Dear Fellow Children of God,
We have been in the pre-Christmas and Christmas season
for quite a while. If you go by the
church calendar, there are four Sundays of Advent before Christians celebrate
the indescribable joy of God’s gift of His Son, our Savior, with worship on Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day. And, if you shop,
decorations have been up and carols have been playing through the speakers in
stores since November 1, right after Halloween.
So my question is, after the presents under the tree are opened, after
Christmas worship is completed, is Christmas over?
The truth is, the surprising gift of love found in the
manger is reason for praise and celebration forever. Jesus is God Himself who left heaven, who became
a man to bring more than a single day of joy for sinners in this world. The gift from our Lord, begun at Christmas
and completed in the empty tomb, gives ETERNAL LIFE. Into a world of sin and death, God overcomes these
enemies of ours with the forgiveness and the life He gives in Jesus. God’s Christmas gift continues eternally,
so the Lord’s grace and love are worth celebrating more than just one day.
I expect you’ve heard the Christmas song, “The Twelve
Days of Christmas.” Because of the eternal
gift which God gives to all the world at Christmas, the Christian church has
celebrated Jesus’ birth as a twelve-day season from Christmas Day, December 25,
to the celebration of the magi on Epiphany, January 6. Therefore, I ask you another question, how
will you observe Christmas on December 27? How will you celebrate God’s gift of
love on December 30? On January 2? On
January 5?
I recently received a text message from St. John member,
Carol Gustafson, asking for the address of a St. John member whose health has
recently declined, and who is now being cared for outside her own home. Christmas will be difficult for this elderly
child of God this year, as it often is for many. You understand why this is. In a season when so many other people
celebrate with joy, and with gatherings of worship and of family, sometimes the
circumstances of life bring grief, bring sadness, even bring depression. Yes, God’s love in Jesus brings eternal joy,
but any of us can forget and have forgotten this joy when life breaks in. And this year with coronavirus changing our lives,
it is even difficult to visit those who are alone. Personally, I can share that, even with a
large family, Kathy and I are not seeing our kids or grandkids as much this
year. I miss them! If the virus is causing more isolation for
those of us with family nearby, what happens to those who do not have close
family and friends, and who cannot get out?
Yes, life may break in and bring loneliness and sorrow to
folks in this world. But, the joy of
Christmas is that the love of God breaks into our troubled lives. The love of God, found in the Christ child, is
God’s solution for the pain caused by the sin and grief and suffering of this
world.
So, a great way for God’s people to celebrate Christmas
is to bring that joy of Jesus to others.
Carol will be sending a card to our elderly member to let her know that
she is not forgotten. She is sending a
card to assure this fellow Christian that she is not only loved by God, but she
is also loved by Christ’s people. With
that prompting from Carol, the staff of St. John signed and sent cards to 18 of
our families who might be more homebound this Christmas than in previous years.
How will you celebrate God’s gift of love, not just on
Christmas Day, but for the whole joyful season?
Do you know someone who is alone?
Do you know someone who can’t get out of their home as they might have
done in previous years? Do you know
someone who needs to know that others do care for them? Since the season of Christmas officially lasts
12 days, we can send cards, even after December 25. I personally receive greetings after
Christmas Day every year. Maybe a card
received after Christmas by someone who feels forgotten will make an even
bigger impression. Maybe, if you can’t
visit because of the virus, you could still make a phone call. A caring and friendly voice goes a long way! Perhaps some folks can be visited, or invited
to your home for coffee, or even for a meal.
Or, and you knew I might suggest this, maybe a lonely person
would like to do something outside, maybe even go fishing with you. 😊
God gives us the greatest gift ever in the birth of Jesus. The best way to celebrate this Christmas love
of our Lord is not so much found in receiving, but in giving. How can you give to others the love Jesus has
shown to you? Personally, I’m making a
list of people to call. I care about
them. I know this year is especially tough
because of the isolation. Best yet, not
only do I care for them, but Jesus loves for them. Jesus left heaven for us. Jesus died and rose for us. Our Lord gives HIMSELF! He gives us His own Son!
May the gift of God’s sacrificial, overwhelming love, so
fill your heart this Christmas that it spills over and blesses others! Merry Christmas!!
A Child of God, Praying that God’s Love in Jesus Spills
over From my Life to Bless Others!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Some exciting things are happening around St. John.
·
Here are pictures of the newly re-organized bell
choir practicing on Sunday, December 20.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4WAiVEVVdtmSXJtK8
·
Here are some pictures from Confirmation classes
on Wednesday, December 16. https://photos.app.goo.gl/P1Vz1pH1eLA5F2kY7
P.P.S. We had a
beautiful snow fall and woke up to a newly white yard on December 23, 2 days
before Christmas. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HTNQkWaYxceG4e1dA
P.P.P.S. I did go
fishing on Monday, December 21 with Rod Christiansen. The bite started out slowly, but we both ended
up catching our limit of 5 rainbow trout each.
Here are pictures of that trip. https://photos.app.goo.gl/r2NDxcPMWQmKPEd17
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired from serving as
senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK. My weekly
devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."
However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "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. I will
include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my
Facebook page.
HOWEVER,
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY
DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for
them, many are no longer receiving these messages. BUT, if you read this
on Facebook and would like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know
someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at
jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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