Beginning a New Year

“Happy New Year!” With that traditional greeting we begin the year 2011. Many will enter the new year with anxiety and despair, carrying with them remembrances of unpleasant past experiences. No doubt a new year will bring new challenges and opportunities. Even people of faith are sometimes tempted to dwell on the past and not embrace the present with hope for a more positive future.

Scriptures offer important insights regarding how we are to live as Christians. This passage from Ephesians offers guidance as we begin a new year: So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to -- the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Good News translation)

These words from Thessalonians also offer guidance for faith living in 2011: Do not quench the spirit nor ignore the words of the prophets, but test the value of faith. Hold fast to what is good and combat evil in all forms… Faith living is the result of faithful actions, no matter what life brings.

A new year will include both positive and negative experiences. That much we can count on! There will be times of uncertainty, adversity and despair. As persons of faith, however, we can move toward each tomorrow with an assurance that we do not face any new day alone. Isaac Watts captured the promise of faith in an age-old hymn. May his words be our prayer as we journey through this New Year: Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

May you experience God’s blessings for the journey through 2011.

Christmas Love

While many people say they believe in God, some feel God is absent from their lives. Sometimes life’s circumstances and difficulties isolate us and strain our faith. Some even ask, “Where is God?” Others blame God for life’s conditions. However, Christmas reminds us that God is always present. The gift of Christmas that lasts a lifetime is Emmanuel—God with us, providing comfort and strength for the journey.

At Christmas our attention is focused on a baby in a manger. We celebrate the birth of the promised One. We recognize God’s redemptive act of incarnation. But we also need to recognize the ”rebirth” that the message offers to each of us. When the baby Jesus grow into manhood, he said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” To “be born again” means to realign our will and purposes with those of God’s desires for all humanity – to live life based on the principles lived out in Jesus’ life and teachings. To be born again is a faith experience that causes us to claim Christ-like love as the foundation of faith and the goal of our striving.

The story is told of a group of church school children who provided a Christmas program for their parents. The program included readings and singing, and concluded with a powerful reminder. Thirteen children were given poster board each with a single letter. At the end of the program, each child held up their letter so that together they could reveal the message: CHRISTMAS LOVE. However, as they displayed the message, one child mistakenly had his M letter upside down so that the message read CHRIST WAS LOVE. Rather than seeing a mistake, the parents were given the true meaning of Christmas. Christ was and still is love at work in the lives of believers.

Although Christmas Day has come and gone, God’s love message for the world through Christ continues to provide hope and assurance. If Christmas is love, it is not simply a day or season, but anytime love is expressed. Christmas is cause for celebration every day!

The Whole Christmas Story

Where does one begin to tell the Christmas story? It has so many parts that contribute to the whole. Most begin with the baby Jesus in a manger, and over look the preparation for the good news event that occurred in Bethlehem. There are in fact multiple messages to the whole story of Christmas. That is why during Advent we hear the stories of the Old Testament prophets foretelling God’s promise of a coming Messiah. Then the New Testament gospels tell us of how that promise was fulfilled.

In Matthew’s gospel we read of the Angel’s visit to Mary, and then Joseph offering news of what is to take place. From Luke’s gospel we learn about the difficult journey of Joseph and Mary riding on a donkey, traveling to Bethlehem for the census. Upon their arrival, weary and in need of a place to stay, there was no room available anywhere. But through the kindness of an inn keeper, they were given shelter in a stable. Thus this humble dwelling became the place of the birth of the one whose life would transform the world forever.

Another part of the story describes a hillside where shepherds were watching their flocks. But a quiet night was transformed by a spectacular announcement by another of God’s messengers. Jesus’ birth was first proclaimed by a “heavenly host” along with an invitation to “go and see.” So the shepherds responded as privileged guests to witness the miracle of that first Christmas.

The story includes a star, but not just any star. No doubt the heavens revealed many stars on that clear night. One star brightly lighted the sky, and became the compass that led the Magi to the promised Messiah. Those wise men of old visited the child, bearing gifts for a king.

Usually the entire Christmas story comes to life through dramatic portrayals of each of these important events. No matter whether we read it for ourselves from the gospels of Mathew and Luke, hear it read and preached, sing about it through carols, or witness it through drama enactment, the whole story warms and nourishes our hearts and lifts our spirits. What makes this story so special is knowing that this is God’s story for all humankind, for all time.

And this is the rest of the story. We must not overlook two central proclamations from John’s gospel: “The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. And we have witnessed his glory...” (John. 1:14) He also described the heart of Christmas love this way: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall never die, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

It is little wonder that Christmas people sing “joy to the world, the Lord is come!” As we hear and accept His story, we discover the whole story of Christmas. God is with us! May the whole story of Christmas remind us of how God continues to offer us Emmanuel for each and every day.

Celebrating Christmas

What would life be like without Christmas? Perhaps just another day... nothing special to get excited about... nothing to look forward to... no hope. Unfortunately, that's how those who do not know the true meaning of Christmas may feel.

The heart of Christmas is love – God’s gift of love given and shared for everyone for all time. The Christ of Christmas taught us that love is a verb; it’s not what we say, but what we do through acts of compassion and kindness toward others, especially those in need. Christmas challenges us to proclaim joy to the world, and to demonstrate peace on earth, goodwill to all by letting the light of Christ shine through us.

Christmas offers a rich variety of songs that speak to the heart. Many tell the wondrous story of the Christ event. Others cause us to ponder the wonder of the season and do soul searching for deeper meaning. “So This Is Christmas” is one such song that speaks to me. It is powerfully sung by Celine Dion. Copy and paste the link and listen for its message. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51bO1CVPWRA&feature=related

How we celebrate Christmas defines who we are as a people of faith. If we want to celebrate Christmas in its fullest, we must continue to ask, “How can the message of Christmas find expression in my life, and what can I do to help others claim the spirit of Christmas?"

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

“What Can I Give Him?”

The Advent/Christmas season encompasses many things, but above all, it should include gratitude. Through the gift of the Christ child, we are recipients of the gift given to address our deepest human needs. The message is a simple but profound one: “God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3:16) As we observe this season we cannot overlook this central thread that ties the Christmas story together. To do so calls us to respond in gratitude. Gratitude empowers us to make Christmas extraordinary. Henri Nouwen wrote: “Gratitude flows from the recognition that all that is, is a divine gift born out of love and freely given to us that we may offer thanks and share it with others.”

In 1872, Christina Rossetti wrote the words that later were set to music and became a hymn of the season, “In the Bleak Midwinter.” In the poem, she tells the Christmas story in a unique way and asks this question: “What can I give Him, poor as I am?” Her response to that question, an act of gratitude in response to the Christ event: “If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.” (Link to listen to the song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRobryliBLQ )

May you be blessed with the true gift of Christmas, and also find ways to respond in gratitude to God’s greatest gift of all.

Unrealistic Expectations

Many people have been led to have unrealistic expectations from this season. Our lives are often driven by expectations of a personal and materialistic nature. When our expectations are based on materialistic gifts, they usually lead to disappointment. But as we grow older, we discover that it isn’t the material things that bring joy and happiness. Expectations for Christians have spiritual dimensions as revealed by the hope and promises as revealed in scriptures. The foundation upon which this season rests is based on intangible spiritual gifts - inner peace, calmness, hope, and an awareness of the presence of Emmanuel.

Jesus was born at a time of high expectations based on human conditions. It was a time of hope that the Messiah, a deliverer promised by the prophets would come. The birth of Jesus was only the beginning of the story of prophetic fulfillment. As he grew into manhood, his words and actions indicated that he was indeed the promised Messiah. Yet the nature of the Messiah he became wasn’t what the people wanted. They desired a political ruler who would use power to overtake the forces in place. So of course they were disappointed and surprised when Jesus demonstrated self-giving love and compassion, and gave his primary attention to the needs of the poor, the outcast, and neglected in society. The religious authorities eventually condemned him, and his temporary popularity among the people turned to rejection.

Christmas doesn’t make sense without knowing the rest of the story that leads to a cross and an empty tomb. Who would have ever expected God’s story to end that way? Faith, however, teaches us to expect the unexpected that is reflective of God’s desires for us as revealed by Jesus Christ.

During this season of Advent let us ask this question, “What are the realistic expectations that will help focus on the true meaning and message of Christmas?” As we address this question in the context of the Christmas story, we can be moved to a deeper level of faith that addresses our spiritual quest. Then we will discover that what Christmas has to offer will fulfill all the expectations that give meaning to our lives.

Observing Advent

As a part of the Christian year, the Church established Advent and set four weeks as a time of preparation. Many activities will fill our calendars over the next month. Worship services will take on a special focus. Advent candles will be lighted each of the four Sundays prior to Christmas. Songs of hope and expectancy will be sung. The words of the Old Testament prophets will be resurrected once again to proclaim an age old promise of a savior. The reason for the season was expressed by the prophet Isaiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

While the season of Advent is to be a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of the Savior, somehow our lives become more intertwined in the expectations that often overshadow the reason for the season which proclaims joy to the world. Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist, Ray McAllister, recently wrote these words relating to the season before us: “The Christmas selling season is going full blast. We're talking one full month of an all-out advertising blitz demanding, over and over, that we buy something, anything, and keep buying. Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is what Jesus had in mind.”

We need to be intentional about what we do during this holy time if the occasion is to have special meaning for our lives. We also need to slow down and experience the quiet times of reflection that allows us to encounter the holy mystery of God’s love.

Christinna Rossetti expressed the heart beat of Christmas when she wrote these words:

“Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign.”

As we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth, may we stay focused on matters that really matter which point to what God has done on our behalf