Think About It

How do you celebrate Christmas?  Do you wake up early and open presents?  Do you get dressed up and attend a worship service?  Do you share a huge meal with your friends and family?  Do you watch replays of “It’s A Wonderful Life” or “The Christmas Story”?  There is no one right way to enjoy the day, but the one thing that we hope for all of you is that you have a happy and joyous season.  We are grateful that you are in our lives and relish the impact you have made on us.  We pray that the God who sent His Son onto this earth will be successful in placing His Spirit into your heart, mind and soul.    On the day of Jesus’ birth, the heavens came to life, “ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ’ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14).  No matter whether you believe Jesus was born this time of year or not, we wa...

So what are we going to do to help our neighbor today?  For the last several weeks there has been a push to do be good and do good to our neighbors.  Interestingly, this doesn’t have to stop on December 26.  We haven’t been caring enough through the last few weeks to carry us through to next Thanksgiving – our desire to help others should know no season! You may be thinking that I am a bit harsh coming off of the holiday season where people are typically their most generous; but I hope I don’t come across that way.  My message is that we CAN be good and generous all year long.  We don’t need a holiday or even a reason for a season of kindness – we can (and should) practice it every day of the year.   Let me ask a question – did you like the way you felt as you laid your head down on your pillow on Christmas Eve?  Did you feel satisfied that you had made a difference in the lives of your community?  If so, you can have that feeling every day just b...

For some reason, I am one of those last minute shoppers.  I know I could go out and buy gifts anytime during the year, but there is something special to me about spending during the holiday season.  I have been known to wait until Christmas Eve to make my selections.  After reading the preceding confession I don’t know if it is procrastination rather than making the most of the season.  Either way, even though I tend to wait until the last minute, I usually accomplish what I set out to do.    We live in a time when planning and preparation are virtues, but we must keep in mind that the name of the game is accomplishing the goal even if we push it to the last minute.  Interestingly, this isn’t just true in holiday shopping, it can be just as important in other aspects of our lives.  Jesus told a parable about some day laborers that had been contracted for a particular wage.  Some of them worked all day for the pay, while others worked a signif...

Last week was a good week for our church.   We took part in housing the homeless at the building during the evenings.   It was a church wide effort that could not have been pulled off by just a few.   Dozens of people pitched in and helped make the week safe for a vulnerable population in our community.   Through it all, I didn’t hear any complaining from the members of our congregation.   Even when things didn’t go the way we thought they would (or should), people just did what needed to be done.     The reason I bring this up is two-fold.   First, I am thankful for and proud of my church family.   They are a giving group who demonstrates their love for their neighbors.   Second, an incredible thing happened throughout the week.   As long as we were busy working, people seemed to be full of energy and enthusiasm.   Even though a lot of people put in a lot of hours (many of which were outside their typical “awake hours”) they...

What is your favorite Christmas song?   For some, it might be a traditional hymn.   For others, it might even be pop song that they heard on the radio as they grew up.   Still, others, might like something a little more Avant Garde, like “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” or “Rusty Chevrolet” by the Da Yoopers.   (That last one is a shout-out to my friends from Michigan.)   As I look back at my own Christmas music catalogue my favorite Christmas song is “The Christmas Song” (the version by Nat King Cole).   In his snapshot of the holiday season Mel Torme paints an incredible picture of the joy and peacefulness of this time of year.   Whether it is the smell of chestnuts roasting on an open fire or the feel of Jack Frost nipping at our noses, this is a special time of year.   As we approach the final weekend before Christmas, let’s not get so wrapped up in the stress of the week that we forget to stop and listen for the sound of yuletide caro...

How many urgent messages do you get in your email?  It seems like just about every day I am getting a message marked “Urgent”.  While most of them are just sales ploys to get me to open the message and read it, but every once in a while I will get something that is legitimate and some of them are even urgent.  Typically, these messages outline the need to do something because a deadline is approaching.  Again, there are times when even these are just a ploy to get my attention (and my action), but there are times when they are true and there is a need to act.   As I thought about this, I wondered if there shouldn’t be some passages of scripture marked “Urgent” in the Bible.  Sure, everything in there is important, but there are some things that should get and hold our attention because they are pressing – they need attention and need it now!  One of the verses I think should be marked as urgent is Paul’s message, “For the Lord Himself will de...

This time next week there will be a lot of excitement.  Some of the thrill will come from the giving and receiving of presents.  However, many others will be taking the time to remember the coming of Jesus to earth.  Traditionally, a lot of people have focused on the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season.  While I am not sure about the historical accuracy of Jesus being born on December 25, I do like the idea that people from all over the world are taking the time to remember the birth of our Savior.  Now, here is where I am going to deviate from tradition a bit.  Why are we waiting until next Wednesday to express our thanksgiving for the birth of Jesus?  Why not do it today or July 25 or any other day of the year?  The coming of the Savior is worth remembering and celebrating every day of the year.   The other day I heard the old spiritual, “Go Tell It On The Mountain” (I think it was Smokey Robinson’s version) and was struck by the s...