 A Christmas Vision
"A shoot shall out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." - Isaiah 11:1-2
Much is said and written concerning our extravagant and sometimes excessive preparations during the Christmas (Advent) season. people lament about their sense of being over-extended -- both in time and finances. Many of us become anxious about to-do-list items such as decorating or Christmas cards and letters. We spend so much time, energy and money during this season that I suppose it's legitimate when some challenge us and ask, "WHY??"
I'm wondering if one of the things that pushes us forward is a vision we have for what Christmas could be? We may have never fully experienced this vision, but still it remains, like the details of a dream that we can never quite grasp but yet still experience the emotions long after we awake. Perhaps our vision includes things like peace, harmony, joy, hope and love. Our vision is on of life lived the way it ought to be lived. A vision where all is right with the world.
As we get older and live through more and more seasons where this vision remains unfulfilled (at least in any significant way), we may become dismayed or even cynical. We might make the mistake of believing that our vision for what might be is ultimately unrealistic -- even naive. To use a modern metaphor, we become Scrooges.
But this week I'm wondering if these visions we share might not come to us as gift from God. Aren't our visions for a world set right and lives lived fully, also God's vision for us? The prophets say that there will be a time when the lion makes peace with the lamb and swords are destroyed and made into gardening tools of cultivation and new life.
Here's what I'm wondering...if our visions for what the world could be are also God's visions. And, if in fact, the visions we have in our hearts, ultimately come from God's vision for our world, then shouldn't we be careful about setting them aside so casually, just because they don't happen in our timing or in the way we would like to see them occur? Perhaps, our vision for a world set straight is one that we need to hang onto - perhaps its that vision that drives so much of our misplaced - but ultimately faithful passion we have for Christmas.
Today, may we reclaim our child-like hope for Christmas. May we rejoice in our vision for a world set straight. May we proclaim Merry Christmas with a smile and a spirit of generosity. And may we encourage one another as we wait...for the child to be born and for God's kingdom to come.
Tony Haglund
Senior Pastor
Canton Lutheran Church
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 CLC Christmas
Calendar
Saturday, Dec. 18th: Living Nativity - 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30 pm
Soup Supper, Bake Sale and Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider in the basement (youth fundraiser)
Saturday, Dec. 18th: CLC Choir Cantata - 7:00 pm
Sunday, Dec. 19th: CLC Choir Cantata - 4:00 pm
Sunday, Dec. 19th: Living Nativity - 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30 pm
Soup Supper, Bake Sale and Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider in the basement (youth fundraiser)
Wednesday, Dec. 22nd: Children's Christmas Programs - 7:00 pm
Friday, Dec. 24th: Worship at 5:00 & 10:00 pm
Saturday, Dec. 25th: Worship at 9:30 am
Sunday, Dec. 26th: Worship at 9:30 am
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 Youth Soup Supper, Bake Sale, Hot Chocolate and Apple Cider Fundraiser
Make plans to join us either before or after you attend the Living Nativity as we will have warm soup, hot chocolate and cider and delicious baked goods in the basement.
The youth are also asking for donations of baked goods so if you would be willing to help them out, bring your baked goods to the church on Saturday morning. For more questions contact Kari at kari@cantonlutheran.net
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