December 31, 2014

 

Dear MLEPC Members and Friends:

 

As I reflect on the busy-ness of the past month, I remember a sermon I preached several years ago at a small church on the Sunday after Christmas, titled "Where in the World Did Christmas Go?" Have you ever felt that way? For me, Christmas is a series of preparations for celebrations. This year it included celebrations with staff and Deacons in mid-December, with my husband's large family on Christmas Eve, with our eldest son on Christmas day, and with our son in Ohio the weekend after Christmas. And still to come - "after-Christmas" Christmas celebrations with Stephen Ministers, Comfort Stitchers, Coupon Clippers, neighbors who currently have the flu, and our eldest son's girlfriend who went home to Delaware for the holiday! At some point, however, when those Christmas celebrations are over, all the gifts have been exchanged and the tree has been undecorated and put away, there is this sense that Christmas is over and done for another year.

 

The day after Christmas, the news showed us how people made their way in great numbers to the malls to return Christmas gifts and spend gift cards. I'm sure the retailers are happy that the Christmas season was a profitable one, and perhaps it went by so quickly for the sales people that they too are wondering, "where in the world did Christmas go?" As the "world" - defined by the gospel writer John as those who do not know Jesus - closes its books on Christmas for another year, how wonderful it is that we in the church know that the Christmas story simply opens the book on another year, one filled with opportunities for celebrations of worship, times of prayer, opportunities to grow in discipleship and fellowship, and the chance to witness - all because of Christmas.

 

After his wonderful telling of the birth of Jesus, Luke is the only gospel writer that tells us something about Jesus' childhood in the story of Jesus in the temple at around 12 years of age. That story ends with these words: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." Let's not leave Jesus in the manger but remember that Christmas is an event that changed history; an event that stays with us all year long as we grow in wisdom and stature with Jesus.

 

How might you answer the question if someone posed it to you: "where in the world did Christmas go?" Perhaps your answer might be: "Nowhere! It's right here, in my heart! Let me tell YOU the Christmas story that changed my life and brings me hope for years to come, into eternity."

 

Happy New Year!

 

Linda Pokrajac, Director of Congregational Care

 

++++