Christmas Eve Service

December 24th , 2024

7 p.m.

Rev. Nicole M. Lamarche

In those days…that’s how the story begins in the Gospel of Luke. In those

days of Emperors and authoritative orders, in those days of decrees and

greed, in those days of government leading with a clenched fist,

dominating, and regulating bodies and livelihoods, squeezing the poor until

there is little left, sending a family expecting fleeing to a safer place. As one

scholar noted, time was shaped by the powers that be when the story

begins with when “Quirinius was governor of Syria” …

Time is denoted by who is in power.

The time of census and taxes and orders and pronouncements; 1 time

shaped by empire.

In those days as the story goes, some are weary and worried, some feel

tossed and terrified, and still, even then, even amid all of that, a presence

from another realm breaks in, an angel says to them, “Do not be afraid…”

And what I notice this year, is how essential fear has become as a tool of

empire. Are you with me? So much so that I wonder if a lot would fall apart

without it. What the angel is saying is quite subversive. Don’t buy into the

fear. Don’t accept the fear. Do not be led by fear.

Because here’s the thing: in those days and let us be honest on this

Christmas Eve, in these days too, on this day, those with power and

privilege are using fear as a weapon, pitting us against one another,

creating groups to hate or people to think of as less than, other than

human.. As Charles Campbell wrote, “The political powers in both Jesus’

day and our own, play on fear to get their way…” But with “this day” comes

a different possibility.

I wonder if this Christmas we might be moved to take this message to

heart. In those days and in this day, ruled by fear, separation, domination,

and exploitation, in this moment of time defined by empire, and the agenda

of billionaires and a profit driven hierarchy of humanity, a message comes

to us from the Cosmos, “Fear not!”

Choosing to live from a place other than fear, rooting ourselves in love and

the idea that each of us is sacred and that our lives matter, our hopes and

dreams for a common good and a just world for all make a difference. This

Christmas, let us subvert empire with our love and our joy, let us hear the

angels fully, let us let go of fear. “Fear not: for, behold, I bring good tidings

of great joy, which shall be to all people!” With this day comes a new

possibility beyond those days. May it be so. Amen.

1 Charles Campbell in Feasting on the Word: Year C, Volume 1 Advent through Transfiguration.