We Need A Little Xmas
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister

Let us dwell together in peace; and let us not be instruments of our own or others’ oppression. And now, may God’s word be spoken, may only God’s word be heard. Amen.

What god does for us, god does through us.
We can pray for anything as long as we are willing to be the answer to the prayer.

Our theme tonight comes from a Scene from Jerry Herman’s musical, Mame.

During Great Depression…socialite Mame is with her chosen family and things are so dreary…they’re broke, sad, the future is uncertain…and Mame decides what they need is Xmas right now. It’s not yet Thanksgiving and its before department stores started piping Xmas at us around Halloween.

So, by force of will, the Mame household lifts their own spirit. Gifts are exchanged, decorations are dragged out, and, as happens in musical theatre and gay venues, everyone breaks out into song.

They needed hope. They needed joy. They needed peace. They needed togetherness. And they saw no reason to wait for it. So, they named and claimed their blessings on the spot. They celebrated all the good that xmas represents when they needed it. And, not only did they wish for peace and goodwill, but they chose to become the answer to their wish. And a little xmas miracle took place, early but right on time.

Mary is, as they say, with child, but the pregnancy was unplanned. Her situation is not ideal and her obstacles are enormous. Nevertheless, she expresses hope, and offers praise to God. Some might say her condition is unfortunate, but Mary says there is a blessing in this for her. She’ll get through the trial and future generations will celebrate her. Turns out, she was right!

But she isn’t just convinced that her child will be important, or that she will be fondly remembered, she also imagines a day of justice, of peace, of goodwill, a day of healing for all who need.

In her song, Mother Mary prophecies that in the fullness of time, God will have, “scattered the arrogant, put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. And God will fill the hungry.”

As in Mary’s time, today:
We need hope.
We need justice.
We need generosity of spirit.
We need to care and share.

The Magnificat is saying we need a little xmas now…and, Mary is calling us to be the answer to our own prayer…See the need, pray for it be met, and then become the hands that make it happen.

Wish for an end to unjust systems
Wish for an End to exploitation
Wish for a time when all people might enjoy all of Life’s abundance
Wish for a time when all people can live in peace

Dare to dream of what might be, and commit to being part of making the dream come true.

Tonight’s stories tell us that a peasant girl with an unplanned pregnancy can still find reason to celebrate and can dare to imagine a world that is fair and just and filled with goodwill; and that her son, born in a barn facing an uncertain future can actually be the reason that angels sing and that communities gather.

Tonight we learn that every problem has a solution, every obstacle has a gift, and every rough place can be made smooth. The night may start out with all kinds of trouble, but wait, here comes the angel choir! Tonight we remember that the future has infinite possibilities!

We need a little xmas now…and throughout the new year.

And so, tonight, our souls magnify the Lord! As we join the angels in praying for and working for peace on earth, goodwill to all. And this is the good news. Amen.

My soul magnifies the Lord.
I am blessed to be a blessing.
I am a conduit of divine grace.
I am helping to make a better world.
And so it is!