Holy Trinity Ankeny

God’s mystery is expressed today in the story of the wise men. These men were from a foreign country and were of a different race and religion than the people of Israel. This is who God sends by way of a star to be the first to worship the Messiah Jesus. We hear the story of two journeys: the journey of the wise men, and the journey of Mary, Joseph and Jesus as they flee for their lives and become refugees in Egypt. Listen and ponder the mystery of God in your own life journey. Where do we discover the light of Christ shining today, and when are we bearers of that light?

As children, we can be scared of what hides in the darkness. As we grow, we befriend darkness - especially when it provides cover to the less desirable parts of our lives. The "deep darkness" that Isaiah presents is something different. Darkness can take on the power to steal our hope and fill us with fear. Only one kind of light can break through that kind of darkness. That is what comes to us in the birth of Jesus - unquenchable light for our darkest places and times.

Family trees tell us about our roots. Hear about the family tree of Jesus, and how the birth of Jesus fulfilled the scriptures. We often think of the birth of Jesus as being a perfect story of love in peace. But today we hear a different story through the writer of Matthew’s gospel. Listen and hear of a young couple on this family tree whose lives pretty much match ours. Even in the midst of life’s chaos, God brings good news for them and all the world.

A quick perusal of the daily news will make the most optimistic person wonder whether the world is descending into deep darkness. For those of us who look to Jesus as the Messiah, it is easy to question whether we have hitched our wagon to the right Messiah. It was true for John the Baptist as he sat in prison and asked Jesus, “Are you the one for whom we have waited? Should we look to someone else?” Jesus pointed to something that, with the gift of faith, could dispel his doubt. It can do the same for you.

Rev. Dr. Robin Brown, Associate Director for Congregational Support with ELCA World Hunger, shares a bit with us about her favorite symbol of Advent – a stump. She also brings greetings and thanks from ELCA World Hunger for your support through the Open Arms campaign, and tells us how those funds are helping people in our own community and around the world.

The church season of Advent begins this week. It is a time of preparing for the coming of Christ. Our Gospel text tells us of the second coming of Christ. We don’t know when this will be, but we know it will be sudden and unexpected. So what do we do in the meantime? How is God at work, and what are we to be about in the meantime? Listen to today’s podcast.

The celebration of “Christ the King” Sunday may seem odd, especially in a culture where “kings” are not talked about in any serious manner. That said, we do suffer under the poor leadership of many in this world who, as Jeremiah said, “scatter the sheep” and divide us from one another. We are not a people who live in peace, or even like each other very much. The promise of Christ the King is that there is one who can reconcile the unruliest and bring peace to people committed to war. The act of faith that puts Christ “first in everything” is what allows us to live in his blessed reign.

Pilate’s sign, "This is the King of the Jews," initially meant to intimidate, becomes a sign of love, compassion and grace as King Jesus forgives and welcomes us into his kingdom; into paradise.

One constant in life is change. After a very long campaign season we now have a president elect who has promised change. We have heard and seen varying responses to this change after a tight race. How are Christians to respond to the political climate? How do we testify to our trust in Jesus?

What do Election Day and the Festival of All Saints have to do with one another? Well, maybe more than you think. Voting is a responsibility people of faith bear as a result of the vocation of “citizen.” In addition, our faith calls us to vote on behalf of those in need instead of our self-interest. Faith lets us be free of the fear that is used to persuade us and it reminds us that no matter who we elect, Christ is Lord of all things. Saints of every age have stood up to and against the powers that be to bring not a party agenda, but the reign of God. Saints do this whenever they are signs of God’s gracious love to one another and the world. This sermon helps put the election in perspective.