The View from the Pulpit

The  Seasons  of  Advent  and  Christmas

ADVENT . . . a time of preparation            

                                            CHRISTMAS . . . a time of celebration

The Advent and Christmas Seasons of the Church Year are certainly an exciting time, with concerts, parties, programs, dinners, shopping, decorating, cards, etc. (the list is truly endless!).  In the hectic rush, it is important for us to remember that Advent prepares us for something: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!  Advent is a time to prepare – God’s great promises of a Savior are answered.  And Christmas is a time to celebrate more than just gifts and parties – it is the birth of God’s very own Son into human flesh, for you and for me and for all!  This Advent and Christmas, take time to be with your parish family as we prepare for, and celebrate, the birth of our Lord!

 

Oh, holy Babe of Mary, be my Savior and my King,

And make Thy infant glory, through this silent night to ring.

 

Return once more to Bethlehem, and take Thy rightful place,

As King of Christmas, God of Love, and manifest of grace.

 

And bring this world again a sense, of brotherhood and peace,

And let our faith and love, and not our properties, increase.

 

And when the eastern sunlight bids us, wake on Christmas morn,

Then let us each be unto Thee, an infant newly born.

                                                                            

Is it possible for Christians to joyfully celebrate the grand love of God at Christmas – and yet never share that love with others?  Is it possible for Christians to love the Lord and worship Him regularly – and yet fail to hear His words: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you!”  Is this really possible?

God tells us in His holy Word that He hears the cries of the oppressed – the hungry – the ill-clothed and ill-sheltered – the physically, emotionally and mentally ill – the despairing and the lonely – the refugee and the homeless – the orphan, and the widow and widower – from anyone who is hurting in any way!  And our Lord has an answer:  He has blessed His people (and that is you and me!) to be a blessing to others!  God has equipped His people (and remember, that is you and me!) to reach out in love, sharing both the Good News of salvation and our material blessings for the well-being of others!  That is an important way that God shows His love!  That is how we show our love for God and for others!

The Apostle John, writing to dear brothers and sisters in Christ, emphasizes this when he pens, “Yet I am writing to you a new command … We should love one another.”  [1 John 2:7; 3:11].  If there is one word that describes our great God, it is the word LOVE  [1 John 4:8].  And if there is any word that summarizes our Christian faith in action, it is the word LOVE.

In LOVE, we reach out to others, determined by the grace of God the ease the hurting others may feel and to share – by word and action – the Good News of God’s love.  “Thanks-living” is not just a nice Christian slogan:  it is a way of life for God’s people!  And I pray that as others view the Resurrection family, they might exclaim:  “My, how those Christians love each other and everyone!”

Pastor Hank

When the Christmas spirit springs to life, in the human heart each year,

The world becomes, for a little while, a haven of love and cheer.

The poor in body are clothed and fed, and lonely know once more,

The warmth of hearing a welcome knock, on a long too silent door.

For these few days we remember well, that all mankind is kin,

Bound by the love of the Babe who found, no room in that long ago inn.

But the days go by, and the spirit dies, so busy with living are we,

And the poor and lonely are left once more, in hunger and apathy.

I have been guilty too, God knows: Too busy to lend a hand,

Too busy to stop for a friendly chat, too busy to understand.

No more, no more let this happen to me, Dear Lord, I earnestly pray.

“Let me keep the Spirit the whole year through, as bright as it is today!”

                                                                                                Virginia Blanck Moore

                                                                        Advent and Christmas Greetings to you all!!

Pastor Hank