The ticket for tonight I'm going to talk about is Genesis 21. It is the culmination of God's promise to Abraham that he would father a great nation. So far, there has been a slight problem huge: Sarah and Abraham are infertile, and older, 100 and 90, long after the time of childbearing. A few chapters in Genesis 17, Abraham laughed when God tells Sarah finally have a child. In Genesis 18, three angels appear as strangers who welcome generously to Abraham and Sarah's tent. Once again tells Abraham that Sarah will bear a son.
I usually use a line of this passage in Genesis 18 who teaches a course called "Sex over 50: It's not just nostalgia." Sarah, hearing the angel says to himself: "Now that I am withered, I will have the pleasure again with my husband so old?" Even then, the writers knew that sexual pleasure can continue into old age.
And then she laughs. In fact, tonight's text recognizes the great joy that she and Abraham feel at this baby that name with the word for laughter, Isaac. Sarah says: "God has made me laugh, everyone hear will laugh with me." No way, but with them in the joy of this new life and the promise fulfilled. The text says that "nothing is too wonderful for the Lord." Certainly, we know that there is nothing more wonderful to share the joys of our life together.
The following verses show the information shadow. Hagar has already given Abraham a son, Ishmael, Sarah banishes from jealousy and concern for the future of his son in the desert. God once again intervenes: Ishmael saves and creates a new great nation understands that the Koran is the Muslim people. It is noteworthy in this Rosh Hashanah to remember our obligations to the Muslim community as our neighbors and actually cousins of the Bible answer to the dispute over the construction of the Islamic Cultural Center in downtown Manhattan, which some have said Ground Zero misnamed Mosque - or extravagant plans called Christian pastor in Gainesville, Florida.
So what does this miracle birth story has to do with us today as we enter this new year, in these days of fear? On the one hand, I think that reminds us to open to the mysteries and miracles in our own lives. It is the beginning of a new year: we enter it in the hopes, dreams and expectations, but we all know that reality can never predict what will happen to our lives this year. We hope that the great miracles of newborns to be, the love that you create new, new adventures to be had. The passage urges us to welcome these changes with joy and happiness, and laugh and celebrate together. But we also know that the year we can bring illness, loss, death, roadblocks and obstacles, and we must be there for them at that time too. The story calls us to be open and admit that foreigners, at first glance may feel threatening or even dangerous, angels may actually be willing to move into new, new life. DH Lawrence wrote a poem about this passage, "Who are the strangers in the middle of the night? Actually there are three angels. Support. Admit them."
Like Sarah and Abraham, our lives are changing and there are no miracles in front. There are aliens that can change our lives with the blessing again if they are only open to them. In the spirit of Sarah, Abraham, and Isaac, we can celebrate our lives this year with joy and laughter. L'Shanah Tovah.
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