Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,
We were late in putting up Christmas decorations in our home this year because of travels. But, on Saturday, December 21, some of our “Rockey clan” went to the “Moose Range” for our annual family tradition of cutting a Christmas tree for our home. We had never harvested our own tree in Florida. But, in 1991, our first winter in Alaska, we cut our own tree and it has been a family tradition ever since. Then the following Monday, before a second family Christmas cookie baking party, Kathy and I put up Christmas decorations. We put out manger scenes (I counted 17 of them when Kaycee Nufer was visiting.) We also decorated our Christmas tree.
Another of our Rockey family Christmas traditions is that I have given Kathy a dated Christmas ornament every year since we were married. Most of these ornaments have scenes on them from the Christmas story – more manger scenes. As we were decorating this year’s tree I looked at the ornaments and saw some we bought our first Christmas we were married in 1977. I also noticed ornaments from 1980, from 1981, and from 1982. You can imagine that after 42 years that’s a lot of ornaments! Each ornament carries it’s own story. We purchased this year’s dated ornaments in Germany.
Those ornaments from the 1980’s remind us of, among other things, the birth of our first two children, Josh and Andy. Kathy was 8 months pregnant at Christmas in 1980 when that year’s dated ornament was first placed on our tree. Christmas 1981 was Josh’s first Christmas. And, in 1982 Kathy was 8 ½ months pregnant with Andy. Putting up these ornaments reminds us of earlier Christmas blessings and joys.
So, I was on a ladder and Kathy had her hands full as she approached the tree with a number of these memories of Christmas past. Unfortunately, I then heard a crash and, “Oh no!” Kathy dropped the ornament from 1982. It was partially made of glass, the bottom of which shattered. She commented with resignation, “Oh well, the ornament is broken, but we’re still here!” However, even though it was broken you could still see the message of the ornament. It held it’s shape. So, we still hung what was left of the ornament on our tree. After all, 1982 was a good year. (Sigh!)
The truth is each of us is like that ornament. We are all broken. God made us beautiful, individuals created with love and purpose. But, in our rebellious hearts, in our selfish nature, we have broken the beautiful people God made us to be. Have you ever hurt another person in a moment of angry words? Have you ever hurt yourself by giving in to sinful passions? Have you ever doubted God’s love and missed fulfilling the purpose God has for your life? Unfortunately it is true; we are all broken.
So, listen to the words of the angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream and helped this righteous man grasp what God was doing that first Christmas. “18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’" (Matthew 1:18-21)
That ornament from 1982 will never be the same again. The broken pieces of glass are in the bottom of our trash can. But, God sent His son, Jesus, to save His broken children from their sins. Even though we have broken God’s beloved creation, He still loves us and sent Jesus to forgive us in this life, and to give us eternal life in heaven, totally renewed as His children. As the angel told Joseph about our greatest Christmas gift, “he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
We tell each other “Merry Christmas,” but life is not always merry. Yet, into our world of sin, of pain, of suffering, of death, our Heavenly Father sent His Son. Jesus came to share our suffering, to take our punishment , ultimately to die and to rise again. Jesus came to “save his people from their sins." May the love of God’s ultimate gift bring peace and joy into the struggles of your life. We may be broken people in a broken world. But God sent Jesus!
A Child of God, Rejoicing in the First and GREATEST Christmas Gift Ever,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here are some pictures from our Rockey Family Christmas traditions and observance.
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Rockey Family Christmas Tree Outing - https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q7rVAodWJVTMuV6J9
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One of many days of Christmas cookie baking - https://photos.app.goo.gl/KgnYKHYExAvwSGXQ6
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Some of our family at Christmas Eve worship at
St. John - https://photos.app.goo.gl/vbQH327p4mRiWyWc6
P.P.S. I did get out fishing on December 20. Here are a couple of pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6LedsBN9Zr2rERgK8
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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK. This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.” However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.” I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.
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