GRACE CHURCH Honesdale, PA ADVENT 4 - C (RCL) 22-23 December 2018

Micah 5: 2-5a Psalm 80 Hebrews 10: 5-10 Luke 1: 39-45

DON’T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT + + +

In 1982 Peter Yarrow, of yes, Peter, Paul and Mary (some of us remember that iconic folk trio - with “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Lemon Tree,” “If I had a Hammer,” and perhaps they made Pete Seeger’s “Where Have all the Flowers Gone” famous during the Vietnam War, though Seeger wrote it during the McCarthy raids.) But Peter Yarrow, wrote a song that has become a popular favorite at Hanukkah, recalling the Roman slaughter of Jews during the Maccabean revolt a century before Jesus was born. It doesn’t help my sermon today that Hanukkah was early this year.

Nonetheless thinking of Last Advent, this song came to mind. And how can you argue with Peter Paul & Mary? except that they put Mary last - saving the best, perhaps.

At their 25th anniversary concert, Peter introduces the song this way, words so appropriate especially today: “Light one candle - candle on menorah; Light a candle for decency; Light a candle for hope; Light a candle for peace.”

Here is the song. Light one candle for the Maccabee children With thanks that their light didn't die Light one candle for the pain they endured When their right to exist was denied Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice Justice and freedom demand But light one candle for the wisdom to know When the peacemaker's time is at hand chorus: Don't let the light go out! It's lasted for so many years! Don't let the light go out! Let it shine through our hope and our tears. + 2 +

Light one candle for the strength that we need To never become our own foe And light one candle for those who are suffering Pain we learned so long ago Light one candle for all we believe in That anger not tear us apart And light one candle to find us together With peace as the song in our hearts (chorus)

What is the memory that's valued so highly That we keep it alive in that flame? What's the commitment to those who have died That we cry out they've not died in vain? We have come this far always believing That justice would somehow prevail This is the burden, this is the promise This is why we will not fail!

(chorus) Don't let the light go out! It's lasted for so many years! Don't let the light go out! Let it shine through our hope and our tears.

Don't let the light go out! Don't let the light go out! Don't let the light go out! Songwriter: PETER YARROW © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

The image of light inspires me greatly this year as on Friday, the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year we had a brilliant full moon with a meteor shower on the Winter Solstice! Something magical, mystical, mysterious might just have happened. Like angels dancing around the universe preparing Creation for the breaking forth of heaven on earth.

For several years we had sitting in the Church a Peace Light which is annually spread across the world from Bethlehem, outside Jerusalem, delivered from JFK airport in New York throughout the US by Cub and Boy Scouts. (Unfortunately, I’ve lost my contact). But to have a flame which is shared around the world is a special thing from the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. + 3 +

[tomorrow/later] The Choir will sing another carol based on a Hebrew melody - another “Light One Candle”: “Light one Candle to Wait for Messiah.” Messiah, The Anointed One, Yesus, Salvation, Wonderful Counselor, The Prince of Peace.

These next days as we light our trees, our outdoor bushes, the candles in our windows and on out tables let us light them as sacrificial symbols to God offering with our family and loved ones prayers to be beacons to the world of the Prince of Peace who comes to break earth’s tyranny and offers us a beautifully wrapped present of heaven’s joy. All we need to do is to unwrap it, reveling in its mysterious wonder. Light not only one candle, but light as many as you are able that peace, justice, mercy and love may be known “all over this land.” AMEN

CHILDREN’S SERMON Light to the World individual hand candles as will be used on Christmas Eve hand one to each of the children

You’ve all been here to see a Baptism. In fact, some of you have just been Baptised. We have the water, and the oil to anoint you, and at the end, what do I do? I say, “Jess,” may the Light of Christ always shine in your life and I give you a candle lit from the Easter candle Do you know what our Baptismal mission is? It’s to bring the light of Christmas to the world, to share Jesus’ light to everyone.

If there’s just one candle, it does some good. But the more candles we light, the brighter the world gets. That’s why we light these candles each week, (indicate the Advent Wreath) one at a time - for the light grows as Jesus comes near. + 4 +

But the Light of the World grows with us spreading it! Keep the Light shining, and don’t let the Light go out!!

Let’s pray: Jesus, be the light in our darkness, and let us be your light to the world. Amen.