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.

BUSY-NESS

 

Be still, and know that I am God… Psalms 46:10
During this time of Advent, a season for preparation and waiting, we are encouraged to be still, to meditate, and to ponder on Jesus’ birth and his second coming. Does this spiritual expectation seem oxymoronic when juxtaposed with our Western version of Christmas? How many people in our culture do you know who are quietly reflecting on and anticipating December 25?

Several weeks ago, I heard Dr. Gordon T. Smith talk about the vocational holiness to which God calls each of us in our pursuit of spiritual growth. He defined vocational holiness as “what God calls each of us to do” in our individual lives “without frenetic busy-ness.” Moving about our individual, daily calling peacefully instead of the feverish distraction that often characterizes our days.

I’ve often jokingly said that a discovery I made years ago radically changed my life, and that was that Christmas comes on December 25 EVERY YEAR. That allows me to begin planning weeks and months in advance of the holiday so that by the time of Advent I can begin to quietly reflect on Jesus and my journey with him.

It’s not just the Christmas season that finds us frenetic. Can you think of other times where you’re frantically pursuing your calling, always seeming to be behind the almighty schedule, always mastered by the unrelenting clock? (My African friends tell me that we have watches while they have time.)

A good resolution for the New Year might be to ponder what being still and living in peace would look like in our lives. How would that manifest itself in our holy vocations? Apparently, the reward for stillness is “knowing.”
Father, set us free from the stress and anxiety that is often the product of our own frenzy. Teach us to be quiet and to wait on you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  Matthew 25:1, 2

 

Yes, Christmas IS coming.  A number of years ago I discovered that Christmas ALWAYS comes on December 25.  Not the 20^th or the 27^th and always in December.  In fact, as early as 273 A.D. the 25^th was noted for the celebration of Christ’s birthday in conjunction with the “birth of the unconquered sun” (Christian History, August 2008).

I wonder why it took me so long to record this recurring celebration of Christ’s birth and all the joyous events surrounding it?  Once I was mindful of this fact, I began preparing in the fall by making lists and purchasing gifts for loved ones.  I began sketching out our family Christmas pageant and the ensuing dinner menu.  I was able to choose a convenient date for my annual parties.  Essentially, with all the preparations made beforehand, I could worship and enjoy the deeper significance of Christ’s coming.

You may be mildly surprised to learn that there are still thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of our fellow countrymen and women who will be startled this December to learn that Christmas is only days away.  They will stress and fret at all the things that need to be done and the little time left in which to accomplish those tasks.  Christmas comes at such a busy time of the year.

The onslaught of Hurricane Harvey is reminding me of our lack of preparation for life’s events.  I’ve heard from family and friends that lines at grocery stores have been long and uncomfortable, and some items have been missing from the shelves.  It seems that many people haven’t thought about keeping a few non-perishable items in their pantries.  But the saddest thing is the expression of anxiety and fear among those who should otherwise recognize God’s peace and presence even in the middle of crisis.

Matthew records the parable about the virgins who were all confronted with the same event.  The Bridegroom was coming, and they needed oil.  Half were ready; half weren’t.  Half had been focused on consistent growth in Christ, of following him daily; half weren’t.  Half were allowing his Spirit to fill and transform them; half weren’t.  Half were being changed into his image; half weren’t.  When the crisis occurred (the Bridegroom’s arrival), half were prepared, half weren’t.

When the various storms come to our lives—and so many arrive unannounced—what have we been laying up in our spiritual stores?  Remember another of Jesus’ parables, the one about the two houses—one built on sand and the other on the rock (Matt. 7:24-27)?  Jesus said the story reflected someone who heard and did his word and someone who didn’t.  Crises are not one-time events, but when they arrive, we sometimes behave like students cramming for the final exam.  Trust isn’t an instant commodity that can be purchased at the corner store.  It’s an ongoing, daily exercise, a lifestyle relationship with Jesus.

Do you remember what happened with the two men in the two houses?  The one that was built on the rock STOOD.  And those same life storms come at us regularly.  We stand or fall based on what we’ve been doing beforehand.  Let’s get ready.  The storm is coming.

AND so is Christmas—December 25.  Mark your calendars.

 

Father, thank you for your mercy in all our trials.  Continue your faithful ministry in us by your Spirit so that we stand ready to glorify you in every event.  And be with all those touched by Harvey—comfort and meet every need.  In Jesus’ name.  AMEN.