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 Resources From the Pastor December 2004
From the Pastor
December 2004
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us..."
-- Isaiah 9:6
STOP! If you are thinking about taking down all your Christmas decorations, please read on a bit
before you do so!
It happens year after year, and every year I find myself more and more frustrated. "Commercial Christmas"
begins as soon as the Halloween constumes and candy are taken off the store shelves, and it ends abruptly
on 26 December, when store shelves are filled with hearts of varying kinds, candy, and sweetly smiling
Cupids. The true Christmas season has barely begun, and the merchants are already pushing us toward St.
Valentine's Day.
It is easy to get caught up in the spirit of the holiday season in November and December, as the world
around us rushes to decorate and celebrate. Trees and lights go up as soon as the last football game is
over on Thanksgiving Day (if not before); Christmas carols can be heard in every store (and 24 hours a
day on some radio stations! How many versions of White Christmas and Frosty the Snowman
can a person stand??); cookies and other treats abound; frazzled shoppers prowl area malls in search
of the ever-elusive "perfect" gift. Christmas is all around us. It is everywhere as the world trims
itself for the festive season. The world parties, sings, and celebrates--but the Church remains strangely
subdued and quiet.
Every church-goer has no doubt heard many times that Advent is a time of preparation; it is a time to
look forward to the birth of the Messiah, and to prepare our hearts to welcome him. The Church, during
those four weeks, tries to keep the focus on waiting, watching, and anticipating--as the world goes about
celebrating at full tilt. The lessons, hymns, and sermons of the Advent season are intended to heighten
the anticipation, to draw the listener into thoughtful contemplation and preparation.
Finally, Christmas arrives with a flourish, and the Church's celebration begins. At last the beloved,
familiar hymns proclaim the Messiah's birth, the lessons tell the wonderful story, and joy and
enthusiasm are abundant. For the Church, the time has come...but the world is strangely quiet.
Where did they go, that enthusiasm and joy that has been so obvious in the world during these past weeks?
For some, Christmas ends on Christmas Day and the festivities seem to be over as soon as the last shred
of wrapping paper has been torn from the last gift. Trees disappear, lights come down, and people begin
to look forward to the round of parties that accompanies New Year's Eve.
And again, the Church seems to be lagging behind. Our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ begins
on 25 December and lasts until Epiphany on 6 January. If you do not already do so, I encourage you to
hold on to Christmas for just a little longer. Don't pack away those decorations yet. Enjoy those beloved
songs and hymns. Keep greeting people with "Merry Christmas!" You may get some strange looks, but what
a wonderful way to witness in the world!
It is Christmas. Enjoy it! Valentine's Day will be here soon enough.
In Christ,
Pastor Brenda
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