2 CHRISTMAS GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN
JAN. 6, 2007 PASTOR SCOTT FULLER
IS 60:1-6; PS 72:1-14; EPH 3:1-12; MT 2:1-12
The Action Is in the Reaction
Prepare our hearts, Lord, to receive your word. Silence in us any voice but your own, that in hearing we may believe, and in believing we may obey your will revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear Friends in Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The action is in the reaction.
This phrase is one of the core principles of our community organizing ministry associated with AFACT. It simply means that when an action occurs, as important as it may be, what’s almost more important is the reaction to the action. Our meeting last fall with Mayor Begich, Police Chief Huen and Superintendent of Schools Comeau was, in many ways, an amazing action. But just as vital have been the inquiries of interest and the requests for relationships that have come as a reaction to that action.
In fact, this axiom is accurate across the board, in every avenue of life. A man proposes marriage to a woman – that’s a significant occurrence…but lots of action will happen as a result of the woman’s reaction – yes or no. A congregation starts a new ministry – again, an important occasion…but think of the actions in the lives of all those affected by that decision.
The action is in the reaction.
This same truth reveals itself throughout Scripture, especially in the events of the Christmas story.
A teenage woman named Mary is visited by an angel who reveals that she will somehow become pregnant by God’s Spirit. Even more amazing, her child will be called: King of Kings and Prince of Peace. That’s an amazing episode by itself.
But…the action is in her reaction. Says this good and trusting girl, Let it be with me according to your Word.
An angel visits Joseph, the man to whom she is engaged, and tells him that the love of his life is pregnant with Someone Else’s child. That’s another significant moment.
Yet, the action is in his reaction (or lack thereof). He has every right to disgrace her publicly…but he doesn’t. Instead, he devotes his life to Mary and her baby, providing stability, discipline, guidance and love.
A group of ragtag shepherds, as socially mis-fit then as they are now, hear an angel speak from the starlit sky inviting them to witness the birth of God’s Messiah. Who would believe them?
But the action is in their reaction. Without hesitation they go to the stable, speak of the angel, bless the child and return to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen.
The righteous man Simeon and the prophet Anna are overcome one day at the temple. They see a boy, 8 days old, and his parents, come to do what is right according to the law. It’s an action that has been observed by families almost forever.
The action, though, is in their reaction. As Simeon takes the child in his arms, he cries out a thanksgiving to God, My eyes have seen the salvation that You have prepared for all people! Similarly, that aged prophet Anna praises God and speaks about the child to all who were looking for redemption.
The introduction to this greatest story ever told concludes with our lesson for today. It’s about those mysterious men called Magi, these three kings of the Orient who are making their way across the desert, braving nature’s fury and humanity’s sin, all to honor a baby whom they believe has been born under a blessed star.
They stop at the palace…where else would the new king of the Jews be born? They explain to King Herod that they have come to pay homage to this child who is destined to bless the world. One theologian says that a person who “paid homage” to another effectively dedicated their lives to serve that person. King Herod exclaims that he would like to do the same, and would they return with directions on how to find this special child?
The action is in the reaction. How did King Herod react to this news?
-Says Matthew 2:16, He killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under.
Yet when the Magi make their way to the humble hovel of this holy household, they offer their gracious gifts, kneel before the child and worship their new-born king. Then, warned in a dream, they return to their homes to carry on this quest of being God’s servants.
The action is in the reaction. At this beginning of the Year, when promises are proclaimed and resolutions are revealed, we have been blessed anew with a wonderful action. Says the prophet in our lesson from Isaiah, Arise, shine, for your light has come! And says Paul in our lesson from Ephesians, we’ve been given the mission to bring to all people the news of the boundless riches of Christ.
There is but one question that remains…What is to be our reaction to this action? Amen.