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Trinity Lutheran Church Advent 3 Shooting in Newtown, CT Zepheniah 3:14 ff.; Phil 4; Luke 3:7-18;

Well on this 3rd Sunday in Advent, as the Scriptures invite us to cry out with joy, many of us feel like crying for another reason, crying out with the families and children of Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown. Were reminded of the cries of the families in Bethlehem, after King Herod, trying to destroy the Christ child did such evil there Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; She refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

She refused to be comfortedwhat can any of us say in the face of this tragedy, far too close to home, days before the joy of Christmas? We see the pictures of teachers leading lines of children through danger to safety, and we wonder Why? Some might say everything happens for a reason, this is the way it has to be, dont question it, dont question God. I dont think thats Gods answer, its too harsh, too cold, all who suffer deserve better. Another answer is We dont know why this happens, theres no answer, theres no meaning to anything, and nothing to say. But as creatures of a living God I dont think we can live in that world of meaninglessness, where theres no word to say for those weve lost. Instead, today, as we wonder were God was in Newtown, as we wonder what words of comfort there might be, we look to what we always look to: the Cross of Jesus Christ. Because what has happened there on the Cross? We say that on the Cross the God of the whole world, the unlimited creator of Heaven and Earth, made himself small and weak and vulnerable. We say that on the

Cross, God has taken on every sin we experience, every sorrow we go through, every heartache we suffer, suffering in his own body, mind, and spirit the sins of the whole world--even everything that happened in Newtown. On the Cross the Son cries out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me! and on the Cross the Father experiences the loss of his only son. On the Cross Jesus dies our death, Jesus dies every death, there is no more dying alone, there is no more dying apart from him now. For on the third day, as he rose from the tomb in glory, as he bodily came out from death and out of the grave, as he showed his wounds, as he greeted his loved ones, as he said Peace be with you and brought the disciples joy, he shows us the promise that God gives: That every heartache will be comforted. That every injustice will be answered. That everything broken will be restored. That every death will be turned to life. That everything sad is coming untrue. Thats the future that were promised. Which is why John the Baptist shows up in our readings today, pointing his fingers up our nose, saying,

Bear fruits worthy of repentance,John invites us into a life that looks to the future God promises. John says, Arent you tired of a world where young kids think life is so meaningless that they kill even younger ones?! Arent you tired of a world without hope! Arent you tired of a world that says Joy is something you can only buy and have to wrap up in a bow! Arent you tired of living in a culture of death, where the dignity of each person as created in the image of God is spit on and rejected! So instead of cursing the darkness, John says, light a candle! The people ask John today, what should we do? If youve got two coats, share with somebody who has none, he says. If youre a soldier, be content with your pay. See, its not hard, all of us are invited into this promise, if youre a parent, parent those kids like God himself put them into your own hands, because he did. If youre a nurse, offer healing with professionalism and care. If youre a musician play in tune. If youre a student dedicate yourself to studying and learning. If youre a dentist do a good filling! If youre a volunteer, give your time gladly. If youre in business do your job with integrity, treat your

customers and employees right. If youre a teacher, teach like the future depends on you. If you want to be a part of Gods future, John says, then be of some earthly good in this world, do the ordinary things God has called you to do that care for your neighbor; that bears fruit, and youll be ready for the one who is coming, the more powerful one who comes to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, then youll be ready for the coming of God himself. Paul tells us today in Philippians, Rejoice in the Lord always. He doesnt say rejoice about the news, rejoice about what has happened, he doesnt say look on the bright side, he says rejoice in the Lord. Only the Lord is the answer to our cries, and because of what hes done on the Cross, because of what he has done on Easter Sunday, we ought to rejoice, because he has gone to the worst place possible, to death on a Cross for all of us, and has brought out of it new and everlasting life. So Rejoice in the Lord, always. Again I say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near! Do not worry about anything, do not

get caught up in anxiety, do not be overwhelmed with grief, but in everything by prayer let your requests be made known to God. Well do that todaypraying for the families, praying over those 27 candles that shine by the baptismal font today, shining above the childlike faces of the angels. Trusting in what Jesus did on the Cross, and in the promises God gives for our future, and because of that, Paul says, then the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Until that great day when Christ, who died for us, and who now lives for us, will take his people by the hand, and lead his children in one straight line, into his kingdom, into that heavenly city, where there will be no more crying, no more pain, and where we will live in safety. So rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice! The Lord is near! And the Peace of God