Psalm 34: 1-8

Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, good morning! Before we dive into the Word today and explore the scripture together and answer another question, there are a couple of things that I need to clear up from last week. A couple of people asked the question, really a compliment, was the story of Leonardo and Simon original or did I get it off the internet. No, it was original, I assure you.

We are continuing with our series about questions people ask. Several people have asked this question, and I am so glad to have the opportunity to talk about this: What is a blessing? Is it okay for laypeople and family members and especially children to bless other people?

Those of you who know me know what the answer from this pulpit will be. Yes! Yes! It is more than okay. I wish that you would!

Let's talk about one of the sweetest words in the English language, one of the sweetest concepts in the Christian faith – the concept of blessing. Blessing can mean several things. It can mean an act of grace and mercy from God. But today I want to focus on this idea: a blessing is an uplifting word. Would you give me a thumbs-up sign, and say with me, "A blessing is an uplifting word"? So if somebody at home asks, "What did the preacher talk about this morning?" give him a thumbs-up and tell him, "A blessing is an uplifting word."

The world is starving for blessings! The world is often cold and withholding, but people need blessings. And there is nobody that can bless the way you can. There is nobody who comes across the people that you do. You have enormous power to bless. Use it. Bless freely. Bless abundantly. Share the uplifting word. Oh, my friends, it is so important.

I read a story the other day about our president. It seems the President and Mrs. Bush were visiting in a hospital, and in the hospital was a soldier who was recently badly wounded. The president went over to the soldier and held his hand in both of his and spontaneously prayed and said, at the end of the prayer, "I love you, Soldier." He kissed him on the forehead. Bravo, Mr. President. That soldier, though badly wounded for his country, will never forget that blessing, will he?

But you don't have to be president of the United States to give a blessing, to offer an uplifting word. Oh, friends, a blessing can heal a broken relationship. A blessing can heal a broken heart. A blessing can encourage. A blessing can turn the tide of a life. What power you have in your blessing! What will you do this week? Will you withhold it? Or will you share it? Do you think the people in your world don't need it?

I respectfully invite you to think again. You never know where the ripples of goodness will end because of your blessing. You don't need to be president of the United States to give a blessing. Some of the most powerful blessings come from little children. I was told this week about a woman who was visiting with her family, and her little granddaughter was there. Out of the blue, the granddaughter said to her mother, "Bless you, Mommy."

Mommy spontaneously said, "I didn't sneeze, honey."

"No, I just wanted to say bless you. And bless you too, Grandma."

You know, if I'd been standing in the room, I'd have been waiting and hoping that I'd get a blessing, too. Wouldn't you? Wouldn't we all?

A blessing is an uplifting word, an uplifting word that has spiritual consequences, that makes a big difference in people's lives. I want to show you something. I have here a box, and in the box I have a Christmas ornament. You've heard about our singing group, the Starlite Chorale? Well, a children's choir, the Sparklers, has grown out of that. We have 26 members in the Sparklers now. This wonderful group of children got a Christmas tree, and they all made ornaments for me. I'd like to read you the blessing that a child put on this ornament.

" Dear Dr. G, Thank you for teaching me to sing well. I am grateful that you set your time out to teach us our songs. Thank you for making me realize that I can make so many people happy just by singing. Love, Christina" I cherish this. I cherish this child's blessing. The blessing of children is amazing.

What if our homes were all havens of blessing, where people blessed each other and encouraged each other with their words regularly, and where nobody was afraid to repeat themselves? What if we all entered into it with a spirit of vulnerability and honesty and encouraged people? What would life be like?

I'd like to say something right here. There may be some of you here today, I thought as I was preparing this, who will say, "Oh, Pastor, if you only knew. I wish my home were like that." Well, to you I would say, dear friend, take comfort. You start the ball rolling. You be the initiator of blessing. You may be a little rejected at first. You may feel like you're hitting a brick wall. But don't stop. Keep it going. Keep the flow of blessings coming from you. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with you. And you'll see people start warming up. And the blessings will start to flow. Let our homes be havens of blessings.

There's a great man, a saint of God, who went to be with the Lord this year. His name is Fred Rogers. You may know him as "Mr. Rogers", the host of a remarkable and unique television show for children. He was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. Here was a man who knew how to bless people – to say the encouraging, uplifting word that blessed the soul. I miss him.

He received a great many national awards for his work with children. He never, in all his programs, so far as I know, invoked the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Oh, but my dear friends, all his work had the signature of Jesus Christ. What he did, he did in Christ's name. That means he did it Christ's way. And what was so compelling about this man and his message? Its remarkable, rock-solid simplicity. When he looked and said, "I like you. I like you just the way you are. I like everything about you. You're unique. You're special. There has never been, and there never will be, anyone just like you", that's a blessing. He did it powerfully. And I listened.

What if all our homes were havens of blessings? Everybody needs a good word. Thanks to your good grace, I was able to go to Kansas City this October and study with a great preacher out there. Going to the airport was a different kind of experience. Isn't it, these days, the airport experience? 

I was checking in at Newark Airport , going through security. The tall strong gentleman said to me, "Please go sit down over there, sir." Okay. "Please remove your shoes, sir." "Please stand up and put one foot on that circle and the other foot on that circle and spread your arms out like that, sir." And he told me about the procedure. You know how it goes, the metal detector and the patting down, that sort of thing. The young lady next to me, getting the parallel drill, was not calm about it. Clearly, she missed the days when things were not like this. And somehow, she communicated that to her inspector.

Well, this gentleman went through my carry-on bag, closed it up, and said, "Thank you very much, sir. Have a nice day. You're done."

I turned to him and said, "Sir, may I say something to you?"

"Yes?"

"I appreciate your careful diligence. Thank you for helping us all to feel safer." He looked at me in disbelief. You know that looked of someone who hasn't heard a good word in quite a while? He took a breath, shook his head, and said, "Thank you very much, and then went about his work.

Everybody needs a good word, and you never know when God will call you to share that good word with someone. And here comes the best news of all. The best news of all is that you have a savior – if you've invited Jesus into your life – you have the greatest blesser who ever lived.

Here's another ornament from my tree. Can you see it? It's a little manger scene with Mary and Joseph, leaning over and adoring the baby in the center, with the star overhead. Why are they adoring? Because God has sent the greatest source of blessing that ever was in Jesus Christ. He said, "Blessed are you who are broken in spirit, for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted. Blessed are you who are shy; you will inherit the earth. Blessed are you who are simple and pure of heart, for you will see God like nobody sees God." For everyone, He had a blessing. And for you, each of you, He has a blessing. You carry Him with you, the greatest encourager of all time. And so, dear friend, as you go out into the week, take your power of blessing with you. Be on the lookout for blessings that are coming your way, and be thankful. And give your blessing freely, because in doing so, you will be walking in the footsteps of the greatest giver of blessings that ever was, your Lord, my Lord, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

God loves you. I do, too. Have a wonderful week. Amen.