Preacher: Pastor Nathan Hosler, PhD
Date: December 3, 2023
Scripture: Mark 13: 24-37, Psalm 80
Munther Isaac is the pastor of the Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem—the Bethlehem. His family and the Palestinian Christian community trace their history back, literally, to the beginning. The Church of the Brethren has sought to read the New Testament as is. Working to get past the accrued theology of the Church aligning with the Empire after the first few hundred years.
At times we have taken the example of the Early Church in the book of Acts quite literally. Our Church aims to imitate the first church. Our particular church emerged from the various state churches in Germany one thousand six hundred and seventy-five years after the first church in Jerusalem and one thousand seven hundred and eight years after the birth Jesus, which occurred within short walking distance of the church Munther pastors.
Theologically and spiritually speaking we are the one body of Christ. The Apostle Paul made this very clear when he addressed the early church which was figuring itself out and divided by leadership factions, ethnicity, class, and culture (things we continue to struggle with).
He wrote:
10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
I first met Munther at his church in Bethlehem around 2017. At the time he was teaching at Bethlehem Bible College and something like an assistant pastor at the Christmas Church. Though the community is indigenous to the land this particular building was built in 1893, just before Washington City Church of the Brethren was built. And it was built by German Lutherans so bears some architectural similarity to our building. During the service Munther played guitar—again feeling rather similar. While one could, and I might usually note these elements as a marker of western Christian cultural hegemony, I note them now as a point of commonality. There are also more substantive similarities of sacred texts and history. Of worship service which include prayers, songs, and preaching along with share observances such as Christmas and Easter. Though we may acknowledge the theology and spiritual truth that we are all part of the body of Christ, we often feel—in practice—very distant. Separated by geography and distracted by our own self-centeredness we fail to fully appreciate and embrace our common identity.
On Tuesday I saw Munther again. Though I introduced myself, I am certain he didn’t remember my name and quite likely didn’t remember meeting me over the years—other than if associated with Churches for Middle East Peace. He was part of a small delegation of Christian leaders from Bethlehem and Jerusalem. At a prayer vigil at St. Marks, he recounted the delegation’s seemingly fruitless visits with the White House and Congress. He likened this to Jesus’ parable of the widow and the unjust judge. In this, Jesus teaches of the persistence in prayer and speaking out for justice. He recounted, again, the dire situation of the Church in the Holy Land. The church at the very place where it started is in an existential crisis. This is not, he again reiterated, because of pressure from Palestinian Muslims but the impact of the Occupation. And now, with the current bombings and attacks by settlers, is ever more serious.
Because of the gravity of the situation—what scholars have called ethnic cleansing or genocide—Christmas has been Cancelled. Not only in Bethlehem but also across the Middle East through the Middle East Council of Churches. Munther explained that prayers and worship will still happen but the celebrations of Christmas have been canceled. That was Tuesday.
On Thursday there was a vigil and “prayer protest” at the White House. It was the part of a 5-day hunger strike. Jenn attended and was asked to pray. The vigil was on Thursday and, in part, responding the White House Christmas Tree lighting. A celebration, it turns out, of holiday cheer, US nationalism and moral hubris, and several very overtly Christian songs at a public government event. This as if Christmas was normal and we weren’t sending endless weapons to kill countless and uncountable children and civilians. Our tax dollars directly funding death and destruction—pushing the church in the land called Holy to the edge of extinction.
Today is the start of Advent for them and for us. A time of expectation, waiting, and longing marked by many Christians around the world. Today is the start of a season of waiting—yearning of hope and light—for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. A season culminating in joyous celebration—usually, but this year, at least in Bethlehem, the place where it started—Christmas is Cancelled.
The Psalm gives voice to deep longing. The Psalms, as Nigerian scholar David Tuesday Adomo asserts, have been read “existential and pragmatic in nature” and have been read by Christians throughout history giving voice to deep longing, pain, anger, joy, and trust. The ancient practice (still in use in some contexts) was regular reading from the “Psalter.” Catholic and Eastern Orthodox monasteries read through the entirety every week, while certain Anglican communities did every month. This language of prayer and poetry gives voice and shapes our speech. It does not answer all the questions but cries out to God using common language and image and refrain.
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
In a posture of prayer, listen again to these words.
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us the scorn[a] of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it;
it took deep root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches;
11 it sent out its branches to the sea
and its shoots to the River.
12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, O God of hosts;
look down from heaven and see;
have regard for this vine,
15 the stock that your right hand planted.[b]
16 It has been burned with fire; it has been cut down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.
17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
18 Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
We continue with reading in the Gospel According to Mark chapter 13:24-37. Waiting. Waiting.
We wait in eager expectation for the God of justice and mercy. Emmanuel, God with us.
The Gospel reading:
24 “But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels and gather the[a] elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he[b] is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert,[c] for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Dear Body of Christ, we are beginning our journey through the weeks leading to Christmas—
towards the coming of the angelic hosts announcing,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!
May our hearts and minds not be distracted but eagerly waiting and watching. As we wait and watch may our hearts be perpetually turned to and aligned with the heart of God. The redeeming and healing one—full of justice and radiant light.
May we be bound more closely with the Body of Christ around the world. When they weep may we weep, when they rejoice may we rejoice, when they struggle for the justice of survival may we not sit idly by.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound[a] and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Washington City Church of the Brethren 