The Nativity

The night of caroling is over; selected families were blessed with financial gifts from the church; all the candles have been blown out from the candlelight service, and the nativity set I used yesterday is now put away.  Undoubtedly, Christmas is the busiest time on our church calander.  It's a far cry from the days of my youth when all Christmas activities were anathama at church.  One church I was with even moved the children's Sunday School lesson on the birth of Christ from December to June lest anyone get the idea that Jesus was literally born on December 25! 

Yesterday's Christmas service was so enjoyable.  Lots of children who grew up here came home as adult visitors.  Many families brought their out of town guests which made up for many in our number who were off visiting their families in other places. 

I was glad to see so many chlildren present.  I assumed (rightly or wrongly) that the last place children would want to be on Christmas morning was at church.  That is why I did the nativity sermon for the children followed by Christmas carols.  In spite of my assumptions, it certainly did not seem like anyone was there out of a sense of duty.  Rather, there was a wonderful spirit of celebration as all praised our Father and offered expressions of thanksgiving to Him for the wonderful gift of his son. 

My favorite part was watching people during family prayer.  A young lady came and blessed Liz and I with the gift of prayerful appreciation.  I saw others moving about hugging, smiling, talking and praying together.  I know God was smiling as his children recognized the gift he has given us in one another.  I still have some misgivings about the busyness that seems to have taken over the season, but I can't help but feeling a sense of "mission accomplished" when the last worship service of the year was one full of thankgiving, love, fellowship and sharing.  Thank you God, for Christmas!

The Mary We Never Knew

Where did I develop my ideas about Mary being a quiet, meek, gentle soul?  For years now I've believed the myth that she we a frightened little teenager who bravely and quietly, endured shame, ridicule and embarrassment for  conceiving a child out of wedlock.  This morning's sermon presented a very different view of Jesus' mother. 
June Cleaver may have been a wonderful t.v. wife and mother of the 50's, but she is a far cry from the outspoken, determined voice of Mary as recorded by Luke in his Gospel. 

I think my former image of Mary came from looking at her through the eyes of a comfortable, suburban Christian.   How terrible it must have been, so this line of thinking goes, to be a chaste, godly women and be required by God to forever more be the subject of rumors and whispers.  Looking at Mary though the story of the prophet Deborah gives a far different image.  Mary never says a word about how terrible her situation is; rather, she is full of joy that God has chosen her to deliver his people from their oppression.

My prayer this morning was that the sermon on Mary might inspire our young ladies to be women of conviction, courage, and determination.  Women who would, not simply be willing to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, but would actually rejoice to "be counted as worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" as later followers of Jesus were described (Acts 5:41); and as Mary voiced in her song:

 “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   just as he promised our ancestors.”  (Luke 1:46-55)

God's Dwelling Among Us

Who would have thought that Israel's Tabernacle would be such an appropriate topic for a Christmas sermon? The standard picture for this season is, of course, a baby in a manger. This image certainly communicates a number of important truths. However, thinking about God coming to "tabernacle" with us in the person of Jesus makes his birth even more unique.

The Old Testament tabernacle glittered with all the gold that was used in it's construction. The gold directed Israel's attention to their God. Likewise, the Heavenly city of Jerusalem in John's Revelation, is made of gold as clear as glass (a quality that surpasses any gold on earth!). However, when God became flesh in the person of Jesus and "did tabernacle among us," the only gold he received was when the Magi presented it to him as a gift (Matthew 2:11). Jesus did not need the reflection of gold to show the glory of God. He IS God dwelling (or tablernacling) among his people! He is the one who is truly more precious that silver, more costly than gold. And as the song says, "Nothing I desire compares with you." Jesus is the fulfillment of all of our dreams and desires. Give him all the glory and honor this Christmas and every day!

Do Not Be Afraid

Whew! What a day yesterday was. The two sermons were designed to emphasize the topic of Fear on Sunday morning and Peace Sunday night during the candlelight service. To aid in communicating we pulled out all the stops and employed lighting, decorations, video, drama (that angel really did look frightening with his wig :-), music (were you shocked to hear Buffalo Springfield play during the slide show?), power-point, candles, cardboard testimonies, and two choirs (adult and children). David Layman did his usual fantastic job of making it all come together (where would we be without him?).

One person asked for a copy of the contrast between being controlled by one's Faith or one's Fears that I read during Candlelight. Here it is, and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Fear is destructive; Faith is constructive

Fear causes doubt; Faith brings confidence

Fear leads to reactive decisions; Faith leads to redemptive decisions

Fear pulls one inward; Faith leads one outward

Fear makes us protective; Faith makes us bold

Fear can freeze us; Faith activates us

Fear says "You can't"; Faith says "God can"

Fear says "Satan is strong"; Faith says "God is stronger"

Fear creates panic; Faith creates love

Fear makes us weak; Faith makes us strong

Fear makes us anxious; Faith makes us courageous

Fear brings disorder; Faith brings peace

Christmas

All our Christmas services this year centered around trees: especially the Jesse Tree based upon this verse, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit" (Isaiah 11:1). On the left is the original idea behind the Jess Tree. By the use of images the medieval church communicated the linage of Christ. In more modern times someone combined the idea of a Jesse Tree with our modern Christmas tree. The result is the picture on the right. It was great to have our children take part in our service on Sunday and decorate the Jesse Trees with the ornaments they had created. In fact, one of the things I enjoy most about our special services is that we allow a number of our more creative people to use their gifts of decorating, singing, drama, construction, etc. May we continue to encourage creativity and applaud those who use the gifts God has given them to serve others and glorify our Lord.