CHRISTMASTIDE

d365.org PRESENCE OF GOD  (Isaac Watts)
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing!  

SATURDAY, January 5
"Getting Dressed"
Colossians 3:12-14,17 (The Message)
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Get up and out of bed. 
Get dressed. 
What shall I wear? 
I have choices, you know!
Should I put on Conceit or Contempt today?
I feel like wearing my little Arrogance hat. 
It's cold outside. 
I'll put on my Coat of Indifference. 
And shield myself  from the chill of the world. 

Christmas is over. A new year begun. 
Christmas should make a difference. 
Christmas should change what I wear.  
God gave me new clothes for Christmas!
I have a new coat - COMPASSION!
I have a new hat - HUMILITY!
I can put on a new sweater of STRENGTH,
And pants of PATIENCE.  
Each gift comes with the LOVE Label -
A God-garment woven with threads of love. 
I can bundle up in love, 
Wrap love around my neck, 
Tuck my hands and head in love
And venture out into the cold,
With overflowing love to share
And warm the chill of the world.

Christmas means a new wardrobe. 
What are YOU wearing today?
You have a choice, you know. 

FRIDAY, January 4
"Growing Up"
Luke 2:52 (Good News Translation)
Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favor with God and people.
     Many years ago I asked my then 75-year-old mother, 'When did you feel grown up?'  She replied, 'When my mother died.'  I decided that I immediately wasn't in any hurry to BE grown-up!  

     Growing is something we do ALL of our life.  Physically we mature around 14-20, and hopefully don't spend the rest of our life growing OUT rather than UP!  The physical growth is the easy part of maturity.  Growing spiritually and mentally, in wisdom of God and the world, is another matter.  Just because we complete our formal education, doesn't mean learning stops. Wisdom is gained through experience and interaction with the world, through observation.  Spiritual growth continues through new challenges and service, through study and sharing with others.  
      Jesus grew, gaining favor with God and people.  Am I asking God to be a part of my growth?    Am I pleasing to others as I strive to grow in wisdom and maturity?  
      Despite what my mother said, I don't think we EVER are 'all grown up'.  Not in this life anyway.  There is always more to learn, more to explore, and new opportunities to serve!  


THURSDAY, January 3
"Listen First"
Luke 2:46-50 (Good News Translation)

 On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions.  All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.”

 He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand his answer.

    Where's Jesus?  His parents found him, of all places, at the Temple!  Of course!  In his Father's house! We should find Jesus today living in our churches and cathedrals, our houses of worship!  Perhaps, but some of our churches have lost Jesus as well amid division, conflict, and misdirection.  Perhaps we need to expand our search!  
    And what was the twelve year old Jesus doing?  Listening, asking questions, and listening more.  The teachers were awed by the depth of his understanding and his responses, but FIRST he listened.   Could we learn the same approach?   To admit we don't know it all and listen with humility? Patience?   It will take a willingness to realize that learning may come from unexpected people - not the teachers and preachers.
    What might I learn today, and from whom?  Am I willing to talk less and listen? To question?  To learn?
   

        WEDNESDAY, January 2
"Where's Jesus?"
Luke 2:43-45  (The Message)
When it [Passover] was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.

     Where's Waldo? books.  Finding Nemo movies. As a society, we do considerable looking for missing people and things.  We lose track of important matters in the chaos of our lives. Finding Jesus in the crowd of travelers would be much like searching in a Waldo book with hundreds of figures, animals, and the dry terrain.   I can imagine Mary and Joseph putting out a 'Jesus' Alert for their son!
     Have we lost Jesus today?  Only if we lose sight of him in the midst of the crowd.  Only if we keep looking in the wrong places and in the wrong faces. We might need to look beyond the familiar crowd of family and friends.  We might need to look beyond the wealthy and powerful.  We will perhaps find Jesus in the most unexpected places, among surprising, humble faces.  
    There is still a star guiding our way. We must actively continue the search.   Where will you and I find Jesus today? 


TUESDAY, January 1 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Matthew 25:37-40 (The Message)
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
A new year stretches ahead, Lord. 
A year of opportunities. 
A year of challenges. 
A year of the unknown.
But a year with you.
God with us. 
God among us. 
May I use the opportunities for service 
To see your face in those around me
Who long for a warm meal, 
   a soft touch, 
   a pillow for their head.
May I be challenged to seek the 'least of these'
And make them my friends. 
As you are my friend. 
May I travel beyond my comfortable life
To the unknown glory of a life lived in your service. 
So that I might be as God among us. 
And do your work...in your name. 
A new year stretches ahead, Lord.
Walk with me 
And use me. 
Amen.   

MONDAY, December 31
"Right Times"
Eccesiastes 3:1-8 (The Message)

There’s an opportune time to do things, 

a right time for everything on the earth: 

A right time for birth and another for death,

A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer....

Good times and bad times,

Prosperity and struggle,
Triumph and challenge,

Healing and disease,

Laughter and lament,
Life and death.

A right time for everything. 

Emmanuel. 

God is with us. 

God is among us. 

In good times and bad,

In praise and entreaty,
In song and sorrow, 

God is holding us. 

A right time for God. 

Always. 

Forever. 

     It is the last day of the year.  A time for reflection?  What were the years 'seasons'?  The highs and the lows?  Everyone has them - they are a part of life.  Where and when did we see God at work?  How did we respond to God?  Where did we serve as the hands of God?  As we reflect, what changes might we make together with God to help us better acknowledge 'God with us'?  Changes that might help us better 'prepare Him room' in our hearts and our lives?  

     Happy New Year.  Happy New Life.  Happy Emmanuel.  

SUNDAY, December 30
"Heaven and Nature Sing!"
Psalm 148:1-5  (The Message)

Hallelujah!
Praise God from heaven,
    praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
    praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
    praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
    praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
    he spoke the word, and there they were!

      Christmastide!  -  A liturgical period of celebration and joy between the birth of our Savior and the arrival of the magi on Epiphany!  Today's scripture (and I added Psalm 150 to the list) reminds us that all earth, all creation, is involved in the celebration.  All earth must prepare to receive the King!    

   Two thousand (give or take) years ago, the Christmas story involved celestial bodies of stars, skies of angels, sheep, camels, and the animals of the stable.  ALL creation was involved in the coming of Christ; all creation must be included today in the praise - and the salvation as well!   
     Join today with the created world in celebration of God's gift!!  Rejoice in the beauty of the snowflake, the glory of sunrise and sunset, the warmth of sunlight; the magic of the creatures surrounding us.  Rejoice, receive, and shower our God with praise!   

LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

d365.org PRESENCE OF GOD  (Amy Butler)
Love will not be denied, will not be shut out.
Love overcomes every barrier.
Love is here for you now. Drop your defenses and open now your heart.
Love is here. 
Love is HERE!

SATURDAY, December 29
"Hit the Road, Jack!"
Isaiah 62:10-12 (The Message)
Walk out of the gates. Get going!
    Get the road ready for the people.
Build the highway. Get at it!
    Clear the debris,
    hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!
Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:
    “Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he’d do,
    prepared to complete what he promised.’”
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,
    Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.

     Our exchange student son, Jack, is preparing to depart today along with Luke to return to the west side of the state.  Jack will fly home to Denver from there.  All week Jack has been quipping the phrase, "Hit the road, Jack!" when we are getting ready to go somewhere!  I lay in bed this morning and thought, I want to draw a scribble today with a car loaded up high with 'Christmas' as a prayer for safe travels.  I wondered as I got out of bed if the scripture would 'match'.  As only God works, it does!!  
     As the Saturday after Christmas, today will be a choice day for travel -   people heading back to their everyday lives after a break time for family and celebration.  Highways and sky-ways will be busy, hopefully cleared of snow and storm.  Will the manger be traveling as well, carefully placed in suitcase or car trunk, ready for use?  Will all the travelers be taking the best gift they received home with them?  Will they freely let the straw fall along the way, spreading a bit of Christmas hope wherever they go?  
     As we 'hit the road' of our lives, may we take the manger with us, openly and expansively sharing the message of Christmas.  Safe travels for all! 

d365.org BENEDICTION (Amy Butler)
Live into the love God is bringing.
Love in ways that test the vast expanse of God's gift, 
Limit yourself only to sharing God's gift with profusion.
Love is here.
Love is HERE! 


FRIDAY, December 28
"Now What?"
Titus 2:11-12 (The Message)
God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now...
     Christmas is over. Presents are unwrapped. Leftovers are eaten.  Company departed.  Pack up the Santas and snowmen.  Toss the needle-dropping tree out on the sidewalk.   Write thank you notes.  Take down the lights and the dried, brittle wreaths. Box up the nativity scenes, carefully wrapping every baby Jesus gently in tissue.  Get the house back in order.    Whew!
     Now what?  What do we DO with the amazing gift we have been given?  Do we REALLY put God away with the manger scene?  What difference does Christmas make anyway?  We celebrate EVERY year.  Surely something great comes from this annual ritual.  
     Ritual -  going through the motions without any real change.  Is that how we treat Christmas?  Is that how we welcome God into our world?
     "This new life is starting right now..."  writes Eugene Peterson in The Message.  Today.  This moment is the beginning of the Christmas transformation for our world.  We can't pack God away, we can't put our life in 'order'.  God means change.  God means constant life-altering upheaval. We live in constant "Christmas chaos"!    May we pick one small action to get started in the Christmas change;  one small act of sharing the Good News, of extending  gospel love to another in need.  
     Don't pack God away with the Christmas decorations. Don't allow God to become an annual ritual.  DAILY unwrap and bless another with the most precious gift under the tree. 

THURSDAY, December 27
"Fear Not!"
Luke 2:8-12 (The Message)
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

      Fear not!?  The angels have to be kidding!  We are standing around in our job and suddenly the skies erupt in song and ethereal beings shout out news, and we aren't to shake a little in apprehension and alarm?   Anyone would tremble with terror!  This is not a normal proclamation of impending change from the priests or prophets.  This is coming from angels to blue-collar workers!   
     And Change usually brings Fear along as its sidekick.  Sometimes we are so willing to stick with the status-quo, even when it is less than desirable, because the fear of the 'unknown' is too strong.  What would the Christmas story be if the shepherds had given in to their fears and stayed on the hillside, silent and trembling?  What if the magi had let fear prevent them from traveling to a  strange and distant  land?  What would be left of the greatest event the world has seen if Joseph had allowed his fears concerning Mary's strange pregnancy alter his actions? 
      God has come.  God is among us.  A Savior is born.  Change is in the air.  Change is in our hearts.  Change can be scary!  Let us 'Fear not!'  Let us open ourselves to the miracle of change that God can work within and through us.  Let us open ourselves fearlessly to God living among us.      


WEDNESDAY, December 26
"CHRIST-LIGHT!"
Isaiah 9:2-3 (The Message)
The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
    light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
    you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
    Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
    sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
Winter darkness.
Short days. Long nights. 
Storm clouds of strife and conflict. 
Thick fogs of confusion and misunderstanding 
Darkness of despair within our world, 
Within our hearts. 
And then.....a tiny light. 
A pinprick glow from a humble birth.
And it changes everything. 
We put lights on a tree. 
Lights rim our windows. 
Lights mark our homes 
To pierce the darkness
And remind us of that birth. 
Christmas!  A festival celebration!
Sharing gifts among family and friends.
Sharing greetings with strangers. 
A sharing of the Light within the darkness. 
Peace of the Light!
Hope from the Light!
Joy within the Light! 
Love through the Light 
For the world of winter darkness -  
Christmas! 
Christ-Light is born!
Christ-Light has come!  

Last Friday I wrote of family gatherings and Christmas celebrations and how to keep the newborn baby as the central focus. Today I share the following poem, written as a response to our Christmas day 'plan of action'.  As background information,  there are over 30 nativity scenes scattered throughout our home.  Thirteen of them have "removable" infant Jesus figurines and/or mangers.  All thirteen have been sans the 'star of the show' until Christmas Eve.   

GOD AMONG US

Christmas Eve.

A gathering of our faith family.

Especially those alone this night.

The flame of Christmas Eve service candles 

still warm in our hearts. 

What do we find?

Baby Jesus in the nut dish!

Baby Jesus tucked among the napkins.

Baby Jesus on a tray of sweet desserts or

       among warm drinks on this cold night.

God among us. 

God within us.
God surrounding us.

Welcoming the lonely.

Welcoming friends.
Welcoming family.

We put Baby Jesus into the mangers.

Christ is born!

Hallelujah!

Christmas morning.

Packages under the tree.

Gifts from the magi

     for the newborn King. 

Gift for Jed of music and art

     for a struggling child lost in despair.

God among us.  A baby Jesus is tucked inside.

Gift for Luke of mosquito nets

     for a family fighting malaria.

God among us.  Put Jesus into the manger.

Gift for Jack of medical supplies

     for a world weakened with disease.

God among us. 

Fill the mangers with the baby.

More gifts for the family…

More packages to open.

All with the baby waiting to come

     to his manger,

All with a gift of love for another on his behalf,

God among us. 

Christmas dinner.

A festive meal!

A birthday cake!

Whose birthday is it?

The question is asked! 

Happy Birthday, Jesus! 

Celebrate!

God among us! 

What is Christmas REALLY? 

Not the tinsel or sparkling lights,

Not Santa or elves, eggnog or mistletoe.

Christmas is Christ –

God among us!

Celebrate! 

TUESDAY, December 25
"Welcome Neighbor"
John 1:14 (The Message)
The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish.

     No long message this morning.  Not necessary. God has said it all.  In flesh and blood.  One of us.   God has moved in to live among us. God has moved in next door.  Welcome neighbor, Lord!  Welcome!  

Comments and scribble from Christmas Eve Service:
Just one verse describes the BIRTH of our Lord: She gave birth to her first born son, wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Just ONE verse.  
Swaddling a baby provides a comfort and connection from the womb to the world.  It is a transition.  Is Christ our swaddling cloths - our connection between heaven and earth?  Perhaps this one verse is all we need.  










MONDAY, December 24   
"Reversals"
Luke 1:46-55 (Selections from The Message)
I’m bursting with God-news;
    I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
    I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!.....
His mercy flows in wave after wave
    on those who are in awe before him......
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
    pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
    the callous rich were left out in the cold.
Tiny Bethlehem, poor and lowly,
God chose you to birth a king. 
Young Mary, scared and shamed,
God chose for you a Savior. 
Israel fallen, rebellious and seeking
God chose you for his family. 
Sinners all, wandering alone.
God chooses us still today. 
God looks not for the powerful,
The wealthy or strong.
He works to reverse the standard
For the imperfect, the oppressed, and lowly. 
He comes for us!
He comes as a blessing in our imperfection. 
Come, Lord Jesus, come!  

    Do we live with the joy and hope that Jesus brings to us? Do we live, as Mary, with a song of praise on our lips?  Do we live with the same sense of reversal, of unity with God in our service among the poor and oppressed, the imperfect of the world?  Do we live remembering God is working through our OWN imperfections as well!??   
    Merry Christmas!  

(Since yesterday's sermon was on the same scripture passage, I will include the Sermon Scribble here as well!) 




SUNDAY, December 23
"Insignificant Heroes"
Micah 5:2, 4 (Good News Translation)
The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.....When he comes, he will rule his people with the strength that comes from the Lord and with the majesty of the Lord God himself.”

     How often do we exclaim when someone important or newsworthy is found to have come from a small town, often in a rural area?  Sports heroes, politicians, entertainers....grass-roots beginnings.  While I was born living in a small rural community, I grew up in Suburbia USA, with all the amenities and advantages available to me.  But having now lived and raised our family in a small town, I am sensitive when someone says, "Well, they are JUST from Eastern Oregon, nothing much good comes from out there." 
     Bethlehem was such a town.  Tiny and insignificant in the politics and history of Israel.  Except for one event, one world-changing event.  And isn't this how God chooses to operate time and time again?  Not through the powerful.  Not through the important.  But through insignificant and flawed people and lives.  In small, forgotten corners of the world.  In unlikely and surprising ways.  But always with LOVE.  
     Could you or I hold a Bethlehem within us?  Is God working to make us an insignificant hero of love somehow?  What is our Christmas GOD calling us to DO?  

d365.org BENEDICTION (Amy Butler)

Live into the love God is bringing.
Love in ways that test the vast expanse of God's gift, 
Limit yourself only to sharing God's gift with profusion.
Love is here.
Love is HERE!