Erl Purnell Sermon

bHoly Name ~ January 1, 2006 ~ A sermon preached by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell at Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield, CT

Exodus 34.1-8; Psalm 8; Romans 1.1-7; Luke 2.15-21

“After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

Names. The world is filled with people and each of us has a name. Yet, any of us knows only a very few people by name. Meanwhile, there are six billion plus nameless others sharing this planet with us.

As members of this parish church, consider using this day to celebrate our incredible good fortune. We are Americans, and even though sometimes we disagree with our government, at least we can participate in it. There are countless other blessings we share. Some of these you may already know about.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ...

You are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep ...

You are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish some place ...

You are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ...

You're ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ...

You're more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married ...

You're very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ...

You're blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder ...

You’re blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you can read this message ...

You’re more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

On this January 1, 2006—Holy Name in the church calendar—we are indeed blessed. Please embrace this day, count your blessings, be generous of spirit and with your wealth, give away the love of Christ to all whom you meet, and remind yourself and your family every now and then how very fortunate we all are.

Amen.