From the Pastor - December 2009

Do you ever get tired of Christmas?  For some reason I don’t.  I’d like to think that a large part of the reason is due to my faith.

It can be easy to want to by pass Christmas.  The assault (and there really can be no other word for it) begins in August (sometimes it seems like July); Decorations go up in the stores, merchants encourage Christmas lay away,  the “controversies” (“someone wished me  ‘Happy Holidays’ rather than ‘Merry Christmas”), local radio stations start playing Christmas music, TV commercials seem more prevalent than normal.  The constant reminder can be especially draining if you’re one of those affected by the recession.

In the midst of all the insanity that is the modern day Christmas celebration comes the reminder from the Gospels of what Christmas is all about: the birth of one special child.  In its simplicity, the Christmas story is truly “Joy to the World,” in a way that no other Christmas message can match.

If, during this Christmas season, you find yourself overwhelmed by it all, take some time away.  You don’t have to go anywhere.  Turn off the tv and the radio (and, yes your email and facebook page as well), sit yourself down, and read Matthew 1:18-25, or the first couple of chapters of Luke.  Try reading it in a different translation than you’re used to, to give yourself a new perspective (I’m especially partial to The Message for a fresh reading). 

Re-reading the Christmas story is the best antidote to the overwhelming secular Christmas bombardment.    

Pastor Tony