The Mainline Minister

"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 br...

December 24th!  It's Christmas Eve.  Yes, but... Until we are through with worship today, we will still inhabit the space of Advent.  Still we anticipate, still we await.  This is a great day to meditate on patience all while we prepare for the future.  Baby Jesus is coming. His arrival is imminent.  But he's not here yet.  So before you throw open the doors to welcome the Christ child, take advantage of this last day of Advent to make sure all is ready for him.  And, if it's not, it's okay. Just try. We welcome you, Incarnate God, Dream of All the Ages, Hope of Every Heart.  Just not yet.

For most of you this is a lazy Saturday.  Tomorrow, Christmas Eve will arrive with the sights and sounds of joy and celebration.   Today is a moment to catch your breath.  For me, it's something else. Tomorrow is the marathon of church Sundays, with four services.   It will all be great.  The services have been planned, the music arranged.  It will be glorious.  But I'm already on edge. There isn't enough time.  There are still things to do.  The clock is ticking.  For me, this Saturday is filled with tension.  And that's too bad, because that's just one of the many ways that we are drawn away from what makes Advent so powerful.  This has been a season of waiting, praying and preparation.  When I've been attuned to what is important, I've felt closer to God and more ready for the miracle of Jesus' birth.  Why would I want to be any other way? So, yes, I'll still fret and worry that something will go ...

The snow is falling today and people are talking about the possibility of a white Christmas.  Lovely.  But what about Advent?  Have we already lost sight of this season?  We don't have much time left to prepare, to wait, to get ready.  If you're lucky enough to not be working or going to school today, take some time to pray and reflect on what this Advent has meant to you, on what you'd like to take from these weeks that have gone by, and what you hope to do to celebrate, to honor, to make real in your life the birth of the Christ child.

Today is the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day, and thus, longest night, of the year.  Traditionally, we remember the homeless who have died over the past year on this day.  As we prepared for the arrival of the Christ child, and his parents who found that there was no room at the inn, let us give some thought to those in our community without a warm place to sleep, a roof over their heads, a place to call our own.  Let us think, let us pray, let us do something.  After all, God cared enough the came to be with us, to save us.  Maybe we can bestir ourselves to care for those among us who could use a little help.

I've been receiving A LOT of emails the past couple of days encouraging me to get my order in NOW if I want my loved ones to receive their products in time for Christmas.  Wouldn't want my order from Stuff.com to be late for the Feast of the Nativity, would I? As we get older, we all seem to indulge in the same past time: regretting the degradation of Christmas.  When we were kids, people were more faithful, society more respectful, customs observed, etc. etc.  While there are indeed new developments in seasonal hucksterism, people have been offering this complaint for generations. Presents and gifts are nice.  So are decorations and parties.   But they're beside the point.  If we truly want to mark Jesus' birthday, we should reflect on the meaning of his life, and how it informs ours.  That simple, that hard.  The good news, calendars notwithstanding, is that we will have many, many chances.  Take that deadlines!

I have to be in Boston so I'm getting an early start to the day.  It seems like I have all the time in the world.  But before I know it, the day will be speeding by.  Driving to the city. Rushing to meetings.  Returning to the Upper Valley.  Whiz. Bang. Done. But for now, I'll enjoy the quiet, the sense of anticipation for the day ahead.  I'll savor the possibilities, imagining what will be.  And I'll take time to thank God for this moment and this Advent Season. Thanks, God.