Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 2023

“God’s Gift Box”

I can’t believe that it’s finally here.  It seems like it’s been forever since the last time we arrived at Christmas.  Does it feel any different this year?  This past year brought lots of wrapped Boxes to our doorsteps, didn’t it?  When we opened them, some of the Boxes contained great joy while others revealed terrible sorrows.  Other Boxes were filled with big decisions and emotions, some of them significant enough to encompass the entire year.

Did you receive a wrapped Gift Box today?  God’s Gift Box (containing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) provides all people an opportunity to receive a special Gift that never expires and is always under full warranty.  It doesn’t need batteries and it doesn’t need much maintenance.  However, it is a Gift that we must decide to receive, that is, assuming that we want it.

It’s rather difficult for me (as a pastor) to reconcile why some people don’t want to receive God’s Gift to them.  I understand the perception of nonbelievers and I understand the pain and anger that some folks have with God.  However, even if my worst enemy was trying to give me an eternal, non-expiring, full-warranty gift, I think I’d at least open it and try to make it somehow work for me.  I know that everyone isn’t going to try it.  Some folks don’t want to believe.  Even though it’s kind of my job to convince them, I must recognize that I can’t always help.  They must make their own decision to receive God’s gift.

You and I must also make that decision.  We need this Christmas to be different than last, but not because last Christmas wasn’t great.  Instead, we need to be stronger than last year.  We need to be growing.  We need to be learning and we need to be giving God’s Gift Box to others.  But, of course, you’re correct.  Most people don’t know how to receive God’s Gift Box.  Instead of finding a great gift, they believe they will receive walls, restrictions, and unrealistic commitments. We can help change that.  

Our task is to try and better understand God’s gift of Christmas so that we can demonstrate to others what a great gift God has given each of us.  God wants everyone to experience the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love that only the LORD can provide.  We are supposed to do our best, not because we must, but because we choose to.

I hope and pray that you choose to receive God’s Gift Box this year.  Probably, you’re already in.  You are likely safe.  But a big part of God’s gift to us is also the joy and wonder that we experience when we help others to receive it, too.

Have a very great Christmas.  Choose to receive God’s gift.  Make it work for you and help it work for others.  There’s no better way to show God that we’re thankful.  God gave us a Merry Christmas.  We can give God a Merry Christmas, too.

“The shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.  Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them.”  (Luke 2:16-19, CEB).

 1 Day to Christmas, Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec 24, 2023

“Get Ready!  Christmas is Coming!”

Happy Christmas Eve!  We are just one day away from the big day.  We are almost there.  Though we are ready, this is the time when the mind starts playing tricks on us.  Some of us will start thinking about all the things we haven’t done and the things we’ve forgotten.  We’ll be faced with the choice of trying to get them completed or just let them be.

Mary and Joseph had traveled nearly 90 miles to arrive in Bethlehem for the census.  This was a place they knew.  It’s likely that both Mary and Joseph had cousins and friends in this town of 2,000.  If Baby Jesus decided to arrive while they were there, surely someone would offer them shelter and help them with whatever they needed. 

I mean, really… Who wouldn’t want to have the opportunity to have a baby born in our home?  Wouldn’t that be cool?  Wouldn’t everyone want to be able to cherish those fond memories and keep up with the young family as they move along in life?  Personally, I think that would be awesome.  If my cousin and their spouse were to arrive at my door ready to give birth, I know I would help.  Wouldn’t you?

Unfortunately, that’s not the response that Joseph and Mary received.  Joseph couldn’t find anyone who would at least offer them the living room couch.  Instead, they arrived in Bethlehem to closed doors and family members who turned their backs on them.  The shame of both Mary’s pregnancy and Joseph’s response to Mary was so intense that nobody would offer them a place to stay.

What would it feel like to be refused at Christmas?  Or, flip the story around for a moment.  What if someone arrived on our doorstep needing help?  How would we respond?  What if someone we don’t like is in a situation of need, would we turn our backs and close the door?

These are good Christmas questions to consider.  God came into the world so that we could be assured of having both an open door and a spare couch if needed.  God doesn’t turn His back.  God doesn’t close the door on our needs.  Instead, God becomes the perfect host, offering us everything, regardless of our situation.

One day from Christmas.  We’re almost there.  When we arrive at Christmas, I hope and pray that none of us are faced with doors closed in our faces.  I also hope that we can think of God’s incredible love and generosity when we encounter an opportunity to turn the other cheek, reconcile, and provide for others.

Get ready!  Christmas is coming!

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.”  (Luke 2:1-6, KJV)

 2 Days to Christmas, Saturday, Dec 23, 2023

“Preparing for the Big Day”

In the Christmas Story, Mary and Joseph are about to embark on an important journey.  Mary is super-duper pregnant and a census has been ordered.  Since both Mary and Joseph are from the house of David, they must travel to their family (house) headquarters in Bethlehem so they are properly counted by the officials.  Of course, since the Holy Couple is very pregnant, it’s possible that they may be registering three people instead of just two.

Isn’t that exciting?  I remember when my youngest daughter was born.  The doctors had said that she would likely be born in early to mid-January.  That made Christmas and New Year’s super-special in lots of ways.  It was neat  to think about the possibility of a Holiday baby if she decided to arrive a little early.  The conversations were fun conversations as preparations were made for that special upcoming day.  There was also some anxiety, wondering if everything ready and prepared.

As Mary and Joseph prepared for their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (maybe 90 miles?), they likely packed plenty of things.  The journey could take anywhere from five to ten days.  They would need bedding, food, tent supplies, and lots of other things.  Sure, they might be able to find a hotel along the way, but since we know Bethlehem was already sold out, we might expect that all of the towns along the way were also booked.  So, yes, we might expect that there was both excitement and anxiety.  After all, 90 miles is a long way for a very pregnant couple, especially if the baby decides to come early!  I like to imagine what it was like for them.  They are exceptional people by Biblical definition, but they were still just people.  They didn’t have wings (yet!) to fly to Bethlehem.  They still had to make the journey on foot (or on the back of a donkey). 

Just like Mary and Joseph’s journey, our journey to Christmas is important.  In two days, we’ll arrive.  What will we discover?  What will we experience?  Whatever it is, God is already there blessing it.  If we smile and laugh, God will be smiling and laughing with us.  If we shed a few tears, God will be there to wipe them from our faces.

Christmas is a big deal.  We should pay attention.  We should prepare.  Whether we pause for a moment of quiet reflection or sit down and read the Christmas story in the Bible, God will bless that experience.  Let’s not ignore what God might be leading us towards this Christmas.  We might discover that the dirty stable or damp cave is the starting line to a new life of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Eternal Love.

Christmas is almost here.  Prepare for the Big Day and enjoy the journey.  God is with you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.  (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)

 3 Days to Christmas, Friday, Dec 22, 2023

“Better Days Ahead”

My goodness!  The first twenty-six days leading to Christmas are already gone!  I meant to catch this yesterday when it was the 25 days of Christmas Past but my heart and mind were wandering elsewhere.  Now, I’ve landed on 26 Already Gone, which doesn’t sound nearly as clever the former image.

The blistering speed of the Holiday Season is worthy to note.  That old adage, “Time flies when you’re having fun” is a real thing, isn’t it?  Yet as soon as that thought hits the page in front of me, I can’t help but think about lots of people who aren’t experiencing any kind of fun this Holiday Season.  For some people, it’s a time of anxiety and chaos due to any number of issues related to work, family, and life in general.  Then, there are others who are struggling greatly because this is the first Holiday Season they’re experiencing without the presence of a special loved one.  Then, of course, there are those whose Holiday Season only brings them painful memories of unhappy days past.  And yes, the list continues on with all kinds of real world problems (war, hunger, disease, etc.) that will  try to keep a tight lid on Christmas Joy this year.

I’m guessing that nearly everyone has experienced a little pain this Holiday Season, but I’m praying that everyone has at least a few cherished thoughts of the Holidays, too.  The anticipation of Christmas, namely, the entrance of our LORD into the world, is supposed to point us to Better Days Ahead.  But that can easily seem to be a bit far-fetched, because my interpretation of “Better Days Ahead” does not included the real world problems in front of me every day.

Choosing to be Joyful can be really, really difficult, especially this time of year.  It’s likely that if we are not among those who are experiencing suffering, we know someone who currently is facing really difficult struggles and the Holidays aren’t helping them at all.

Though only three days remain until Christmas, there still is plenty of time to consider those who are struggling this time of year and take a few moments to care for these loved ones.  Call ‘em.  Give ‘em a text.  Find a way to connect, even if it’s dropping a Happy New Year card in the mail (we’re too late for Christmas mail).  Show them that Better Days Ahead is a real thing and it’s what God wishes for everyone.

Christ’s very name - Emmanuel - means “God with Us”. We are part of God’s work at Christmas when we remember others and bring God’s love - Emmanuel - to the hurting folk around us. We are not alone; They are not alone. Hope has come to all and Joy lies ahead because of Christmas. 

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.”  (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NET)

 4 Days to Christmas, Thursday, Dec 21, 2023

“Christmas Ain’t a One-and-Done.”

If you’ve ever taken a few moments to really think about the Christmas Story, you’ve probably realized that the Holy Family could not have had an easy time with their situation.  Joseph’s story is definitely one to take a few moments and reflect upon.

The story begins this way:  Joseph is engaged to Mary.  During their engagement, Mary tells Joseph that she’s pregnant.

When Joseph receives this news, it must have been the biggest gut punch ever!  Joseph knew that he was not the father of the baby, and regardless of Mary’s explanation, he must have been overwhelmed with heartache and anger.  Then the Angel appeared to Joseph.  Sure, Joseph may have received some emotional relief from the Angel’s Word but it doesn’t remove the pain, doubt, and resentment that Joseph may have experienced afterward.

Joseph has extremely difficult choices to make during Mary’s pregnancy.  First and foremost, Joseph must be willing to let go of any previous thoughts and dreams that he must have had for himself and his new bride.  Letting go of our goals and expectations is never easy.  In Joseph’s case, the devil had to be working on his head and heart to turn him against Mary and her unborn baby.

Joseph makes the most difficult and right choice by believing the Angel and accepting Mary.  Joseph spares Mary’s life and commits himself to her forever.  In addition, he also chooses to accept Jesus as his adopted son, which is a whole other set of questions, worries, and concerns.  If God directed, could we let go of our life goals and expectations to choose the most difficult of roads to follow (even if directed by God)?  Joseph’s Faithful choices are the kind of decisions that we should reflect upon and relate to our own lives.

One last comment:  Once Joseph chooses to follow the LORD, his troubles (whatever they were), did not end.  In fact, some really difficult stuff becomes a life-long reality.  No doubt, the comments from the locals continued about the early pregnancy, and there were always family and (former) friends that would never again associate with Mary and Joe.  However, making the Faithful choice means indescribable blessings: Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love.  Joseph and Mary would receive blessings from Jesus for themselves and for all the world.  Because of Joseph’s Faithful choice, the world - and the heavens - would be changed forever.

Deciding to receive Christmas ain’t a One-and-Done.  Christmas is Always and Forever.

“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.”  (Matthew 1:24, NRSV)

 5 Days to Christmas, Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023

“Blessings and Responsibilities”

On this fifth day before the arrival of Christmas, I’d like to take a moment to reflect upon something the Church calls, “The Annunciation” (Luke 1:26-38). It’s the moment when the Angel appears to Mary and delivers the news that she has been chosen to be the mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The whole scene is bizarre to comprehend. If it wasn’t for some of the creative artwork by both ancient and modern artists, I’m not sure how I would envision this event. It’s impossible to imagine the depth of Mary’s response, even though we all have some experience with figuring out teenagers.  

Mary’s response to this incredible gift is amazing. Yes, she is honored more greatly than any other person in the story. However, this great gift and honor undoubtedly arrives with great responsibility. “Duh”, any clear-thinking individual should say. But let’s take a moment and consider the blessings God has provided to each of us. Did those blessings arrive without a need for responsibility? Did our employment not arrive with a need to be a good steward of our ability, authority, and cash? Did our children not arrive needing our care and provision? Did the love of our life not arrive with a need for honor and respect?

Anything we receive carries responsibility with it. When I dream of my most desired gifts, I often dream of hitting the lottery or something similarly big, but gifts like that must carry incredible responsibility. Sure, I would personally like to experience that kind of burden, but could I handle it? Probably not and that’s why I haven’t hit it…yet! (I will still try!)

Christmas became a reality as the spoken Word of God arrived through an Angel. The Word was spoken to a young woman who probably didn’t know enough to be skeptical or doubtful about taking this responsibility. Sure, she was a teenager; we get that part of it. But if we had received that kind of a Word from God could we say, “Yes, Lord”? 

If you automatically shake your head “No”, stop for a moment. You’re not giving yourself enough credit. Maybe we aren’t Mary. Maybe we aren’t as good and faithful people as we should be. But if God handed us an incredible blessing at a young age that also arrived with great responsibility, wouldn't we try it, especially if we didn’t have full knowledge of what it meant?

I got ya’ there. I also got myself. Both you and I have been there and done that but we probably messed up somehow. Mary didn’t. She is a model of our Faith because she didn’t mess up what God gave her. She carried the burden so we could set the table with milk and cookies a few days from now.

 

Mary is incredible. If you aren’t sure why the Church pays so much attention to Mary, read this little article again. God made you incredible, as well. Where is God leading you this Christmas to say “Yes” to God’s Blessings and Responsibilities?

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38, ESV)

 6 Days to Christmas, Tuesday, Dec 19, 2023

"I Don’t Know and That’s Okay"

Just six more days and we’ll arrive at Christmas!  The creeping clock has crept by very quickly this year, and these next six days will be no slow-running faucet.  It’s an important six days for lots of reasons, not the least of which will be the blessings that God brings.

I am mystified by the different methods God uses to bless us.  Sometimes we can predict it.  Most of the time, however, God’s special gifts arrive in surprising and unexpected places and circumstances.  I think if we backed out of our situations a little, we might see that God’s choice and timing of blessings actually make sense. 

Christmas is God’s provision of a gift that we could never have expected.  The gift of Jesus Christ was the right gift; God’s timing was perfect.  The world didn’t recognize what God was doing, nor did the world recognize the kind of gift that God was offering to us.  It wasn’t until many, many years later that people began to understand what God was trying to do, and still many disagreed or refused it (and still do!). 

As a pastor, some might refer to me as a bit intense in regard to theology and church.  In some ways, God is more of a mystery to me now than ever.  But here’s the difference between my viewpoint now and my opinion many years ago: I’m comfortable in the mystery.  Although it’s not my natural tendency to accept something without knowing all the details, this is one piece of my life where I’ve become totally comfortable: God does things on my behalf that don’t make sense!  Christmas is much the same: God made a homemade gift to bless me, you, and everyone.

You are probably a whole lot smarter than me, but I’m guessing that you don’t know it all, either.  That’s why Christmas is so special.  To receive the meaning and purpose of Christmas, we must trust that the LORD has given us what we need.  God didn’t give the world a tie, electric blanket, or fruit cake for Christmas.  Instead, God gave us a Savior because God loves you (and me) enough to want us to live with Him forever.  We don’t have to understand all the Hows and Whys.  All we need to accept is this: God thinks you’re special enough to put you in this world so that you, too, can make a difference. 

Christmas might seem to contain more questions than answers, but the solution for me was to accept God’s work as a beautiful mystery.  Oh, I’m not finished with my questions.  The “Why”, “How”, and “When” of Christmas are near the top of my list of questions for God.  However, for the time being, I’ve figured out this much:  I Don’t Know and That’s Okay.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined…For a child has been born to us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His authority shall grow continually and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.”  (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7a, NRSV)

 7 Days To Christmas, Monday, Dec 18, 2023

“Saving the Best for Last”

One more week to Christmas!  Today is the last Monday before Christmas but it’s also the first day of the week.  This allows us to have the best Christmas experience by Saving the Best for Last.

Since this is the final week before Christmas, the Christmas mood will be in full expression.  Our environment will be swamped with Holiday stuff and the excitement will be evident.  If we’re not already in the Christmas mood then we can expect to be pushed and pulled by the almighty Christmas culture. 

The week before Christmas represents many things.  For some people, it’s the culmination of parties, events, and gatherings.  For other people, this week will be a true exercise in patience, as they interact with anxious family members or wait to open their gifts.  Others will stay home longing to see family and loved ones, while still others will be running about picking up last-minute batteries and toilet paper.

How are you going to receive Christmas this year?  Since we are in the final week, this becomes the best opportunity of 2023 to make this Christmas the most special one yet.  “How?”, you might say.  By truly and totally focusing on the meaning of God’s gift of Christmas, then interpreting and putting it to work in our own lives.  

All of us are created uniquely different, therefore, each of us will receive Christmas differently.  Whatever happens today will be yours.  The person who sacks your groceries will be feeling a certain way.  The neighbor putting their trash by the curb is experiencing Christmas in their own manner.  Our special loved ones, though they may be with us already, will still be expressing and interpreting Christmas in their own way, independent of us. 

God’s gift of Christmas is this:  God has intervened in our lives.  God could have provided life any way that God wanted, but instead of all the other options God could have chosen (including destroying all of us), God decided to intervene in the middle of our lives.  God hand-delivered Christmas to the world so that we could experience Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in this life.  Christmas is not defined by the gifts we buy or the food we cook.  Christmas is defined by our love for the LORD and the way we express it to others. 

The person who sacks our groceries needs a Christmas smile.  The neighbor fighting with their trash cans needs a helping hand.  Our special loved one needs to know that we truly care for who they are, not for whom we expect them to be.

This is the last week before Christmas.  This can be the best week we’ve ever experienced if we focus on God’s gift of Christmas as interpreted in our own lives.  Nobody else can do it and God has given us free will so that we can make our own choice.  I think that’s pretty cool and that’s why I’ve Saved the Best for Last.  It’s not going to be for me.  It’s gonna be all about you.

 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’  (Matthew 25:40, CEB)

 8 Days to Christmas, Sunday, Dec 17, 2023

Skipping with Guilt

Today is the third Sunday of Advent.  Almost all of the population could care less about that little factoid.  What most people will care about is that they have a full week of shopping before Christmas arrives, giving them one more excuse to skip church.

I’m often amused by the excuses people give me for skipping church, especially during Christmas or Easter.  One of the things that make me chuckle is that non-churchgoers will use the term “Skipping”, indicating that they know better.  As soon as I hear that term, I know that this person has experienced some amount of church involvement, otherwise, they wouldn’t feel guilty about “Skipping it”.

Today, the weather on the island is questionable.  I know that reality will prohibit a few folks from attending church today.  They won’t be Skipping church.  Instead, they’re making an informed decision about health and safety.  That’s important, as are the number of people who are struggling with health concerns.  It’s important to take care of oneself, and in the process, we might be protecting others by not bringing a contagious illness to the church.

Others who live on the island (or in the area) will Skip church because it’s easier to stay home.  Oh, they might use the weather as an excuse, but I’m sure that by noon today, they’ll be dressed and ready to go shopping or to lunch somewhere.

Others who Skip church today will Skip because they just don’t want to go.  That’s the reason that makes the most sense.  Their argument likely arises from personal experience that led them to believe that church can’t help anything.  I get that one…I believe that person is wrong, but I understand it and I’m hoping they walk through some church doors today.

I’m hoping that you don’t Skip church today without a good reason.  I can’t Skip or it would be noticed.  If you Skip, it may be noticed, but more than likely, everyone who attends will be so wrapped up in their own issues they won’t notice.  So, yes, it’s easier for you to Skip than it is for me.

However, I do know this:  If you decide to attend worship somewhere today, God will speak to you.  Whether it’s through music, a special prayer, Holy Scripture, or a moment of inspiration during a spoken message, God will try to reach you.  If you Skip church, God is still going to try and speak to you, but you may not be as receptive in the store, restaurant, or recliner.  There’s something about hearing it in church that helps God’s voice come through more clearly.  (Gotta Skip?  Here’s a way you can attend at 10 am EST and anytime afterward!)   https://longboatislandchapel.org/streaming/ 

It’s Christmastime.  Don’t Skip unless you have a valid excuse.  The stores and restaurants will still be open when you’re done and the crowds won’t be any worse.  Attending church today might be the best gift you can give to yourself.  If you don’t go, you’ll never know.

“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. God always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”  (Hebrews 10:22-25, The Message)

 9 Days to Christmas, Saturday, Dec 16, 2023

“Proof that You Are NOT Ready for Christmas”

It’s here and it’s all about you!  Today is the first “Last Call” to send mail and packages through the USPS for on-time Christmas arrival.  Sure, you could spend some extra cash tomorrow or the next day for packages to be delivered, but why spend the extra cash when snail mail can do it just fine?

No matter who you are, you aren’t ready for Christmas.  If you are a procrastinator at heart, you already know that you’re not ready for Christmas, so you can stop reading now. If you’re one of those people who is always early, never misses a deadline, and rarely forgets a date, I can almost guarantee that you’re not ready for Christmas, either.  Why?  Because you’re going to invent things to do that will cause you anxiety.  Oh sure, you may not think that you’re very creative, but in fact, you’re the most creative of everyone because it takes a special mind to create a need that doesn’t exist.  You’re gonna create so many projects that it would be impossible for anyone to complete them all.

Lots of people send me notes thanking me for giving them permission to be late, delinquent, unprepared, and so on.  In response to all of them, I thought it would be a good idea to also give a little support to the ones who are always so prepared that they create new things just to keep themselves busy.  I’d like to give you permission to create new things, not because idle time is foolish, but because your sharp mind is what helps the rest of us stay afloat.

Someone must remember the cranberries.  That’s you.  It’s your responsibility because even though you’ve already done all the Holiday meal shopping, you’ll still be going to the grocery store every day.

I’m giving everyone, whomever you are, permission to not be ready for Christmas.  It’s okay.  The world was not ready for the first Christmas.  Nor can any of us be fully prepared for all the blessings God is about to bring this Christmas.  Our simple minds and human hearts don’t have the capacity to fully absorb all the stuff that God wants to do for us.  Even our best theological training can’t prepare us, which is why God’s love for the world is so incredible.  God loves our idiosyncrasies and individuality so much that God is willing to overlook how unprepared we are…and then give it to us anyway.

Ain’t that awesome?  Ain’t it cool?  You’re not prepared, and it doesn’t matter.  If you do nothing more, Christmas is still happening with the greatest item on the list already complete: God’s love! God is still bringing Christmas into your world and into your life and, in fact, Emmanuel - God with Us -  is already here.  Get ready! It’s Christmas! 

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”  (Matthew 1:23, KJV)

 10 Days to Christmas, Friday, December 15

“Make Your List and Check It Twice!”

Are you a List Maker?  If so, the Holidays must be your favorite time of the year.  The list of “to-do’s” is huge, but, since you’re so organized, you have no worries.  Your shopping is probably already finished (or very close).  You probably have reservations for New Year’s, your Spring break is already booked, and your Summer schedule is already finished.

Now, all you have to do is stay on top of the little surprises that always arrive in the Holidays:  Broken light fixtures.  Chipped paint.  Car maintenance.  Air Conditioner filters.  Slow-running toilets.  This is your heyday!  You’re checking your list twice because the Holidays are the time that all of it gets done!

For the rest of us, we don’t bother checking our list twice.  Why?  Because we don’t have lists.  We live in a different world where we allow squeaky wheels to keep squeaking until they fall off the axle.  The Holidays are difficult for us.  We’ll eventually get it all done, but our lack of organizational skills doesn’t allow us to plan or even commit.

I know, for you List Makers, you don’t get it.  That’s okay, the rest of us accept your exceptional skills.  Sure, we could probably improve our lives if we started making lists, but it’s not in our DNA.  God made us differently and we probably have some skills that you don’t have.  “What are they?” you might be thinking. 

For one thing, we non-List Makers are exceptionally gifted in moments of chaos, emergency, and even tragedy.  We’ve spent our entire lives fighting emergencies!  If someone forgets to put the dog in the upstairs bedroom, we’ll calm your nerves when it jumps on the kitchen table and eats the Christmas cake.  Or, when you accidentally put salt in the recipe instead of sugar, we’ll eat it all so your feelings don’t get hurt.  After all, since you probably made the entire meal, one or two messed-up dishes are really no big deal to us.  We’re thankful for your hard work and we’ll help clean the dishes.

The countdown has begun:  Ten days remaining.  On behalf of all the non-List Makers, I would like to thank the rest of you for checking your list twice and helping us get there on time.  We wouldn’t make it to Christmas without your help, so please consider this little note our way of telling you that we love who you are and we are thankful that you love and care for the rest of us.

Give God some thanks for all those List Makers who are checking it twice.  They’ll make sure we have the correct address and that we don’t forget anything.  Then give some extra thanks to God, who never forgets any of us, either, no matter what comes! 

“Remember these things, O Jacob.  Take it seriously, Israel, that you’re my servant.  I made you, shaped you: You’re my servant.  O Israel, I’ll never forget you.”  (Isaiah 44:21, The Message)

 11 Days to Christmas, Thursday, Dec 14, 2023

“Cheers to Eleven”

Barely on the outside.  #11.  I’m not sure why people still think that 13 is an unlucky number.  It would seem like 11 is the one that creates more agony.

If you’re the 11th best, you probably don’t get the front-page story.  In fact, you may not even make the publication.  The general public doesn’t think much about number 11.  Instead, our focus is always on the Top-10.

For athletics, music, literature, network programming, and just about anything else, a finish in eleventh place probably means that we won’t make the cut.  We will always be on the outside looking in, wondering about the joys and benefits of just one more number.

When I was a child, the days leading to Christmas seemed to move so slowly.  Eleven days to Christmas meant that we were still waiting for Christmas Break.  Each day grew more difficult and each day our behavior probably became worse.  I don’t know how teachers do it… the agony of eleven days from Christmas cannot be easy in a classroom full of children.

If you’re into horse racing, you know that a number eleven post is almost a guarantee that you won’t win.  If you’re into the Bible, it means that someone (or something) is missing,  and it’s probably not for a good reason.  If you’re into numbers, eleven is easy enough to multiply, but it’s not nearly as comforting as the numbers ten or twelve.

One more day, however, will change things.  If eleven is unlucky or unpopular, we need to wait just a few more hours.  In one more day, reality will begin to sink into the hearts and minds of Scrooges and Grinches everywhere.  They will not be able to avoid Christmas any longer.

It’s difficult when we feel like we are standing on the outside looking in.  That’s the unfortunate reality of not being included.  It can seem that some folks think we are special, but not quite special enough.  And yet, this points us to the beauty of God’s love for the world.  God doesn’t rank us from best to worst.  Instead, God wants us to finish strong.  In effect, by giving us eleven, the LORD has shown us that there’s still plenty of hope.  God knows that a Top-10 finish is important to us, even though we try to pretend that it’s not.

Today is day eleven.  We ain’t there… yet.  But tomorrow, we’ll be much closer than before.  Tomorrow, the rocket’s engines will begin to ignite, preparing to take us on a round-the-world flight that will bring us closer to the Light than ever before.  

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

 12 Days to Christmas, Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023

“Twelve Days…Yuck!”

Woohoo!  It’s the “Twelve Days of Christmas!”  

Yuck.  Though I am a Christmas Geek, that song and all of its variations and arrangements is my least favorite of all the carols.  The counting makes it worse, not because I’m bad with numbers, but because I’m good with numbers and I know how long it’s going to take when I hear the song’s tempo.  I dislike the song enough to know that hearing it puts a dent in my day or changes my mood for the worse.  Yuck. 

This is not the real “Twelve Days.”  The real “Twelve Days” don’t begin until after Christmas Day, which is when those pear-tree partridges emerge.  Instead, this “Twelve Days” is a twelve-day countdown to Christmas, the culmination of lots of preparation, worry, and tireless acts of generosity and kindness that are rarely noticed.  This may seem like a simple collection of problems, but for some people, this can be overwhelming. 

It can be difficult to recognize that bad things might happen during a very joyful, loving, and faithful moment.  For me, a bad thing is to hear that silly song and not be able to skip the song or change the station or selection.  Others may be able to withstand the “Twelve Days” just fine, only succumbing to the half-burned-out lights that are already hung on the tree (that problem is a breeze for me).  Neither of these are major problems, but they’re each enough to tip the boat over if we’re already taking on water.

When trouble occurs, it would seem like the Holiday Season would be the best time for it to occur because of all the good stuff that’s out there.  However, we know that’s not true, don’t we?  When trouble occurs during the Holiday Season it seems as though the trouble is magnified exponentially, creating a much bigger concern than it would during another time.

This is one reason why it’s so important to maintain as much Faith discipline as we can during the Holiday Season.  Reading devotions, saying prayers, reading the Holy Scriptures, and attending worship are all valuable parts of a solution to our feelings of being overwhelmed or the troubles that always seem to surface this time of year.  We may not be able to stop the unwanted surprises completely, but we can sure choose the degree to which they impact us.

We’ve got Twelve Days ahead of us.  I’m hoping that after these Twelve Days are counted, I’m not trying to figure out what to do with twelve partridges in twelve pear trees.  However, if this occurs, God will somehow use this, too,  for God’s purpose, even if that means our next churchwide meal includes roasted partridge with rosemary, thyme, and a sauteed pear-mango glaze.  That sounds much more appetizing than one more verse of the “Twelve Days”! 

“Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10, NRSV)