Holy Textures

Luke 2:22-40

By the time we have finished reading Chapters 1 and 2 of Luke, we should realize that the stage has been set for a powerful confrontation between two kingdoms. The Pax Romana of Caesar - the way of peace through force of arms; and the peace of Christ - the way of peace through justice.

Year B
Christmas 1
January 1, 2012
First Sunday after Christmas Day between December 26 and January 1 inclusive.
May be replaced by readings for Epiphany if January 1.

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Luke 2:22-40, The Message   or   Luke 2:22-40, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Sermon by the The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "."

The circumcision and naming of the infant Jesus on the 8th day is parallel to similar events that Luke records about the birth of John the Baptizer, Luke 1:59 and following. This ritual marks the male child as a descendant of Abraham, and also as the son of the father - in this case, Joseph. Needless to say, in a patriarchal culture this marking was significant and crucial for securing the infant and his mother's place in the community.

The purification ritual, Luke 2:22-24, refers to is the ritual required for a woman following childbirth, and for the dedication to the Lord of first-born males. Since blood was unclean, women needed to undergo cleansing or purification rituals after each period and birth.

Luke 1:26-38

As the story of Jesus' life is bookended with a special embedding of the spiritual and the material (spiritual conception at birth; spiritual body at resurrection), so too, just within each bookend, as the first and last books on the shelf, are stories of total shame, violation and degradation (pregnancy outside of wedlock; naked execution on a cross).

Year B
Advent 4
December 18, 2011
Sunday Between December 18 and December 24 Inclusive

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Luke 1:26-38, The Message   or   Luke 1:26-38, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Sermon by the The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "A Cry of Love."

The history of the Church's reflection on the stories of Jesus' birth is probably as complicated and mysterious as the stories themselves. It is probably impossible for us to hear the birth stories - to "get" them - with same ears - the same understanding - as the first hearers would have.

For one thing, we need to remind ourselves that for many centuries the birthday of Jesus was not a major celebration in the church. The church does not exist because Jesus was born; it exists because Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Holy Week and Easter Sunday are the founding festivals of the church.

We also need to remind ourselves that it is only within recent times that childhood is understood to be a time of development with genuinely different phases, ages, and stages; with genuine novelty and growth at each stage. Prior to this, children were understood to be like young plants that simply grew into larger versions of themselves, but with no fundamentally different developments along the way.

Thus childhood was always interpreted in hindsight: what was true at the end of person's life must also have been present at their birth. Just as Jesus rose from the dead - emerged from the tomb - with a spiritual body, so it must have been true that he emerged from the womb with a spiritual conception.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

This Advent season is a time for us to wake up and see the light. It is time for us to do what is our work: to prepare the soil of our souls, so that the seed of God’s word can take root in us and put down deep and strong roots.

Year B
Advent 3
December 11, 2011
Sunday Between December 11 and December 17 Inclusive

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: John 1:6-8, 19-28, The Message   or   John 1:6-8, 19-28, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Sermon by the The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "A Cry of Joy."

It is important to remember that there are two people named John in the Second Testament: John the Baptizer, and John the disciple of Jesus after whom this Gospel is named.

The writer of the Gospel according to John is not so much interested in telling us about what Jesus said and did; he wants us to see who Jesus is. John wants us to see beneath the easy-to-observe outward actions to the hidden, inner, true meaning. Notice how many times the word “light” and “enlighten” are used in only two verses, 7 and 8; and that the key question in verses 19 to 28 is “Who are you?” (For more background on John, see Introduction to John.)

At the time of Jesus, the question, "Who are you," was not understood as meaning, "Tell me about your personal beliefs, values, convictions, etc., etc." It meant quite simply, "Where were you born? Who are your parents?" Because these two things - and only these two things - absolutely determined one's social status. And one absolutely only did what one's social status allowed.

Mark 1:1-8

Unlike us, John the Baptizer is a wild and woolly character. But like us, he lives to point people to one who is greater than himself. John is the first Christian in the sense that he is the first who gives witness to Jesus.

Year B
Advent 2
December 4, 2011
Sunday Between December 4 and December 10 Inclusive

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Mark 1:1-8, The Message   or   Mark 1:1-8, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Sermon by the The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "A Cry of Peace."

Mark begins by quoting from Isaiah 40:1-11, and then immediately in Verse 4 introduces John the Baptizer appearing in the wilderness, thus making the link between John, the Isaiah prophecy, and the first wilderness experience with Moses.

In the ears of the people of Jesus' time, this set an air of great expectation of the fulfillment of God’s coming and the establishment of God's rule on earth as it already was in heaven.

And so the people came out in large numbers to hear John (Verse 5). John’s baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins was to cleanse people in preparation for meeting God.

The Holy Spirit (Verse 8) is referred to only in the Second Testament, and so we are introduced not only to Jesus as the Son of God, but also to the Holy Spirit.

Mark 13:24-37

The lesson for Advent is still: Stay awake. Be alert. Live in expectation. Live now as you will when the Son of Man does return.

Year B
Advent 1
November 27, 2011
Sunday Between November 27 and December 3 Inclusive

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Mark 13:24-37, The Message   or   Mark 13:24-37, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Sermon by the The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "A Cry of Absence."

This passage is taken from Mark's version Jesus' final discourse – that is, Jesus’ last extended talk with his followers before his arrest and execution.

Chapter 13 begins with a public, matter-of-fact observation that the stones of the temple "will all be thrown down," which is then followed with a private explanation.

The rest of this Chapter then follows a very familiar, wide-spread, common practice of a person who is about to die telling his nearest and dearest what is to happen to them in the immediate future; giving blessings; and giving warnings. None of this should be read as a prophecy of a far-off, distant future.

Note that as the withered leaf in Isaiah is a sign of our iniquity; in Mark, the new leaf is a sign that the Son of Man is near.

Welcome to Holy Textures, Year B, Seasons of Advent and Christmas

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary.

My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and thought-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation.

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Everyone involved in worship leadership and support needs to do some serious advance planning with family and friends because Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on Sunday.

Year B - Seasons of Advent & Christmas - 2011

Advent 1
November 27, 2011
Mark 13:24-37.   
"The lesson for Advent is still: Stay awake. Be alert. Live in expectation. Live now as you will when the Son of Man does return."
Sermon: "A Cry of Absence."

Advent 2
December 4, 2011
Mark 1:1-8.  
"Unlike us, John the Baptizer is a wild and woolly character. But like us, he lives to point people to one who is greater than himself. John is the first Christian in the sense that he is the first who gives witness to Jesus."
Sermon: "A Cry of Peace."

Advent 3
December 11, 2011
John 1:6-8, 19-28.  
"This Advent season is a time for us to wake up and see the light. It is time for us to do what is our work: to prepare the soil of our souls, so that the seed of God’s word can take root in us and put down deep and strong roots."
Sermon: "A Cry of Joy."

Advent 4
December 18, 2011
Luke 1:26-38.  
"As the story of Jesus' life is bookended with a special embedding of the spiritual and the material (spiritual conception at birth; spiritual body at resurrection), so too, just within each bookend, as the first and last books on the shelf, are stories of total shame, violation and degradation (pregnancy outside of wedlock; naked execution on a cross)."
Sermon: "A Cry of Love."

Note: Any of the following lessons may be used on Christmas Eve / Day.

Christmas Eve, December 24,  or Christmas Day, December 25
Proper   I: Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)  Sermon: "A Night Of Hosting." 
Proper  II: Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20    Sermon: "A Cry Of Birth."
Proper III: John 1:1-14   Sermon "Light Breaks In."

First Sunday After Christmas Day
May be replaced by readings for Epiphany. See note below.
January 1, 2012
Luke 2:22-40. 
"By the time we have finished reading Chapters 1 and 2 of Luke, we should realize that the stage has been set for a powerful confrontation between two kingdoms. The Pax Romana of Caesar - the way of peace through force of arms; and the peace of Christ - the way of peace through justice."
Sermon: "."

New Year's Day - January 1
Matthew 25:31-46
"What I love about this parable is that BOTH those judged to be honourable AND those judged to be dishonourable have exactly the same response: Lord, when was it we saw you hungry ...?."
Sermon: "On Not Judging."

Second Sunday After Christmas Day
Sunday Between January 2 and January 5 Inclusive
May be replaced by readings for Epiphany. See note below.
Not used in 2012
John 1:(1-9), 10-18.  Sermon: "Light Breaks In."

Note: The Season of Epiphany begins on January 6, the Day of Epiphany of the Lord.

If January 6 is a weekday, Epiphany may be celebrated on the first Sunday in January and replace the readings for Sundays following Christmas Day.

Matthew 25:31-46

What I love about this parable is that BOTH those judged to be honourable AND those judged to be dishonourable have exactly the same response: Lord, when was it we saw you hungry ...?

Year A, B, C, Season of Christmas
New Year's Day
January 1

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Matthew 25:31-46, The Message   or   Matthew 25:31-46, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Listen to or download an MP3 of this post:

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon on Matthew 25:31-46 by The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "On Not Judging."

Wow. Here we are at the beginning of another calendar year. And one of my favourite passages too.

Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew are considered by scholars to be the last of 5 "discourses" (i.e., long sections of teachings by Jesus). It is hypothesized that these 5 sections are intended by Matthew to be a new Torah - a new set of 5 "books" paralleling the 5 books of the Torah attributed to Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The implication of this for present day understanding is that this final section has been significantly edited by Matthew to fit his intentions.

Luke 2:1-20 or Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 or Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Nonetheless, it is to these unlikely and unworthy shepherds that the first news of the birth of Jesus is given, and not to the Kings, Caesars, and Governors mentioned at the beginning of this passage.

Year A, B, C
Christmas Eve / Day
December 24 / 25

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Luke 2:1-20 or Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 or Luke 2:1-14, (15-20), The Message   or   Luke 2:1-20 or Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20 or Luke 2:1-14, (15-20), The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Listen to or download an MP3 of this post:

Luke 2:1-20

Sermon by the The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "Christmas Eve - A Night Of Hosting."

Luke's historical details for the birth of Jesus are problematic.

Luke 1:5, "In the days of King Herod," who died in 4 BC.

Luke 2:1, "In those days a decree went out from Emperor (or Caesar) Augustus that all the world should be registered," places the birth anytime between 27 BC to 14 AD, the length of the very long reign of Augustus.

Luke 2:2, "This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria," places the date at 6 or 7 AD.

Most scholars agree that Luke and Matthew's reference to "In the days of King Herod," is the most reliable reference and that Jesus was born sometime before Herod's death in 4 BC.

Note that Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:1-12, make no mention of Nazareth or a census.

Luke's historical details for the birth of Jesus are problematic.

Luke 1:5, "In the days of King Herod," who died in 4 BC.

Luke 2:1, "In those days a decree went out from Emperor (or Caesar) Augustus that all the world should be registered," places the birth anytime between 27 BC to 14 AD, the length of the very long reign of Augustus.

Luke 2:2, "This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria," places the date at 6 or 7 AD.

Most scholars agree that Luke and Matthew's reference to "In the days of King Herod," is the most reliable reference and that Jesus was born sometime before Herod's death in 4 BC.

Note that Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:1-12, make no mention of Nazareth or a census.

John 1:1-14

The quality of the relationship that John is wanting us to have with Jesus is all-or-nothing.

Year A, B, C
Christmas Eve / Day
December 24 / 25

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: John 1:1-14, The Message   or   John 1:1-14, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Listen to or download an MP3 of this post:

John 1:1-14

Sermon by The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "."

God bless the preacher who tries to say something sensible about this text in 20 minutes or less.

Perhaps the best approach is to read it; then prop the Bible open in a visible place; then lie face down in silent, abject humility before the text; then, after 20 minutes - or twenty years - stand up and say, "Amen."

But let's start with a direct quote from historian, Bruce Malina (See footnote below.):

These verses have caused both wonder and controversy throughout Christian history. ... When read as ordinary language, they are majestic and profound yet bristling with interpretive and theological difficulties. ... Our (the authors, Malina and Rohrbaugh) interest is in the way these verses introduce the cosmic Messiah and describe his mission on behalf of those who "believe into him."
Pages 29-30

John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Just as in Genesis the Word was God's original self-revelation as Creator of all; in the Gospel of John, the Son is the revelation of God's heart as Lover of all.

Year A, B, C
Christmas 2
January 2, 2011
Sunday Between January 2 and January 5

Read the passage at the bottom of this post: John 1:(1-9), 10-18, The Message   or   John 1:(1-9), 10-18, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Click here for an easy to print or email Adobe PDF version of this note.

Listen to or download an MP3 of this post:

John 1:1-18

Sermon by The Rev. Dr. George Hermanson, "Light Breaks In."

God bless the preacher who tries to say something sensible about this text in 20 minutes or less.

Perhaps the best approach is to read it; then prop the Bible open in a visible place; then lie face down in silent, abject humility before the text; then, after 20 minutes - or twenty years - stand up and say, "Amen."

But let's start with a direct quote from historian, Bruce Malina (See footnote below.):

These verses have caused both wonder and controversy throughout Christian history. ... When read as ordinary language, they are majestic and profound yet bristling with interpretive and theological difficulties. ... Our (the authors, Malina and Rohrbaugh) interest is in the way these verses introduce the cosmic Messiah and describe his mission on behalf of those who "believe into him."
Pages 29-30