I don't know if you have heard Christmas at the Airport by Nick Lowe (or seen the video yet)… I heard it the first time at the beginning of December on Prairie Home Companion. When I first heard it, I thought it was a parody, but after realizing it wasn't, I thought to myself this has to be the world's worst Christmas song!
I kept hearing it again and again, however, as people who pick Great Christmas songs were putting it on their list for this year. Each time I listened my heart was softened. As I kept hearing it over and over again, I began to pick up a bit of the nuance of this song. I found myself beginning to like it and actually singing along.
You see, as much as we want Christmas to be the magic wand that makes the whole world better, unfortunately, people do get stuck at the airport at Christmas. Children will go to bed dreaming of food on the table because there has been none the previous day. Wars will continue to rage, and peace will seem as illusive as always.
Christmas isn't magic, but it is a promise. A promise that we are not forgotten. A promise that we are not alone. A promise that God is willing to work for us, even when we prove to be our own worst enemy. Christmas is a promise that good, while it may be tarnished and hidden, is still at work in the world. Christmas is God's way of saying to you and to me and to the world as a whole that we are not in control of our destiny, because God has a better dream for our future.
May this be a Christmas where we begin to imagine and live God's future for us all.
Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.
Pal
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
My dog was stolen!
This past weekend I attended a Christmas party hosted by folks from our congregation. As part of the celebration there was the traditional 'White Elephant Gift Exchange.' You know, this is where people wrap up stuff they no longer want and pawn it off upon others wrapped in beautiful packaging. Yet every once in awhile there is a true treasure; which once it is acquired, it's possession is constantly under threat by the infamous 'steal.' It becomes a bit of a contest or at least a test to try to end up with something better than you brought to the party.
The gift exchange began rather benignly with people docilely choosing wrapped items from under the tree. There were a few good natured exchanges, and then it was my turn. The person before me had unwrapped an electronic dog that rolls around on the ground and laughs hysterically. That individual seemed unimpressed with this gift. Being the type of person I am, however, I fell in love instantly with the little guy and I STOLE him for myself!
Now several others had the opportunity to pick after me and this cute little bundle of joy was still clutched in my arms laughing his head off. I thought I was safe! Then one of the last people to have an opportunity STOLE MY DOG!!! It was like my heart was pierced. (Which of course brought laughter from all around the room!) Later I learned that the new owner of MY DOG decided to name it PAL! Oh, the irony of it all!
Since that day, I have told the story over and over again, causing others to laugh at my feigned pain. Of course, as I later reflected, there is a certain integrity to what occurred at that party and what we in the church celebrate at Christmas. In the midst of the joyous and heartfelt feelings of the season, and as we celebrate new life remembering the gift God gave that first Christmas; we cannot help but sense the irony of it all. Love pierced God's heart. Love led Christ to the cross. Love was the reason Jesus allowed the authorities to steal his life. Yes, love gives us life, but there is always a cost we cannot deny.
Let us not forget in the midst of our holy hilarity that Christmas is the gift God has given us at great cost to himself. We come away from this celebration with something more than what we bring, but it is only because God loves us too much to let us walk away empty handed.
Merry Christmas,
Pal
The gift exchange began rather benignly with people docilely choosing wrapped items from under the tree. There were a few good natured exchanges, and then it was my turn. The person before me had unwrapped an electronic dog that rolls around on the ground and laughs hysterically. That individual seemed unimpressed with this gift. Being the type of person I am, however, I fell in love instantly with the little guy and I STOLE him for myself!
Now several others had the opportunity to pick after me and this cute little bundle of joy was still clutched in my arms laughing his head off. I thought I was safe! Then one of the last people to have an opportunity STOLE MY DOG!!! It was like my heart was pierced. (Which of course brought laughter from all around the room!) Later I learned that the new owner of MY DOG decided to name it PAL! Oh, the irony of it all!
Since that day, I have told the story over and over again, causing others to laugh at my feigned pain. Of course, as I later reflected, there is a certain integrity to what occurred at that party and what we in the church celebrate at Christmas. In the midst of the joyous and heartfelt feelings of the season, and as we celebrate new life remembering the gift God gave that first Christmas; we cannot help but sense the irony of it all. Love pierced God's heart. Love led Christ to the cross. Love was the reason Jesus allowed the authorities to steal his life. Yes, love gives us life, but there is always a cost we cannot deny.
Let us not forget in the midst of our holy hilarity that Christmas is the gift God has given us at great cost to himself. We come away from this celebration with something more than what we bring, but it is only because God loves us too much to let us walk away empty handed.
Merry Christmas,
Pal
Monday, December 9, 2013
John and Jesus...
Do you think John understood Jesus' mission? John, who likely was an Essenes, was ready for Jesus to usher in an age where all would adopt the regimen of their community near Qumran. These folks took seriously their duties as heralds of the messianic age. They practices a higher form of righteousness that was shockingly missing amongst the religious leaders in Jerusalem. If you did not meet the standard, you were sent packing; the winnowing fork was at hand, which meant you were kicked out into the desert where you may or may not survive.
John, later in Jesus' ministry, suffering in prison, sends his disciples to famously ask of Jesus, Are you the one, or should we wait for another? It seems Jesus has not met John's expectations and doubt has arisen.
Jesus responds by saying The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. (Luke 7.22,23)
As we anticipate the celebration of Christmas, the birth of a Savior, perhaps it is a good thing to reflect upon what he is saving us from. Is he saving us from unholy living? Is it Jesus' mission to make us more religious than were the Pharisees? Is following Jesus, a call to a righteousness akin to that of the Essenes?
Or is Jesus saving us from a life that is too small? A life that begins with me and only sees the neighbor as the instrument through which I save myself. I believe Jesus' response to John was a reminder that the messianic age is not to be a reward for the righteous, but a call to those who follow to show compassion and mercy to those who are not whole or holy. The messianic age is truly that Peaceable Kingdom where those who would normally find themselves at odds with one another, discover we have more in common than we ever imagined, and that we need each other more than we ever thought.
May we this Advent Season, find a way to live out the messianic ministry of Jesus by reaching out to those who are unwanted and uncared for, knowing that in them and through them we begin to experience the fullness of God, and may we know that only by embracing the one who is not like me am I made complete.
Peace,
Pal
John, later in Jesus' ministry, suffering in prison, sends his disciples to famously ask of Jesus, Are you the one, or should we wait for another? It seems Jesus has not met John's expectations and doubt has arisen.
Jesus responds by saying The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. (Luke 7.22,23)
As we anticipate the celebration of Christmas, the birth of a Savior, perhaps it is a good thing to reflect upon what he is saving us from. Is he saving us from unholy living? Is it Jesus' mission to make us more religious than were the Pharisees? Is following Jesus, a call to a righteousness akin to that of the Essenes?
Or is Jesus saving us from a life that is too small? A life that begins with me and only sees the neighbor as the instrument through which I save myself. I believe Jesus' response to John was a reminder that the messianic age is not to be a reward for the righteous, but a call to those who follow to show compassion and mercy to those who are not whole or holy. The messianic age is truly that Peaceable Kingdom where those who would normally find themselves at odds with one another, discover we have more in common than we ever imagined, and that we need each other more than we ever thought.
May we this Advent Season, find a way to live out the messianic ministry of Jesus by reaching out to those who are unwanted and uncared for, knowing that in them and through them we begin to experience the fullness of God, and may we know that only by embracing the one who is not like me am I made complete.
Peace,
Pal
Friday, December 6, 2013
Nelson Mandela and Santa Claus
Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday. Far too many people, far more eloquent than I have already eulogized his passing, so I will not try to prove myself to be a greater wordsmith than others.
Perhaps, however, I can put in a good word for the DREAMERS. Far too often we accept the world as it is, questioning whether we can truly change. Now I understand the stain of sin, and I have no illusions as to our ability to perfect our hearts. Yet, it would seem that even in the church, even at this time of the year, we settle when we know we can do better.
Do we not dream that the immense power that is available to us would be used to share gifts of hope for those who are hopeless, and justice for those who are downtrodden? Do we not dream of a more perfect union, where a person is not judge based upon color of skin or ethnic origin, or even religious belief, but by the character of our soul? Do we not dream that all God's children would have an opportunity to put their unique gifts to work for the betterment of humanity and stewardship of the earth? And if these are our dreams, why do we give up on them so easily?
Today is St Nicholas Day in the church calendar. St Nicholas shared his wealth to win release for the captive and offer security the impoverished. St Nicholas not only preached good news but was an instrument by which good news was received by those who did not feel as if they were deserving. How can we embody the spirit of St Nicholas this Holy Season as we distribute gifts of good news? How can we, like Nelson Mandela, put aside our own aspirations and commit ourselves to the cause of those who have lost hope? How can we follow in the footsteps of the Christ who stoops to wash the feet of the ones who will betray and desert him?
I hope we can still dream of this new world Jesus began, and I hope we will find ways to share that promise with those who no longer dream.
Peace,
Pal
Perhaps, however, I can put in a good word for the DREAMERS. Far too often we accept the world as it is, questioning whether we can truly change. Now I understand the stain of sin, and I have no illusions as to our ability to perfect our hearts. Yet, it would seem that even in the church, even at this time of the year, we settle when we know we can do better.
Do we not dream that the immense power that is available to us would be used to share gifts of hope for those who are hopeless, and justice for those who are downtrodden? Do we not dream of a more perfect union, where a person is not judge based upon color of skin or ethnic origin, or even religious belief, but by the character of our soul? Do we not dream that all God's children would have an opportunity to put their unique gifts to work for the betterment of humanity and stewardship of the earth? And if these are our dreams, why do we give up on them so easily?
Today is St Nicholas Day in the church calendar. St Nicholas shared his wealth to win release for the captive and offer security the impoverished. St Nicholas not only preached good news but was an instrument by which good news was received by those who did not feel as if they were deserving. How can we embody the spirit of St Nicholas this Holy Season as we distribute gifts of good news? How can we, like Nelson Mandela, put aside our own aspirations and commit ourselves to the cause of those who have lost hope? How can we follow in the footsteps of the Christ who stoops to wash the feet of the ones who will betray and desert him?
I hope we can still dream of this new world Jesus began, and I hope we will find ways to share that promise with those who no longer dream.
Peace,
Pal
Monday, December 2, 2013
God is With Us!
Immanuel… God is with us!
This is at the heart of our preparations for Christmas; the promise that God is with us. This is the promise God makes throughout all of Scripture. Whether it be the Abraham and Sarah (God is with us!) or Moses (God is with us!), or the wandering Israelites (God is with us!), or even the captives in Babylon (God is with us!), God's promise is, 'I will be your God and you will be my people.'
There are some, with good reason, who lament the excessive commercialization of this season. There are some who are critical of those who have forgotten the reason for the season. I understand the desire to stand for one's convictions. I understand the frustration that is felt when we are so focused upon our wants and desires being fulfilled that we ultimately miss the blessing of the gift of Christmas.
Yet, Christmas is about acceptance if nothing else. God doesn't wait until we prove ourselves worthy to enter into our reality. God doesn't wait until we have proven our theological credentials to choose us as his own. The old hymn got this one right, 'Just as I am without one plea…'
If we are worried that people are more focused upon the mas, or more, of the season and less on the Christ of this holiday, lets not get into a tug of war over semantics. Let's choose instead to be a reflection of Christ's light. Let it be our mission to worry less about whether others got it right, and focus more upon trying to be compassionate and forgiving toward others, just as Christ did with his disciples and his detractors. Let it be our goal to spend less time correcting others for their political correctness, and instead of being theologically astute, might we choose to put ourselves in their shoes and show others the same kindness God has shown us.
Tolerance and acceptance are not bad words even as we experience these Christmas cultural clashes. As followers of Jesus, let us mimic his action by being the one who is accepting of those most in need and walking alongside those most broken.
Welcome to Advent.
Peace,
Pal
This is at the heart of our preparations for Christmas; the promise that God is with us. This is the promise God makes throughout all of Scripture. Whether it be the Abraham and Sarah (God is with us!) or Moses (God is with us!), or the wandering Israelites (God is with us!), or even the captives in Babylon (God is with us!), God's promise is, 'I will be your God and you will be my people.'
There are some, with good reason, who lament the excessive commercialization of this season. There are some who are critical of those who have forgotten the reason for the season. I understand the desire to stand for one's convictions. I understand the frustration that is felt when we are so focused upon our wants and desires being fulfilled that we ultimately miss the blessing of the gift of Christmas.
Yet, Christmas is about acceptance if nothing else. God doesn't wait until we prove ourselves worthy to enter into our reality. God doesn't wait until we have proven our theological credentials to choose us as his own. The old hymn got this one right, 'Just as I am without one plea…'
If we are worried that people are more focused upon the mas, or more, of the season and less on the Christ of this holiday, lets not get into a tug of war over semantics. Let's choose instead to be a reflection of Christ's light. Let it be our mission to worry less about whether others got it right, and focus more upon trying to be compassionate and forgiving toward others, just as Christ did with his disciples and his detractors. Let it be our goal to spend less time correcting others for their political correctness, and instead of being theologically astute, might we choose to put ourselves in their shoes and show others the same kindness God has shown us.
Tolerance and acceptance are not bad words even as we experience these Christmas cultural clashes. As followers of Jesus, let us mimic his action by being the one who is accepting of those most in need and walking alongside those most broken.
Welcome to Advent.
Peace,
Pal
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