This time I got in my Hamilton reference at the very beginning:
“The Advent season draws to a close. Does that mean Christmas is here and we are finally free from waiting?!
Not. Yet.”

Ok, so it’s a bit oblique, but sometimes that’s just the way the reference needs to go, ya know?

Talking some about what makes a home, I opined:

We unveiled together that home is simultaneously a physical place, a person or people, and an idea.

Other sources of inspiration:
2 Samuel 7:1-17 First God tells David, “No.” Then follows a real “Ew, David!” moment.
Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation! Which I try to have a little fun with.
Dr. Diana Butler Bass Her Advent series inspired by Madeline L’Engle is not to be missed.
Rev. Dr. Derek Weber I don’t always make use of the UMC Discipleship resources, but this one moved me.
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III Sublime, natch.

We seek to be a nation where different does not mean deficient, color does not mean caste, and gender is not, and shall not be, restricted by glass ceilings. We seek to be a nation where children are able to laugh and will not hunger in the night and where elders are cared for and celebrated.

The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III

Here’s the full sermon offered, per usual, in both audio-only and video form. Hope it brings you a little entertainment and inspiration on this Winter Solstice (at least here in the Northern Hemisphere). Even if this sermon proves not to be your bag, let us all take solace in the wise words from Doctor Who:

On every world, wherever people are, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact mid-point, everybody stops and turns and hugs. As if to say, ‘Well done. Well done, everyone! We’re halfway out of the dark.’

After years and years of walking around while preaching, it still feels quite weird to stand behind the pulpit the whole time. A very minor irritant in this pandemic world, but one I look forward to be rid of nonetheless. Sermon starts at 51:30.

So where will God make God’s home this season, today? Maybe the question is where will we allow God to make God’s home today? In our violence, like David? Or will we follow Mary and make God a home in our faith, our hope, our love?

Photo by Jan Henckens on Unsplash