their only interest is in maintaining power by any means. Slaughter of the innocents is perhaps the best way to ensure that his power stays intact.

Paul had his epiphany on the road to Damascus when have you had yours recently? When have you who celebrate Epiphany in this place have seen God in the flesh incarnate in the people around you, the druggie, the thief, the down and out, the stranger, the migrant?

Who is this? Our Epiphany or an SEP?

God is incarnate in human flesh. Here he is in his mothers arms, he has already experienced the smell of domestic animals and shepherds, in a moment he will be a destitute child in hiding in Egypt, a refugee who will eventually run around barefoot in the village Nazareth, know the stink of the crowds in Jerusalem, and the clean air of a boat on the water. The whole gamut of human experience.

Are we able to see the incarnate Christ as the Magi did in a child. Just for once, maybe if we offered a cup of coffee or hospitality to the down and out person, they would be so relieved because they have nowhere to go and no friend. Perhaps if we offered something for the child to do to keep themselves occupied there would be no need for drugs or to break in to someone's home for something to sell to keep themselves in a place of safety.  Instead of looking at the 'expected' or for the 'assumption' we need to be looking for that epiphanic moment when we realise that this is God before us, incarnate in human flesh just waiting for our own interaction, just waiting for an outpouring of love in return for God's.

It is only our epiphany if we open our eyes to God's incarnate presence in the lives of those we shy away from. If we cannot or will not open our eyes to God's presence we will miss the Epiphany and our celebration will be empty of meaning. Only when we allow ourselves to be challenged by God in the face of the rejected and despised, to minister and bring God's love into the lives of others around us will we eventually awaken to the new dawn of Christ, incarnate and present to us. Can we as we go out from this building to form community with those we despise and have that moment of epiphany when we actually realise that God is present to us in the here and now.

The Incarnation - love in the time of need

 Isaiah's prophesy in chapter 9 is for a saviour who breaks the yoke of oppression releasing those who live in darkness that comes with such oppression, into joy and peace (Is 9.1-7). A time of continual growth and wise leadership through a child born (Is 9.6). This is indeed good news for us and for those in Israel who received such news. This is then entwined into the Gospel narrative from Luke that grants us a sanitised version of a child's birth in the region of Bethlehem with all our traditional festive images of shepherds and mangers and inns (Lk 2:1-14). Yet, for us in today's world that is overwhelmed with the terrors of war and violence, that sees environmental destruction as normal and zoonotic disease through viral pandemic with all its accompanying spiritual and social collapse as commonplace these images are not quite sustainable or even believable.

The celebration of the incarnation of Christ is for us or should be for us, not something about material or worldly changes. At least not in the immediacy of the present. For us it should not be concentrated on this thought of immediacy in the world but rather in the long term as the immediacy is a call within our own hearts and minds rather than in the outward display within the world. The epistle to Titus puts it well in its down to earth explanation to concentrate on our own being (Titus 2.11-12). The incarnation must surely mean to us an immediacy to the change of our hearts and lifestyle that pulls us towards the incarnated presence of God within our midst. In realising the truth of this understanding we realise that it is then our actions that bring about the fulness of the Isaiahan prophecy. What is it about the prophecy that can speak to us in a world that does not consider the other but would rather see the fulfilment of each person / country's selfish desire? The image of a child born into the muck and mire of a stable, which is the traditional image, is not something that brings about hope. However, if we think in terms of a more traditional setting in the ME at that time then we might begin to understand where that hope springs from.

To open our homes to those in need when it is warmed by the lowly

The presence of a new child in the midst of hardship and danger promotes for anyone a feeling of hope and a desire for a better future. Can you remember when your child was borne? Can you really express that feeling when you first laid yes on that child? This is what the incarnation promotes but not on a singular ephemeral level for an individual but rather on a community wide basis. The traditional stable is a false reality when considering the circumstances of the birth. Middle Eastern houses at the time were built to create a warm environment during the depths of winter by having the livestock cohabit to provide warmth to the house. We should also not forget the whole setting of travelling to the family home or birth district. It is unlikely that the family would require relations to stay in an "inn" if they even existed to our standards. Rather the "inn" was probably the guest accommodation and due to the census all the family were present hence the overcrowded house. Given these circumstance it is obvious that a new born was placed closest to the source of heat i.e. the animals sheltering within the house.

It is in reality this understanding that gives the promise of the incarnation. It is in the simple ability to share hospitality and to welcome everyone into a communal setting that cares for those who are in need. What is perhaps the best miracle of the season represented in Luke's story of the incarnation is the presence of the most uncouth and despicable members of society coming to wonder at a child born in the midst of the turmoil. The welcome by what one would presume is a very anxious, frightening and precious time for a mother and child, is perhaps the most extraordinary perception of love that we could find. These outcasts are welcomed into the chaos of birth. This is the birth not only of a child but the incipient solidarity of love within a community for all, irrespective of status and connection. If we are to take anything from the stories of the incarnation it is the improbability of love's blessing that opens our stubborn hearts to accept the other with a totality of acceptance that creates a new future.

Letting go to find peace

 In a year that is coming to an end that has been filled with hate, war and violence in all it's forms we wonder, what is peace? Is this concept ever going to be achievable within our lifetimes let alone the lifetime of the world? Our conceptions of a peace that effects all people in a grandiose idea of harmony amongst the peoples of the world is a dream beyond our abilities to attain. In saying this I realise I may be destroying a dream but in reality I am destroying an illusion that we have generated for ourselves in place of the reality that is beyond our understanding. It is only beyond our understanding because we over complicate things rather than simplifying our lives. If we are to understand we need to look at 2 Samuel and Luke linking them in our hearts and acting them out in our lives (2 Sam 7b.11; Luke 1.38).

The first realisation is that it is God's dream and God's will that brings the peace that we desire and that God seeks. In placing it within the realm of humanity's striving we denigrate God's presence and dream. It becomes all about us rather than all about God, no matter how we conceive of God. In doing this we will never achieve peace as we will always have separate views of who/what God is and who/what God wants etc. We cannot decide for ourselves how to worship God in our own denomination / faith let alone accept the other's view of God. How then can we achieve peace, if all our dreams of peace are fantasies dreamt up by ourselves that devolve into our own in-fighting as to how we actually go about starting to achieve that peace? Peace the concept is difficult to get our heads around in the first place as each person has a different notion of what peace is and here we are trying to reach out for God's peace. Who knows what that is? This is not for us to achieve, promote yes, achieve no as it requires God or at least Christ's presence in our midst. Not something that we have cultivated in our lives with great relish.

Only when we let go of ourselves do we begin the process of peace

So what is the realisation that we need to take on board at this crucial time of the year (one sleep to go).  Can we achieve God's peace the one that passes all understanding? Unlikely, as it passes all our understanding. We limit ourselves to our conceptions. Can we at least begin to comprehend or start the process that leads to God's peace; a peace that perhaps we yearn for but do not achieve as it is not possible through our own efforts. How hard is this beginning for us? It is both easy and hard a celebration and a sadness. Mary (Lk 1.38) gets it right, perhaps in her naivety or rather in her honesty before God, Mary lets go of her life. She lets go of control and she lets go of her wants, needs and desires. Simple. Straightforward. Easy. However in doing so she gave up everything that we hold dear, which is where the sorrow comes in for us. The unimaginable sadness of letting what we perceive to be right go without any doubts recriminations or hesitancy. Once again the ugly head of our own reticence and selfishness rears up as we determine what it is that God asks of us to achieve a peace beyond understanding. We want control; we want our peace; we want that which eases our souls not what eases the burden on others.

This is not the lesson to be learnt in these passages. God's peace comes with God, for us to be participants in that peace is to be like Mary. Mary accepts. Even in her youthful state she is more aware of the response that is required to attain God's peace. Even in the heartbreak of the death of her son she knows God's peace. Even in the knowledge that life is not going to be easy she finds peace by accepting the call of God. This is where we need to look for God's peace for it is only God who can give such peace it cannot be achieved by our own efforts, however much we strive for it. In letting go we find God, in letting go we find God's peace beyond all our understanding.

Fleeting or permanent Joy

 It may seem somewhat repetitive to hear about John the Baptist again when we have already done and dusted John last Sunday. Everything about this Sunday has its arising in the preparation that John takes to prepare for God. Bearing this in mind and the words from last Sunday there is nothing strange in hearing of John once more as a reminder of our preparation. Joy comes when we begin to do what God asks of us in the world. The passage from Isaiah (61.1-4) is quoted by Christ at the beginning of his ministry and is the start of our ministry in the world for this is what it means to bring joy into the world, for joy is not a fleeting feeling but a long lasting change in our outlook and lives.

At the depth of human depression we have no feeling for those around us and only look to our own needs and requirements. There is no joy in our outlook or in our needs for we are desperate for life and only life at the present time. Everything else when we are in the midst of despair is naught and not something to be sought after. It is only that which will get us to the end of the day that is foremost in our thoughts and anything beyond that is peripheral to that. It therefore does not matter as much as our own needs. In order to lift those who are in this situation out of their circumstances one has to bring joy into their lives. Not the ephemeral feeling but a deep rooted joy that changes their lives. In Isaiah mourning turns around into a very different scenario which suggests a total change in heart and lifestyle. The ruins of a previous life are repaired (Is. 61.4) to give way to something new that brings joy. It is this fundamental change that John calls for us to prepare for; a change that moves us beyond the ruins of our own lives into a new beginning and a new way of doing.

The Thessalonians passage directs us to the way in which this is achieved (1 Thess. 5.13-15). It is a way that is at present totally at odds with our day to day lives. There are many "instant karma" videos available on Facebook and other sites, whilst funny and sometimes hilarious, we need to ponder what is the point in the instant karma. It teaches nothing other than the fact that it is appropriate to do something nasty for what nastiness has been done to you or a fellow citizen. The more difficult thing to do is to attempt to change the attitude of those around us towards peace and harmony. It is more difficult because the modern world has not been brought up to respond to this type and style of admonishment. We are taught that it is appropriate to payback rather than to teach. We have become lazy in our response to those that look to do harm or abuse their authority. We are also guilty of doing that which the writer of 2 Thessalonians encourages us not to do (5:19). The normal translation of "do not quench the spirit" does not perhaps capture the tone as well as "Do not stifle inspiration".

Joy is not fleeting it is permanent

These are the things that are harbingers of joy. If we stifle people's aspirations we stifle their joy in the world but this is what we tend to do. We very rarely encourage others to express their spirit and their aspirations. There are too many stories of people being put down because this is the way we do not do it or else it is too much of a threat to my position, my power, etc. Joy comes with the expression of the Spirit that is deep within us and comes with Christ. Only when we follow the path that Christ opens for us do we fully understand the joy that is present in allowing others to succeed. To often we retain that we have been taught over time by the society around us. We allow ourselves to abuse others because what we see in social media tells us that this is the way to act. We stifle those around us because we are told what is classed as beauty, or intelligence or in fashion. We do not allow the bright sparks of God's presence to burgeon forth and be as they have been formed by God. To often we down play others because they do not conform to what the "pub test" tells us. But what if the "pub test" is incorrect what if we need to actually test to God's standards not ours? Are we able to prepare to change so much that we no longer judge by others standards and put down the Spirit that is contained in God's creation? In accepting the incarnation in our lives we also accept the fact that others are created in God's image not ours and celebrate their joy and their achievements. Allowing that joy to echo around the world and fill us with joy and love.

Preparing the way

 I will always remember the opening of Godspell and John the Baptist's cry from below the balcony seats at Bournemouth theatre.  A magnificent tenor voice resounded through the auditorium as if coming from no particular place "Prepare ye the way of the Lord".  The soul wrenching sound came out of nowhere and extended an invitation that was hard to deny.  It is a call that echos throughout the world at this time of year a constant and repeated reminder of our call extending through life from the moment of baptism to our mortal final hours on this planet.  A call that is reiterated in every injustice and war that we initiate, participate or allow through our inaction in response to Gods call.  Mark repeats the call of Isaiah "prepare the way of the Lord; clear a straight path for him" (Mk. 1.3; Isaiah 40.3) and the question in our hearts must be "How are we to respond?".

At baptism for anyone young or old, we re-affirm our response to the call that God places on us.  Parents and Godparents do this for the child and as older adults we undertake the response for ourselves.  A response that places the other in front of our own wants and desires.  A response that brings to the forefront of our lives the elusive concepts of justice, peace and love.  We straighten the paths of our lives by living to the truest form of God's call.  We place behind us the concerns that beset our everyday lives to which we surrender on a daily basis. We place to the fore a concern for the person least likely to draw our attention in the work place and the social havens we inhabit.  The social outcast the one who is alone at the bar.  It is our barriers that the baptist's call breaks so that we can respond with compassion and understanding.

Can we answer God's baptismal call and walk in an other's shoes?

The breaking into our lives of the baptist call reminds us to try to grapple with the elusive concepts that we label justice, peace and love.  The call is an irritant on our lives that is expecting something from us but we are not sure what. We strive for the elusiveness of the concepts when we see things that are abhorrent to what we find acceptable for our society.  The malfeasance of incarceration of those seeking peace and refuge.  The aberrant behaviour of a few in terms of their use of power over the innocent and how we are to grapple with the consequences.  It is at the time of failure that we see hear the insistent call of God but are unprepared to answer in truth.  We find it difficult not to dissemble and squirm our way out of blame.  The insistence of God's call from baptism onwards disarms are rational minds as everything we think of favours someone and disfavours another.  We want our lives to reflect the good but we want those who are less fortunate to obtain the privileges and rights of justice and peace.  Yet, we privilege ourselves in the battle for justice and not those who are different.

Baptism calls us to break the cycle of privilege and reiterate the call for justice.  A quiet insistent voice that calls us into acts of defiance to highlight the plight of the disadvantaged.  It is quaint to champion our own doubts and terrors but it is powerful when we fully engage in / with the plight of those caught in a cycle of deprivation and poverty. What is it in this community that calls to us from our baptism?  What is it in the world community that calls to us from our baptism?  As young people it should be the concerns expressed in the conversations of our parents and godparents that turn us to address the reality of life and find an answer to God's call on us.  It is when the future breaks in upon the older generation through the love and wonder expressed by the younger that we begin to create that which God calls us to do.  It is not generated by the old for the young but by the young for the experience of the old to craft.  So let us listen to the young who are closer to God's call as they have not privileged themselves by their prejudices and fears. In doing so we respond to the future that comes to us in Christ, incarnated and as judge.