Father Nissen's sermon for January 4

Although Jan 4 is actually the second Sunday of Christmas, we chose to celebrate the Epiphany.  The text for the day is the Old Testament reading for the first Sunday of Epiphany, Isaiah 60, verses 1 through 6:

Arise, shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come;

and over you the glory of the Lord has dawned.

Though darkness covers the earth and dark night the nations,

on you the Lord shines and over you his glory will appear;

nations will journey towards your light and kings to your radiance.

Raise your eyes and look around: they are all assembling, flocking back to you;

your sons are comings from afar,

your daughters walking beside them.

You will see it, and be radiant with joy,

and your heart will thrill with gladness;

sea-borne riches will be avished on you

and the wealth of nations will be yours.

Camels in droves will cover the land,

young camels from Midian and Ephah,

all coming from Sheba

laden with gold and frankincense,

heralds of the Lord's praise.

The familiar camels of Christmas carols and manger scenes bring an air of adventure to the Christmas/Epiphany story.  But in reality camels can be difficult animals to deal with.  They are predictably unpredictable, often complaining, and usually wanting to stop the work that has been given to them.

Human beings are like this, too.  Let us remember that despite our stubbornness God deals with us.  He is leading us and has tasks for us, even when we do not sense it.

God's promises depend on God's redeeming the whole world.  This is why there is hope for all of us and for all creation, even in the midst of our troubles and conflicts.  God will always bring us light--sometimes through people, sometimes through song, or maybe Bible readings or worship services.  

So we must not get down on ourselves!  Like the camel, we can get past our difficult dispositions  and carry our burdens when we are led by our Master.  We can all work miracles in Jesus' name!