Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida

In 1986, Debbie and I made our first move as a married couple – to Guam. It was to be my second Navy duty station. It was pre-described to us as a “poor man’s Hawaii”. It was truly as beautiful as we imagined Hawaii to be, yet a little more – primitive.  The natives, or Chamorros, were the nicest people you could hope to meet.  Every weekend there was a fiesta in one of the villages. You didn’t need an invitation. Just show up and be fed.

A few months into our tour there, I was told that my band unit would be going to, among other ports of call, Perth/Fremantle, Australia — over Christmas.  Upon conveying this wonderful news to my bride of just two years, her response was: “Okay, then I’m going back to Mom and Dad’s”.  She had already had enough of our delightful little island paradise.

So yes, on Christmas Day, I was in the land down under. On the ship, I had taken the opportunity to sign up to be hosted by a local family. I was picked up at the pier by an Irish immigrant family. They had two teenage sons and a twelve-year-old daughter. They had even bought presents for me. We went to the beach on Christmas Day. For this native Floridian, that wasn’t much of a stretch! It was an unusual setting, of course, but for me it held just as much meaning as a future New England Christmas with snow.  Even on the other side of the world, far from any family for the first time, Christ had come.

I am certain that for each of you, every Christmas has had its one peculiarity. Sometimes home, sometimes not. With loved ones or grieving the loss of one. It is not necessary to remember all the details.  It is the same with THE story.  Matthew’s and Luke’s renditions vary slightly, as yours and mine do. Different experiences of the same astonishing, incredible news: unto us a Savior is born. God’s universal plan of salvation is a gift to us at all times and in all places. Wouldn’t it be nice to convey the joyful memories to all who are downtrodden? Whether or not there is any good news in our lives, this story remains to bring us peace, hope and joy. We give thanks today for a God who loves us unconditionally.

Pastor Art
Posted on Christmas Day 2018

Those of us who have lived in Florida for at least a year have been rudely acquainted with flying and crawling things we wish God had not created. Gnats, mosquitoes, roaches. They make themselves known via our necks, ankles, pretty much anywhere on our bodies that looks inviting. Our porches and patios may have “zappers” or citronella candles to ward them off.

The Lord has “no-see-ums” – we call them angels. Actually, we do see them sometimes, revealed in human form. There are many books with artist’s representations of these “secret agents.” An angel is the main character in the story we will hear again this evening. The angel Gabriel prepped the scene in his message of hope and promise to Mary. Angels are certainly a big part in our story, as they were in Jesus’. They tended to him after his temptation, and there was one sitting in his empty tomb declaring to the witnesses, “he is not here”.

For us, they are present when we pray; when we are in harm’s way; they fight our battles for us. It is also a reciprocal relationship. Hebrews 13:2 – “do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unwittingly entertained angels”. These are among my favorite stories to hear as a pastor.

Our “invisible allies” remind us of God’s unconditional love. Believing in what we cannot see is what faith is. We stand assured, convinced, and full of Christmas hope.

Pastor Art

What a glorious Christmas song:  “O Holy Night the stars are brightly shining!”  There we are on the darkened hillside with the shepherds.  Only the stars light up the clear night sky.  The music builds and our voices go higher to that wonderful moment of “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices.”  And as we sing, we share the shepherds’ thrill!

I first experienced “O Holy Night” as a little girl. On Christmas Day, after the turkey had been consumed and the dishes washed, all the aunts and uncles gathered in my grandmother’s cozy living room. The highlight of the afternoon came after the last gift had been unwrapped, when the whole family gathered around the old upright piano to sing. I sat at the piano, bungling many notes but doing my best. My dad and uncles enthusiastically threw in some tenor harmony and my aunt was proud of her good strong alto. On and on we sang. When we had sung most of the familiar carols, it was time for everyone’s favorite, “O Holy Night.”   To my young ear, it could have been the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing heartily behind me.

Well, they’ve all gone on to their eternal reward now, every one of them. Somehow in the parade of years, I’ve become the grandma. But those loved ones and their voices still sing in my heart and memory. When I hear “O Holy Night” again this Christmas, their voices will be joining in.

It is indeed a truly Holy Night. “It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.”  It is the night God’s unconditional love became flesh — for me,  for YOU.

          “O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
          It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth . . .
          Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
          O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
          O night divine! O night, O night divine!”*

Judy, originally shared December 24, 2018

*Text Adolphe Charles Adams (1803-1856); tune Cappeau de Roquemaure

The time has come!   Merry Christmas everyone!   I’d like to share a poem with you this morning.  The author is unknown, but the message is beautiful.

If You Look for Me at Christmas

If you look for me at Christmas,
you won’t need a special star;
I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,
I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me
amid the celebrations.
You’ll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.

But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do,
and listen to your heart, you’ll find
I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with,
you’re the reason that I came,
and you’ll find Me in the stillness
as I’m whispering your name.

Love, Jesus

Be still my friends and know that our Savior has come.  He’s come for you; he’s come for me.  He’s come to bring his unconditional love that we might be saved.  I wish you all a blessed Christmas.

Judy

Memes, social media avatars, snail-mail cards, gift baskets, email greetings.  So many varied ways to send wishes for a happy holiday season.  Ponder if you will, how Jesus was celebrated.  His parents wrapped Him in warm swaddling layers and tucked Him into a manger of straw. The anticipation was over.  They were as prepared as they could have been.  Our Lord arrived as a sweet, gentle, baby.  The shepherds stood in awe.  The Bethlehem scene of angels hovering over the Holy Family is in the minds of many believers.  God’s plan of sending His only Son to us was/is a reality. How do we even begin to fathom His unconditional love for us?

Yes, a season/day of celebration and traditions, but the reflective component remains.  We were gifted God’s only Son, to worship.  Learn of Him.  Study His Holy Word.  Share His good news.  Celebrate.  Dance.  Be joy-filled.  Jesus’ birth was long awaited and should be celebrated with love and adoration.  Let LOVE become your best gift to give.  Give it abundantly!

Jill

We all know and love the Christmas story. I’ve heard it and celebrated it my whole life.
It is the MOST AWESOME STORY EVER.

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7

But this year, after all the years of reading and listening, all the years of Christmas programs and Christmas caroling,
This year the Holy Spirit makes it new and different and written just for me . . .
“There was no room for them…”

Will it be another season of hustle and bustle, shopping and wrapping, cooking and baking, cleaning and entertaining, weeks of feeling so busy that I’m not sure I’m going to make it . . .

Or this year, will I “make room for HIM.”

So simple, so cut-to-the-chase, so clarifying . . .
This Christmas season, this life, I’m called to “make room for HIM.”

And the MOST AWESOME STORY EVER touches my heart in a new way . . .
He loves us unconditionally.

Patti
Posted in December 2018

The seasons of Advent and Christmas have always been special times in my life. From childhood, family traditions have been seeded in my heart and practices. Each year, as my children grew older, I could see that these traditions were important to them also.  

It warms my heart to see my little sons grow into strong, successful men who enjoy carrying on these special times within our family. My mother was the chief motivator for most of these activities. My brothers and sisters were willing participants in our leadup to Christmas.  

Recently my brother Eric shared an old post from our family online site. He was remembering the practice of setting up the creche. He talked about the various shapes and conditions that the stable took over the years. He remembered creating buildings from old shoe boxes and disguising them with paint and pine branches.  

Finally when he was in college, he took the time to build a real stable for the holy night figures. It was built with pieces of wood leftover from a project that my other two brothers were building in the basement. My mother loved that stable and used it for the rest of her life.  

My mother’s heart was warmed to watch her children grow into strong successful people and carry on the traditions of her childhood. 

This brings me to the most important mother in this seasonal drama-Mary, the virgin mother of God. I am sure that there were family traditions around the Jewish feasts and holy days that Mary passed on to Jesus. Mary knew that her child was special from the time of conception. 

I try to imagine what it was like for her to hold that little, tiny baby and know that he was the son of God. He was destined to change the world in which she lived. He looked like any other baby-chubby, cute, and huggable, but he wasn’t like any other baby. He was God. What a responsibility she had.  

I am sure that Mary’s heart was warmed as she watched Jesus grow into his role of rabbi and leader but filled with inconceivable sadness when his life ended on the cross of Calvary.  

Mary continues to be an important role model for me for her unconditional acceptance of God’s will for her. God’s unconditional love was shining on her every day of her life. Just as it shines on us. Enjoy your traditions! 

Terri 

The seasons of Advent and Christmas have always been special times in my life. From childhood, family traditions have been seeded in my heart and practices. Each year, as my children grew older, I could see that these traditions were important to them also.  

It warms my heart to see my little sons grow into strong, successful men who enjoy carrying on these special times within our family. My mother was the chief motivator for most of these activities. My brothers and sisters were willing participants in our leadup to Christmas.  

Recently my brother Eric shared an old post from our family online site. He was remembering the practice of setting up the creche. He talked about the various shapes and conditions that the stable took over the years. He remembered creating buildings from old shoe boxes and disguising them with paint and pine branches.  

Finally when he was in college, he took the time to build a real stable for the holy night figures. It was built with pieces of wood leftover from a project that my other two brothers were building in the basement. My mother loved that stable and used it for the rest of her life.  

My mother’s heart was warmed to watch her children grow into strong successful people and carry on the traditions of her childhood. 

This brings me to the most important mother in this seasonal drama-Mary, the virgin mother of God. I am sure that there were family traditions around the Jewish feasts and holy days that Mary passed on to Jesus. Mary knew that her child was special from the time of conception. 

I try to imagine what it was like for her to hold that little, tiny baby and know that he was the son of God. He was destined to change the world in which she lived. He looked like any other baby-chubby, cute, and huggable, but he wasn’t like any other baby. He was God. What a responsibility she had.  

I am sure that Mary’s heart was warmed as she watched Jesus grow into his role of rabbi and leader but filled with inconceivable sadness when his life ended on the cross of Calvary.  

Mary continues to be an important role model for me for her unconditional acceptance of God’s will for her. God’s unconditional love was shining on her every day of her life. Just as it shines on us. Enjoy your traditions! 

Terri 

So here comes one you don’t expect from me, a rendition of a Basque Christmas carol by the rock singer Sting.

The text is the story of the annunciation. The Angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus.

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came
His wings as drifted snow
His eyes as flame
“All Hail!” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most Highly Favoured Lady,”
Gloria!

I have always found this carol haunting, and I guess so did Sting. He considers himself an agnostic, one who does not know of there is a God or not. Yet he admits an openness to what is beyond. He wrote, “I’ve chosen to live my life without the ‘certainties’ of faith, but I do maintain a great reverence for the mystery and wonder of our existence.” Some religious scholars have noted the way religious images, symbols, and stories influence his music. That was certainly true in his 2009 album “If on a Winter’s Night” which includes a number of Christmas carols.

I am always amazed at the way music, art, and storytelling can get deep messages across in a way that lecturing people or bossing them around or threatening them leaves them unmoved. The few times I have been transported to realms beyond ordinary existence, it has been through music. You never know how God is going to communicate. After all, one day an angel spoke to a young woman named Mary who replied, “To me be as it pleaseth God.”

Gloria!

Read Luke 1:26-38 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

This past Sunday I featured an arrangement of a traditional Lent hymn during the 8:15 special music spot.

You might be thinking “Are there not enough Advent hymns?  We are preparing for the arrival of Jesus and you’re already using music from Lent? What gives?”

Yes there are and yes I did.  

While I will not even begin to think I can comprehend or think for Jesus sometimes my mind wanders a little and I imagine what he might have felt or thought.  He was human on earth and I’m human so I feel like maybe I can relate just the tiniest bit.  

Jesus had to have known early on what his destiny was.  I don’t think he started his ministry and God said “Surprise!  I’m going to have you die in a horrific and torturous death for countless people, many of whom won’t appreciate the magnitude of your gift.”

I would surmise that at the moment his physically human brain was capable of conscious thought he was fully aware of what the future held.  Imagine if you will, being a young boy working in your earthly father’s carpentry business working with wood, knowing what was coming years down the road. Knowing that in an ironic twist it would be wood that would hold you up for all the world to see as you pour out your life for all mankind. 

Imagine growing up and passing through adolescence into adulthood knowing the salvation of humanity rested squarely in your shoulders. 

Any ordinary person would be mentally and emotionally crushed by that burden and never make it to the actual act of sacrifice.  But Jesus bore that burden for his entire time in his body of flesh and bone for you.  For me.  For everyone.  All because of his wondrous love. 

My favorite verse from that hymn is in my mind the only way I could fathom  responding to this wondrous gift:

“To God and to the Lamb 
I will sing, I will sing; 
to God and to the Lamb, 
I will sing.

To God and to the Lamb 
who is the great “I AM,” 
while millions join the theme,
I will sing, I will sing, 
while millions join the theme, 
I will sing.”

What wondrous love is this?  Oh my soul, this is the unconditional love of God!

Silas