16 Days until Christmas! Like we need any more pressure!

My Children have one of those classic before-Christmas-paper-chains, from which they count down to the event of events, Christmas. Each day, one of the children removes one of the links in the chain as a reminder that Christmas is getting closer. It is somewhat of a secular reminder that Christmas is just around the corner. Advent Calendars serve much of the same purpose for us within the church.

Sometimes, I think that it is defeating its purpose. I think that the purpose of the Advent Calendar and the aforementioned paper chain is to prepare oneself for Christmas, to be reminded that Christmas is coming. But often times it serves as an incendiary device in our home. There is always a battle for who tore the last link; whose turn it is this time; and, a written agreement in principle for who will be the one to rip the next link.

In spite of the bellicose nature by which the link is fractured, I am sure of one thing: Christmas is only 16 days away.

So, if the tension by which my information was garnered is not enough to make me a bit tense, I’m sure the mere fact that there are only 16 days until Christmas is enough to make me a bit unsettled. In those 16 days, there is so little time, and so much to do. The list keeps growing, and the days only become shorter. Christmas is coming.

Take a deep breath!

I had a conversation with some folks this morning who were asked to consider the question, “What will you DO in the coming weeks to become a more fully devoted follower of Christ?” We noted that the word “do” was capitalized, just as it is above. It brought with it the very strong connotation that in order to be a follower of Christ – you had to DO something. It made us feel less likely to want to “do” anything. “Doing” only added to the things that we are expected to “do,” feel as if we need to “do,” and know that ultimately we will have to “do” in the coming weeks.

Our conclusion was that we might be better served at simply trying to “BE” more fully devoted followers of Christ. And I think we were onto something.

Christmas is only 16 days away, and I hope that you don’t lose the true meaning of this season in the midst of everything that you have to “DO.” I encourage you to simply “BE.”

This week’s epistle lesson is a good reminder. The writer says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.

That will be my prayer for you this week!

In Worship this Sunday, our children will be sharing a story entitled “’Twas the Year Before Christmas.” I will also be sharing a very brief message entitled, “Who will it be?” I hope that you will be a more fully devoted follower of Christ and invite someone to experience the wonder of Children and God’s Word. Stay following worship for a fellowship meal and share in God’s grace. I look forward to greeting you personally.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Remote Controlled

At what point do we become ruled by earthly things? At what point do we become captive to the things in our lives? Excellent question you may say. But why the questions, you may ask?

There are points in my life when I realize that I have a relatively firm grasp on things. First and foremost, I strive each and everyday to live not to myself, but for God and Jesus Christ. I like to think that ultimately, God has control over my life and through God’s grace I have control over my life. Because of that grace, things do not lord over me and control me. I like to think that I have a firm grasp of my health. I like to believe that I have a good sense of abiding by rules. I like to assume that debt and consumerism do not control my every action. I do not live in fear, so therefore I assume that the world and everyday circumstances do not dictate whether I go outside. Even after this past week’s tragedy in Minneapolis, I like to think that bridges are safe and therefore I will travel over them. Living in Western Pennsylvania, we have no choice but to cross bridges, even if they are “structurally deficient.”

But just when I think that I have things in control, there are moments when I realized just how enslaved I am to some things.

Friday night, Tracy and I left to go to a rehearsal dinner for a wedding I officiated this weekend. During the day, we knew that the television was used and the remote control was facilitating that use. While we went to the rehearsal, our girls stayed at home for another hour and then went to a date night co-op event that was held at the church.

Later that night when we returned home, we put the girls to bed and Tracy and I prepared to unwind from the evening, watch the evening news and eventually go to bed. When I attempted to turn the television on, I could not find the remote. Upon asking the inevitable question, the answer came, “I don’t know.”

Here’s where the control or lack of control comes into focus. Thirty years ago, it would have been nothing to manually turn the television on and sit back and watch a program. But after 25 years of having a little clicker thingie in my hand, I could not. We checked everywhere for that remote and it was no where to be found. Yes, we even checked between the cushions in the couch.

You would have thought that having a firm grasp on reality would indicate that the remote was indeed in the house. But the enslavement took over and I actually went to the store on Saturday morning to buy a new remote.

I bet you know where this story is going. And you would be in the same camp as my wife who later used a very familiar phrase, “I told you so.” You guessed it! The remote showed its unruly head just as I had completed the complicated task of programming my entire entertainment system into my universal remote.

If you have any sympathy for my situation and my enslavement, you will agree that remote controls do not belong in the toy room, in the craft box, under construction paper. I know some crafty people would have found it there, but remember I have an aversion to crafts – therefore the craft box would be the last place I would look.

I know that I should have just slowed down, taken a deep breath and pretended that it was 1977 again, but I could not. I was totally wrapped up in this remote. Which led me to think about a passage from Colossians 3.

1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.

I have to constantly remind myself about being controlled by earthly things. Yes, I knew that the remote was going to show up sometime – it didn’t have legs, and the girls were absolutely sure that it didn’t leave the house – but I just couldn’t imagine getting up to change the channels until we found it. At that moment, I realized that I was being controlled by a remote control.

So what’s got a hold of your life this day? What do you need to do to remove it, and focus on Christ?

“Gracious and loving God, help me to always focus on you and on your kingdom. Free me this day from the things that control me and allow my life to be more holy each day. Remove all wrath and passion, and the greed that controls me. Replace that desire with a desire to love you more. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.”

This week in worship, we will continue our series on the sacraments, and focus on Baptism. I hope to see you this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg