Epiphany, January 6, 2021—Isaiah 60:1–6; Matthew 2:1–12; also Micah 5:2–5a

John of Hildesheim: The Story of the The Three Kings retold by Margaret B. Freeman

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1955, 1978

 

Off By Nine Miles

 

You have to be careful in choosing a text

When trying to figure what God will do next;

The wise men, it seems, had Isaiah in mind,

For in chapter 60, the prophet assigned

Jerusalem as the location for light

To shine, with the glory of Yahweh so bright

The wealth of the nations around it would come!

With frankincense, camels, and gold they'd become

Disciples! From darkness, God's glory'd redound

To those who'd kept faith, and would now be renowned!

 

But wise can be wrong—they were off by nine miles!

The text that they needed was just not God’s style,

For Micah had said that a town, oh so small,

Would bring forth the one to be shepherd of all!

Poor Herod (the rich) also knew not this text,

And sent for the scribes of the people, perplexed

Because of the ruler his visitors sought;

Not wise, nor the powerful, ever had thought

A prophet from out in the country could know

A place such as Bethlehem ever could show

The world a new ruler who'd ever increase

The good of the world with his treasure of peace.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

(Based on Walter Brueggemann’s imagining, in The Christian Century [December 19, 2001] and in Inscribing the Text [Fortress, 2004], that the wise men were off by nine miles after picking the wrong text.)

 

Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, 

and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; 

but the Lord will arise upon you, 

and his glory will appear over you. 

Nations shall come to your light, 

and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 

Lift up your eyes and look around; 

they all gather together, they come to you; 

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. 

Then you shall see and be radiant; 

your heart shall thrill and rejoice, 

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, 

the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 

A multitude of camels shall cover you, 

the young camels of Midian and Ephah; 

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense, 

and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

 

Micah 5:2-5a

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, 

who are one of the little clans of Judah, 

from you shall come forth for me 

one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 

Therefore he shall give them up until the time 

when she who is in labor has brought forth; 

then the rest of his kindred shall return 

to the people of Israel. 

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, 

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great 

to the ends of the earth; 

and he shall be the one of peace.

 

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

 

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Second Sunday of Christmas (B)—John 1:(1–9) 10–18

Mike Chapman: Christ Child Just Born (1999) 

St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London

Grace Upon Grace

 

This prologue,

this introduction,

this foreword to John’s Good News,

turns out to be, simply,

a whole long list of gifts

that one might unwrap,

one per day,

in these days of Christmas.

Pick a verse, any verse.

“. . . Word was God.”

“He was in the beginning . . .”

“All things came . . .”

“. . . the light of all people”

“. . . darkness did not overcome”

“. . . a man sent from God”

“. . . all might believe through him.”

And so on.

John’s just getting started,

warmed up for telling his story,

uncovering the jewels that

you, too, can stick in your back pocket

to pull out some day

when you need a reminder that,

even if you don’t see God today,

grace and truth are still yours

because of this Jesus, this Christ,

this astonishing news for a New Year.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

Every Grace Upon Grace

 

And the Word became flesh
And the Word lived with us,
And though John knows no crèche,
And no first Christmas fuss,
Still he tells us this news
Of this Word in the world
So we'll be disabused—
Woman, man, boy and girl—
Of the notion God lives
In a place we must find!
Au contraire! What God gives
Is the world now defined
Where we fully receive—
By the Maker's embrace—
Every love now conceived,
Every grace upon grace.

Scott L. Barton

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

 

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

 

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. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

First Sunday after Christmas Day (B), December 27, 2020—Luke 2:22–40

 

Rembrandt: Simeon with the Christ Child in the Temple (1669) Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Do you know that riotous Christmas song
About outrageous gifts from a lover?
"On the first day of Christmas my true love
Gave to me"—and then the gifts no one craves:
A partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves,
Three French hens. And on it goes to the end,
With four calling birds, and five golden rings,
Six geese a-laying, seven swans a-swimming,
Eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing,
Ten lords a-leaping, eleven pipers piping,
And finally twelve drummers drumming—
Gifts by someone joyously, extravagantly in love.

Joseph and Mary brought two turtle doves
(or maybe pigeons), a token, really,
But a sign, dedicating their son to the Lord.
And then like the beginning of a raucous song,
They handed their son off to old Simeon,
And you could have knocked them over with a feather
What with all he told them about what the child meant;
Whereupon no sooner did he hand the baby back
When old Anna uttered more astonishing words.
Thus it begins, chapter after chapter
Of teaching and healing and kidding and prodding—
Until we all laugh with joy at this outrageous, outrageous gift.

Scott L. Barton

(And for the best musical version ever of the old song, please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b39-JvglZic .)

When the time came for their purification according to the law of
Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as
it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be
designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice
according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of
turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was
righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the
Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s
Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when
the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was
customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said
about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This
child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of
many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe
of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for
seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of
eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with
fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began
to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for
the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child
grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was
upon him. 

 

Christmas Eve/Nativity of our Lord, December 24/25, 2020—Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)

Rembrandt van Rijn: The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds (1634) 

Middlebury College

 

When History Repeats Itself

 

It was a terrifying time

Which we, by faith, now think sublime;

But then, a madman on the throne

Drove everyone away from home,

That everyone be taxed and counted;

But this, in point of fact, amounted

To terrorism by the high,

Who gave no choice but to comply.

 

Think, immigrants; think, refugees;

Think how all those of low degree

In every age are made to do

The bidding of a mighty few.

Think those who fear they'll be deported,

Their work, and fam'ly life now thwarted;

Think those from bombed out cities fleeing,

What kind of news would bring well-being?

 

Imagine they see in the flesh,

Perhaps in angels and a crèche,

Or maybe, solidarity

From those who bear Christ's guarantee

That he'll be with us all our days!

Then they, as well, might be amazed—

Like shepherds hearing angel choirs—

What real love from God requires.

 

Thus into angst and grief and fears

The God of every soul appears,

Yes, then, but also here, today,

And bids us live just as we pray.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

 

To Make Our Love Braver

 

She did something different,

She treasured and pondered;

Not only amazed, but

She thought, and she wondered

Just what was their meaning—

That this diapered wee boy,

Would be to all people

The sign of a great joy?

 

And why even now does

He cause such a flutter

In hearts all around, while

These carols we utter?

Is this what they meant when

They said that a savior

Would come—a Messiah,

To make our love braver?

 

Scott L. Barton

 

 

Solstice

 

"It's the big night!"

Is what my father used to say,

And then in June,

It was, "Tomorrow's the big day!"

—Thus, the solstice

Always arrives for me with mirth,

Which may be what

We need to hear about this birth

Announced each year!

The angel spoke with twinkling eyes,

—Thus cast out fear—

So they would laugh with great surprise!

Despite the dark,

This same news called to us this night

Begs to be told,

That Love might be our solstice light.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

They Thought It Was the Feds

 

Perhaps they thought it was the Feds who'd come for them!

Somehow, the N.S.A. had tracked, and would condemn

Those dirty shepherds, since they had not registered,

And since, without green cards, Augustus' wrath incurred!

But soon they found the searchlight not to be the law,

Which, with relief, provoked a different kind of awe;

That is, more powerful than all the "powers that be,"

Was then announced—as now—the holy mystery:

Quite openly, the one who saves comes not by strength

Of arm, but will not fail to go to any length

For love!  Thus wrapped, so even shepherds might embrace

This child, we, too, now hold our breath, to see such grace.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, 

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 

(The last poem was originally published by The Presbyterian Outlook, 12/9/13. All four poems are also in my newest book, Lectionary Poems, Year B: More Surprising Grace for Pulpit and Pew [Wipf and Stock, 2020], which you can get from me for a much reduced price. E-mail me at scott.l.barton("at" sign here)gmail.com.)

 

Fourth Sunday of Advent (B), December 20, 2020—Luke 1:46–55; Luke 1:26–38 (see also 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16)

Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Annunciation (1898)

Philadelphia Museum of Art

 

Luke 1:46–55

 

From the KJV to "SHAZAM!"

 

There are two ancient words that are so very cool

In this outburst from Mary—in English, old school:

"He hath holpen his servant" still brings me great joy,

As I wonder at how, over cent'ries, this boy

To be born to this Mary has filled with such awe

All our lives, despite failures, and foibles, and flaws.

 

Into violence, and cruelty and anger he comes,

While his mother belts out how the Lord won't succumb

To the ways we devise to pretend we don't need

Any help he might give, with a pow'r that exceeds

All the lies and pronouncements that keep the low, small,

For the love of this child soon will reign over all.

                                                                                

Shazam!

 

Scott L. Barton

(The last word in the poem is what Gladys Herdman cries out in Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever [Avon Books, 1972] when, in preparation for the annual pageant, she first hears about the angels coming to the shepherds.)

 

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: 

for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; 

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him 

from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; 

he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, 

and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; 

and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, 

in remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, 

and to his seed for ever.

 

(KJV)

 

+ + +

 

Luke 1:26–38 (see also 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16)

 

How???

 

How can this be? How can this be?

There's nothing I can possibly see

To prove that to this world might come

Some hope, when we are surely undone

By all the darkness, grief and pain

Which at this time assuredly reign.

 

What's this you say? What's this you say?

You've something even more to convey?

O my! This news you now declare

Is that through me there will come to bear

The saving grace that people need,

A rule of love to come now, indeed?

 

Thus, as her forebears, Mary learned

The thing we want, for which we most yearn,

Comes not because we make it so;

Such "wisdom" we're now called to forego,

Embracing, rather, gifts, amazed,

Since obstacles leave God—still—unfazed.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

 

+ + +

 

Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”

 

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

Third Sunday of Advent (B), December 13, 2020—Isaiah 61:1–4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 and John 1:6–8, 19–28

 

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11

 

When Faith Gets Its Good Name Back

 

I like the name they will be called,

These "oaks of righteousness," enthralled

By what, for them, in love, the LORD

Has done, because of suff'ring deplored;

What makes them "right" will be their joy

That mourning's ashes are destroyed,

What makes them "oaks," their sturdy will

That love they've known will be instilled

In everyone they chance to meet.

 

Would not such faith today be sweet?

 

Scott L. Barton

 

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, 

because the Lord has anointed me; 

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, 

to bind up the brokenhearted, 

to proclaim liberty to the captives, 

and release to the prisoners; 

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, 

and the day of vengeance of our God; 

to comfort all who mourn; 

to provide for those who mourn in Zion— 

to give them a garland instead of ashes, 

the oil of gladness instead of mourning, 

the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, 

the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.

They shall build up the ancient ruins, 

they shall raise up the former devastations; 

they shall repair the ruined cities, 

the devastations of many generations. 

 

For I the Lord love justice, 

I hate robbery and wrongdoing; 

I will faithfully give them their recompense, 

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 

Their descendants shall be known among the nations, 

and their offspring among the peoples; 

all who see them shall acknowledge 

that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, 

my whole being shall exult in my God; 

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, 

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, 

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, 

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

For as the earth brings forth its shoots, 

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, 

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise 

to spring up before all the nations.

 

+ + +

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 and John 1:6–8, 19–28 

Vie de Jesus Mafa: John the Baptist preaching (1973)

 

Advent Recipe in Three Steps

 

Start with:

I am not the Messiah.

I am at an utter loss about racism.

I won't pretend it doesn't exist,

and don't ask me how to end it, either,

in Ferguson, or Minneapolis,

in my own home town, and in me,

how we might straighten out the mess

that so long ago slavery began.

 

Add, while singing:

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

O Lord, how shall I meet you?

People look east,

Prepare the way, O Zion,

The desert shall rejoice,

My soul cries out with a joyful shout,

Wild and lone the prophet's voice,

O come, o come, Emmanuel.

 

Don't forget:

I will neither give up, nor despair.

I will trust the one who is to come

and who always finds a way.

I will not let my spirit be quenched,

nor despise the prophets,

but give thanks in all things,

abstain from every evil,

and hold fast to what is good.

 

Bake to perfection. As long as it takes.

 

Scott L. Barton

 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

 

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

 

+++

 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

 

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.