22 December 2024 – Advent 4 Year C
Lectionary Texts: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45
Below, you will find a story and a shorter version (less than 300 words) that could be used as a newsletter reflection. Some sermon topics and ideas based on the Sunday lectionary readings are also included.
The 16 days of activism have ended, but I will continue to include some sermon topics and the story about domestic violence.
The story will be based on one of the topics, which will be identified, and my sermon topic will also be identified.
The Little One Who Could
In a dusty village on the outskirts of a bustling city, there lived a young boy named Tariq. His family was poor, barely able to scrape together enough money for food, and their small, crumbling home was tucked away at the edge of the town, far from where the influential and wealthy people lived. Tariq himself was small for his age, with dark eyes that seemed too large for his face and skin the colour of the earth after rain. His clothes were hand-me-downs, frayed and patched, and he often felt like he was invisible in a world that only noticed the rich and powerful.
Tariq’s family had arrived in the village years ago from a far-off land where the language was different, the customs unfamiliar, and the people were often treated with suspicion. His mother and father worked tirelessly as street vendors, selling simple fruits and vegetables, but it was a struggle. The other children at school made fun of Tariq, calling him names that hinted at his family’s foreign origins, and when he played with the other kids, they usually ignored him or told him to go away.
One day, as the village prepared for its annual festival, an important event that brought together the richest and most influential people from the region, the elders of the village announced that they were looking for someone special to represent the community in a grand procession. This procession was an honour, an opportunity for the chosen person to show the world what the village stood for. It was always a child of prominence, someone with a family of stature or wealth, someone who could be a shining example of the village’s success.
Tariq’s heart sank when he heard the news. He had no hope of being chosen. After all, how could someone like him—poor, foreign, overlooked—ever be considered for such an important role? He couldn’t even get a smile from the other children, let alone the elders. He sat by the side, watching the others excitedly discuss who might be picked. Tariq quietly returned to his work, helping his mother with her stall.
Days passed, and the festival was fast approaching. The day before the procession, as the village square filled with crowds of eager faces, one of the village elders approached Tariq’s mother.
“We need your son,” the elder said simply. “Will he join the procession tomorrow?”
Tariq’s mother blinked in confusion. “Tariq?” she asked. “But he’s—he’s just a boy, a quiet boy. Why him?”
The elder looked at Tariq, who had been sitting quietly at the edge of their stall. “He may not have riches or a name that carries weight,” the elder said, “but in the heart of this boy, I see something that has been lost in this village—a spirit that loves, a spirit that hopes, and a spirit that serves without asking for anything in return.”
Tariq stood frozen in shock. He had never felt seen before, never thought that anyone would notice his humble kindness or the way he helped those around him. But here, in front of him, stood someone who had seen more than just the surface of his life.
The next morning, Tariq, dressed in a simple white robe, walked nervously through the village square. The other children, still in their finest clothes, stared at him in surprise, whispering among themselves. But Tariq held his head high, trying to remember what the elder had said about serving with love and humility.
As the procession began, the villagers and visitors lined the streets, waiting to see the child chosen to lead. Tariq was placed at the front, holding a simple lantern in his hand, and as he walked, he felt a strange warmth spreading through him. His feet were light, despite his nerves, and his heart filled with something he had never known before—a sense of belonging.
People who had once ignored him smiled now, nodding in approval. The other children, who had once shunned him, now followed in his wake, offering him looks of respect and admiration. Tariq walked with his head held high, knowing that this was his moment, a moment for the small and humble to be honoured.
At the end of the procession, the elder who had chosen him came forward and addressed the crowd.
“Greatness does not always come from wealth or fame,” the elder said, his voice strong and clear. “Sometimes, it comes from the heart of a child, who despite being overlooked, remains kind, humble, and ready to serve. Let this young boy remind us that true greatness is found in the smallest acts of love.”
Tariq felt a swelling in his chest as the crowd erupted in applause, but it wasn’t the applause that mattered. What mattered was that for the first time in his life, he understood that greatness didn’t come from riches, status, or power—it came from the quiet, unassuming acts of service, kindness, and love. And in that moment, Tariq knew that no matter how small or overlooked he felt, he was a part of something much bigger than himself.
From that day on, Tariq became a symbol of hope for the village. His story spread beyond the walls of the town, inspiring others to look beyond outward appearances and recognise the value in the humble, the small, and the overlooked. And Tariq, the boy from the outskirts of the village, became a reminder to all that greatness often arises from the most unexpected places.
The Little One Who Could
(shorter version)
In a dusty village on the outskirts of a bustling city, there lived a young boy named Tariq. His family was poor, barely able to scrape together enough money for food, and their small, crumbling home was tucked away at the edge of the town, far from where the influential and wealthy people lived. Tariq himself was small for his age, with dark eyes that seemed too large for his face and skin the colour of the earth after rain. His clothes were hand-me-downs, frayed and patched, and he often felt like he was invisible in a world that only noticed the rich and powerful.
Tariq’s family had arrived in the village years ago from a far-off land where the language was different, the customs unfamiliar, and the people were often treated with suspicion. His mother and father worked tirelessly as street vendors, selling simple fruits and vegetables, but it was a struggle. The other children at school made fun of Tariq, calling him names that hinted at his family’s foreign origins, and when he played with the other kids, they usually ignored him or told him to go away.
One day, as the village prepared for its annual festival, an important event that brought together the richest and most influential people from the region, the elders of the village announced that they were looking for someone special to represent the community in a grand procession. This procession was an honour, an opportunity for the chosen person to show the world what the village stood for. It was always a child of prominence, someone with a family of stature or wealth, someone who could be a shining example of the village’s success.
Sermon Topics and Ideas
- God’s Preference for the Small and the Humble
- Micah 5:2-5a: God chooses Bethlehem, a town of no apparent significance, to bring forth a ruler who will shepherd the people with peace and strength. This choice reflects God’s tendency to work through the unexpected and seemingly unworthy.
- Challenge the congregation to examine how society—and even the church—often prioritises power, status, and wealth. How do we treat those who are overlooked: the poor, the marginalised, and those without influence?
- Reflect on personal and communal practices: Are we open to hearing God’s call from the small, humble, and often disregarded voices? How can we lift up those who have been pushed to the margins? What does it mean to be a church that values humility over prestige?
- Encourage people to consider their own lives: Are they willing to be instruments of God’s work, even when it feels insignificant? Remind them that the most meaningful acts of love and justice often come from small, faithful steps.
- Bethlehem’s Hope for the Broken*
- Micah 5:2-5a: Out of a small and forgotten place comes the promise of security and peace, a hope for those who feel vulnerable and trapped. This passage speaks directly to those who are oppressed, fearful, and in need of rescue.
- Highlight how this promise of peace extends to homes where violence reigns. For many, the idea of peace in the home is a distant hope rather than a reality. Address the reality of domestic violence and its devastating impact.
- Challenge the church to be a place where this hope is made tangible. How can the congregation create a culture of safety, listening, and support for those who are hurting?
- Offer concrete steps for the church to be a refuge: support local shelters, provide resources, offer safe pastoral care, and speak out against abuse. How can the church embody the hope of Bethlehem for those living in fear?
- Peace on Earth Starts at Home*
- Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55: God’s promise of a peaceful ruler and a just world begins in the intimate spaces of our lives, including our homes.
- Address the harsh reality of domestic violence and how it disrupts God’s vision for peace. Acknowledge that for many, home is not a place of safety.
- Call on the church to be advocates for peace and justice within families. How can the congregation support victims, promote healthy relationships, and speak out against violence?
- Offer practical ways for the community to help: providing resources, creating safe spaces, educating about healthy relationships, and partnering with local support organisations. Peace on Earth begins with peace in our homes.
- Where is Love When God Seems Silent?
- Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55; Hebrews 10:5-10: These texts offer hope during times of waiting and suffering when God’s promises seem delayed or distant.
- Reflect on the challenge of believing in God’s love during times of silence or hardship. How do we hold onto faith when we feel abandoned?
- Encourage the congregation to be God’s presence for one another in times of doubt and despair. How can they offer love, listening, and support to those who are struggling?
- Remind them that God’s love often works quietly and unexpectedly. How might they embody God’s patient, steadfast love in their own lives and communities?
- Mary’s Magnificat: Revolution in Disguise
- Luke 1:46b-55: Mary’s song proclaims that God is overthrowing systems of power and lifting up the oppressed. This is a declaration of social, economic, and spiritual transformation.
- Explore how the church often sanitises this revolutionary message, preferring a comfortable version of a faith that doesn’t challenge existing power structures. Are we willing to confront the inequalities in our communities and society?
- Consider how this message applies to current issues: poverty, injustice, racism, and abuse. What would it look like if the church truly aligned with God’s work of lifting up the lowly?
- Challenge the congregation to embody the Magnificat’s call by standing with the oppressed and confronting those who misuse power. How can their daily actions reflect God’s revolutionary love?
- God’s Love Does Not Condone Oppression*
- Luke 1:46b-55: God exalts the humble and fills the hungry while casting down the proud and the oppressive. This demonstrates that love and oppression cannot coexist.
- Address harmful interpretations of scripture that have been used to justify abuse or demand submission. Make it clear that God’s love is liberating, not oppressive.
- Encourage the congregation to be vigilant against abusive dynamics within the church and wider community. How can they be advocates for those who have been silenced?
- Reflect on how God’s call to lift up the humble means actively standing against oppression in all forms. How can the church offer practical support, education, and intervention for those facing domestic violence?
- The Problem with Sacrifices: When Religion Becomes Performance
- Hebrews 10:5-10: God desires obedience and transformation, not empty rituals. Christ’s sacrifice ended the need for hollow performances and called for genuine faithfulness.
- Examine how modern worship can become performative rather than transformative. Are church rituals, prayers, or acts of service done out of habit or to appear righteous rather than out of a sincere desire to love and serve?
- Challenge the congregation to reflect on their motives. How can worship and service be expressions of authentic love for God and others?
- Encourage practical applications: engage in acts of service that are meaningful and sacrificial, advocate for justice, and ensure that worship leads to transformed lives and communities.
- The Body of Christ is No Place for Abuse*
- Hebrews 10:5-10: Christ’s body was given to bring redemption, holiness, and healing. Abuse within the church defiles this sacred calling.
- Confront the reality of abuse within faith communities. How has the church historically failed to protect its members? Acknowledge the harm done by silence, cover-ups, and failure to support survivors.
- Call for transparency, accountability, and proactive measures to prevent abuse. How can the congregation create policies and practices that safeguard all people?
- Reflect on the healing work of Christ. How can the church participate in the healing of those who have been wounded by abuse? Offer tangible steps for support, reconciliation, and justice.
- Mary’s Bold Love: A Model for Liberation*
- Luke 1:39-45: Mary’s journey to Elizabeth is a courageous act of seeking solidarity and safety. She chooses to be with someone who understands and supports her situation. This is an example of seeking liberation through community.
- Consider how those experiencing domestic violence may need to take steps to seek safety and support. Preach that love, as God intends, does not trap people in harmful situations. True love liberates and protects.
- Reflect on how the church can emulate Elizabeth’s role by being a source of encouragement, refuge, and understanding for those in difficult circumstances. Are we willing to be trusted companions who offer safety without judgment?
- Emphasise that God’s love empowers people to take courageous steps toward freedom and healing. How can the church provide resources, support networks, and advocacy for those seeking to break free from abuse?
- Prophecy Fulfilled: Why Do We Still Resist God’s Plans?
- Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-45: Despite clear prophecies and signs, human resistance to God’s plans persists. Mary embraced God’s plan, but others resisted it.
- Explore the reasons why people resist God’s call to love, justice, and peace. Is it fear, pride, or a desire for control?
- Challenge the congregation to examine areas where they may be resisting God’s work. What would it mean to surrender to God’s plans for their lives, families, and communities?
- Offer a call to action: encourage trust, courage, and a willingness to follow God’s vision, even when it leads to unexpected places.
* Has a domestic violence theme
† The story above is based on this Topic
‡ My sermon will be based on these Topics/ideas
Other Lectionary Resources
These resources are based on the lectionary readings.
- A Sermon for every Sunday – FREE lectionary-based video sermons by America’s best preachers for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes, or for individual use. All you do is push the button.
- Laughing Bird – a gift to the wider Church from the South Yarra Community Baptist Church in Melbourne, Australia. Has several sermons, prayers and the lectionary bible readings.
- The Lutheran Church of Australia – A worship planning resource that includes many parts of the service, including song selections, sermons, visual arts, children’s resources, and others.
- Lectionary Liturgies – A full liturgy for each Sunday based on the lectionary readings for the week. These are liturgies that I prepare for the congregation I serve and make available to others.
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