Homily: Each Child That’s Born
This kid-friendly homily was preached for First UU of Brooklyn’s 3pm Christmas Eve service in 2012. The portions in parentheses suggest the answers our kids gave to questions they were asked during the homily.
Our service this afternoon is a special one. It’s not happening on Sunday morning like our worships usually do. We’re telling and retelling the story of a baby who’s name was Jesus. We just heard a few readings from Christian Scriptures talking about shepherds, and angels, and wise men (called magi in the story) traveling to find him and give him gifts. Why is Jesus so special – why are we getting together today to honor his birth? Tell me – what are some things that people believe about Jesus? What did he teach us?
(love one another, caring for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the homeless, visit those in prison.)
He was a great teacher, a healer, and some people believe he was the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. All of us here may have different views about all of these things, but as UU’s we definitely value his message of hope, of caring for those who are hurt, and being loving to all people as best we can. Just being nice, just being caring to our neighbor may sound like a really easy thing to do – but has anyone here ever had to deal with a bully at school, or an impatient person on line at the store, or ever had a fight with their mom, or dad, or son, or daughter (anyone here ever have a fight with their family?) – those things remind us how hard it is to always be loving.
But we also believe that with every child that’s born is another redeemer for this world. The “hope of the world” as he’s sometimes called, didn’t come from money or power, or comfort. He was born in a dirty barn, among a lot of farmyard animals. Simple Shepherds were the first people to visit him – the wise men, the kings won’t find him till later. His family was traveling and homeless when he was born – and yet he would become one of the greatest of teachers.
If each child that’s born is another hope for the world – what does that say about us? Sometimes we feel bad about ourselves, sometimes other kids, other people can be mean, and it’s easy to believe the lie – it’s easy to believe that we’re not important or special. The birth of Jesus is about many things, but it’s also about how very important we each are. It’s also about how we are each called to try to make a difference in this world. How we’re to try to leave the places we go better than they were when we got there. We won’t always succeed, but we’re born to do this.
Can we look at the manger scene behind me now? Dawn Elane, June Wohlhorn and a whole lot of kids, youth and adults helped to make it this week out of felt and love. There are all sorts of farmyard animals on it. There are people, shepherds, wise men, angels and Mary and Joseph (mom and dad.) But who’s missing from the scene? (the baby!)
I’d like to invite folks to come forward with whatever baby photos of yourself, or your kids, or your parents that you brought with you. We’ll be going forward pew by pew in a moment, to place our pictures in the manger scene. Each child that’s born is another redeemer. As you come forward, I want you to think about something that you want to work toward making better in this world. If you feel comfortable – say it aloud as you put your photo in the manger. If you didn’t bring a photo, feel free to come forward anyway and say aloud what thing you want to work toward making better in the world. You can also keep that hope silently to yourself if you would prefer.
….
The birth of Jesus, and his life, has inspired so many people across the 2000 years since his time – to make the world a better place; to lift ourselves up when we are down; to birth love where this hate and hope where this is fear. May we honor his birthday by promising to strive to live with compassion, with caring, with love, and with hope.
RevWho 
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