Love Knows Your Name

​How many of you see those five photos and see five examples of the beauty of God’s creation?
 
Now, how many of you look in the mirror every day and see yet another example of the beauty of God’s creation looking back at you?
 
It is interesting that as human beings, we tend to see the beauty in all of God’s creation when we look at the natural world, but when we look at ourselves, all we see are all our flaws.
 
When we see animals or plants – even somewhat ugly ones – we can still see God’s hand in their being.
 
Even things like mushrooms and knotted old trees, mangy coyotes and bumpy toads can be appreciated as part of God’s vast and beautiful plan for creation.
 
And yet, we struggle to look at ourselves and think that we are worthy of that same appreciation as part of God’s grand creation.
 
We look at our wrinkles, or our grey hairs, our excess body weight, our crooked teeth or anything else about our appearance and we think that there is no way we were created perfectly just the way we are.
 
Why do we believe it about the natural world, but not about ourselves?
 
I am here to tell you today that no matter how insignificant or imperfect we may feel, we are intimately known and dearly loved by God.
 
God calls us by name for a purpose, and we are each a blessing in God’s eyes.
 
We are also each a blessing to others in our own unique ways, and God wants us to believe that about ourselves.
 
Each grey hair and wrinkle and every crooked tooth is God’s reminder that we are special in this world. Our unique features and personality traits are part of the beauty of God’s creation just as much as any other part of the natural world is.
 
God’s love knows your name. God has shown us throughout scripture and throughout history that God uses perfectly imperfect people to do good in the world all the time.
 
Shepherds, for example, were low-wage workers who were undervalued and sometimes considered dangerous, yet they were essential to Bethlehem’s economy.
 
Shepherds kept to the outside of town, guiding their flocks to water and pasture, protecting them from predators and thieves.
 
And yet, these people who likely saw themselves as imperfect, lowly, or insignificant were brought the message of the angel, nonetheless.
 
The message they received was personalized and intimate, and I imagine they were quite surprised when the angel said, “I am bringing you good news,” and “this will be a sign for you.”
 
The shepherds very likely wondered what kind of trick was being played on them, that an angel would bring them, of all people, a sign and good news.
 
And yet, that’s exactly what happened.
 
Just like God used Mary, an unwed teenager from Galilee, to carry and raise Jesus the Messiah, God used Shepherds to bring the good news of the Messiah’s birth.
 
And God uses us to do good work in our world, in this time and place.
 
God is LOVE, and LOVE knows your name.
 
You are a blessing, and God calls you by name to do the good work that is yours to do.
 
Tomorrow as you are getting yourselves ready for whatever your Christmas Day celebrations bring, take a moment to look in the mirror and love the face and body that looks back at you.
 
See the beauty in the being that is just as much a part of God’s beautiful creation as every other living thing on Earth.
 
Tell that person staring back at you that you are a blessing, and that God calls you by name.
 
And, perhaps most importantly, remind the person looking back at you that God is LOVE, and LOVE knows your name.
 
God knows you completely and loves you fully. As you draw near to Jesus, rest assured that you are not a mere face in the crowd but a beloved child of God, known and called by name. In light of this glorious truth, may you be a bearer of peace and love today and forevermore. Amen.
 
God of new beginnings, Our hearts are full to the brim. In a world with long nights and cold winters, in a world that constantly feels like it is ending, we need this new beginning. We need this story of a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger. We need this story of the angels and the shepherds. We need Mary’s song and Joseph's faith. We need this night to remember how to begin again. So with hope in our hearts and love in our veins, we pray in your Holy name. Amen.
 
 
Sermon References:
Commentary by Kayla Craig | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.
Prayer by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.

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