Tag Archives: Christmas

On That Silent Night

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“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”–Luke 2:1-7

On a very silent night, over 2000 years ago, Christ was born into the world as the promised Messiah: the promised Messiah who comes as the light in the midst of the darkness to bring hope, peace, and love to all the world. This promised Messiah comes as the light of the world who was born to the most unlikely woman: Mary in the most unlikeliest of places–in a dirty cattle stall; a manger in Bethlehem.

The only cries heard that silent night where the cries of this infant; our King as he entered into the world. Those cries proclaimed the promise of this holy child who promises to never leave us or forsake us…even and most especially in our sorrows and our doubts. This King comes to bring hope and peace to a world in need of that very hope and peace. It is an extraordinary gift…a King born to bring God’s love to all the world.

That silent night, the shepherds stood on a hill watching over their flocks by night. They were simply doing their job and minding their own business when the angel appeared to them. The angel proclaimed, “Do not be afraid…for I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. For today is born in the city of David Christ the Lord.” The shepherds immediately ran to see this thing the angel told them about. When they arrived, they found Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus lying in the manger. They were overjoyed and left proclaiming and telling the news of this newborn king.

Now on our own silent nights, may we too listen and hear the cries of this infant born for each and every one of us. May we too be filled with comfort, peace, and hope shared together. May we know the promise of this one who always walks with us even in our darkest moments.

I am reminded of these words from the prophet Isaiah ” But now, this is what the Lord says—-he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Like God called Mary to give birth to the promised Messiah and like God called so many in the world, God calls each and every one of us by name too just like God called Jesus; Emmanuel “God with us!”

Merry Christmas my dear friends and readers! I am so thankful for each and every one of you who have joined me here in this space over this past year. May you have a blessed Advent, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I am linking up with my very fave women today: Holly and Testimony Tuesday, Angela and the RaRa linkup, Jennifer and Tell His Story and Holley and Coffee for your Heart!


 
 

Guiding Our Feet Into The Way of Peace

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“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”–Luke 1:78-79

These words have been replaying in my head and my heart today. They are in the text I will be preaching on Sunday. In this text, Zechariah and Elizabeth are told that Elizabeth will give birth to a son and they will name him John which means “God is gracious and/or merciful.” Yet even in the midst of this annunciation to Elizabeth, that is not where I’m finding myself focusing instead I’m pulled to the above words from Luke 1.

Have you ever noticed that when your electricity goes out, you don’t need much…one candle can give off just enough light? That light takes away the shadows of the darkness. That light reminds us of this precious holy child who comes as the light in the darkness. In contrast, John comes to give us knowledge of this promised Messiah while Jesus comes to fulfill that promise; the light of the world.

During this season of Advent, not everyone experiences joy. There are many who are in the depths of death and are sitting in those shadows of darkness. I think of my friend who recently lost his father; also a beloved grandfather, spouse, father-in-law.  I also am reminded of dear Laura’s daughters. For them, that empty chair at the table or around the Christmas tree is evidence of this one they loved and lost. They are literally sitting in the shadows of death. Yet God reminds us that God will guide our feet into the way of peace. Both these dear souls are no longer in pain, but rather have been guided into the way of peace.

In addition, in our world that so often feels so full of hatred and war and ugliness, it is also hard to hear these words. In an unpeaceful world, how can we be guided into the way of peace? Yet that’s the beauty. God sent Gods one and only son into world as this gift who promises to guide our feet into the way of peace. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News!”

And those feet that bring Good News and guide them into peace, they came first as infant feet; born in an stable in Bethlehem; a Son born for our sins; a Son born to guide us all into the way of peace. This peace is a peace that only this infant son can bring in the midst of our sorrows and joys and showers upon us through God’s love for God’s people.

This love is a love that reminds us always of the power and gift of love and relationships in our own lives. As my friend Laura was laying in her hospice bed, she asked us her friends, family and mat carriers to send her pictures etc to decorate her room. Only a week there, her room was filled with so much love. There was no white space left on those walls; a concrete example of the power of love; Gods love that guides us all into the way of peace; a peace that passes all human understanding.

Our gracious merciful God sends this infant child as an embodiment of God’s love for all God’s people. This unlikely King born to this unlikely woman triumphantly breaks the dawn from on high especially to all of us who sit in darkness and/or in the shadows of death and guides our feet into the way of peace!

Let’s walk forward trusting in this promised Messiah who always promises to take our hands and guide our feet into the everlasting way of peace that only God can provide!

Linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and Tell His Story and Holley Gerth and Coffee for your Heart: 


 

The Greatest Story

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I am a lover of story especially a well-crafted, historical story. The way the characters are woven through the plot of the story; the emotions felt; the well thought out deeply insightful conversations; and the way the story concludes leaving me satisfied or leaving me to want even more. Each piece of the story plays a vital role in the telling of the story.
Can you think of some of your all time favorite stories? Why do you love them so much? Do they leave you feeling satisfied or do they leave you aching for more…wanting to spend just a little bit longer with the characters as you get to know them more intimately?
I have so many stories that I love, but my absolute favorite story comes straight out of the pages of the Bible: Jesus’ birth, life and death. Today, I am going to focus solely on the true story of Christmas as we find ourselves dwelling in the season of Advent. 
The story begins with a humble mother: Mary. Here she is a virgin woman, engaged to be married, and she is told she will bear a child. Talk about a little bit of scandal. This virgin woman can NOT be “with child” yet she is! As a single woman myself, I know that people would think I was crazy if I told them that an angel had told me that I was going to bear a child….and not just any child…but the Messiah. Yet God sends one of God’s messengers to Mary to calm her fears. I love the simple words of the angel as she utters “Do not be afraid.”
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom there will be no end.'”–Luke 1:30-33
Enter another important person, the husband and soon-to-be father, Joseph. Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem where Mary is to give birth to this precious holy child. They arrive and find out there is no room for them in the inn. Mary gives birth to Jesus in the most unlikely of places; in a manger. Despite the circumstances, Mary and Joseph welcome their son into the world with joy.

“In those days a
decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.
This was the first registration that took place while Quarinius was governor of
Syria.
All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from from
the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went
to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a
child. While they were there, the time came for her deliver her child. And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”–Luke 2:1-7

After Jesus’ birth, an angel appears to the shepherds who are
keeping watch over their flock. Upon seeing the angel, the shepherds are terrified.
Who could this be? And what news are they bringing us? The words that follow
are one of my favorite words from this beautiful holy story because they remind
us of the power of God and God’s love for all God’s people.
“But the angel of the Lord said to them, ‘Do not be
afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the
Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth
and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest
heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.'”–Luke 2:8-14

The shepherds travel and find Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus lying
in the manger. They then tell everyone what they have seen. The people are
amazed at what the shepherds tell them. The shepherds glorify and praise God
while Mary treasures and ponders all these things in her heart.
This story is a story that sticks with me! It is a story that
I want to continue to tell over and over again. It is a story that calls each
of us to shout “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those
whom he favors.” It is a story that we too shall ponder and treasure in
our own hearts during this Advent and Christmas season because it indeed is one
of the greatest stories ever told!
And this greatest story ever told sticks with me because of my family especially my mom. My mom has lived most of my life with a mental illness yet this is one of her most favorite seasons of the year. Growing up, she always immersed my sister and I in hearing the story of Advent/Christmas. It is a story that I never tire of hearing over and over again. It is a story that brings me great joy and hope because like I stated earlier, I have always loved a good story and it doesn’t get any better than the Advent/Christmas story! 
Join me over at Literacy Musing Mondays and link-up about your favorite story.

It Isn’t About Those Cups!

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The Starbucks seasonal cups are the talk of the town and world as of late.

But, my friends, Christmas is not at all about those red cups. Christmas is about Jesus—Emmanuel (God with us)–who comes into the world in an unlikely place; in a dirty stable in Bethlehem. This infant comes into the world as our savior who later will die on a cross for each and every one of us. This infant is the person who is our one true king who enters the world in the unlikeliest form; a lowly infant.

So often we forget the true reason for the season. This holiday has become so commercialized. Stores cannot even wait for the Halloween costumes to be packed away before they pull out the Christmas decorations. I love decorating for Christmas and don’t think there is anything wrong with decorating before Thanksgiving at all–especially when we have the right motives. But I also believe Thanksgiving opens the door to “Eucharisto”; giving thanks for all God has given and blessed us with in our lives.

“Eucharisto” continually reminds me of what God did when God chose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus’ parents. “Eucharisto” reminds me of the power of God’s love for all of God’s people. “Eucharisto” is Jesus born in that stable in Bethlehem. And “Eucharisto” is giving thanks for that infant Jesus; the unlikely one chosen to be the Messiah; the Messiah we are called to celebrate and remember not just one day a year, but all year round.

One day, when I was at seminary, my friends and I walked into our friend Louise’s office. As we entered her office, my friend Mark immediately noticed a nativity set out on Louise’s desk. It was the spring of the year, so we found that just a little odd. My friend Mark being Mark asked, “Why do you have a nativity set up?  It’s not Advent or Christmas.” I’ll never forget our friend’s response. She smiled and asked, “Should we celebrate Jesus just one day a year?” To which we all replied, “Not at all.” She then shared that she keeps one up all year long to remind her of the promises that come in that infant son. Ever since, I keep a nativity up all year long to remind me of that too! (Talk about a conversation starter!)



And that’s the thing friends, Advent is about waiting for this precious son to be born. It is about the birth of this chosen one called to be our Messiah. It is NOT about what is or is not on those red Starbucks cups. It is about who and whose we are. It is about this one who comes as the light in the midst of the darkness.

This Advent and Christmas may we take the time to break bread, give thanks and spend time with those we love; knowing that God loves us so much that God sent God’s son into the world; to be our Messiah; to be a world changer; a world changer who sat and broke bread with tax collectors and sinners.

Linking up at Inspire Me Monday


Moving Into the Neighborhood

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It is Christmas Eve! I’m currently hanging out at my aunt and uncles. I had to run out to the farm to print my sermon for Christmas morning. The gravel roads to the farm where crummy. My car got caught up a little on a snowdrift. Yet none of this seems to matter to me today. What matters is this infant Emmanuel “God with us” who in the words of Eugene Peterson, “puts on flesh and blood and moves into the neighborhood.”

I don’t know about you but I love that image. Jesus being my next door neighbor. But also Jesus being the one who is finding bodily nourishment at the church in my neighborhood at a soup kitchen

Jesus is born to the unlikeliest people in the unlikeliest of places; in a stinky smell stable surrounded by all sorts of animals. (I smile as I type this looking out the big picture window which overlooks a cattle stall.) Jesus indeed comes on this holy night to remind us of Gods immeasurable love for all people.

I know that this holiday brings about emotions of all kinds including sadness. But, my friends, even in your sadness, no especially in your sadness, Jesus comes as Emmanuel “God with us.” Jesus indeed is the greatest gift; a gift that isn’t returnable by us but rather is a gift that is continually offered and given to us.

This holy story reminds us that we shouldn’t be afraid; “Do not be afraid.”Rather we need to cling to the promise of this one who comes to bring us hope, peace, joy and so much more.

I’m reminded of these words from the Grinch, “It isn’t about boxes, presents and bows. Perhaps Christmas is a little bit more.” Yes my friends Christmas indeed is much more than we could ever imagine!!

And as these words ring in my ears, I hear Linus proudly reciting the words to Luke 2 which we all will hear soon. This version of the holy story is one of my faves because through Linus, I remember and am reminded what this story is all about. It is through this silent holy night that Jesus was born, came in flesh and blood and moved into our neighborhood. And my friends this holy child isn’t going to move out of our neighborhoods any time soon. This precious infant promises to never leave or forsake you. This infant will carry you through your sadness, your joy and all the seasons of your life.

Christmas blessings to you all my dear readers and friends! Merry Christmas to you and yours. May peace be yours on this holy night.

Christmas

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“Do not be afraid for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord! This shall be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger!”

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Light…

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I’ve been trying to spend more time looking for the light rather than the darkness these days! Jesus is this treasured holy child who comes as this light in the midst of the darkness who calls us to cling to the light especially when we feel there is no joy, no peace, no hope! Jesus is that joy, that peace, that hope!!

Today as I was driving home for the holidays, I witnessed a moment of light that made my heart “leap for joy!” A black pick-up truck was in front of me as we drove down the road! On the other side of the road, a van was broken down; hazard lights on etc! Before I knew it, the black truck had their brake lights on and blinker as they turned into the other road. I couldn’t figure out what they were doing and then I saw that they were stopping to help the van!

I have no idea who any of these people were but they showed me LIGHT! Thank you strangers for showing me this light!

“The light no darkness can over come!”

Unspeakable Joy Revisited!

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Awhile back I posted about a Chris Tomlin Christmas cd where he does the song, “Joy to the World” but interlays it with a chorus he wrote. Two words from the chorus really hit me when I heard the song for the first time. Those two words were “Unspeakable joy.” As we enter into the Ephiphany season, may we always remember the unspeakable joy we find in Christ who tells us who and whose we are. The words from the chorus go as follows: “Joy, Unspeakable Joy, An Overflowing Well, No Tongue Can Tell, Joy, Unspeakable Joy, Rises In My Soul, Never Let Me Go (Copyright Matthew West)” So as I put away my Christmas decorations, I cant help but cling to those words. God never lets us go! God tells us always who and whose we are! May we never forget that!

And since it is so easy for us to forget that I ask you to check out Matthew West’s song on his Christmas cd titled the “Day after  Christmas.” It is a reminder that the light of Christ is with us throughout the year!

Outrageous Grace! Unspeakable Joy!

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Outrageous Grace! Unspeakable Joy! Last night I was at a church meeting and one of the ladies shared a poem that talked about the crazy “jingle jangle” of the holidays and how there is no mention of taking time to pray etc. As I closed my eyes and sat and listened to her read the poem, the one phrase that really jumped out at me was the phrase, “outrageous grace.” (Now leave it to me and all the rest of us good Lutherans to really find ourselves resonating with that phrase) But what is outrageous grace? What does outrageous grace look like? I think outrageous grace comes in so many and various ways. Outrageous grace is when someone stops to help you when you are having car troubles. Outrageous grace is holding an infant in your arms and knowing that nothing but nothing can seperate us from the love of God. Outrageous grace, I believe, is watching parents interact with their children. I am reminded of my friend L and her son. She really doesnt like making sugar cookies but she did it because her son wanted to. And in the end, the mess and the smile on his face was totally worth it…that is outrageous grace!! 🙂 Outrageous grace is taking time this holiday season to stand in the cold and ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Outrageous grace is patiently waiting for your first child to be born! (GirlwithBlog and J, I’m thinking of you today) Outrageous grace is realizing that Im not always right! What does outrageous grace look like to you?

In addition, I happened to be listening to one of my favorite Christian radio stations yesterday when another phrase jumped out at me. Im not one hundred percent sure on the artist but I think it was Chris Tomlin. The song is his rendition of “Joy to the World” (I think thats the song) and in the middle he keeps repeating the phrase “unspeakable joy”. So what is unspeakable joy? In many ways I think outrageous grace and unspeakable joy can look a lot a like. Unspeakable joy is hearing a friend tell about the benefit that was held for her and being overwhelmed by the many people and the money that was raised. Unspeakable joy is reading about a college friend and her family’s adoption journey. Unspeakable joy is watching a seminary friends family grow especially after their long awaited journey of getting that child about 3-4 years ago!

Unspeakable Joy….
Outrageous Grace….
Unspeakable Joy…
Outrageous Grace

November Tidbits

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Listening to the wind howl outside my window. Wondering if winter is truly on its way and is on its way to stay! Hard to believe that Halloween is over and that Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it! I love this time of year. Advent and Christmas are my favorite times of the year. There is just something so cool about waiting for the birth of the Christ child. What a gift the Christ child is!