POINT: God will not forget you
Background: We’re going to talk some more about Mary’s response to the announcement of her child who would soon be born.
Scripture: Luke 1:46-55
“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Introduction: We will forget and be forgotten
Memory is a funny thing. I can remember all sorts of number and facts from when I had Physics classes years ago, but some days I can’t remember where I put my glasses. Memory is a funny thing. Sometimes we go into a room to get something and when we get there we can’t remember what we are looking for. We can remember things that are absolutely useless, then can’t remember things we need. Not only are our memories not trustworthy, they are colored by our emotions. Perhaps you’ve been at the funeral of a stranger—an in-law or relative that you did not know at all and found yourself getting teary. You might not have known the person, but the emotional setting stirred up all those familiar memories.
Memories can be frustrating but also amusing. There was a couple who was getting ready to go on vacation. As they were checking their many bags at the airport, the husband remarked to his wife, “I wish we would have brought the radio.” The wife responded, “Why? We already have half a dozen bags.” “I know,” replied the husband, “ but our plane tickets were on the radio.” I hate to admit this, but once I made the drive all the way up to Estherville to pick up something (about 15 miles) and when I got there, I could not remember what I was needing to pick up. So I went around to the stores I usually stop at—thinking I might remember along the way, but to no avail. I went back home with about $30 worth of purchases, but not what I had originally gone looking for.
Memories. I heard one of the older folks call it “sometimer’s disease” where you can remember some of the information some of the time. Now it really isn’t a big deal until we forget the important things like the birthdays or anniversaries or the appointments—but even aren’t always that big of deal. I remember a story I heard. It went something like this…
There was an agricultural engineer who had his cousin visiting him out in the country. Now his cousin was a city raised boy out in the country for the first time. This agricultural engineer had a sheep dog that could do all sorts of things and he showed him to his cousin. The dog rounded up the animals and could even latch and unlatch the gate. Well, the city raised cousin was amazed and said, “Wow! That’s a great dog! What’s his name?” The farmer scratched his head and thought for a moment. “Let’s see—his name—there’s this flower everyone likes—red—what is that?” “Rose.” The farmer turns to his wife, “Rose, what’s that dog’s name?”
Memories—you just can’t trust them. This month we’ve been getting items together for U.D.M.O. (UDMO: Upper Des Moines Opportunity—runs a variety of social services including a food pantry.) Perhaps you’ve been planning to bring something and have forgotten it now for the third week in a row. It’s not too bad that our memory sometimes fail, until we forget the sacrifices others have made for us. Or until we notice that our kids are forgetting us. It’s a strange thing to be dedicating memorials during Advent. Advent is supposed to be a time of anticipation and celebration. But here we are dedicating memorials and remembering loved ones. We are celebrating their lives and their gifts. Yet we know that whatever we do, our remembrance will still be imperfect.
I will never forget the funeral of Charlie Petersen. (Note: Charlie Petersen was a 40 year old firefighter who died when his house burned down. His death was the first loss due to fire in Graettinger in 27 years.) His sister got up to talk at the funeral. How many of you remember what she said? She said, “how can I sum up a life in twenty minutes?” Even for sister who knew him, it seemed impossible, almost rude to give a brief account of who he was. How can you sum up a life in twenty minutes? It is almost rude to try.
I’ve been with families during times of grief . I have seen families who usually get along well become quarrelsome over some little detail in the funeral preparations. Why is this? It’s a way of showing that we care—of showing how important that person was to us. By arguing over how best to remember them—how best to say goodbye.
Transition: What about God’s promises? Is God like us?
The Gospel lesson today was Mary’s song—Mary’s rejoicing over the promised child she was to bear. Her rejoicing over the promise that she was to bear the savior. And Mary thanks God. Mary thanks God because God has remembered his people. God is not finished with Israel. Now realize it’s been about 500 years since the last prophet of the Old Testament – to this point where God speaks to Mary and says, you’re going to have a child. Mary says, God you are going to deal with the proud in their hearts. You are going to make equality for the humble.
When I think about those who are proud in their hearts, I remember the story about a man who was sent to see a famous specialist. The specialist was quite intimidating, but the best in his field. He asked the patient, “Well, who did you see before you came here?” “My general practitioner.” Replied the patient. “I’m sure he had nothing useful to tell you.” Answered the pompous doctor. “Well, she told me to come see you.”
You’ve met people like that. They have heads so big they can’t get in and out of the doorway. And Mary praises God saying that God will bring down the proud in their hearts and lift up the humble. She continues by saying “God will feed the hungry good things.” You’ve taken part in food drives for the hungry. What kind of food do you see there? “Fruit” Ok, what else do you see in boxes for the food pantry? “Macaroni.” Macaroni!! How many of you like to eat macaroni and cheese? Everyday? Macaroni and cheese will keep you going. It’s kept some of us going through college and difficult financial times. It’s nice to get out a box once and a while for memory’s sake. But Mary said God will feed the hungry with good things. So what’s God going to give to the hungry? T-bone steak. Ham and sweet potatoes. “Fish.” Yeah, grilled catfish, fresh. “God will feed the hungry with good things.” Mary said.
Mary said God has remembered us and remembered to be merciful to us. God has remembered his people. Now Israel was not the best at remembering God. They would follow God for a time, then some would begin to turn away and follow other gods and forget the one true God. The religious would take their religion and use it to crush others. But God did not forget his people which is a good thing because none of us here are perfect either. God did not forget his people and has not forgotten us.
We are forgetful people. We are not mindful of the hearts of others. But God is.
Our memories are colored by emotions, but God’s memory is perfect. We forget our history. I was talking to some people once and we were trying to figure out when we got this piano. Or even in more recent history—when did we put in new carpet? Or very recent history—how long have these new windows been here? Some of you are straining your brains and you know these things were important when they happened weren’t they?! But they have slipped into the past.
Good News: In sending Jesus, God remembers his people
Today, God still remembers us.
Perhaps there are even some of you who have felt forgotten at times. You have felt left out by family or friends or even forgotten by God. The word “Advent” - what does the word “Advent” mean? Anyone? Ok, I’m going to quiz you on this next week. Advent means to come. The Advent of the Savior means the coming of the savior. So when we talk about being forgotten we know that God remembers, but God goes one step beyond—HE COMES. God comes into our world. God comes into our world and bring celebration. Brings light to the darkness. Brings hope to our troubled world. Brings hope to the poor and the humble. Did you know that Jesus in John chapter 10 said they he had come to bring us life to the fullest? Jesus comes to bring us life—to bring us hope.
Christmas is all about God remembering people—God remembering his loved ones. How many of you are going to spend Christmas with your loved ones? Did you know God wants to spend Christmas with you? Christmas is all about God coming to his loved ones to bring them salvation. God coming into our lives. So Christmastime—may you know God coming into your lives anew. May you know God remembering you—saying, “I know what you’re going through. I know who you are . I am here I am with you I remember you. “ If you’ve been faithful and nobody’s noticed or seemed to care. Guess what -God knows. If you’re struggling and maybe you’ve kept it all inside. Guess what—God knows. God remembers. If you’ve prayed and prayed and prayed and now you’re not sure if you can pray any more—God remembers you.
Christmas is all about God remembering people and coming to them. So I pray for you. I pray that during the holidays you might be surprised by God coming into your days into your lives and showing up and bringing you joy. That you might be surprised to find out that God has remembered me and I have a reason to sing. Thanks be to God.
