From the Pastor's Desk

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With the biggest part of my chores list complete, with the coming and going of the parade, and the parties, with the cookies baked, and the cards sent, I take a breath and turn my thoughts away from the realm of presents and carols to the contemplation of Spiritual matters. 

As I sit at my trusty computer, with no more thoughts about what tasks lay before me, I turn my energies to a meager thought or two.  Every thought of mine seems to take the form of a single question, after all my tasks are done, is there any room left for Christ in my Christmas?  Have I filled my Christmas season with the ponderings of Christ, or are they filled with the ponderings of the next big meeting or event?  Have I allowed him center stage of our house, of our time, of our family, or have I once again relegated him to the stable?  Is there any room for Jesus at my Inn, or do I send him away once again to dwell merely in my garage?

As I gaze at the all too familiar text of our Lord’s birth, I cannot help but notice that nothing seems to change much.  Jesus still wants to move into my house, but the all too familiar circumstance, is that with my life so full of worldly stuff, not much of anything remains for him.  But the more I come to study and read the story we all know by heart, the more I notice, that while the birth of our savior began with the meager trappings of a stable, a manger and bands of cloth, this story does not end that way.

The story of this one small, vulnerable boy-child turns out to be the one story which changes the fate of the world.  This one boy grows up to be a man whose death, resurrection and ascension, does as the great hymn states, opens up the life gate that all may go in.  What started off as a small insignificant mustard seed, ends up as the largest bush, where we might have shelter and eternal life. 

Now while we might have very little room for Christ in our Christmas now, this man will continue his work in us, so that we will care less and less for the worldly Christmas, and care more and more for the Godly Christmas.  This he promised to us.

So as you ponder once again the meaning of Christmas, let us continue to trust in the promise of God that this one man, who was born to live, die and live again in our place, this one man came not only to satisfy our guilt but he also came to transform us into the human being he already is.  Let us hear the promise of Christ that he will finish what he began in Bethlehem and present us pure and whole to his Father on the Last Day.  Let us once again hear the promise of Christ-mas, and bring Jesus out of the barn or garage and give him room in our homes. 

I pray that God may grant you a time of rich, spirit-filled blessings this Christmas season and a year of grace, peace and joy!  To God be the Glory!  Alleluia, Alleluia!

In Christ,

Rev. Mark