A NIGHTMARE

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

 

Have you ever had a nightmare that was so real and so horrible, but you couldn’t seem to wake up and escape? I’ve had this recurring dream for weeks now—it started around Thanksgiving. It was so dreadful, I must give you a trigger warning. This may even disturb you and your sleeping.
In my dream, people were preparing for Thanksgiving—for traveling to be with family or planning dinner menus, the various things we do to celebrate. But instead of anticipating seeing loved ones, the conversations around me swirled with the busy-ness of the season, the crowds at the stores, the stress of traveling—not the joy of thanksgiving. “How were the lines?” and “Who do you think will be there?” and “I can’t decide what to make,” were some of the questions and comments I was hearing. Instead of thankfulness, it seemed that dread and anxiety were the order of the day.  In my dream, we scraped through Thanksgiving with lots of talk about the work involved, the time it took to prepare, and the exhaustion. People were so glad to “get over with it” so they could relax. But the worst was still ahead: Christmas.
When I worked for several months in Uganda, it was common for the government to announce a holiday on the radio the night before said holiday. That meant that all the banks would be closed; offices would be shut down; many stores would not be serving; and people were generally inconvenienced. But we’re not subject to that sort of ambiguity. All our lives we know that Christmas with its activities will arrive on December 25. But in my dream, I kept hearing, “I have so many things to do.” “I’m not ready.” “There are lots of parties.” “I’m so tired.” “I’m so stressed.” “I can hardly wait until the holidays are over.”
The nightmare was so upsetting, I wanted to scream. Instead, I woke up relieved that it was just a dream. A very bad dream. We have had a whole year to plan for the celebration of Christ’s coming, plenty of time. We have that peace that was promised by the angels; no need to stress. We have the joy of realizing that Baby Boy brings salvation and hope; no need to worry. We have the gifts given us by the Spirit; including patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self control, faithfulness. Actually, we have everything we need to enjoy the seasons of Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.
Joy to the world. THE LORD IS COME. Let’s celebrate.

Father, forgive us when we get caught up in materialism and the world. We are part of your Kingdom. Help us to live as citizens of the Kingdom, always glorifying and honoring you with great joy. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

JOY

…the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Every morning of the year, my little next door neighbor burst out of his house with unrestrained singing. I came to look forward to a serenade each day as Ben made his way through the garden to school or to play or to the day’s activity. Throughout the years, Ben’s singing matured and blessed me until he decided to grow up, go to university, and finally marry. And he also went into ministry, no surprise.
The people of Judah who had experienced long years in exile finally returned to their homeland (as God had promised) and settled in to reclaim their heritage. Nehemiah led them in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall that had been destroyed by the Babylonian invaders. Many families and tradesmen committed to restoring a section of the wall, and as they all united, the wall and doors were all put back in place.
It was time for celebration. But first, Ezra the priest brought out the Law of Moses, which had been neglected for many years. He read aloud to the people from daybreak until noon, and as the people understood the words, they began to weep. Nehemiah, the governor, and Ezra halted their mourning with, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep” (8:9). These wise leaders knew that grief would suck the victory from the long weeks of effort the people had faithfully put into rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Instead, Nehemiah instructed them to bring out the party food, to send treats to those who had nothing prepared. They were not to grieve, for “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (8:10). Scripture records that the people celebrated with “great joy.” In fact, their celebration had not been as intense since the days of Joshua. As the Word settled into their hearts, Ezra was able to continue his teaching (and reading), and the people heard the words and rejoiced.
Think of what a little joy could do in our lives. God’s joy (based on our righteousness in him) brings great freedom and empowers us to live, celebrating his Kingdom at work in and through us. Let’s practice “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among [ourselves], and making music to the Lord in [our] hearts” (Eph. 5:19). Bring out the joy. It might even help to restore some of the brokenness in our own lives.

 

Sweet Father, thank you for your joy that is not based on happenings but on your realities. Stir up a song within us all. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

OOPS

…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  Luke 6:38

 

My friend David told me a story about a village that had just experienced a record crop of grapes, and all the villagers agreed to come together for a regional celebration of thanksgiving.  The mayor requested everyone to bring a barrel of their very best wine; each one would pour his contribution into a large vat.

The day and time of the festival was announced, and people came from far and wide to join in the happiness of the tiny village.  The head of each family brought his keg, climbed the small ladder, and poured his wine into the community receptacle while the people below cheered and clapped.  The next person came, climbed the ladder, and added his barrel of wine.  And so on it went.  Person after person climbed the ladder and accepted the applause as he emptied his barrel.

One of the villagers, a rather parsimonious fellow, thought to himself that he would fill his barrel with water and empty it without anyone’s knowing that he had withheld his family’s bounty.  He, too, was cheered and applauded as he emptied his barrel and made his way down the ladder.

The big moment of the festival arrived.  All the neighboring villagers crowded around with their tankards looking forward to tasting the delicious fruit of the year’s labor.  The mayor put the first mug under the spigot and opened the tap.  And to the shame of all the villagers, the liquid flowed clear.  Everyone had selfishly filled their kegs with water and saved the good wine for themselves.

David and I had been talking about stewardship and the joy of giving—that Jesus said it was more blessed to give than to receive.  Paul went on to say that “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (II Cor. 9:6).

There’s an old saying I heard a lot growing up, What goes ‘round comes ‘round.  I suspect that’s what happened with that stingy little village.  Not only did they miss out on the joy of giving, but they embarrassed themselves in front of the whole region.

 

Lord, we hear and read with joy stories of great generosity and the blessing it brings.  Give us hearts that love to give so that we might bless others and bring glory to your name, the one who gave all.  AMEN.