What's a friend worth?

Earlier this week Facebook filed for a $5 billion IPO. That's a lot of money, but Facebook and its money people believe there's a boat load of money - multiples of $5 billion to be exact - to be made through social media. Given the number of people who use Facebook and the time spent there, I suspect they're right. Like hundreds of millions of others, I've got an FB account. It's been a nice way to stay in touch with some old friends who live far away. It's also been useful to me in my ministry. But something about this week's IPO has me on edge.

Relationships are fundamental to who we are as humans; for Christians, relationship is at the heart of the Trinity. Facebook, and the web in general, are supposed to help us come together yet all too often they do the opposite. Who amongst us hasn't experienced all the glories of passive aggression via Email? On social media sites, people can and do post comments they'd never share face to face. And, back to email, at least as a point of departure, gossip in the digital age has assumed a dynamic unimaginable in the past - who needs a telephone tree when you can blast the latest dish or rumor to fifty, 100, 1000 people?

I won't claim to be saying anything revelatory here, but I will confess that I'm bothered, and in a way that I haven't been before. Don't be surprised if you read more on this from me. In the meantime, I think I'll go talk to someone.

As Linus Was Saying ...

One of the great moments in Yuletide storytelling occurs in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." When asked what the Christmas story was all about, Linus offered the following from Luke:

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Take a few moments today to reflect on these words and the great gift of which they tell. Then rejoice!

Merry Christmas!

Are We There Yet?

Anybody who has ever traveled with a child (or been a child who has traveled) is familiar with that most insistent, expectant, hope-laden question: Are we there yet? Those simple, eager, sometimes desperate words are filled with anticipation, yearning, desire. All too often, the answer is "no." And when the query has been made multiple times, the "no" may be curt, sharp, lacking in warmth.

Happily, none of that will be going on today. As we complete our Advent journey, and ask the question, "Are we there yet?" the answer is a joyful "just about" -- if we're thinking of tonight's candlelight services and tomorrow's festivities (and service!). But if we're thinking about something more elemental - God's presence -- then the answer is "Yes!" We're in God's presence, indeed, we've been there all along, because God, motivated by and defining love, came searching us out, each of us and all of us, so long ago.

Almost

We're almost there ... almost at Christmas. So let's enjoy our final moments of Advent. The hour may be late, but this last full day of the season of preparation has yet to come to a close. If you have a chance, take a moment and sit quietly. Reflect on your Advent journey, on how God has been in present in your life, on what it means to embark on a voyage of spiritual discovery with Emmanuel. Then, when you are done, give thanks to our Creator for not only inviting us on this journey but for being our steadfast companion, in good times and bad.

Bonsai

This morning I paid a visit to the dentist. And while I was in an office just a few steps from the green in downtown Lebanon, I also found myself on the Upper West Side, in the waiting room of Dr. Hiram Angfang, the family dentist. It was never clear to me why we went to Manhattan to have our teeth checked and cleaned, but I didn't mind. Rides on the subway, a trip for pizza after the appointment (my dad always led these expeditions), an excursion down to Times Square in all of its squalid 1970s glory beckoned. Throw in piles of Highlights for Children and colorful fish in the aquarium and one had an always satisfying experience. But if you asked me to recall just one thing about Dr. Angfang's office all these years later, it would be the bonsai tree. Small, delicate, beautiful, and resilient, the little tree held pride of place in the waiting area. For a kid, that Bonsai was magical - trees were supposed to be, well, big. And this one was most definitely not. Yet it was a fine, proud arboreal specimen, one I remember after more than forty years.

This is a season of memories, some happy, some not, some cherished, some resented. We will hold or push away our memories, as individuals and as a community. Some of the things we will recall will serve to divide us from others, others will alienate those who ought to be reconciled. Into this jumble comes the memory of the Christ-child, the one who brings us hope, grace, and joy. Like the Bonsai, the baby was small, delicate, beautiful, and resilient. And the memory of him will be with each of us forty years and beyond, indeed will be with us forever, as long as we're willing to make room for him in our hearts.

Darkness

How appropros today's forecast is: cloudy, cold, with a 100% of rain this afternoon. This weather is just what's needed on the shortest day of the year; not only will we enjoy more darkness than on any other day of the year, the elements will join in the effort to dampen our spirits. Woo hoo.

Of course, there is an upside to all this: Tomorrow there will be more daylight than there is today. The skies will be clear. Things will be better. My weather app tells me so and I believe it, even though almost three decades of New England living tell me to take any prediction involving weather with a grain of salt. Still, I'm optimistic, I have faith.

And what is faith? In Hebrews 11 we are told that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is what animates our longing, our yearning, our anticipation for Emmanuel, the Christ-child, who was promised to us long ago. Each of us desires to experience love incarnate, to meet the Word made flesh. In just a few days, we'll join together with song and story to commemorate the fulfillment of this gift from our Creator. And we'll do so with faith and optimism, without regard for the weather.

Emmanuel

Today I'd like to extend an invitation. Set aside a few moments, find a quiet place, then sing aloud (or read in silence) "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." After doing this, meditate on and pray about your desire to encounter the one who comes to you and me and the world, God-with-us.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Pilgrim Hymnal 110

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

And order all things, far and nigh;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And cause us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.