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The Third Sunday of Advent, 12/15/2013
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and John the Baptist”
Sermon on Matthew 11:2-11, by David M. Wendel
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?"
[4] And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. [9] Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.' [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Revised Standard Version
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sing with me: "Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names, they never let poor Rudolph, play in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, "Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight. Then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!"
Rudolph and John the Baptist
Bet you never sang "Rudolph" in church before! I know I have the reputation of being formal and somber and solemn during worship, so this morning, this third Sunday of Advent traditionally known as "Gaudete" or "Joy" Sunday, I'm inviting us to be a bit more light-hearted. And I had us sing a bit of "Rudolph", because I was thinking this week about the similarities between Rudolph and another well-known public figure-- John the Baptist! And while it might shock and surprise you to think of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and John the Baptist, together-there are more similarities than you might realize. Think about it--Rudolph was an outcast because he was different-the other reindeer wouldn't let him play in their reindeer games because he had a bright red, shiny nose. John the Baptist was also isolated, partly by his own choice, granted, because he wanted to live differently from those in the big cities who wore soft robes and fancy jewelry and lived in big houses. John was decidedly different, living as an outcast, eating locust and wild honey, wearing animal skins for clothing. And yet, when the time was right, just as Rudolph's red-nose came to be a blessing, as Santa called him into service to lead the way on a dark and foggy Christmas Eve, so John the Baptist, for all his unique behaviors, when the time was right, was called into service. Of course, called into service, not by Santa, but by God, who sent John to be the messenger, to go ahead of the Messiah, to prepare the way, indeed, to lead the way for the coming Lord.
The Ministry of John
This was, and is, the ministry of John the Baptist-as Jesus himself speaks of John, saying, this is the one of whom it is written, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you." And Jesus continues saying, "Truly I tell you, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." And doesn't that sound a lot like the Rudolph ditty, "you'll go down in history!" And yes, John has gone down in history as a prophet and more than a prophet! But, the other John, St. John the evangelist, reminds us that as great as this John was; though John the Baptist was sent from God-he came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. John the Baptist was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. And there, of course, is the difference between Rudolph, and John the Baptizer. Though they both were unusual and unique, though they both were called upon to lead the way, though they both are remembered in history-Rudolph, or rather, Rudolph's nose, was indeed the light-the shiny red light that enlightened the world, so that Santa and the other reindeer could bring joy to all the girls and boys.
Rudolph's Nose vs. the True Light
But John was not the light, nor did he pretend to be the light. John was careful to remind everyone he came in contact with that he was only leading the way, only making ready the way for the one who was to come, pointing always behind him, to Jesus, the Messiah, who would come to bring the True Light, who would come to be the Light, bringing joy to the world. And that, truly, is what the ministry of John was all about, being the prophet, the forerunner who would make straight the roadway, make level the path, for the true light who was coming into the world-to bring, yes, joy. Though John was the last, and the greatest prophet, he was in the lineage of the other prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah-not the least of which was Isaiah, who writes of the coming time of the Messiah, "the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing." From the beginning, the coming of the Messiah, was to bring Light, and the Light would enlighten the darkness and fog and confusion of the world, and the Light, would create in the hearts of men and women--joy!
Gaudete-Joy Sunday
Which is why, in the third week of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday-Joy Sunday. Because, in the midst of the dreariness of December, in the midst of the dreariness of life, in the midst of our Advent existence which is still, in spite of our best efforts, preoccupied with buying and decorating and overscheduled calendars; in the midst of what can be at times, a burdensome, trudging journey towards Christmas, in the midst of all that the four weeks before Christmas has become in the secular world, in the Church, we come and we are reminded of-JOY! Joy in our hearts and lives, because, as the Christ has come, He still comes, and is coming-to bring life-life that is the light of men-Light that shines in the darkness and the darkness can not overcome it. The Light of Christ, that brings joy, even to we who are struggling with illness, cancer, and infirmity. Joy, even to we who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and the changes in life that brings. Joy, to those who are out of work, uncertain about the future. Joy to those of us who are raising teenagers, and have trouble seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Joy to those who will have a slim Christmas this year; joy to those who will be alone and perhaps, lonely this Christmas. Joy, because the light has come, and the light is, even now, shining into the darkness, like Rudolph's bright shining nose, on a foggy, dark night!
Martin Luther and Good Tidings of Great Joy
Martin Luther wrote, "And the angel said to the shepherds, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." This joy", writes Luther, "is not just for Peter and Paul, but for all people. Not just to apostles, prophets and martyrs does God say, but to you, "Come, see the Baby Jesus." "For unto you is born this day," that is, says Luther, unto us. This is the way to observe this feast-that Christ be formed in us. It is not enough that we should hear his story if the heart be closed. I must listen, not to a history, but to a gift. What is it to me if someone else has goods, honors, riches, and a pretty wife," writes Luther. "That doesn't touch my heart. But if you hear that this Christ Child is yours, as you receive Him, you will be joyful."
Light Shining in the Darkness-for Joy!
That's what Gaudete Sunday is proclaiming to us, to you, today. This is what John the Baptist gives witness to, today-that the Light that shines in the darkness has come, and is coming, to bring joy-joy, to you and me. And just as we will receive the Christ, on Christmas, let us also receive Him, today-as today, He incarnates Himself, again, to become God with us-in flesh and blood, in the Sacrament of His presence among us-to bring us, light, and joy-and so, hope, and peace. Today. As we receive Him. As we eat his flesh and drink His blood and have His life, in us! For joy!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.