I had a wonderful question posed to me following my prior blog posting. The question was essentially, do I really believe someone can have an eternal relationship, "be saved", and not be a follower or believer in Jesus Christ? This is my attempt to answer that question.

As I've explored the world religions more in depth these last several weeks (more than ever before) I've come to learn there are some areas where Christianity and the other religions are in agreement. All of them (except perhaps Buddhism) worship the same God we do. I've found the other religions seem to be living out their faith more readily than we as Christians oftentimes do. Judaism and Christianity have much the same history - the sacred text of the Jewish people is our sacred text. The stories of the Jewish people are our stories. The heritage of the Jewish people is our
heritage – at least up to the time of Jesus Christ. It's at the point of Jesus Christ where we, as Christians, diverge paths from the Jews. In fact, this is the point of divergence for Christians and most of the other world religions.

As I mentioned in my sermon on Islam last weekend, our disagreement with Islamists centers around Jesus Christ and that we believe Jesus is divine; they do not. We believe Jesus died for our sins - the sins of the world; they do not. I've come to respect the lives of the Hindus, Buddhists and Islams (I'm sure I will the Jews as well as I learn more about them). Nevertheless, there are areas I disagree with them as a Christian - again that centers around Jesus as our savior who took the sins of the world upon his shoulders - for all people.

I recently read something by Rev. Adam Hamilton which made me question and reflect a bit differently of how Jesus provides salvation for the world. What if by taking the sins of the world upon his shoulders for all people - Jesus opened the way even for those who don't believe in him? What about those who never heard of him? If someone has never heard of Jesus would they be doomed to an eternity of hell? What of someone who never learns the gospel? What of the person who is raised by fanatic parents or atheistic parents and they never have the opportunity to come to know Jesus? Would they be condemned to hell? Should a mentally challenged person who does not understand the meaning of Jesus and what Jesus did for all, be condemned to hell?

There are many questions - and I'm still working out some of the answers. I do believe in God's grace, mercy and judgement and trust he wil judge believers and non-believers with grace and with infinite wisdom. In some ways I am choosing to stand in the gray on this one - it's not black and white for me. There are numerous issues where I stand in the gray: homosexuality (our new testament and old, call it a sin against God); Christians who don't tithe - scripture says we are to give 10% of our income back to God; Christians who don't pray; Christians who don't worship; Christians who profess to be Christians, but don't live the lifestyle Christ calls us to live... What I do know is that God will judge accordingly and he does not call me to judge.

Is there a chance that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God can still have an eternal relationship with God - perhaps. I'm just glad I'm not making the judgement call on that.

What do you think? Do you think someone can have an eternal relationship with God - reach heaven - but not know Jesus?

Blessings to you all,

Patrick

Christianity and our world religions

Throughout the month of January and much of February we are on a journey of exploring our world religions. Together, on Sunday mornings, we are looking at the world’s five major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. In the introduction of this series I ask the congregation four vital questions.

1) Why are there so many different religions?
2) How should Christians view other religions?

3) How is God at work in other religions?

4) What is the fate of those who earnestly pursue God through other religions?

I want to answer those questions briefly here and then encourage you to do some reading on your own about the other religions of our world.

If we have one true God, then why are there so many different religions in our world? Wouldn’t it be easier if there were one religion, one path, one understanding…? Certainly this would help remove some of the confusion as well as conflict that stems from the ardor of religious beliefs. The different religions arise from the many different cultures and ways of looking at and understanding God. Think of a movie you and a friend recently went to. Each of you leaves the movie with different perspectives and understandings, points of emphasis… yet it was the same movie you watched. Religion is something like that. We each come away with a different understanding and perspective.

How should we view other religions? It is important for us to remember the beliefs held by most persons of other religions are as sacred and important to them as our Christian beliefs are to us. We must respect all persons as we seek to learn about the beliefs of other faiths. Too, we can learn something from the other religions that will help us in our own Christian faith.

How is God at work in other religions? Two biblical stories come to mind when I think of this question. The first is the story of the Magi who followed the star signifying the birth of Jesus. The Magi were neither descendants of Abraham nor followers of Moses. But God spoke to them in a way they would understand. They followed God’s sign in the heavens which led them to Jesus. The other story that comes to mind is that of Hagar and Ishmael. God promised to make Ishmael into a great nation. This is a promise our Arab and Muslim friends believe was fulfilled in them. God speaks to us in many ways. The question is, are we listening?

Lastly, what is the fate of those of other religions earnestly pursuing God? I think of the Hindus, Buddhists and Islam experts, I have met with in study for this series and have come to understand, they worship and follow the One True God, the same as we do. While they may go about it a bit differently and have a different perspective– the essential worship is the same. While Jesus did say, “No one comes to the Father except through me” perhaps believe one way to interpret this is, while the merits of Christ’s death are important for all persons to enter heaven, it is up to God to apply those merits as he chooses. If a faithful Hindu never has an opportunity to know Christ, should he be barred from an eternal relationship with God? If a mentally handicapped child dies without ever knowing the truth Christ has to offer, should that child not receive the grace and blessings of Christ?

I believe for those who are not Christians, but strive to live in honor of God and to follow God, will receive God’s mercy and be lifted up before Jesus Christ to receive his grace.

Here's my question to you! How would you answer the four questions I posed? What do you think of other religions in the world? If you are not a Christian (or follower of Christ) how do you view - what do you think of - Christianity?

Peace out friends,

Patrick

Need a new perspective?

Every now and then I pause, calmly consider my life, count my blessings, and admit to myself I need a new perspective. I sometimes feel in a rut, in the same ole routine and need to look at things differently. Mark Twain once wrote, "What, then, is the true Gospel of consistency? Change. Who is the really consistent man? The man who changes. Since change is the law of his being, he cannot be consistent if he sticks in a rut"

Perhaps one of the greatest joys I receive from my profession, my calling as a pastor in the United Methodist denomination, is that "change is the law of my being". Those mundane circumstances of routine and rut around me can at times become stale. Yet, it is the people surrounding me that change all that.

It is the meeting of a young couple excited about learning about God and finding out what it means to be in a relationship with Him with a desire to become members of the church. It is the absolute pleasure of meeings with a young man I've known for almost four years and his newly intended as we begin to plan their wedding. It is having members of the same family drive from Iowa and Colorado with their respective new borns and toddlers, over the course of several years, asking me to baptise them as the whole family comes together.

It is my own family - my beautiful wife and incredibly smart daughter - who bring the most change and variety into my life. That might mean leaving church to drive to Ft Atkinson to open Brenda's car because she locked her keys in the car :) Or Brenda treating me my favorite meal for supper time. It might mean Brenda and Grace stopping by church during the day to surprise me with a visit. It also means listening to my three year old take center stage at a musical recital as she plays her violin and in the process has all the parents laughing.

I read a different type of book than I might normally. I drive down a road I've never driven before. I dream of speaking in front of thousands, bringing the Word of God in a way that moves the hearts of the listeners. I think of adopting another child. I consider doing mission work in Mexico where I can continue to use and learn spanish.

Being in a rut can leave me feeling less than what God has made me for; I have wandered a bit from the path of God's intention for me. When I feel this way and in those rare, rare moments I question my roll as a pastor - is this the best way for me to help people reach God through Christ? I look to my daughter. And I follow her advice and stand on my head, I look at life differently, I see a different perspective and am given new life.

This is the perhaps the greatest joy in my life (besides my relationship with God and my wife); it is the relationship with my daughter who teaches me more each day. I love her and all she has to offer. I'm proud to be her papa.

peace out - as Gracie says to me every night I put her to bed.

Always faithful,

Patrick

Building Bridges Between our Faiths

Our world today, in some ways, is very different than it was only a generation or two ago. When I was young and growing up there was not a great diversity of faiths or religions surrounding me – I did not grow up with a mosque in town, a Muslim temple or Jewish synagogue; we did not have practicing Buddhists in my school – at least not that I knew of. I did not grow up knowing the difference between a Buddhist and Hindu, or a Buddhist and a Muslim. When I was growing up I did not see that kind of religious diversity and I would bet it was the same for you as well.

But chances are today your neighbor; your coworker or classmate, someone you know… is of another faith, a religious belief other than Christianity. The world is changing. It is becoming more diversified, more pluralistic and the mainline Christian churches: the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Lutherans, the Catholics … are not the only religious voices in town any more. January 9th I will begin a new sermon series exploring the major religions in our world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

I am doing so because of a deep seated belief that in order for our community, our nation and our world to get along we must have a deeper understanding of one another’s beliefs – even if we do not agree with them. These major world’s religions earnestly pursue God; yet each does so in a different way. There is no question that so many different religions have historically led to conflicts and continue to be a source of distrust and animosity and even lead to open warfare in our world.

Each of our faiths represents our deepest values and beliefs. Anything that questions or opposes those values or beliefs is considered a threat. Yet the only way to a long lasting peace among our different faiths is mutual understandings based on respect and educated insight into one another’s religion. It is vital to the peace of our community, our nation, and our world that bridges are built – relationships of understanding and willingness to learn and trust between our religions, rather than erecting continual walls separating and further diversifying us.

I invite you to join with me beginning January 9th as I begin to explore the five major religions of our world while asking four main questions:

1) Why are there so many different religions?
2) How should Christians view other religions?
3) How is God at work in other religions?
4) What is the fate of those who earnestly pursue God through other religions?

For more information on this sermon study led by Reverend Patrick Schultz and the location of Milton United Methodist Church please visit our website at www.miltonumc.org or contact us at 608-868-2860.

Note: This series was originally done by Rev. Adam Hamilton in 2003 and is a reprisal of that works.

A Story of Epic Proportion

So often as I read through the stories of the Bible I am overwhelmed by the enormity of its stories. They are large, grandiose, big! From these opening words of Genesis a picture is formed in our minds of an immense, immeasurable vastness – it is dark and empty and quite frankly scary. And God is there – and God said let there be light – and we go from empty darkness to a light filled world and it is good. This story of creation continues with God creating day and night, separating land from waters and earth from sky. Creating the world where plants and animals live and thrive and grow and ultimately humanity is born and given rule over God’s creation. Talk about epic stories!

And we don’t have much further to read before we hear the story of Noah and the building of the Ark. Noah and his faithful family are the only ones of civilization who have remained faithful to God. God speaks to Noah and tells him to build an ark. Noah is given the materials, the dimensions, the building plans and ultimately brings the animals two by two into the ark where for forty days and forty nights the rains deluge the world, flooding and cleansing the world of evilness – or at least evil people. And then we read about …

The Tower of Babel – a tower being built that reaches to the skies – the very heavens, yet God scatters the peoples and gives them different languages to speak so they have great difficulty in communicating to one another; Joseph being sold into slavery by his own brothers; the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt – Moses and the burning bush; the Ten Commandments… Our Bible is filled with stories of wonder and grandeur and largeness.

And we haven’t even begun to look at the New Testament stories of miracles and healings and the birth of a child in an out-of-the way manger in a small town called Bethlehem. Now that is a story of epic proportion!

It is a story that begins with a young girl being visited by an angel of God and being told she is to give birth to a child, a boy; yet, she has never been with a man. This will be no ordinary child but will be the savior of all humanity. This is the story of Joseph’s acceptance of his fiancé’s pregnancy, but not without some initial doubt. There is a journey across the country from Nazareth to Bethlehem where Joseph needs to register his name for a census. And Joseph and Mary, the young girl, barely arrive in Bethlehem when she goes into labor and the only place available to them is a manger offered by a helpful innkeeper.

The child is born and in the night shepherds come down from the hills to pay homage to the new born baby. From the Gospel of Matthew we learn that wisemen from the East come to worship and offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And so there is a new beginning for the people through the birth of this child.

Often a story of epic proportions appears so grand that we say to ourselves – I could never be a part of that story! If my brothers sold me into slavery and I was imprisoned for years I don’t think I could have risen from the depths of that darkness to become second-in-command of an entire country like Joseph.

I could never shepherd an entire nation out of slavery and bondage and lead them from Egypt through 40 years of wilderness wandering and into the Promised Land like Moses. I just don’t have that within me.

If I was Joseph I’m not sure I would respond as he did, with faith and trust.
There are so many of these large stories our bible speaks of that seem beyond our comprehension that we are compelled to accept them on faith, but then we come to this last story I mentioned – the one of the child’s birth in Bethlehem, the birth of the savior, the messiah, Emmanuel – “God with us”

Now this is a story we believe in and accept in faith, but it is also a story we participate in. Every year we spend weeks leading up to the celebration of Christmas - the birth of a Jewish boy. And I am amazed that this is a story celebrated by men and women and children around the world in over two hundred countries and over 2000 different languages.

Some will celebrate this story publicly, others privately and some in secret – yet around the world on December 25th we come together celebrating the birth of this Jewish boy that we believe grew up to become the savior of the world. This is the savior who did not promise to keep us from all sin, but one who promised to save us from our sin and forgive us for our sins.

This is the one who came to us that we might have a platform to stand on when we address God; one who said we are to address God as our heavenly Father in-spite of our past sins, one who came to heal the broken relationship between humanity and our Creator – a relationship broken from the days of the Garden of Eden and never truly repaired until now.

Perhaps in this story we associate best with the wisemen from the east who make a journey seeking out the one they have read about from the prophets of old, and the one whom the shining star leads them too. Perhaps you have been on a journey seeking Jesus Christ in your life. And you have found it is not an easy journey – rather it is filled with hardship, doubt, frustration and even anger at times. Yet, you persevere and are ultimately led to Jesus – you find him and receive him – kneel down and offer your gifts to him.

Or maybe you find yourself being more like the innkeeper – the one who offers up whatever he has available to someone in need, even when everyone around you is saying no, or rejecting those in need. You give what you have gladly, without expectation of repayment.

Perhaps in this story you find yourself one of the crowds of people in Jerusalem and Bethlehem and throughout Israel – calling out for a savior – seeking one who would rescue you from the rule and rod of the oppressor. Perhaps you have found yourself lost, lonely, seeking an answer.

Today we come together in this story, with millions of others around the world, as a savior is born and in this season we are reminded that God has drawn near to those of us who have drawn away and have been drawn away by sin.

Your sin, my sin has been forgiven, because a child has been born, a son has been given to us – a savior who brings peace. A peace that allows us to lie in bed at night knowing that perhaps not everything in the world is good and maybe not everything or everyone around is good, but a peace that helps us to understand that everything is good between you and God.

Not because of what we've done, but because of what he’s done; not because of who we are, but because of who he is. For unto us is born a savior and he is Christ our Lord.

Bullied No More

Last night I was invited to speak at a presentation and viewing for a 40 minute video entitled "Bullied: A Student, a School, and a Case That Made History". The presentation was organized by Robert Alexander, a Milton HS graduate and co-chair for the Fair Wisconsin South Central Action Network. In conjunction with Robert, Brian Juchems, program director for Gay Strait Alliance Safe Schools helped coordinate and present.

In the two hour presentation and ensuing discussions we talked about the problems of bullying. Jamie Nabonzy, the central character in the video, was an Ashland WI student and was bullied throughout his middle and high school days for being gay. He was beaten, kicked, groped, urinated on, and his life was threatened.

I remember middle school and high school days well - even though that was some thirty years ago for me. On occasion I was bullied. On occasion I stood by while others were bullied. I think I remember mostly being afraid during those times. As I watched the Jamie Nabonzy video, I remember a feeling of anger at his treatment and wondered that none of the bystanders stepped in to help. Of course, I don't believe I ever stepped in to help someone else who was being bullied back in my day. I seem to remember a feeling of relief that I wasn't the target.

It's now thirty years later and I'm no longer afraid and no longer content to be a bystander. My question is - what do I do now? How can I help be a part of the solution for those who suffer the abuse, mistreatment, ridicule, embarrassment... of being bullied. Bullies target many types of people - not just GLBT. The target can be someone too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, too nerdy, too .... The target is someone who is perceived different and vulnerable.

Being different is not something to be ashamed of or to try to hide. Nor is being different a reason for being targeted - although it happens. God has made each one of us uniquely different for a reason. We may not understand that reason nor always appreciate it. Yet, Jesus gave to us a commandment that we are to love one another as we do ourselves. In other words, we should treat others as we would like to be treated.

I plan on inviting Robert and Brian to our church for a showing of the video and open discussion as we get into the new year. Perhaps that is my first step towards helping and no longer standing by.

Peace to you my friends,

Patrick

Pirates of the Wisconsi-bean

This Sunday morning I cancelled our worship services due to inclement weather - snow, ice, blowing and freezing temps gave cause to question as to whether we should hold services or not. Better sense prevailed when I received call after call (I had made it to the church office myself) from ushers, advent candle lighters and readers, and our Sunday School director saying they were snowed in and were not coming to church.

Typically, I strongly dislike canceling service because it is the one time a week about 150-180 of us come together to worship our Lord, sing & pray together, and hang out. So, with a bit of down-heartedness I placed the notice on our website, contacted the local radio/newspaper station listing cancelations, and changed our church answering machine. I then went back home.

Earlier this week my three and a half year old daughter wanted to play pirates. I had promised we would do that this weekend. So... instead of feeling down, I thought to myself - here's a wonderful opportunity to make hats, eye patches, telescopes and even a sword or two.

Our cedar chest was our ship; Jackson the dog was the shark. Together the three of us arghed, ayed, and matey-ed the afternoon away. In a very real way this was part of our worship of the Lord. God calls us to be in a wonderful, healthy and happy relationship with one another.

I am thankful for the extra time we had together as a family. Usually half my Sunday is consumed with church services. This way I had some morning time with Brenda and Grace. Some present wrapping time while they napped. Some pirate time in the afternoon and evening. And felt very blessed by the love of my family and Christ.

Blessings to you all.

Peace out

Patrick

The Need To Do Church Differently...

Recently Adam Hamilton asked a question of his Facebook friends: "What are the five most important qualities of pastoral leaders that create or lead vibrant, alive churches?" He received 55+ responses and then followed up with another question: "What is the one thing that could strengthen current and future pastoral leaders in the UMC that would have the greatest possible impact on reversing the decline of the church?"

These are excellent questions and ones (especially the latter) that I have been asking myself. This last year I began research, asking the vital question, why is our denomination declining? Statistics reveal a number of startling indications:

1) The percentage of Americans claiming "no religion" has almost doubled in two decades, climbing from 8.1% in 1990 to 15% in 1980 (ChristianityToday, Nov. 23, 2010).
2) Young Americans are dripping out of religion at a rate of five to six times the historic rate (30-40% have no religion today, vs. the 5-10% of a generation ago) (Putnam and Campbell - American Grace)
3) In 2004 UM membership was 8.1 million (Recent Changes in Membership and Attendance in Mainline Protestant Denominations) while a 2008 report showed UM membership fell to 7.7 million.
4) David Kinaman reports in his recent book, UnChristian, that non-church attenders (especially the younger ages) view Christians as: a) hypocritical; b) judgemental; and c) homophobic. This is one of the reasons our teens, tweens and twenty-somethings are turned off from church.

The statistics go on and on, relevant to attendance, participation, financial giving, biblical study participation... In general the UM church (mainline churches across the board) is declining and church leaders (such as mega church pastors like Hamilton, Slaughter, bishops and others) are seeking answers as to why.

I lead a smaller church of around 275-300 members. In the last 3.5 years we have added 76 new members (not an astronomical number by any means - but a significant one for our size especially in light of church reports I read where membership is declining). Many of the new members are younger families - vitally important as our overall mean membership age was in the later 60's - early 70's. We have launched a new mission ministry team that has taken members and non-members (young teens and older adults) to Alaska and Cleveland OH on mission endeavors. Beginning of 2010 we launched a second service of contemporary style. We have added a Sunday night Bible study class, and are involved in numerous community outreach activities and actions that have touched the lives of our locals. Our average attendance has gone from 100 (2007) to 140 (2010), while our annual financial giving has increased $10 - 20,000 each year since 2008.

Why do we seem to have success in growing? I firmly believe it is because:
1) Our church has a vision. It has been cast in our 7-year ministry plan. This plan provides guidance and direction to our church leadership. The key to a successful plan is to continue effective vision casting/communicating to the congregation. This is something I need to continue to do effectively.
2) Our church is turning the corner from being a welcoming church to an inviting church. When I talk with visitors I inevitably ask the question - what do you like about our church? What keeps you coming back (for our repeat visitors). The answer - your church is very welcoming. We feel like this is home to us. The trick is to take this welcoming attitude out into the streets and extend invitations. Welcoming is reactive. Invitation is proactive.
3) The service has to be a quality, worshipful experience from beginning to end. The music has to be good. The media (we utilize slides and video in our services) has to be run well. The message has to be biblically sound, yet relevant to our current day situations. And people need to be fed, so when they leave they are: 1) wanting to come back; 2) wanting to invite someone to join them; 3) feeling like they have received something to nurture them through the week.

Each year our church leadership undertakes a year long study to improve leadership skills and understanding of how Christ calls us to serve those in need, while building the kingdom of God. Last year we studied Rev. Dan Dick's Vital Signs. This year we studied Bishop Schnase's 5 Fruitful Practices. In 2011 we will be taking the first of our annual leadership retreats to worship together, learn together, and become better leaders together.

Last year, I invited several younger and upcoming leaders in our church to participate in a Spiritual Formation group with me. We meet once a month in study of the Bible, mission and ministry callings, how our church needs to grow in following the vision cast through our Church Ministry Plan and to be faithful to God's call upon our own lives. I am keeping the same group, but am adding several new people to the group. I keep in mind that this is the group of people who will be making decisions in the near future regarding our church growth, outreach, ministry and mission. How can I help them grow to hear what God has to tell them, and to be open to God's shaping and forming?

We have also opened our doors and facilities to many of the community groups. We have four Girl Scout troops and one Boy Scout troop which use our building monthly. We have a Strong Women's and Strong Men's workout group which meet twice a week throughout the year. We host the Milton Youth Football for organizational meetings. The Share Food program handles 70-80 people and families each month, providing discounted foods for them. There are other group activities that take place in our church - we have intentionally decided our church doors are open 7-days a week, not only Sunday morning.

This is just a little insight as to why our church is growing and thriving in a time when many are not. As to why the denomination in general is declining, I believe it is because we are struggling with doing church differently. We all need to find ways to reach the unchurched and sometimes that means shedding old ways - even to the possible ire of the "old timers" who insist we do it this way because... well, because that's the way we've always done it.

Our church needs the courage to do church differently, while maintaining scriptural integrity and faith. Our church leaders and especially pastors must be willing to cast the vision and then have the ability to keep the vision before the congregation - communicating it effectively. Our church leaders, not only the pastor!, must be in the community learning the needs of the people of the community. And there must be a desire - a heartfelt desire - to follow God's call for the local church and building of the kingdom of God - even when this goes against what the congregation believes they need. The two do not always go hand-in-hand.

peace out my friends,

Patrick

It's the Little Things...

Mother Teresa has often been quoted for saying that God doesn't desire us to do great things, but to do little things with great love. How true this is. For the third year in a row I have held my annual Chicago Street Milton Food Pantry Drive and have again met great success with it. Let me preface this all by saying - I am not writing this article to say hey! look at me and what I'm doing! But rather I want to show that the little things we do can make a significant change in someone's life. It's the little things we do with great love that are important.

Each year the day after Thanksgiving I go around our block (the Chicago Street Block) and place a letter attached to a grocery bag (I get bags donated directly from Piggly Wiggly) at each home. Now, each year I've expanded the houses I include to neighboring streets, so technically I'm going beyond the Chicago Street block, but nevertheless...

The letter invites the household to fill the bag with non-perishable items, canned foods, toiletries... all which will be donated and delivered to our Milton Food Pantry. I try to be as unobtrusive and un-impossing as possible. So, I drop the letter and bag off in the evening by placing it on the household door step. In the letter I indicate my pickup date and time (usually a week later and between 8:00am-9:00am). The family can place the products on the doorsteps and never see me. Thus, I try to respect their privacy and not impose upon the people by having them answer the door or "have to" talk to me.

This year I've collected 21 bags of food items, canned goods, toiletries, and some treats for our Food Pantry. Over the course of three years I believe we collected around 60-80 bags of items. After each drive I deliver a handwritten thank you note to the home for their generosity.

In these difficult economic times and especially over the holidays, every little bit we can do helps a family in need. Perhaps this posting might spark your own idea of where you can do a little bit of something with a great deal of love.

God bless you all and may you be kept safe during this Holy Day season.

Peace out,

Patrick

Christmas Ghosts...

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am doing a series utilizing the framework of a classic story, the Christmas Carol, to undergird the scriptural message of Advent. Dickens', A Christmas Carol, helps to put into perspective how our lives are shaped by "Christmas Past" to "Christmas Present" and for the "Christmas Future".

This evening I was completing a funeral sermon for tomorrow. The service is for a lady I met last year when I did her son's funeral. Her son was 47 and born with Downs Syndrome. Both mother and son thoroughly enjoyed Christmas and I wonder how the challenges of raising a son with Down's helped shape her? She had 12 children altogether and their coming home for the holiday's was a high point in her daily life. She loved having everyone together - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, spouses... So - some of my sermon for her funeral is centered around Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas.

Gathering family together at Christmas (or anytime really) is important, but not everyone can do that. What about family that serves in the military and is across seas, or lives out of state and can't travel, or .... Presents at Christmas time is a wonderful way to show one another we love each other. Yet, many families I know are living on the edge of poverty because of our economy. Not everyone can afford Christmas gifts. Wonderfully cooked ham or turkey meals with all the fixings - great, but again not everyone can do this (for a variety of reasons).

So... when it gets right down to it the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Christ is the one we should celebrate at Christmas time. All the rest - a trimmed out tree, multi-hued gifts wrapped under the tree, a table ladened with good fixin's, even family members gathered together are wonderful and should be celebrated - but is icing on the cake, and not the cake itself. [hmmmm ... sacrilegious to compare Jesus to cake? My seminary professor's might say so]

What we need to celebrate is Christ. We can do so through reading the Christmas story - the birth of Christ - in scripture together. We can sing some of the hymns telling of the coming of Christ and the promise fulfilled through his birth. We can attend worship service together. We can even offer to help at worship service on Christmas eve. There are many ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. Let us remember the real reason we gather December 24-25th. Jesus Christ and the salvation offered through his birth, life, ministry and mission, death and resurrection. But... it begins with his birth! Let's celebrate!

peace out friends,
Patrick