Hope, Fear and Jesus

Sunday morning retuning: Jesus wants to use us to declare His love and truth.  The kids reminded us of this powerful, challenging reality of the Incarnation as they shared in word and song in their musical.  Are you making yourself available to Jesus to use for His purposes?

I have been pondering some other words in the last week and plan to give all who attend our Christmas Eve Services next Monday a chance to join me.  We will read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and sing a number of carols that allow us to consider these marvelous realities.  The children will hear a special story from Ms. Robin.  Then we will take some time to think.  After all, thinking can be worship too.

I will ask everyone to consider the hopes that heap up in their hearts on Christmas Eve and as we round out one year and look into the next.  Christmas is such a hopeful time for many.  The fact that God sent His Son, the Light, into this dark world is cause for rejoicing.  What hopes fill your heart this Advent season?

Next I will ask everyone to consider the fears that shift like shadows in their souls at the dark time of the year.  Christmas is such a fearful time for many.  The fact that God sent His Son, the King, into this scary world gives us hope, but we still have fears, and His Incarnation helps Him empathize with us.  What fears fill your soul this Advent season?

Finally I will ask everyone to consider Jesus.  All our hopes are realized and our fears overcome in Him.  Our understanding of who He is greatly shapes our ability to rest in Him, or not.  What ideas of Jesus are alive in you this Advent season?

Here is a link to Chris Tomlin singing the song and the words for you to ponder.  Merry Christmas!

Hallowed Manger Ground (Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash)

Verse 1
What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground

Verse 2
What fear we felt in the silent age
Four-hundred years can He be found
But broken by a baby's cry
Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Chorus 1
Emmanuel Emmanuel
God incarnate here to dwell
Emmanuel Emmanuel
Praise His name Emmanuel

Verse 3
The Son of God here born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hallowed manger ground.

Jesus, it is Your presence that made that manger ground holy.  It is Your presence that makes us likewise.  We praise Your name, Emmanuel, God with us.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

There is Peace Here for Now

Sunday morning retuning: Thanks to all my friends who helped make The First Noel possible.  What a delight to serve the Lord with you.  I can hardly wait until next time, but am learning to savor the warm glow of God’s glory we just enjoyed!

Invariably there is at least one line that the Lord speaks to me through each of these major works we share.  I say at least because after you have lived in a set of songs for a couple months the Lord speaks at different points from many of them, which is why I continue to hold to the long-held belief that the greatest blessing from these productions belongs to the choir who has ingested these truths.  That is an unashamed plug for involvement in choral ministry.

Anyway, the one that caught my attention this year was one of the original works in the musical called “Great Mystery”.  The line came from the third verse of the song, which in and of itself was a lead-in to the popular Chris Tomlin Hallowed Manger Ground.  Speaking of the wise that soon would come and bow it says, “There is peace here for now.” 

Side note.  Funny thing is, when I first was learning the song, I sang the words incorrectly.  I started to learn it as “there is peace here and now”.  Which seemed at some level to make sense, and still does because when the Prince of Peace came he brought peace that can never be taken away, but only into those who receive it.

I like the urgency that this line speaks.  Here for now.  Don’t miss it.  It could easily be “here right now.” Enjoy it.  Savor it.  Relish it.  This is the thought that I have been challenged with the last while, and want to pass along to you.

It the midst of an already busy life rushes the Christmas season.  There is peace, here for now?  Really?  Have you seen my calendar and to-do list?  The challenge is to find peace, as elusive as it seems, for I believe it is here for the taking.

Our family has an Advent tradition of lighting some candles, reading some scripture with devotional thoughts, singing and praying each night of December.  It is not always easy to carve out the time, but we are diligent.  The kids help us because they really wan to do this, and I firmly believe it has little to do with tradition of the piece of chocolate in their Advent calendar.  I think it has more to do with the moments of peace it affords in a busy season.

I want to encourage you in particular to try to live in the moment, soaking up all God has for you right then.  It is so easy to become overwhelmed with the demands of the season: relationally, financially, emotionally, etc.  Do not worry about tomorrow, enjoy Jesus right now. [Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)]

Whatever you have to do, please slow down enough each day of this Advent season to reflect on the difference Christ’s coming is making on you.  I am a work in progress, you are too, and these moments help us remember that, and usher in the peace we need to continue in Christ-likeness.

Jesus, help us each experience Your peace this Advent season.  It is here, for right now, this moment.  So help us enjoy it, for our good and Your glory.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy