Second Sunday of Advent. We light the second candle of Advent, the Bethlehem Candle. Pastor Matthew Knopf teaches the kids and us about The Giving Manger in todays sermon.
Luke 2:1-12 NIV
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
This is a very unusual action for me because I rarely react negatively to an experience in the church. However, it’s taken me nearly a week to get over my feelings of anger and disappointment and with the way nearly the entire 8:00 AM service went on this Sunday. To follow the instructions of a televised hand puppet (Tree Top Terry) leading our Sunday worship and communion service completely took away the worship experience and gave way to an environment of a kindergarten class of children watching a morning cartoon show on TV. I was unable to trade a serious and meaningful worship service for this “creative theatrical” performance. Degree by degree we seem to be turning to a more comfortable and entertaining worship setting. This seemed like just one more step away from our traditional service by substituting something “fun” and “different.” I went away angry and frustrated and betrayed by clergy in khakis and plaid. We live in very troubling times and, as sinning humans, we need God’s word of forgiveness, comfort and reassurance delivered through a serious worshipful setting, shepherded by pastors aimed at leading the flock through the shadow of our times.
During the time since Covid-19 struck, I have had similar feelings. Sometimes, they were strong enough to lead me to other churches for comfort.