Sermonette: Nov. 30, 2020

My recent days have been filled with planning for Advent, the church season that begins on November 29 and continues for four Sundays. Advent is a time of preparation and waiting for the Christ child to be born at Christmas. Our Advent theme this year is “It’s True!”, based on the song of the same name by Christian artist Sara Groves. This song captivated my heart several years ago when it came out. As I listened to it again and again, my heart swelled and ached at the truth contained in the lyrics. On Christmas Eve of that year, I had the opportunity to sing the song for worship.

The song begins with a child’s voice speaking the words of the angel Gabriel:

“Mary, you’re going to have a baby. A little boy. You will name him Jesus.”

Wait. God was sending a baby to rescue the world?

“But it’s too wonderful,” Mary said.

“Is anything too wonderful for God?” Gabriel asked.

So, Mary trusted God more than what her eyes could see.

Then Sara sings. . .

In your heart you know it’s true, though you hold no expectation.

In the deepest part of you, there’s an open hesitation.

But it’s true, kingdoms and crowns; a God who came down to find you

It’s true angels on high, sing through the night, Alleluia

When the service ended, a gentleman named Chris in his 30s came to me, thanking me for the song. He said it had been years and years since he had been in church because he just couldn’t believe a story so far-fetched could actually be true. He just couldn’t imagine how a baby could be born of a virgin and rescue the world. But something in the song that night, he said, touched his heart and made him believe again. Tears fell from his eyes, and I could sense the joy and freedom he felt in believing “It’s True!”.

Let’s be honest, the story is a crazy one, and as Sara writes, the story is fraught with complications. A baby God? Lowly shepherds told first? A choir of angels singing alleluia? Kings from afar bearing gifts? No room at the inn?

Yes, lots of complications. But here’s the incredible thing, here’s the thing that makes the story worth telling. Here’s the thing that makes this the greatest story ever told.

This story of our baby God who came down to find you is true. Can I prove it with scientific facts? No. But truth is so much more than facts. In fact, truth does not rely on fact. Truth transcends it. Truth... this truth of Christmas, this truth of God in Christ, this truth of a baby God who came to rescue the world is the way. It is the way to healing and wholeness, to hope and possibility. This truth is the way to the freedom and joy that Chris experienced on that Christmas Eve.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

May this truth transcend your hesitation and may you experience Christ with you and in you this Advent season.