Prior Editions
December 7, 2005
As
Christmas Comes . . .
I'm feeling a bit different about Christmas this
year. I still feel the joy of the season and I'm still captivated by the
"event," but I'm feeling something different also.
My brother left for a one year deployment in Iraq
last Friday. Carol's aunt is in the hospital in California with a broken
hip. My best friend is facing his first Christmas since his marriage
dissolved. My dad's health continues to be a struggle. Carol's mom is
recovering from hip surgery. And so it goes.
Something more profound and infinitely deeper is
going on here than the frivolity normally associated with the season.
Behind the crazy Christmas songs, my bizarre collection of holiday ties,
my penguin hat, and the inflatable Grinch in my front yard is something
far more important. Christmas is serious stuff!
A traditional Irish hymn says, "Love came down
at Christmas. Love all lovely. Love divine; Love was born at Christmas . .
. ." That's a message that the most beautifully decorated tree cannot
truly convey. Christ, who was present with the Father at Creation, has
come and dwells among us. The One and Only God abandoned power, majesty,
and honor; to become a little baby. And did all of that for one purpose
and one purpose alone: so that He might be rejected of men, die for our
sins and rise again.
When we remember that this Jesus we celebrate at
Christmas will in short order become the Christ of the cross, Christmas is
transformed. It's not just presents, cheerful music, and family
get-togethers (although I don't have a problem with any of that); it's far
more important and far more meaningful.
Christmas is more than a birthday party! Christmas
is the beginning of God's Song of justice, of healing, and of peace (true
peace!). It's the opening strains of God's song of salvation spreading
across the world. It's a reminder (a refrain, if you will) that the Work
of God begins in Christ and continues in us. For those who are ailing, it
is a message of wholeness. For those who struggle it is a shout of
victory. For those locked in conflict, it is a proclamation of peace. For
those who doubt, it is a triumphant and certain "Yes!"
There can be no more serious Christmas acclamation
than this: Emmanuel. God is with us! I'm going to have a great Christmas.
I'll open presents, sing the carols, play with my kids; Christmas is a lot
of fun. But all the while there will be a more serious sense of how
appreciative I am that Christ has come . . . and will come again.
Joy to the World!
Pastor John
Mid-Week
Musings
An
Occasional bulletin from Christ United Methodist Church