SPECIAL DAYS: First Sunday after Christmas

December 29, 2002 - Lesson: Isaiah 61.10-62.3; Luke 2.22-40

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SONG:

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
Do you see what I see?

William Osler and the Child ⁽¹⁾

Sir William Osler is among the most highly esteemed physicians in modern medical history. It is said that one day he entered the pediatric ward of a London hospital and noted with delight the children who were playing at one end of the room. Then his gaze was drawn to one small girl who sat off to one side alone on her bed, a doll in her arms. She was clearly oppressed by feelings of loneliness.

A question about her to the head nurse brought the response that she was ostracized by the other children. Her mother was dead, Osler was told; her father had paid but one visit, bringing at that time the doll which she now tightly clutched. Apart from that one visit, no one had ever come to see her again. As a result, the other children, concluding that she was unimportant, had treated her with disdain.

Sir William was at his best in moments like that, and he immediately walked to the child's bed. "May I sit down, please?" he asked in a voice loud enough to carry to where the other children were at play. "I can't stay long on this visit, but I have wanted to see you badly." Those describing the moment say that the girl's eyes became electric with joy.

For several minutes the physician conversed with her, now in quiet, almost secretive tones. He inquired about her doll's health and appeared to be carefully listening to its heart with his stethoscope. And then as he rose to leave, his voice lifted again so that everyone heard, "You won't forget our secret, will you? And mind you, don't tell anyone." As Osler left the room, he turned to see the once-ignored youngster now the center of attention of every other child on the ward."

1. What did Dr. Osler see?
2. What did the children see.
1. Did they see the child?
2. Did they only want to know the secret?

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MAIN BODY

1. What do we see?
1. What do we see as we look towards Bethlehem?
1. Angels, shepherds, animals, people, wise men, Herod.
2. Is there more to be seen?

SONG:

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?

2. We hear carols and commercials.
1. A confusion of ideas
2. A confusion of meanings
3. What do we hear as we look towards Bethlehem??
1. Angel songs, comments by shepherds, conversation between the wise men and Herod.
2. Is there more to be heard?
4. What if we take time to look beneath the surface?
1. Look at the surface of a pond or lake.
1. You may see the reflection of yourself and what exists on the outside.
2. Look at the edges and you may see the life that lives there.
3. Go deeper and you will discover different forms and plant and aquatic life.
5. We are invited to look beneath the surface
1. of angels and shepherds, of animals and wise men.
2. of cries of fear, or curiosity, or rage.
2. Just below the surface is the experience of a man and a woman who meet Jesus and his parents.
1. {25} Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;
1. this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
2. {26} It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
3. {27} Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple;
1. and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
2. to do for him what was customary under the law,
1. This would have been eight days after Jesus' birth.
2. It would be the rite of circumcision.
4. {28} Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
1. {29} "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
2. {30} for my eyes have seen your salvation,
1. {31} which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
2. {32} a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
5. {33} And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
6. {34} Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary,
1. "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and
1. It proved to be true.
1. Based on peoples understanding of who he was and what he sought to accomplish, they either accepted or rejected him.
2. Many more fell than rose.
2. Not only in Israel.
2. to be a sign that will be opposed {35} so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and
1. Look at the thoughts of people today?
2. Articles which explore the topic, Who Was Jesus?
3. a sword will pierce your own soul too."
1. Mary accompanied Jesus in his ministry.
2. She stood by at his crucifixion.
2. {36} There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
1. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, {37} then as a widow to the age of eighty- four.
2. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
3. {38} At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
3. Does this help improve and deepen our sight?
1. What did Simeon and Anna See?
2. What did Mary See?
3. What did Joseph see?
4. What did the crowds see?
5. What did the priests see?
4. If we do not see, the event may pass by and we do not either understand or appropriate the benefits of his passing.

Frank S. Mead ⁽²⁾ once wrote a story titled, "The V.I.P."

In his story the small town of Mayfair is excited over the anticipated arrival of a rich and important stranger, Henry Bascom, who is coming to spend Christmas in their town.

The whole town turns out to meet him at the airport, but he's nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, a quiet man slips by the people at the airport and heads into town.

This quiet man does not appear to be a man of means.

He is ignored and mistreated by the insensitive people of Mayfair.

They don't have time to help this stranger in their midst.

Finally, a poor, old gentleman invites the stranger home for a meager dinner with his family.

After the dinner, the stranger returns to the airport, where two men are taking down the sign welcoming Henry Bascom.

One man remarks to the other, "I can't believe we missed him. He must be in town somewhere, but we missed him."

And the stranger, unnoticed by the two men, climbs onto a plane and leaves behind the town of Mayfair.

1. What do our eyes see as we look inward to the world that is in us, and look outward at the world that surrounds us?
2. Do we in any way see the glory of the coming of the Lord and the salvation that God has provided?

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CONCLUSION:

1. In the words of one of our Advent Hymns:

Song: Of the Father's Love Begotten, Prudentius, Tr. Neale and Baker

Of the father's love begotten,
Ere the world began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source and ending he;

Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore him;
Angel hosts, his praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before him,
And extol our God and King;

Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to thee with God the father,
And the Holy Ghost, to thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be;

Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!

1. Gordon MacDonald, Restoring Your Spiritual Passion (Nashville: Oliver Nelson, 1986), 137-38.

2. THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS, Phyllis Hobe, et. al., A. J. Holman Company, Philadelphia, NY, 1975, pp. 47-50 2.

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