SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY

Category: Christmas

  • Endings and Beginnings

    Endings and Beginnings

    Life is full of them – some are exciting, some are downright painful.  Some bring much joy and some misery.  Regardless, we often find ourselves somewhere in the cycle of it all.  This is the last Sunday of 2020.  What a year it has been.  While difficult, it has also been a year filled with unexpected joys and triumphs.  There are nuggets of goodness that have filled the pockets of despair.  We were not without God at any point.  We were never left alone in our sorrows, although sometimes it may have felt a lot like it.  It is an ending to a year, but also the prospect of a new year, filled with possibilities and struggles of its own.  It really is all about how we choose to look at it.  

    We are in the middle of Christmas.  I do understand many have begun to take down the Christmas trees and are moving on past the holiday.  But Christmas actually begins on December 25th and so we find ourselves in the middle of it all, at least in the church year.  It is not over yet.  Yes, Jesus is born.  Yes, Jesus came for redemption and salvation.  But he also came as a baby.  He came as a helpless child born to loving parents who would do their best to protect and love their first born child.  This was a whole new beginning for them – one that would take them running for the life of their child and ultimately with Mary sitting at the feet of her boy as he dies.  It is the beginning, not the ending for Mary and Joseph.  It is the ending for Anna and Simeon – but in a good way.

    Luke 2:22-40

    2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
    2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”),
    2:24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
    2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
    2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
    2:27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,
    2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
    2:29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
    2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
    2:31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
    2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
    2:33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
    2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed
    2:35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed–and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
    2:36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
    2:37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
    2:38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
    2:39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
    2:40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

    It was the beginning for Mary and Joseph, indeed.  But for Anna and Simeon, this is what they had waited their whole lives to see.  For Simeon to put his arms and bless the Messiah was the ultimate gift.  He had been promised this time.  He had been given direction this day would come.  They spoke prophesy.  Their hearts were filled with joy and hope.  They had seen all they had come to see and their time was complete.  It was the ending, but oh what a beautiful ending it was for Anna and Simeon.  They had been able to experience this incredible gift.  They would likely not see him grow.  They probably wouldn’t hear him teach or even watch him as he learned a trade.  They were given a glimpse in time – a nugget of excitement.   They were fulfilled.

    Endings always seem difficult.  We don’t want them to happen sometimes.  We want to hold on to all that is familiar and constant.  We know what we know and want to keep that close.  But if we do not let go, we often do not realize all that is ahead.  We don’t get to experience the joys of all that is to come when we hold tight to what is.  Endings allow for new beginnings.

    As you know, this is my last Sunday at Trinity.  This is, in a sense, an ending.  It is a new beginning for Trinity.  There are new opportunities as you approach the year ahead.  There are new people to serve and more people to love.  

    I would challenge you to find God in it all.  God is with us.  God has not left us.  God is still at work, even (and most especially) in our trying times.  God has amazing plans for his church when we obey and follow him.  

    Remember this…God’s table is big and it is long and there is a handcrafted magnificent chair at this table just for you.  All we could ever need is provided, not because we have earned it and certainly not because we deserve it.  God’s table is filled with those who have wandered, just like us.  His table has places for those who we may have counted out and dismissed.  There are people from different places who speak different languages at this table.  There are those at the table we might not would invite to our own – but God invited them.  There is room for strangers and friends, enemies and relatives, young and old.  God’s table is big and long and is filled with his children.  Anna and Simeon were able to experience the Salvation to come in a little baby.  Mary and Joseph nurtured Redemption as he grew into a man.  12 disciples left everything to follow him on a journey they would not have chosen.  And this One…this Jesus…who we celebrate today…is still calling.  He slung open the doors wide to welcome in the stranger and expects us to do the same.  He tore down the barriers of race and social status with a mighty blow and did not want us to build those back up – but to continue demolition.  He came as a mighty unstoppable force of love.  This is the love which carried him all the way to the cross – where he would die for you and for me.  He did this so we could have a place at the table.  So come join me, my friends – and bring many along with you.  The table is big and it is long and I look forward to dining with you at God’s house.

    Thank you for the privilege to serve with you over these past nearly 6 years.  You welcomed me with a complete vote and you have allowed me to challenge you and push you beyond your boundaries.  I know it has at times been uncomfortable.  My prayer is that you continue to push those boundaries and live this way.  Always ask why.  Always want to dig deeper and hear the “yes, and” in it all.  There is more to discover.  It may take you to places you were not ready to go – but you also just might meet Jesus there.  

    From Numbers 6:

    24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
    25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
    26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

  • Love Disturbs

    This is the day when we consider the magnitude of love which this world received the very first Christmas – and really has ever since that day.  Love hasn’t stopped.  Love hasn’t slowed down.  Love continues to pursue us and change us and ignite us.  Love did come to us at Christmas and continues to reside in us today.  This should be a warm and comforting, even reassuring thought as we muddle through in times which are so uncertain.  What is always certain and guaranteed is God’s love.  What is always given is an amazing, life changing, overwhelming love that transforms us from the inside out.  This world does not and cannot change this fact.

    But love is also disturbing.  Love does transform and renew.  Love does give us new life.  Love does change everything.  Change is hard, though.  And love can disturb what we have always known.  It can upset our status quo we hold onto with white knuckle fists, clinging to our ways with everything we have.  Love does change us, but sometimes that change is difficult and disturbing.  

    We listen to Christmas carols and get excited about the holidays – and we should.  We celebrate the joy that is unexplainable.  We feel the hope that wells up in us as we look forward to Christmas.  This is all good.  But let us not forget the first Christmas wasn’t all joy and excitement.  Lives were turning upside down – some welcomed it, some were completely fighting it.  It was a Christmas to remember, for sure. 

    Luke 2:1-7

    2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

    It is a story we remember, we tell, we celebrate.  Let us not forget the lives being changed, though.  Don’t miss the worlds being transformed moment by moment.  Mary and Joseph have a new baby that God has sent to them.  They have to raise God’s baby.  Think about it – they are responsible for loving and caring for Love himself.  They are cleaning and feeding, protecting and raising God’s own child.  That had to be some pressure.  Elizabeth and Zechariah are raising a new child who will help others know who God’s baby really is.  They are older and more wise, faithful and trusting.  Yet, their child will be quite unique, the talk of the town even.  Shepherds leave their jobs behind in search of the Messiah – God sent the ultimate birth announcement of his child to shepherds!  That speaks volumes in itself about how God works.  Their world had forever changed.  Magi would later show up to pay homage to this new king.  But the leadership was not happy and was triggered by these men searching for a new king.  The current king felt threatened.  The religious people weren’t ready to welcome him.  Babies would die in an effort to find this one and stop him.  There would be fleeing and hiding and relocating – all to save this baby, God’s baby.  Lives certainly were changed and love disturbed the norm.  There was Simeon and Anna who had been waiting their whole lives to see and experience this new baby – destined to live and die for this whole world.  Some welcomed love, some shut it out with all the power they could muster.

    Love came to earth and when he did, he taught what love really does look like.  And it didn’t fit the mold anyone wanted to put him in.  He changed the landscape of love.  He disturbed the status quo and changed the landscape of the faithful.  Love came to earth and flipped everything around.  He opened doors for those who had been locked out.  He sought out those who had been abandoned on the streets.  He lifted up those who had fallen so hard they thought they would never rise again.  Love changed everything – and sometimes love is disturbing.  

    But love is always good.  When we allow God to transform and change us, love seeps into our heart and creates a new life.  Love begins to flow through our blood stream and enables us to live like never before.  Love opens our eyes to the things we always miss.  It guides us to welcome those who have always felt unwelcomed.  It opens our hands to give, not seeking to receive.  Love disturbs – but oh how good love is, because oh how good God is.

    His name is Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.  His name is love.  He is the ultimate transformer.  He is the great redeemer.  He is more than we could ever comprehend.  Yet, he came as one of us to show us how to live and how to love.  He came because we are loved that much.  His name is Jesus.  He is with us.  He is still changing us.  He is still transforming lives and opening doors.  He is still seeking and calling us.  We still are being given the choice to allow love to change us or to avoid it.  Our actions reflect our decisions.  Will you live in love as love transforms you this Christmas?  May we live in love…may it be so in God.

  • The Ultimate Gender Reveal

    I appreciate the depth of creativity I see in this newer gender reveal party deal.  I continue to be amazed at how people can think outside the box to announce the gender of their baby to come.  The excitement is palpable.  You can feel it in the air.  These parties weren’t a thing when Wendy was pregnant.  In some ways, I wish they were because you really get to go all out with new and different ideas.  In other ways, I am glad we didn’t because the pressure of having to come up with something new and different is a lot.  And then I read how gender reveal parties are nothing new.  They have been for at least thousands of years.  We may not have recognized them as such.  They may not have categorized as this.  But have you checked out this announcement?  It is one for the ages.  People are still talking about it.  It is still a hit all these many years later.  It’s like a fireworks show for a whole company of people.  It is incredible.

    There is Zechariah who gets his announcement in church from an angel – even in his older age, he would have a son – it’s a boy!  His gender reveal was so transforming it left him speechless for like the next 9 months.  And there are the shepherds who were minding their business and get an announcement that shocks, surprises, and otherwise changes their whole lives – it’s a boy!  They are so taken back they have to travel to celebrate with the parents.  There are magi who get the gender reveal through a star!   A whole star so bright it cannot be ignored.  There is a whole star just to announce a birth – beats any birth announcement we might could come up with.  There is a star revealing – it’s a boy!  And there is, of course, the ultimate announcement – it comes in two forms.  There is an announcement by angels to Joseph – look, Joseph…your fiancé is pregnant and as you know, it isn’t yours…but it’s all good…it’s God’s…so, I’m going to need you to take care of Mary and this baby, because God needs you…oh, and it’s a boy!  Can you imagine?  So many reveals in some pretty spectacular ways that no one can compete – or would even want to try.  But, for me, this one is the ultimate.  It is the reveal to Mary.  To a young woman who had not done anything to become pregnant is now pregnant – she isn’t married – she isn’t born to people with great means – she isn’t a princess in the world’s eyes – she is a young, willing girl who God reveals…YOU are carrying my baby boy!  And this is the place where Mary settles…the place where she comes as she sits with her cousin Elizabeth…

    Luke 1:46-55

    46 And Mary said,

    “My soul magnifies the Lord,
    47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
    48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
        Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
    49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
        and holy is his name.
    50 His mercy is for those who fear him
        from generation to generation.
    51 He has shown strength with his arm;
        he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
    52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
        and lifted up the lowly;
    53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
        and sent the rich away empty.
    54 He has helped his servant Israel,
        in remembrance of his mercy,
    55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

    Mary realized – this is God’s own child.  This baby boy is not the ordinary.  This event would change the course of events for the entire world.  This baby would shake the foundations of all that was believed to be true.  This baby would shift the dynamics of the comfortable and comfort the distressed.  This baby would bring something to this world that the world didn’t even know it needed.  This baby would bring more than anyone – including Mary – could comprehend.  Note that even though this is Mary’s proclamation, it does not mean she completely understood it – no more than we understand it.  All she knows is this – things are changing.

    Things are changing – that seems to be the theme of this year.  Things are changing faster than we can even see or understand or take in.  Things are changing so much we don’t know which way to turn or what to do with all this.  Yet, let’s not forget – things are not changing near as much for us in a year as they did for Elizabeth and Zechariah, for Mary and Joseph.  Our changes are insignificant in comparison to the life changes these folks would encounter.  And they ARE doing what God called them to do.  God is working even when all else seems chaotic.  God is revealing when all else seems cloudy and frightening.  God is working when no one really understands.  God is working to bring about a change.  And when God is in it – it is good.  

    Mary’s proclamation reveals it will be a plan no one was expecting.  She gives birth to the One who will bring peace – but not in a military way.  She brings forth a child who will bring hope, but not in things or governments or powers.  She bursts forth One with joy – but in unexpected ways – joy that is different and yet natural.  This is the joy which comes not from things or events, but in the One who fills us with joy no matter our circumstances.  

    The joy of Jesus causes us to get excited because redemption is born.  The joy of Jesus causes the ultimate feeling of satisfaction because all we need is fulfilled in HIM.  Jesus brings joy because we no longer need anything in this world to bring us happiness – we have a joy rooted in us that goes deeper than any gift could touch.  We have a joy which gives us eyes to see God at work, even when everything else seems scary and unsteady.  We have joy, not because of anything we have done, but because of everything God has done.  

    May you find joy – the joy rooted within.  May you live in joy – you have been given all you need.  May you celebrate in joy – there is still so much to celebrate.  May joy overwhelm you, comfort you, and cause you to see God at work.  May your joy be complete.

  • There is HOPE in the Air

    Her days had been long, searching for the promise.  She had all but given up hope this would actually happen.  She kept pressing forward in life, never giving up on God.  He must have a different plan, she must have thought.  He may have had other ideas.  She couldn’t quite understand it or put it all together.  But there was something to all of this.  And she remained faithful.  That’s who she was, that’s what she did.  She was a woman of faith – always had been, always would be.  She had the lineage of faith as well.  Her name meant something.  People knew who she was.  She was highly regarded and respected among many.  She had married well and she loved God with her all.  Yet there was still something missing.

    She was getting older.  As each year ticked by, she let the spark of a new day fade.  It was okay.  She was embarrassed.  She couldn’t believe it.  But it was okay.  She would be okay.  They would be okay.  They didn’t have children but they had each other and they had God – and that had to be enough.  They loved each other.  

    We can miss her in the whole story.  She can get lost in the background of it all.  Yet she is the one.  She is the promised one.  She is the one to watch.  Her name is Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is a descendant of Aaron.  She is from the priestly line – from the original first priest.  This was her heritage.  Faithful service was how she was taught and how it all came together.  For her to marry a priest only seemed fitting – the way it should be.  Yet, in their faithful service, they still had no children.  Their dedication had not given them the one thing they wanted more than all the rest.  

    That changed, though.  There was a change in the air.  Something big was about to happen.  Anticipation filled the room where the priest, Zechariah, served.  Anticipation filled their home as a promise would somehow be fulfilled.  Her time was not done.  Her life was not complete, not yet.  God still had something for her.  Elizabeth was needed.  She was an important, vital part of God’s ultimate, greater plan.  She would become a mother.  She would be a mother to someone that would surely change the whole landscape of faith.  He would be called and sent by God.  He had a mission.  Elizabeth felt it.  Her life was changing moment by moment as this new baby grew inside of her.  Her womb was filled with anticipation and grace.  There was more to come.  Hope was still to be discovered.

    Gabriel brought the news.  Elizabeth stayed put.  She waited for direction.  She looked for the next step.  She searched for what God has planned.  If he could do this – this whole baby thing – he surely had something incredible ahead.  She was to wait.  She was to hope again.  She was to anticipate the goodness of all that was ahead.  God had given her an amazing gift.  One of the most amazing gifts came in a visit.  This visit brought things into perspective.  She was a woman of faith.  She got that God was at work.  She understood that things were much more connected than she could see.  And so this visit was confirmation – times were changing and her baby had something to do with this.  Let’s look at just a small part of her story.

    Luke 1:39-45

    39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

    Mary was at the door – her young cousin, Mary.  Mary was so young and Elizabeth so not.  Yet, these two women had a connection that would last a lifetime – and beyond.  She had an experience that changed everything.  Mary walks in the door, Elizabeth can’t calm the excitement of the baby she is carrying in the womb.  And Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.  It is Elizabeth that brings the proclamation.  It is Elizabeth that understands there is something monumental about this visit – about this baby – about her cousin.  There is something so much bigger than any of them could have ever imagined.  She is privileged to not only carry a child, but to experience the woman that would carry the Lord.  It was more than any of them could explain.  They became a comfort, a peace, and a strength for one another.  They were at different life stages but going through similar struggles.  Mary, a soon to be young mother who was unmarried and inexperienced.  Elizabeth had wisdom, courage and strength on her side – but didn’t actually have any children of her own.  Both pregnant – both finding their way through unknown territory.  Both lean on each other – strengths and weaknesses combine.  Hope is finally being renewed.  God was up to something big.  And their two sons would be the forces behind it all.  This is something huge!

    In case you had not picked up on it, Advent begins today.  The multi week wandering that brings us to the manger and the fulfillment of a promise.  Promises fulfilled is what it is all about.  Anticipation of the great things to come fill the air.  Excitement becomes paramount as new life is apparent.  We see Elizabeth today – for her hope and excitement of all that is ahead.  We see her for her motherly wisdom and her Godly faith.  We see her for all that she is – a child of God, used in a mighty way, to bring life to a promise to come.  What an exciting and scary time – all rolled into one.  

    As we approach this Advent, we are dealing with extraordinary times.  Things are out of place.  We are not as we ever have been.  Caution fills the air.  Uneasiness is the sign of the times.  We can be easily concerned about all the future holds.  Times are not all that much unlike the times of Elizabeth.  There is danger ahead.  There is more to take in than she could possibly understand.  What she can do is hope.  She can hope that God is in this.  She can hope that God hasn’t forgotten his promises.  She can live in a hope of new life.  Her hope is not based on her circumstances.  Her hope is not based on the powers that be in her world.  Her hope is not in those she loves that surround her.  Her hope has to be based in God.  Her hope has to be focused on God who calls her his beloved.  Her hope can only be in God – all else will let her down.  There is too much at stake.  She can only hope in him. 

    Where is our hope?  What hope do we have?   What promises are still being fulfilled all around us?  God has not stopped working, even when we miss it all.  God is still creating.  God is the only place for our hope.  He is the only One who fulfills the real hope.  May we find hope in HIM today.  

  • Christmas Do-Over

     

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    Sights and Sounds of Christmas

    It is almost time for Christmas!  It is time for the last minute rush and the kitchen ovens to be fired up.  I love Christmas.  I love the sights and the sounds…the smells of food and Christmas trees bring me so much excitement, even now.  I look forward to time with family and an opportunity to see people I don’t get a chance to see often during the year.  Christmas is good…except when it is not.  Like when someone who should be sitting at the  table isn’t because they have died.  Or when someone you love so much is suffering in the hospital.  Or when there are disputes in the family over seemingly stupid stuff.  Or when you are alone and Christmas just isn’t Christmas anymore.  Those are the times when we long for a Christmas do-over…either to fix what we have or to go back to where we were.

    One of my favorite memories of Christmas time growing up was at my Grandma’s house.  She was, and still is, an amazing cook.  Christmas was a time of desserts…sweets…chocolates…pies…all the stuff I so enjoy…love…crave…seek.  There are special foods that she only made at Christmas.  Because she cooked so many desserts (like a whole buffet of desserts…it was amazing), she would start early and then would put the desserts that were complete in her back bedroom.  This was a spare bedroom and it was one of the coldest rooms in the house.  She would have desserts spread all over that room.  It was like Christmas when I would walk in her house and she told me I could go in that room (yes, I asked permission…I wasn’t willing to risk the chance of not getting to enjoy the sweets).  To see all the goodies wrapped up, smelling good, and calling my name.  I could tell that they were calling me specifically…that I needed to test them out and make sure they were good enough for the rest of the family…I felt it was my duty to check out the food just in case something wasn’t up to standards (As if that would ever happen).  So she would let me taste test a few of the candies that were in that room.  That was Christmas.

    I often think about if I could just go back…if I could just re-create moments like those.  Grandma still cooks and she still has that house.  She doesn’t cook that many desserts any more and doesn’t store them there.  But, she could.  The problem is that we don’t get Christmas do-overs or repeats.  Those were experiences of my childhood.  I can create some variation of it, but one of the things that made it so special is that it is from my childhood.  Memories like these are…just that – memories.  They need to stay sweet memories in my mind because they continue to bring me so much joy.

    So, I think that Christmas is still good – even when it’s not.  It is just that I am making memories as an adult now.  I am making memories with my kids and wife.  I am making memories with family and I am learning the value of treasuring each moment.  Next year’s Christmas won’t be the same.  This Christmas is what I have…as fun or as challenging as it might be.  So, this Christmas I hope to savor each moment…to breathe and look around…to take in all the sights and sounds (even if they include the beeping of machines in the hospital)…and I will treasure the blessings of this day…for it will not be like this again.

    May the sights and sounds of Christmas bring you much joy.  Merry Christmas!img_0623