WHAT IF CHRISTMAS HAD NOT HAPPENED

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“But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 NRSV

What difference would it makes in your life if there were no Christmas? I few years ago I attend a Youth Service in which this question was the theme. As the young speakers spoke on this topic I found myself really caught up in that question. What difference does Christmas make?

One answer is to get involved with the commercial aspects of the holiday and say that the merchants would be hurt economically. It seems as if Christmas is exploited commercially more and more as stores put out Christmas merchandise and put up Christmas decorations earlier and earlier. I think I saw some before Labor Day this year. Christmas shopping has become the main money making time of the year. This is shown by the whole “Black Friday” craze. Originally the day after Thanksgiving was called Black Friday because sales on that day are counted on to move the profit margin out of the Red, signifying loss, into the Black, signifying a profit. However now stores open on Thanksgiving evening or even stay open all day! So if Christmas had not happened there would be no Christmas shopping and the merchants would suffer.

Another answer comes on a deeper spiritual level and that is to say that if Christmas had not happened Jesus would not have been born. For on that first Christmas a Savior was given. Emmanuel came to redeem captive humanity. The Incarnation proves that God loves us enough to become one of us in order to save us. For without Christmas there could be no Easter. IF Jesus had not been born then he could not die on the cross and been raised again so that we could have a right relationship with. A relationship not marred and separated by sin.

Sadly not everyone knows this, or if they know about the meaning of Christmas they live as if they just do not care. For a majority of people spiritually it is as if Christmas had not happened! It seems that this was the case right from the start; the vast majority of people in Bethlehem that night did not have a clue as to what was happening. I rather imagine that many of the guests at the inn complained about the noise in the stable. After all there were shepherds coming and going and then there was that pesky star light shining so brightly that they just could not sleep. And the greatest gift the world has ever known went unappreciated.

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is what Luke said about Mary in the verse quoted above. She pondered these things in her heart. For me this says that even though Mary did not fully understand what all this meant, she knew that the birth of Jesus was something special and Mary knew that Christmas had changed people’s lives forever.

So this year take the time to ponder the true meaning of Jesus’ birth in your heart and do not get caught up in the buying and getting, the shopping and the giving and the spending, that you cannot enjoy the season. For if Christmas had not happened we would still be lost in our sins. May we all let the words of a great Christmas hymn give us guidance as we “go tell it on the mountain, over the hill and everywhere: go tell it not the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.” If we do that maybe everyone will say: “I would not like my life if Christmas had not happened,” and then the world will be a better place.

Richard

“WHAT IS HOLINESS?”

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“For I am the LORD who brought you up from the Land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy.” [Leviticus 11:45 N.R.S.V.]

Holiness is a topic we do not hear much about anymore, although there seems to be renewed interest in holiness in the United Methodist Church. This is good, for after all, the Wesleyan Revival was a holiness movement from the very start. Yet have you ever stopped to answer this question “Just what is holiness?

Many of us when we think of holiness think of those groups who separated from Methodism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to form their own “Holiness” denominations-group such as what is now the Wesleyan Church, the Church of the Nazarene, the Salvation Army and the Church of God. These groups are often identified by plain dress, a certain type of hairstyle and not wearing any jewelry or make-up. These outward signs of holiness are often what we equate with the meaning of the word. Yet holiness is much more than just these outward signs. It is really a change in lifestyle that makes us more like God and also like what God wants us to be.

There are two important parts of holiness. These are personal holiness and social holiness. Both parts are equally important. Personal holiness deals with such things as not stealing, killing or committing adultery or any of the other so called “big sins” we hear so much about these days. However personal holiness goes far beyond just keeping these commandments. For Jesus reminded us that while we may not have killed, we have gotten angry; while we may not steal, we have wanted what others have; and while we may not have committed adultery, we have lusted and wanted to! [Matthew 5:25] True personal holiness is living your life in such a way that it models the love of Jesus to all. We seek this not simply because God will “get us” is we do not, but because God’s love has already “gotten us.”

Social holiness is living your life in such a way that it makes a difference in our world. Disciples of Jesus are mandated to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick and hurting, visit the prisoners and treat the outcasts the weak and those who live on the margin of society with respect and dignity. When we study the gospel we find that Jesus taught more about these things than anything else. In fact, there are more verses in the Bible that deal with how we use our money than any other topic!

So, what is holiness? For me holiness is living a life that shows Jesus Christ to the world, both in what we do personally and how we treat others socially as well. To be holy as God is holy can easily be dismissed as an unattainable pipedream, or it can be a real challenge for us to strive to attain. In the weeks, months and years ahead, when we hear of holiness, let us not think just of those other groups; let us think about striving to be holy as God is holy!

Richard

“THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY”

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May is one of my favorite months of the year. The promise of spring is usually finally realized. Yet the weather is not as hot and humid as it gets later in the year. The school year is ending, but vacation season when so many are away from church and attendance suffers has not yet begun. Flowers are blooming and all of creation seems to be praising God.

However May is special for two important events that happen during the month. The first is Mother’s Day. The second Sunday of May is the time set aside to honor our Mothers. As a child I remember going out in the yard to what we called the “Bubby Rose” bush and picking one of those red flowers to wear. Red was the color you wore if your Mother was still living and white was worn if she was deceased. I remember feeling really sad when Daddy wore a white flower after Grandmother Gregory died. A Mother’s or Grandmother’s love is very special.

Another childhood memory is tied to the date of May 10th for Mother would never let us go barefoot until that date. Even though I resented it then, especially during those hot days of late April and early May, I came to realize that Mother really had my best interest at heart. Often we resent the limitations God places on us without realizing that God has our best interest at heart as well. It is true that a Mother’s love is the closest thing on earth to God’s love.

So this May 12th take time to let your Mother know how special she is if you are fortunate enough to still have her with you. If your Mother has passed away, take the time to honor her memory.

The second important event in May is Pentecost. This is the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit filled that Upper Room and changed a group of frightened powerless disciples into the mighty Church of Jesus Christ. With the fire and power of the indwelling presence of the Spirit they were bold enough to change the world! Hear what even those who opposed them had to say: “Those who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” [Acts 17:6 N.K.J.V.]

What a wonderful testimony! How it puts us to shame! Maybe the church needs to wake up and realize that the Holy Spirit can give us the power to turn our world upside down for Christ. Let us claim that power, not just on Pentecost Sunday, May19th, but each and every day for the rest of our life.

Richard

A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR

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“Study to show thyself approved unto God…” [II Timothy 2:15 K.J.V.]

It is hard to believe but another summer is gone and it is time for another school year. Education is a very important thing and regardless of your age, everyone should still be learning. However, not everyone agrees with this way of thinking.

Fortunately things have changed a lot since I begin my ministry but I was asked several times: “Are you a ‘Called Preacher’ or an ‘educated’ one?” This was always phrased in some a way that there was no doubt the two were mutually exclusive and being a “Called Preacher” was much better than being an “educated” one. I soon developed this answer: “I’m a “Called Preacher” who is perusing an education.” Some people accepted that answer and some still believed that an education would be the ruination of anyone, especially a preacher.

I found comfort is Paul’s words to Timothy found in the verse of scripture quoted above. Study to show thyself approved unto God. So that is my advice to you. So no matter if you are starting pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, college, an advanced degree or have been out of school for decades, study and continue to learn.

I found the following in an issue of Windows of Asbury which is published by Asbury Place which is affiliated with the Holston Annual Conference. The article did not name the Arthur but I think it is good advice. Use it well.

10 Simple Steps to a Happier Life

Be a part of Something You Believe In. Have a cause, volunteer, join a group, a church, a social club, and be passionate about a cause.
Spend Time with Friends & Family. The most important ingredient to happiness is to have meaningful relationships with other people.
Focus on What’s Good-Avoid Negativity. Be aware of your daily successes no matter how large or how small they seem.
Exploit the Resources You Have. What do you have in addition to your limitations? What are you good at? What are your gifts? Use them.
Set Goals. Goal-setting gives you something to look forward to, something to work toward, and creates structure in your day-to-day life.
Be Honest with Yourself & Others. When you really know who you are, what you want, and you are being true to yourself with actions that match, your happiness quotient will go up.
Savor the Natural Joy of Simply Pleasures. Enjoy a quiet time watching a bird or the clouds.
Learn Something New. The more you learn, the more aspects of your life you can be aware of, appreciate and enjoy,
Focus on Forgiveness. It frees the mind and heart to go forward in your life.
Laugh! As the old saying goes: Laughter is the best medicine.

Richard

EASTERTIDE

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April this year brings us to the Christian season of Eastertide. This season lasts seven Sundays. It begins with Easter Sunday and ends with the day of Pentecost. The Sundays are referred to as Sundays after Easter. The liturgical color is white, which is the color of Christ and represents His purity.

The exact date of Jesus’ resurrection is known and was well remembered. It was the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan. However due to the change from the Jewish calendar based on the lunar month (movement of the moon) to our modern calendar based on the solar year (movement of the sun) it is hard to known exactly what that date now is. Scholars agree that it falls somewhere between March 29th and April 3rd.

The church soon recognized the importance of gathering on the Lord’s Day to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. For awhile they rested on the Jewish Sabbath, the last day of the week, and worshipped on the Lord’s Day, the first day of the week. As more and more gentiles joined the church, the importance of Sabbath observation decreased and the importance of Sunday worship increased. Soon Sunday celebration became the norm and Sunday was seen as the most important day of the week.

So rather than celebrating Easter on the same date each year, as we do Christmas and our birthdays, which means a different day of the week each year, the church set the Sunday nearest Nisan fourteenth as Easter. Soon trouble developed. Some people wanted the Sunday before the date to be recognized as Easter while other insisted that the Sunday after the date was the “true Easter.”

So in 664 A.D. the Synod of Whitney fixed the date of Easter permanently. This really was a great compromise as it involved both the lunar calendar folks and the solar calendar people. Easter s: the first Sunday after the first Full Moon (lunar calendar) after the Spring Equinox (solar calendar). It can fall anytime between March 22nd (if the Full Moon and Equinox both fall on Saturday March 21st) until April 25th. This year Easter was in March which is fairly early.

So remember that each Sunday as we gather we are celebrating a “little Easter” as we remember the Lord’s resurrection and the fact that we serve a “Risen Savior.” Hope to see you in church not just for the Sunday of Eastertide but each and every Sunday of the entire year.

Richard

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

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Have you ever really wondered just “What is the church?” The Greek word is ekklesia and is derived from a word that means “a calling out.” It is used over sixty times in the New Testament, but only three times in the Gospels. All three of these references are found in Matthew. They are; Matthew 16:18,and twice in Matthew 18:17. Probably the best known of these is Jesus’ response to Peter’s affirmation that he is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus then said: “And I tell you, you are Peter (Petros or Rocky in the Greek) and on this rock I will build my church.” [Matthew 16:16-18] Just what did Jesus mean and what is our understanding of the church?

Many of us think of the church as a building. We equate the church building with the church. The idea of sacred space is important. I admit that many times I go into the sanctuary to pray. I feel closer to God at the altar than I do anywhere else. Yet I know the building is not the church. I believe there is a thin line between caring for the building as we should and allowing the building to become an object of worship. When we are more concerned that the youth might scuff the floors, that the children might dirty the walls, that no outside groups can use the church because they might not treat it as well as we do, we have elevated the building to what is most important. We need to realize that the building is just a building and not “the church.”

Some of us think of the church as it organization, structure and form. In our denomination we think of Districts, Annual Conferences, Bishops and all the ministries that the United Methodist Church does. Let me say that I am proud to be a United Methodist. I believe our doctrine, structure and polity to be biblically based. In a practical sense our connectionalism allows us to do ministry in a much greater scale than any one congregation could possibly do. If you doubt this just check the number of missionaries, hospitals, collages, nursing homes, retirement centers and homes for children United Methodism supports world wide. Yet the church is more than that.

For me the question of what is the church may best be answered by an exercise I learned as a child. Put your hands together interlocking your fingers on the inside near your palms. Repeat after me “Here is the church.” Now extend your pinkie fingers upward and touch them together, saying, “Here is the steeple.” Now turn your hands over, after you have interlocked your pinkie fingers again, wiggle your fingers and say: “Now open the door and see the people.” The church is the people! Those “called out” of sin to be in communion with one another and with our Lord and Savior is indeed the church. More important than the building, more important than the structure and form, is the fellowship, care love and support of God’s people. That truly is the church!

I was privileged and bless to once more experience that love and support first hand during this Christmas Season. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, gifts, prayers, cards and all the other expressions of support I received. It was a great Season and again I say “Thank You Church” and may God bless you is my prayer.

Richard

AUTUMN IS HARVEST TIME

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