Church of the
Annunciation

Do folks still read comic strips? I do! My favorites are For Better or For Worse, Pickles, Luann and Peanuts.  For Better or For Worse and Peanuts are in their second run. Originally FB or FW started in 1979 and ran until 2008. The characters actually age: John & Elly, the parents and Michael, Elizabeth & April the children and Farley, the dog. In Sunday’s cartoon we see: Elizabeth and Michael quietly peeking to see gifts under the tree; the family opening gifts together; dinner being served; the Pattersons welcoming family & friends; adults toasting each other; and then in the last two squares: Elizabeth is looking out at the night sky and saying: “Happy Birthday Jesus!” Indeed that is why we are here in Church to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday. Is Jesus happy? I would hope so. Isaiah (1^st reading) speaking to Jewish people returning to Jerusalem from exile says: “The Lord delights in you…as a groom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.” God is so full of joy and love for us that He gives us his only Son that whoever believes in him may not perish but enjoy eternal life. The question is: “Can we be truly happy in the world in which we live?” In the Gospel according to Matthew, after the birth of Jesus, Wise Ones come from the east following the light of a star. They offer gifts and pay homage to the new born King, then depart. Joseph learns in a dream that King Herod has a murderous plan to take the life of babies, of children in Bethlehem who may threaten his rule. Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus flee. Is the world in which Jesus is born any different than ours? And yet there is hope with the birth of Jesus. Joseph names the baby “Jesus” meaning: “God saves.” We are not alone, God is with us. Whatever challenges you/we are facing in our broken sinful world, we can face them with courage and resolve because God is with us in Jesus Christ. We are not abandoned. “Be not afraid.” Remember the name of the comic strip: “For Better or For Worse” – God’s covenant with us.