The Oasis - December 18, 2024
Author: Rev. Eric Dupee
December 18, 2024
As Christmas approaches, carols play in the stores and businesses. There is a lot of activity at the church. Many complimentary words were spoken at the celebration of Pastor Dan’s ministry. The “Wreaths and Greens and More” event was a great success. Many heartfelt conversations occurred in Fellowship Hall that day. There was a record number of people at the Fellowship in Action Yankee Swap, at least since I’ve been here, and lots of laughter. Christmas in the Village was a triumph! The speakers and musicians did wonderfully.
That being said, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on silence this Christmas, specifically, the silence of the men in the Luke’s story of Christmas. Luke’s gospel begins with the story of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that Elizabeth would give birth to a child. Zechariah questioned it, saying, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” In response, Gabriel said, “Because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak.”
As Luke Gospel continues, the focus is placed on the women in the story: Elizabeth and Mary. In fact, through the entire Christmas story, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, never says a word. I love the fact that women take center stage at Christmas. Could that silence represent a holy recentering? The men had important roles to play, but could their silence be a sign of the new thing God was doing in the world?
This year, at the early Christmas Eve service, puppets will get a chance to speak. Puppeteers Bonnie and Andrew Periale will tell a Christmas story. I hope you will invite neighbors and young ones to come and experience the puppets at the 5:30pm service. I hope you will join us for either the 5:30pm or the 8pm service. Together, let us experience the sounds and silences of Christmas.
Blessings,
Eric
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