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December

When I was in college, I had a classmate from Boston who told me about the bargain basement sale that was held before Christmas at the “Filene’s” Department Store downtown.  When the doors opened on the first day, customers rushed through the place like stampeding cattle, and they descended the stairs like an avalanche.  My friend described a scene of two angry customers who played tug of war with an item from the “delicates” section, each determined to force the other to let go of what they both wanted.  It was roller derby without the skates.  It was no place for the faint of heart to do their Christmas shopping.  Eventually, the store went out of business.  I wonder if the Christmas violence led to its demise.  I’ve since talked to other folks who have worked in other stores, and they have the same kind of stories to tell too.  These are their “special memories of Christmas” in retail land…talk about ungodly!

What makes Christmas special to you?  Would you be able to have a Merry Christmas without boxes of presents without your name on them?  Would you be able to have a Merry Christmas serving dinner to the homeless?  What if you didn’t have a tree in your living room or lights festooned around your house?

Somehow Christmas has become more about things to acquire and less about relationships to be nurtured and strengthened.  We are into the “gift wrappings” rather than the “gift” of Jesus Christ.  Where is Christ for you in Christmas?

On December 25th, we celebrate the birth of one who came to transform the world by transforming our souls.  Even our secularistic society has the bedrock of its moral values in Christian teaching.  It just doesn’t recognize that fact.  A missionary who was writing a letter back to his sponsoring denomination made this comment, “One does not know what Christianity is till he goes where it isn’t.”

When I think of my classmate’s “Filene’s Basement” story, I am reminded that we don’t have to look far at all to see where Christianity isn’t.  There are times when I see its absence in my own reactions and attitudes.  I’ll guess it’s the same for you.  Yet, here we are, people who call ourselves Christians. Can anyone tell that we are?

I’m not saying we get rid of the tree, the tinsel or the toys.  That doesn’t prove anything to anyone, especially God.  The best way to celebrate the birth of Christ is by showing that Christ is alive in our hearts.  Ask yourself, “If Christ is alive in me, what can I do to give the love of Christ to someone else?

“Same Kind of Different As Me” is the true story of Denver Moore an illiterate, antisocial, homeless man who finds himself totally transformed by a wealthy suburbanite husband and wife:  Deb and Ron Hall, who gave themselves in service to the street people of Fort Worth, Texas.  Denver Moore was so transformed by this that several years later, when Deborah Hall died, he was able to minister powerfully to her grieving husband, Ron.  Both of these men showed each other the difference Christ made, because Christ was alive in them.

As our 275th Anniversary year draws to a close, we must live as individuals and as a church that shows that Christ came into the world not only in a manger, but that he comes into the world through our hearts and through our words and deeds as his disciples.  If we celebrate Christmas in that way; then the people of Trinity (Great Swamp) Church will be celebrating it for years to come and others will join us to celebrate Christ in the same way too.  Merry Christmas!

Yours in Christ,

Christmas:  A Time to Give Back

I am sure that most, if not all, of you take this holiday season to give to those less fortunate.  David and I give to local charities but we also have another tradition in our family this season.  Tessa gets to pick out a gift (usually medicine or a farm animal) from an international charity’s catalogue.  Specifically, we look at World Vision or Heifer International (www.worldvisiongifts.org or www.Heifer.org).  Both of these organizations have been around for a long time and (compared to other charities) have a high percentage of money that goes directly into helping families overcome poverty.

And, the bonus in getting your kids to pick out the gift (i.e. seeing the picture of a child smile over getting some chickens) is that it teaches them to APPRECIATE all that they have.  How many times does that happen!

The first Christmas changed the world.  We cannot even imagine doing that, but maybe our small gifts can help to change one person’s life.

Christmas Blessings to you all,