Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

(Matthew 25:34-40)

Let me preface what I'm about to say by saying this first: I love Christmas. I love the sparkle and magic and general goodwill that comes with this special season. I love the food and the music and the lights and the festive atmosphere. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

But something in me has changed over the years, and I don't see Christmas the way I used to. I no longer decorate my house or put up a Christmas tree. I don't exchange presents with family and friends like I used to. To me, Christmas has taken on a new meaning. Chalk it up to growing older, or wiser, or perhaps a little of both.

Don't think that I look down on those who are fully engaged in all of the flurry and hustle and bustle of Christmas. Decorate your houses. Deck your halls and trim your trees. Eat festive foods and worry about your diets next month. Buy presents for everyone on your list. Sing Jingle Bells at the top of your lungs. May your wassail and your eggnog both be blessed.

But let's stop pretending like these festive traditions have anything to do with celebrating the birth of Christ, God's greatest gift to humanity.

I don't know a lot about birthday traditions in other cultures around the world, but in our culture, when you have a birthday, people give you gifts, and for one day out of the year, it's all about you. So if Christmas really is all about celebrating the birthday of Jesus, why do we give gifts to everyone except Him? I see lots of people posting on facebook what they got for Christmas. If Jesus had a facebook page, I wonder what presents He would talk about receiving. 

Some may say, "We give each other gifts as symbols of the gift God gave us in Jesus." Really? Why not just give them directly to Him instead? "How do we give gifts to Jesus? What could He possibly want or need?" It's quite simple, really. After all, He left us with a wish list in Matthew 25. He said that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome strangers and visit the sick and lonely, we do these things for Him and to Him. The greatest gifts we can give at Christmas (or any time for that matter), are to those who cannot possibly ever return the favor. It seems as much of the gift giving during the holidays is done so out of obligation. "So-and-so gave me something, so now I need to give something back." Or, "I don't want to forget anyone or they will be offended and hurt." Sure, a gift can be given out of love, but I didn't see a lot of love swelling up in the faces of the shoppers yesterday frantically buying the last of the gifts on their lists.

I stopped giving Christmas gifts to friends and family members. Instead, I show them my love and appreciation throughout the year, on their birthdays or for no special reason. But I make Christmas all about Jesus. The Christmas gifts I now give go to impoverished families in Africa and homeless teens down the street. To people who are struggling just to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. People who don't know my name or have any way of thanking me. I get more satisfaction doing this than I ever got out of picking out that "perfect gift" for someone I know. After all, how many of you can remember what you got for Christmas last year, or the year before? Most of the gifts we give are really meaningless tokens that get lost in the shuffle of our over-abundance. But give an African family a goat that will provide nourishment and income for many years, and they will always remember that gift. Or put a new pair of shoes on the feet of a homeless kid who's been kicked out of the house and feels abandoned by family and church because of who they are, and they will always remember that moment on Christmas morning, when someone actually cared enough to give them the exact size and style they always dreamed of having, but never thought was possible.

I'm not writing all of this to make anyone feel guilty about the way you celebrate Christmas, or do I expect that the commercialism of the season will change in my lifetime. But maybe, just maybe, something I said today might get someone to think about Christmas just a little bit differently next year.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Pastor David

Got Love?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

(John 3:16)

(Although I wasn't raised in a traditional, liturgical church, I discovered Advent as an adult. I have found this ancient seasonal observance to be very useful in keeping a proper perspective about Christmas and what it's really all about. For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas I'll be sharing my thoughts about the four aspects of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.)

 

Love. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? It’s not about shepherds, angels and wise men. And it’s certainly not about presents and decorations and Christmas trees and parties. Christmas is the celebration of the greatest expression of love that humanity has ever known.

Who would have thought that the God of all creation, the Supreme Master of the Universe, would love us puny, dirty, rebellious humans so much that He would sacrifice Himself in the form of His Son Jesus, so that He could enjoy our company for all eternity?

1 John 4:16 says, “God is love.” If God is love, then we can only truly know real love by knowing God. And because God wants us to know Him, and consequently, know His love, He sent His Son in the form of a little baby.

Why a baby? Why didn’t Jesus burst on the scene as a grown man, as He does in the Gospels of Mark and John? Why was it so important for Matthew and Luke to write an account of the birth of Jesus? I think perhaps it was to show how frail, helpless, and needy He was. Just like us. And what greater expression of human love is there than that of a mother with her newborn child? She forgets the nine months of morning sickness and backaches, and the excruciating pain of labor. All that matters is that little tiny baby in her arms.

Like that baby, when we experience new birth in Jesus, God forgets about all the mess, aggravation and pain we caused Him. All He cares about is this newborn baby Christian in His arms. We start out needing to be spoon-fed the Word, needing our spiritual diapers changed when we mess up, needing to be comforted when we cry. And all of it lovingly administered by our Heavenly Father, who loves us so much He was willing to die for us.

Love. As you celebrate Christmas this week, let every symbol of our traditions remind you of God’s great love for you.

Prayer:

God of Love, words can never begin to express how humbled and how grateful we are for your love for each one of us. When we so quickly give up on those who disappoint us, you continue to hold out your arms of love, patiently waiting for each of your chosen ones to come home. Help us to remember that Christmas is all about love. Let everything we do and say be saturated with love, not only on Christmas, but every day of the year. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor David

Got Joy?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:8-11

(Although I wasn't raised in a traditional, liturgical church, I discovered Advent as an adult. I have found this ancient seasonal observance to be very useful in keeping a proper perspective about Christmas and what it's really all about. For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas I'll be sharing my thoughts about the four aspects of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.)

 
The angel who announced the birth of Jesus called it “good news of great joy for all the people.” Why was this such joyful news? Because the angel knew the true purpose of the Son of God descending to Earth in the form of a baby was so that, through His life, death and resurrection, He would provide the way of salvation to all who would believe in Him.

Unfortunately, humans saw the birth in a very different light. They expressed joy because, at long last, the promised Messiah had arrived. The Jews expected that the Messiah would make everything right. He would re-establish the throne of David and return Israel to its former glory as the religious and cultural center of the Middle East. He would rise up and conquer the enemies of Israel. And He would usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Little did they understand His true mission.

Today, we can look back at that great event and realize why the birth of Christ was such a joyful occasion. Because He was born in human form, He was able to experience everything we experience, feel everything we feel, face every temptation we face. More importantly, He alone could take on the punishment for our sins so that we could have a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Our joy comes from the assurance of our salvation, knowing that we have been set free from the curse of sin and death. It comes from the knowledge that we have a Savior who understands us, who has walked in our footsteps, and who feels our pain. It comes from a deep-seated belief that nothing in this world (or beyond) can separate us from the love of God.

Our joy does not come from our circumstances; circumstances change. Our joy does not come from our emotions; our emotions are unpredictable and unreliable. Our joy comes from the Holy Spirit who lives within each believer. Like peace, joy is also a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit. Joy keeps us sane in the midst of the insanity around us. It helps us rise above the chaos, uncertainty and turmoil in our lives.

As we continue to prepare for and anticipate the celebration of Christmas, let us renew the joy that we have in Christ, and let us spread that joy wherever we go. It is a gift that we can share with everyone we meet; a gift far more valuable than anything we could buy, wrap and place under the Christmas tree.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Prayer:

God of Joy, we thank you for the great joy that we have from knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Help us to experience that joy fully in all of our activities, and to spread it to everyone we meet. Remind us that the joy of this season is not only about the birth of a baby in a manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, but about a Savior who is returning soon to complete what He started and to take us home to be with Him forever. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor David

Got Peace?

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:13-14

(Although I wasn't raised in a traditional, liturgical church, I discovered Advent as an adult. I have found this ancient seasonal observance to be very useful in keeping a proper perspective about Christmas and what it's really all about. For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas I'll be sharing my thoughts about the four aspects of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.)

PEACE 

The angels who appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born proclaimed peace to humanity. Centuries earlier, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed that one of the names of the coming Messiah would be “Prince of Peace.” Each time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He greeted them with the phrase, “Peace be with you.” One of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit is peace. When Jesus returns to earth to establish His kingdom during the Millennium, He will usher in a thousand-year reign of peace.

The word “peace” appears in the Bible at least 230 times. It is a central theme throughout Scripture. Peace is more than the absence of war. Peace is defined in a number of ways:

• a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, esp. in personal relations
• cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension
• freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.
• a state of tranquility or serenity

In a world of chaos and uncertainty, peace is the very real and present possession of every believer. Christmas is often thought of as a special time of peace. At least, that’s what our Christmas cards say. But if Christmas is about peace entering into the world, why do we get so caught up in all of the chaos of the holiday traditions? The observance of Christmas was never intended to be a time of frantically scurrying about trying to find the perfect gift for each person on your shopping list, decorating your home and yard to rival anything Martha Stewart can do, baking endless batches of cookies, fudge and gingerbread, attending every party and gathering you’re invited to, and usually spending and eating too much, against your better judgment.

Our celebration of the birth of Christ should be a time of reflection, not endless activity. Yes, our traditions are important because they lend continuity to our lives, but they should not overshadow the true meaning of this special time of year. Take time during the next few weeks to stop and enjoy the peace that you have in Christ. Ponder on the amazing miracle of the very Person of God coming to earth in the form of a little baby, so that we could spend an eternity with Him in perpetual peace. Use this time to also remember and anticipate the day when He will return to establish peace on this earth. Revelation 21:1-4 tells us that the order of this world will soon pass away, and Jesus will make everything new. Peace be with you.

Prayer:

God of Peace, we thank you that we can have peace in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Help us to spread that peace to all those around us as we remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. As we celebrate His human birth, remind us to also look forward to His glorious return. Amen.

Have a blessed (and peaceful) week! 

Pastor David

Got Hope?

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

(Romans 8:22-25)

(Although I wasn't raised in a traditional, liturgical church, I discovered Advent as an adult. I have found this ancient seasonal observance to be very useful in keeping a proper perspective about Christmas and what it's really all about. For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas I'll be sharing my thoughts about the four aspects of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.)

HOPE

Just as the ancient Israelites waited with hope for the arrival of the Messiah, we too, wait in eager anticipation of His second arrival. This is the hope that sustains us through the dark and stormy passages of our lives here on earth. When all around us seems to be spinning out of control, we are reminded that one day soon, the Lord will appear in the skies and, with the blast of the trumpet, call us home to be with Him in eternity. 

With all that is going on in the world today, it is easy to lose hope. It seems as though everything that we thought we could depend on has been shaken to its very foundation. Our government has let us down. Many of our homes have lost much of their value, draining our resources and altering our financial security. Jobs seem to evaporate at a moment's notice. Even close friends and family members can turn on us without warning. It seems that the only stable, consistent thing that we have left is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank God that He never changes! (Hebrews 13:8)

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Indeed, the one thing that truly separates orthodox Christian doctrine from the doctrine of all other religions and cults is the assurance of an eternal life in Paradise with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As you prepare for the celebration of Christmas, stop to reflect on the hope you have in Christ. Every time you see a Christmas tree, or sing a Christmas carol, or wrap a present, remember that the best is yet to come.

Prayer:

God of Hope, we thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus, who was willing to step down from His glorious throne and become like one of us, so that we could one day stand before His throne. Thank you for giving us the hope of our salvation, so that we can overcome the adversities of this world and live in expectant anticipation of the day when we will be with you for all eternity. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor David

Give Thanks!

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

To say that this year has been a difficult one for me personally would be an understatement. Over the past few days leading up to our annual Thanksgiving celebration today, I was reviewing this year and the trials I have experienced, and one of my favorite Bible passages from Lamentations came to mind. Coincidentally (or not), this same passage was the scripture of the day in my daily devotional this morning. I was going to use some verse from the Psalms that talks about giving thanks to God (there are so many to choose from), but this one really wraps it up for me. I look back at some of the events of this year and realize that it is only because of God’s great compassion for me that I was not consumed by them. I was not consumed by grief, sorrow, anger, disappointment or any of the other emotions that gripped me at various times. Although there were days when I was feeling a little Job-like (and others were quick to make that comparison), I also felt the constant presence of God throughout each situation. And for that, I am thankful.

I am thankful that I have the promise of God through His Son Jesus Christ that I will never be abandoned. I am thankful that God walks with me through fire and flood (quite literally). I am thankful for the assurance that He knows exactly how I feel, and extends His mercy and compassion to me. I am thankful that He has brought me through each of these situations with the help of some of the most loyal and selfless friends that a person could ever hope to have. And I am thankful for a sense of humor, because it is healthier to laugh in the face of death and destruction than to wallow in misery and self-pity.

I posted on my facebook status today that “gratitude is the antidote to discontentment.” If I spend all of my energy thinking about what I don’t have, I will miss the opportunity to enjoy what I do have. In spite of everything that I have lost this year, I can still be grateful for these things:

• A peaceful home (that I WILL finish one of these days)
• A stable job that provides me with a very comfortable lifestyle
• Wonderful friends who love me, even when I am unlovable
• Reasonably good health, despite the occasional aches and pains that come with getting older
• Not one, but two reliable vehicles (I can’t bear to part with my old truck)
• New ministry opportunities that have recently opened up
• Most of all, the assurance of salvation and the promise that the best is yet to come

When I take an honest inventory of my life, I have to admit that I have it pretty good. God has been gracious and has blessed me abundantly in ways that really matter. And for that, I am most thankful.

God never promises us a smooth journey; the ride can get pretty turbulent at times. But He does promise us a safe landing. I figure I’m going to be at my final destination for quite some time, so I’m in no hurry for the journey to end just yet. In the meantime, I’ll keep my seat belt fastened during the bumpy parts, and move about the cabin when it’s safe to do so. And give thanks in each and every situation.

Have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving!

Pastor David

Take Heart!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

It's been awhile since I've written anything here. I intended to use the above passage in an entry for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I never got around to writing that entry. On September 6, I had to put down my beloved dog, Tabitha, who was my constant companion for 15 1/2 years. To say that I was overwhelmed with grief would be an understatement. A week later, I went to retrieve her ashes, only to come home to find that a water pipe had burst in the ceiling above my new kitchen, the ceiling had collapsed, and the whole house was flooded. At that moment I began to identify a little bit with Job.

I honestly don't know how people make it through life without Christ. Sometimes it's hard enough to make it with Him on our side. If it was not for His constant presence and peace, and the incredible friendship that I have with two of the most generous people I have ever known, I would have probably had a nervous breakdown. I suppose God had me wait with this message until I had something more personal to share than the academic musings that I had originally intended.

Throughout this double whammy that I was experiencing, the above verse kept running through my mind. Jesus' intent on warning us about coming troubles wasn't to scare us, but rather to prepare us for what was inevitable, and to reassure us of two things: He has overcome the world (and its problems that abound), and we can have peace in the midst of such troubles. Notice that He didn't say, "I will overcome the world." Rather, He uses the past tense: "I have overcome the world." It's a done deal as far as He's concerned. This means that we don't have to face each new trouble wondering if He will overcome this one like He did the last one. Instead, we can rest assured that not only has He overcome the current situation, but He also knew it was going to happen and prepared the way for us to make it through with His help.

One of the things I learned a long time ago is that no one is exempt from troubles in this life. People often question their troubles with a rhetorical "why me?" Somewhere along the way I began to understand that the real question should be "why not me?" What makes anyone think that they are so special or favored that they should skip along through life without any problems? Jesus told us that we will all have troubles. Not, we might have troubles, or that some people will have troubles. Troubles come along with breathing. Sooner or later, we will all faces trials and tribulations. In fact, if anyone tries to convince you that you must be doing something wrong if you're having problems, they are simply lying to you. Sure, some of our troubles are self-inflicted, but often things simply happen beyond our control or understanding. Christians who go around claiming to lived such blessed lives that they are unscathed by trouble are either delusional or hiding something.

I'm not out of the woods yet in this current situation. I'm writing this from my hotel room where I'm staying until my house is restored to a livable condition. And I still miss my "baby girl" very much. But I also have an inexplicable peace that I know comes from my faith in Christ, which allows me to continue on with my life (such as it is). Just as Job ended up getting a double blessing after he endured all of the troubles that came upon him, I too expect that great good will come out of these recent events in my life, even if I can't understand or imagine what they might be. Thank God for the peace that comes with Christ's overcoming power!

Have a blessed week!

Pastor David

Fear Not!

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are probably well aware that the world is in turmoil and disarray. As I write this, the nation of Libya is undergoing a civil war as rebels attempt to overthrow that country’s dictator. Syrian unrest has resulted in thousands of deaths over the past five months. Recent riots and looting in London resulted in extensive property damage and several deaths. Last month, seventy-seven people were slaughtered in Norway by an anti-immigrant zealot. The US stock markets are declining again after a brief recovery, and the economies of most industrial nations are in shambles. In this country, millions of people have lost their homes to foreclosure, and our unemployment rate is still hovering close to ten percent.

Needless to say, fear is rampant.

People fear for their safety, their financial security, their health, and their future. There are so many things that can cause us worry and fear in this world. Yet, the Bible reminds us over and over again to not fear. In fact, the phrase “do not fear” and its variations appear hundreds of times throughout the Scriptures. Fear is the opposite of faith. When we experience fear, worry and doubt about our situations and circumstances, we are saying that God is not able to see us through or to provide what we need.

The passage I quoted above is one of my favorite Scriptures. It reminds me that my joy does not depend on my circumstances. Regardless of how things around me look, I can still “rejoice in the Lord” because He alone sustains me in the bad times as well as the good. I don’t have to walk in fear of destitution, disease, danger or death as long as I trust in God’s perfect provision in my life. Governments will collapse, employment will end, loved ones will die, and health will fail. But one thing endures through all of life’s turmoil – the joy of the Lord.

If you’re walking in fear today, let it go. Place your faith in God and look to Him for your joy and peace in the midst of your trials. He will never let you down and will never disappoint you. God’s been doing what He does for a long time, and He’s pretty good at it.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor David