Perhaps you know
the secular Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” (Andy
Williams sings the most well-known version of this tune.) The Christmas holiday has been a special time
of joy in our culture with its Christian heritage. We have become used to special Christmas songs
and melodies-not all of them Christian. The smell of Christmas cookies and
other goodies enhances our homes. People
travel long distances so that families can gather. We give and receive gifts, with all the
anticipation that brings. Decorations
light the dark nights. No wonder people
think of this as a wonderful time of each year.
But, I sense a
different feeling in the air this year.
After almost 2 years of pandemic, people are weary and tired, and
perhaps a little grumpy. I have seen
many discouraged by the growing political divisions in our country. In addition, many have suffered significant personal
losses in the past year. So, at
Christmas, when so many others are trying to be “happy”, the depths of
depression and loss can seem more deep in comparison to the songs we hear and
the decorations we see. Personal losses
and struggles do not simply disappear with music and lights, or even with gifts.
But, while the
outward trappings of the season may not bring happiness, the reason for the
celebration does bring a deeper joy even in time of loss. Please think with me about the first
Christmas. Today people celebrate with
songs. The first songs of Christmas were
sung by an angel choir because Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a man by the
virgin, Mary. “Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke
2:14 KJV)
People
seek happiness in this season of darkness with decorations and lights. The first “light of Christmas” was the
Christmas star which called Magi from the east to Bethlehem, because Jesus, the
Son of God, the King of the Jews, the promised Messiah was born. “We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
(Matthew 2:2)
Families
gather at Christmas. But, it was Jesus’
birth which created the “holy family”. We
are told of the shepherds who heard the angel choir, “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying
in the manger.” (Luke 2:16)
The
giving of gifts does bring anticipation and excitement for Christmas day. But often the glee of a new possession fades. However, the best gift ever was the gift of
our Savior, Jesus, God who came to earth as a human to save us from judgment
and death for eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The happiness and
excitement of a holiday fade with the calendar.
Personal tragedies do overwhelm the melodies and decorations and the
goodies. But in God’s gift of His Son, Jesus,
our Lord offers us eternal joy.
If
your holiday seems dreary this year, and as I say, I have sensed that among my
friends and contact, if your trials are bringing your spirits down, if the
holiday festivities are not lifting you up, I encourage you to look to the
source of eternal peace and joy, God’s gift of His son, Jesus. Remember the words of the angel to the
shepherds. “10 . . . I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the
Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) God’s gift of our Savior brings much
more than momentary happiness. In Jesus,
God gives never-ending love, forgiveness, peace, joy, and eternal life. Those gifts do not fade, even when the storms
of life are real and fierce.
And, I have some
advice through personal experience. The
best place to find this Christmas, gift of Jesus joy is in worship. The focus in a Christian Christmas worship
service is on Jesus, God’s Christmas gift for us. In worship you will hear of the angel songs.
You will read about the Christmas star.
As God creates faith, you will receive the greatest gift of all, God’s Son,
your Lord and your Savior. In worship you
will spend time with God’s children, the family of God. The secular Christmas festivities might leave
you empty, down, and low. But, God
offers each of us His unfading love in the miraculous, wondrous birth of His
Son, Jesus. In a world full of sin and
pain, Jesus is “good news of great joy
for all the people.”
A Child of God, Discouraged
by the World Around Me, But Rejoicing in The Gift of God’s Son,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S.
St. John has many opportunities to prepare for and rejoice in the
Christmas gift of God’s Son Jesus.
·
A “Dinner Theater in Bethlehem” is offered for
worship this Wednesday, December 15, at 6:30 p.m.
·
Sunday, December 19, worship will consider the
message of the angel Gabriel to Jesus’ mother, Mary, found in Luke 1:26-39.
·
Next Tuesday, December 21, at 6:30 p.m. St. John
will offer a “Blue Christmas” Observance on the day of longest darkness, the
winter solstice. This service is
intended to offer God’s comfort for any who have suffered any loss.
·
On Christmas Eve, Friday December 24, St. John
offers 3 candlelight services, at 6, 8, and 10 p.m.
·
On Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of
Jesus at 11:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, with the Lord’s Supper.
·
On the Sunday after Christmas, there is only one
service at 10:00 a.m.
COME AND RECEIVE THE ETERNAL GIFT OF GO’S
LOVE IN JESUS.
P.P.S.
In the spirit of Christmas worship,
Kathy and I were truly blessed by the St. John Sunday School Christmas program
this past Sunday, December 12. Here are
a few pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/vyYt91rSimpEtZ898
P.P.P.S
Kathy and I have enjoyed a week back in Alaska.
Here is a look at our yearly Christmas tree cutting trip, a fishing trip
with family, and some beautiful Alaska scenery. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ytBAn76jVhe2szMY9
P.P.P.P.S. I got to thinking of some Christmas
music. Here are some of my favorites.
Faith
Based Christmas Songs –
·
Mary Did you Know? Kathy Mattea - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwJTIhbYt0s
·
In the Bleak Mid-Winter - Carol’s from King’s College 2020 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTzqMi2AQF8
·
“Where Are You Christmas?” Faith Hill –
recommended by friend, Pastor Kalvin Waetzig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmGSHZYZ74c&list=RDnmGSHZYZ74c&start_radio=1
Secular
Christmas Songs –
·
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” - Andy Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic
·
The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKhRnZZ0cJI
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at
the end of August 2019 from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran
Church in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously
entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." When I retired
many asked me to continue writing these devotions. So I have continued
writing. However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys
Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior
pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who
asked to receive it. (Though I am now serving again part-time at St. John
as assistant to the pastor.)
So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you
understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish
to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my
distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our
Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father,
Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus,
St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
No comments:
Post a Comment