What does it all mean?

Dear Family,
I am sitting in a Barnes and Nobles Starbucks, in Miamisburg, OH, because the snowfall has kept me from making it all the way to the church. So i sit, listening to powerful Christmas songs, reflecting on the meaning of this season. Everywhere i go, it seems people have the Christmas spirit. I think i heard that sales are up. Attendance at the mall is up. People are doing more. It seems, at least this year, that we have emerged from our financial stupor. And that is something we should all celebrate.

But is that the meaning of Christmas? Is Christmas about amassing a horde of presents under our tree? Is Christmas about engorging ourselves with cookies, cakes, and eggnog? Is about looking for that jolly old fat man, you know the one with the beard and the reigndeer? Do these embody Christmas?

Christmas is just over a week away, and we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, next Friday at 6:30 PM, beginning with fellowship and snacks with worship to follow. It will be a time of sharing our stories, connecting our narratives and journeys with each other, but it will also be about tying our stories to the One whom spent his first few hours, on earth, breathing in cattle dung and hay. Christmas Eve worship should remind us what this season is truly for: honoring Jesus and loving one another.

Should we exchange gifts? Absolutely. Should we tell our children about Santa Claus, of course. And should we be thankful that our economy, even slowly, is recovering? Definately. But we must not allow the church to completely mirror the world's definition and representation of Christmas. For those of us within the Christian tradition, we must use this time to reconnect to God and each other. This is the season the reminds us to recocile with one another, restore broken relationships, and remove the barriers to a healthy, thriving community. These are key reasons for this season, and as Christians, if we are to honor Jesus, we must embrace these truths.

But we must also celebrate like kids. There is nothing wrong with making angels and build snow castles, play is a gift from God. There is nothing wrong with rehearsing Santa's story, sharing a story with kids of all ages honors God. And there is no reason to lament when people buy stuff, especially when we see the joy in the eyes of those who get to give the gifts: joy, giving, and love are some of God's best attributes. So enjoy Christmas but also reflect on the deeper spiritual meanings of this amazing season of preparation.

Have a great Sunday, and i will see you all the evening of the 24th, when we will build a stable and community for those who are hungry: spiritually, literally, communally, and emotionally. Amen..

Shalom
Salaam
Peace...

jerry