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Sermon for December 15, 2024
Advent 3 C
Luke 3:7-18; Philippians 4:4-7
Rev. Karl-John N. Stone
During the Advent season we always hear a lot about John the Baptist—we did last week, and again today. This is fitting because he was the prophet who “prepared the way” for Jesus. But before I get to John the Baptist, I’d like to start with someone who actually shares his name: Jon Batiste, the jazz pianist. Maybe you’ve seen him on TV. His last name, “Batiste”, comes from the French word for “Baptist”. And I say he’s a “jazz pianist”, but really, he can play anything. His latest album is “Beethoven Blues”, where Jon Batiste takes several of Beethoven’s most famous works, and he kind of translates them into jazz or blues styles—and he does it so effortlessly, in a way that fits so perfectly, that you’d be forgiven for thinking “that’s the way that song has always been!”
I recently heard an interview with Jon Batiste on the radio show “Fresh Air”. He described Beethoven’s music as “themes that are pre-written by the divine source, the Creator, [and the music] is just sitting there in the divine stream of consciousness, waiting for someone to pull it down”, which is what Beethoven did, basically tapping into the music that already existed in heaven and putting that sound into our ears on earth. Beethoven is the one who composed “Ode to Joy”, you know, the one that goes [hum the melody]; it’s also used in the hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”—and Jon Batiste is known for being a joyful person; so it’s fitting that he would be attracted to Beethoven. During the interview he was asked about how he was able to maintain his reputation for being a person and musician who is full of joy, and even doing so during a recent time in his life when his wife was suffering from leukemia; and of course, Jon was suffering alongside her, too.
He answered by describing a “deep sense of connectivity” with his wife—she is his “soulmate” he says, someone who just “gets” him. Because of their bond, they were able to share “creativity as an antidote”. He would compose lullabies for her, and then she would paint the lullabies, translating the music into visual art. Through this shared creativity, which came into being out of the depths of their suffering, they found a “transformative healing power” and they “created a lot of light together”. [https://www.npr.org/2024/12/09/nx-s1-5220956/jon-batiste-beethoven-blues]
We find, in the music of Jon Batiste and the paintings of his wife Suleika Jaouad, that joy comes not from the absence of suffering, but joy comes from finding the presence of God even in the midst of suffering. This is what St. Paul was writing about in Philippians 4, and why he could rejoice in the Lord even when he was in prison—because he stayed connected to God. And by staying connected to God’s presence, you come to realize that there is a light shining in the darkness, and there is a creativity that emerges when everything seems to be falling apart. That light, that creativity—that is the work of the Holy Spirit.
And when you get down to it, these are some of the same reasons why people came streaming out into the wilderness 2,000 years ago to be baptized by the original John the Baptist, and to hear him preach about repentance. The world they lived in back then seemed to be falling apart, and many people longed for the light of a new day brought by the promise of a coming Messiah. And when the Messiah appeared, things in the world would begin to change and become more aligned with the ways of God; instead of the ways of violence and domination brought by the Roman Empire.
Like the pianist Jon Batiste with his creative re-imagining of Beethoven’s music, John the Baptist preached a creative re-imagining of who would be part of the new age that the Messiah would bring. His answer? Not just the powerful; not just the pious; but just about everyone! Even the crowds of common people had a part to play. They asked him “What should we do (to bear fruits worthy of repentance)?” John answered: “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even the despised tax collectors, who funneled the taxes people paid to Rome and who were famous for lining their own pockets with the extra money they collected—even they could receive baptism. They asked him, “What should we do (to bear fruits worthy of repentance)?” John told them: “Collect no more money than the amount you’re supposed to.” Even the soldiers, who kept the people under Rome’s thumb, and who had regular opportunities to abuse their power—even they could be changed by the good news of the promised Messiah. When they asked John what they should do to repent, John told them: “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusations, and be satisfied with your wages.”
In short, regardless of whether you were lost, least, or looked down upon, the good news John preached was for you—and the light and creativity brought about on that new day when the promised Messiah arrives—that begins to take shape whenever people recognize their God-given humanity, and then respond to the needs of their fellow human beings.
What might this look like today? Maybe like a Mitten Tree with warm clothes donated for people struggling through the Wisconsin winter; or maybe like Christmas gifts for kids or families in need. Maybe providing food for the hungry, wheelchair ramps for the handicapped, or helping a child learn how to read. Maybe sharing some treats or a Christmas card or some kind words with a person in a nursing home. Maybe raking up the leaves in a neighbors’ yard, or sending prayers and donations to places recovering from hurricane damage.
According to John the Baptist, these are all ways of repentance—of turning towards God and the ways of God. Repentance might start with feeling or a confession, but it takes shape and comes to life by experimenting with some practical steps based in generosity and justice: don’t take more than you need so that there’s enough for everyone; don’t take advantage of people; share what you have, because even the little things add up. Repentance is about surrendering our selfish desires to God, and then following Christ into his ethics of honesty, compassion, and generosity.
It really is pretty basic and simple, but often easier said than done. Which is why we need Christ to help us.
Christ came down from heaven, and was born into human flesh, in order to shine the light of God’s forgiveness and love into our lives. And as we connect more and more to Christ in faith, then the power of his resurrection creates in us new and creative ways to live by faith. Because we live in Christ through faith, we even have the freedom to make mistakes along the way, knowing that God can creatively re-purpose our mistakes and even our sins into something new and life-giving.
This kind of life—of being connected to Christ in faith and becoming more aligned with the ways of God by making practical experiments of generosity and justice—this is a life of joy! And joy—deep, abiding, light-shining, creativity-inspiring joy, which is available to everyone in Christ—that’s a gift that we, and the world, need. Amen.