St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Omaha, NE

We begin with recognizing that Nehemiah provides a review of why we do the things we do in our weekly service. Why do we stand for the reading of the Gospel? Why is there a reflection, a sermon shared? In the Gospel reading, Jesus participates in this ancient pattern. However, Jesus will not fulfill the expectations of the people. Instead, with his coming into the world, Jesus brings with him the salvation that will proclaim liberty to all of who are captive to something, whether we deserve that liberty in the eyes of society or not. Jesus is sending a signal that his coming into the world is an invitation to look at everything we think we know from a different perspective. He invites us to follow God’s will. What is God calling us to do in faith with great love?

For 2000 years, Christians have been marveling at Jesus’ miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. Water, both as a symbol and as a physical reality, flows through all of the Bible. In the Gospel of John, water is a potent symbol of God’s power. As Jesus quietly demonstrates his power over life itself at Cana, we see that in God, life is unlimitedly abundant. After Jesus’ intervention there was no lack of wine; the wedding party continued with joy. “Do whatever He tells you,” is Mary’s direction to the servants. Might we also do what he tells us? In so doing, we will experience the miracle of transformation in our lives.

Many of us were baptized as infants, so our only “memories” of that day consist of photos and stories told to us by those who love us. Regardless of when we were baptized, we are to live each day in the joy and gratitude of the newly baptized. In baptism we are claimed, forever promised inclusion and welcome as a child of God. To emphasize the eternal strength of this claim, God makes the same claim for the Son, Jesus: ‘You are mine forever, and I am proud of you.’ – What more do we need to hear? May we know assuredly that we are loved.

In today’s luminous reading from the Gospel of John, we encounter God’s ultimate promise kept: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” The psalmist invites us to praise God as one who keeps promises to heal and make whole. God in Christ invites us to become the bearers of light as we engage with our communities and world. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can see God in the neighbor and join in praising God’s gift of love.

In the gospel reading from Luke, the boy Jesus can also be found in the temple, after a frantic search by his parents. Mary and Joseph do not understand why he would be in the temple, and Jesus does not understand why his parents did not think to look there first: he is, after all, in his Father’s house because of obedience to his life’s work. Far from being the fun-spoiler, obedience leads us to praise. When we let our words and actions point toward God, we find reasons for praise on every side. May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly.

In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ Child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised king will illuminate the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone, including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with the whole world. Merry Christmas!

One can imagine the sense of anticipation of those who arrive to hear John in the wilderness. Maybe even a sense of hope, awe and even fear. However, John made it clear that while he baptized them for repentance, the one coming would bring something totally different. In Christ, God’s love is enduring and eternal. Sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the sign of the cross forever, the baptized are invited to remember this promise daily and the good news it brings. So, maybe instead of asking “What should we do?” we act with grace and love.

We have been experiencing life in the wilderness of a pandemic. We also see the wilderness of a messy world where some have wealth and status while others experience food insecurity, injustice and homelessness. It is into this wilderness that today, John the Baptist proclaims that one is coming through whom “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). John points us to the Promised One and to the salvation Jesus offers. We are called to bear witness to the promise that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, who leads us to life.