December 1 2005 Psalm 15; Amos 4:6-13
December 1, 2005 Psalm 15; Amos 4:6-13
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Psalm 15 “O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”
Amos 4:12 “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
A number of years ago billboards began popping up across the country that were black with white letters. Each one contained a saying, some were humorous, others thought provoking. Every billboard was signed “God” and had a website listed http://www.godspeaks.com/. The intent was to get people to think about God in a new way. By and large the campaign has been successful. In fact, there is a new campaign underway, even as we speak.
Our passages for today reminded me of those billboards. Now I’m not sure if this was one of the sayings, but it probably should have been or could have been. “Don’t make me come down there!”
That phrase conjures the image of a parent coming down to a child’s party. The idea of a parent breaking up a party because of excessive noise and misbehavior would terrify me as a child. I imagine that would just be the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen for my parents to ruin the fun I was having with my friends!
Why then aren’t we embarrassed that Christ had to come down here and live among us? Isn’t it the same thing? Didn’t God have to come down among us naughty children and teach us yet again how we were to live and play with one another?
But it is not a source of embarrassment. God in infinite love came down and we got to meet our Lord. Jesus, whose birth we are preparing to celebrate, lived as one of us to show us how to live. In this we find great hope, joy, peace, and love.
Christ’s coming is not a cause for shame, but one of great elation. Our voices are lifted once again with the angelic choir as we recognize that God loves us! The questions of Psalm 15 are answered not by us, with a presumption of righteousness, but by God directly. “Who may abide in God’s tent?” All, whom God loves. And that is the gift that never stops being new!
Merciful Lord, you coming is not a cause for fear, but awe. We bow down in wonder at the love you show to each of us. Let our hearts be open to the touch of your hand, that we may grow closer to you this day. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of a child, create in us a childlike faith. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Amen.
Contributed by Rev. Andrew O’Dowd
Click here for today’s PodCast!!
Psalm 15 “O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.”
Amos 4:12 “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
A number of years ago billboards began popping up across the country that were black with white letters. Each one contained a saying, some were humorous, others thought provoking. Every billboard was signed “God” and had a website listed http://www.godspeaks.com/. The intent was to get people to think about God in a new way. By and large the campaign has been successful. In fact, there is a new campaign underway, even as we speak.
Our passages for today reminded me of those billboards. Now I’m not sure if this was one of the sayings, but it probably should have been or could have been. “Don’t make me come down there!”
That phrase conjures the image of a parent coming down to a child’s party. The idea of a parent breaking up a party because of excessive noise and misbehavior would terrify me as a child. I imagine that would just be the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen for my parents to ruin the fun I was having with my friends!
Why then aren’t we embarrassed that Christ had to come down here and live among us? Isn’t it the same thing? Didn’t God have to come down among us naughty children and teach us yet again how we were to live and play with one another?
But it is not a source of embarrassment. God in infinite love came down and we got to meet our Lord. Jesus, whose birth we are preparing to celebrate, lived as one of us to show us how to live. In this we find great hope, joy, peace, and love.
Christ’s coming is not a cause for shame, but one of great elation. Our voices are lifted once again with the angelic choir as we recognize that God loves us! The questions of Psalm 15 are answered not by us, with a presumption of righteousness, but by God directly. “Who may abide in God’s tent?” All, whom God loves. And that is the gift that never stops being new!
Merciful Lord, you coming is not a cause for fear, but awe. We bow down in wonder at the love you show to each of us. Let our hearts be open to the touch of your hand, that we may grow closer to you this day. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of a child, create in us a childlike faith. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Amen.
Contributed by Rev. Andrew O’Dowd
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