December 2023…. The season of Advent begins, a New Year in the Church Calendar and another Calendar year comes to a close. Our thoughts become centered around preparations and traditions in the family home and our church home as well.

 

By the time you read this, I expect that the stage will be in place for the Day Care Christmas program,. The Advent Wreath will have its place and be lit our first Sunday in December. The tree will be in the sanctuary adorned with lights and the Chrismons. Wreaths around the sanctuary and throughout the Narthex and Foyer. All of these visual messages of the heart of Christmas – Christ.

 

At home, My wife and I have our traditions that we look forward to: The tree as a focal with garland around the windows. Stockings hung over the fireplace. Silly hats for the cats. (They don’t wear them for very long!) Soon Christmas cards and gifts will be sent and also received.

 

Still, there is for me nothing better than to sit by the tree in the early mornings and drink my coffee by the light of the tree. It is a time of peace. A time of Prayer. A time of Thanksgiving and a time of great joy and peace regarding the hopes of our future. I used to envy the shepherds that night when the angels came and shared their wonderful news, until it came to me that the Angel’s message was given to me as well. What a Joy those words bring and what great peace. “For unto you is born this day a Saviour!” This message is proclaimed to you also!

 

This is why another tradition in our home is so important to me. Each year we will normally watch such movies as A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol (The one with George C. Scott) and the most important film – A Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

 

The latter film summarizes all the issues our society faces each and every Christmas season: The business and commercialism of Christmas. I suppose Satan enjoys the idea that we are distracted from the important and singular message of Emmanuel!

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Charlie Brown shares the timeless and ever so important message and I still shed a tear or two when Linus shares the Word of God for us all. These are the words we need to hear and remember…

 

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 

So, I leave you with this; Yes, there is uncertainty about what the future will look like, but just look at what God has done for you. Look at how much God loves you. Look at what lengths God will go to provide for you. This is your God, and this is how He will continue to care for His people here at Mount Olive. God Bless you all and Merry Christmas!

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Pastor Baker