Christmas Blessing

I got up early this morning and started writing.  In fact, I've written and deleted at least three different posts for today.  I wanted to address current issues like Newtown, political issues like "the fiscal cliff," theological issues like the end of the world hype, and personal issues like surgery.  But, all the paragraphs sounded like the "Wa Wa Waaa" of Charlie Brown's teacher.

I've wasted a lot of time getting to the place where I write this Christmas blessing:

May Christ bless you with the ability to mourn with a pure heart, the confidence to face each day as a piece of eternity, and the humility to celebrate complete surrender to Him.

May Christ be the center of your celebration and reveal himself as present in each of your life moments and situations.

May Christ lead you to a place of calm and rest so that the warmth of his grace can be received for what it is - free.

May Christ show you his face through people who you share Christmas with and may he release you to love them the way that he does.

May you find a special encounter with Christ that brings a spark of growth to your soul and greater measure of anointing to your words.

May you have a Merry Christmas.

Pastor Dave    

Celebrating

It's Christmas.  Can I encourage you to try something?  Save the political and defensive banter about the growing trend of removing Christ from culture until after the season.

There's a news story every day about some atheist group flexing their muscles and it's really easy to buy into the fear and anger.  Did you know that Jesus doesn't need you to stick up for him?

There's a time and a place for policy and culture… but it's Christmas.  Let everyone else have the red-faced arguments.  Avoid standing in a hill of arrogance or a pit of discouragement because of the presence or absence of a manger scene.  Don't freak out with a "happy holiday."  Live the grace of the Christ we celebrate.

God came to earth.  Not everyone noticed.  Most didn't care.  A few stood in awe.  But, He came.

Not everyone believes that.  But their lack of faith doesn't have the power to reduce the evidence of the presence of my faith. When you hear a story of someone being offended by a figurine in a wooden manger, listen to yourself smile and say, "I believe."  When you hear a news story about some stupid city that rewrites a song so the word "Christmas" isn't said, smile and say, "I believe."  Rather than getting mad because some people don't believe, savor the season and enjoy the fact that you do.

The New Year will hold time for debates and expressions of frustration for a secular driven culture that is running from God, but it's Christmas.  Just have fun celebrating Christ.

Maybe that's the long way of saying, "It's a party - lighten up."

Celebrating,

Pastor Dave