November 2, 2016 – 52 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

So, from my earliest childhood my family has the tradition of placing a star, or an angel, or something related to the true meaning of Christmas on the top of our Christmas Tree. And so, when I was browsing the various sales for Christmas, I came upon this rather disturbing Christmas Tree topper. Nothing would take the “HO HO” out of my already somber mood than coming down on Christmas morning to see this scary Christmas tree – I can hear the children running away screaming “Mommy someone cut Frosty’s head off and put it on top of the tree”.

When you take a look around your home, or apartment, or your friend’s homes and apartments during this Christmas season, I want you to notice how many decorations you see of Jesus and the manger, and how many you see of Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and a variety of other secular Christmas themes? There are some biblical scholars who claim that December 25 was originally a “pagan holiday” that was then co-opted by the Christian church. It is my opinion that our society has succeeded in returning the observance of Christmas to a pagan celebration.

The use of the Christmas tree dates possibly to the 11th century in Northern Europe when families would hang a tree upside down from the ceiling and place lighted candles on the branches. Some say it was a reminder of spring, others say it is a symbol of eternal life since the fir tree is “Ever Green”. And still others say that Martin Luther began the tradition when he was walking through the woods, and seeing the stars through the branches of the fir trees reminded him that Jesus came to earth from the stars of heaven to be with people at Christmas time.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, especially since as Christians, we could not have Easter without the birth of the Christ child. And it seems that we need to fight harder and longer to keep Christ in Christmas. And though society may not have that same interest, we can continue to keep Christ in this holiday in our homes and in our actions throughout the Christmas season, and throughout the entire year. And when you see the “Frosty-the-Snowman-Christmas Tree”, remember to say a prayer for that headless snowman standing in some field far, far away.

Pastor Dave

November 1, 2016 – All Saints Day

“Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26

“Of course, first we have to recognize it. St. Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, you see, contains language that is just familiar enough to us that we can easily read or listen to it without really paying attention. We tend to hear it through Matthew’s better-known version, where the poor are poor in spirit, and those who hunger and thirst do so for the sake of righteousness. But not so in Luke. In Luke they’re just poor and hungry and hated — vagrant beggars who can’t sustain themselves, can’t provide for themselves or their families, are hard to look at, and are a drain on the system. In short, they’re losers. And yet Jesus calls them blessed. Why? Simply because God always reserves God’s most acute attention for those in need, those left behind by the powers that be, those left out of the lavish bounty of the world’s produce. Sometimes called God’s preferential treatment of the poor, at other places epitomized by recognizing that God is always on the side of the underdog, God’s unfailing and unflagging concern for the losers of this world is etched across the pages of Scripture in letters deep and clear enough for anyone willing to read.” (David Lose, Working Preacher website, October 28, 2013)

Jesus blesses the losers in the Sermon on the Mount, or at least he is telling those who have not made it in society that G-d has not forgotten about them. Have you ever seen a sign like that, a political sign where someone would say “I love the losers of this society”? Have you ever heard a politician stand up and say “I am here for the lost, the broken, the losers of this country”? Anyone with political goals wouldn’t dare call anyone in our society “losers”, right? At least they wouldn’t call potential voters losers, or “a basket of deplorables”, or despicable, or ugly, or any other awful name, right?

Perhaps we need All Saint’s Day to remind us that though in death we may feel as if we lose, as followers of Jesus we win. Oh our society might call us “Losers”. Why? Well they may see us as losers according to the standards of our society today, but we are winners according to G-d. How are we losers according to the standards of society today? We are losers because we do not look to put ourselves first, but others first. We do not look to hoard our goods, but share with others out of the abundance that G-d has blessed us. And no matter how many blessings we have, we will not be content until all people have equal access to justice, mercy and the resources they need to live contently. And that does not make us losers – we are “winners”– not according to societal standards, but according to our calling as Christians. We are winners because Christ makes us winners – we are the living “Saints”.

Pastor Dave