Reformation Lutheran Church

Pastor's December Article


I must confess that there’s a paradox that hits me in the face at this time of year. And the tension it creates within me sometimes gets in the way of my ability to enjoy the Christmas season. There is deep beauty associated with Christmas for me that is always at odds with a “shallowness” that rings hollow in my mind and in my heart. Sometimes I become more than a little cynical about all the “hullabaloo” (Just ask my “roommate” – ie. Mom – what a “scrooge” I can be!). And I’ll make my Christmas confession right here and now – you really don’t want to be anywhere near our house when I have to decorate a Christmas tree. It ain’t pretty – me, that is – not the tree!

Each year the “goodies” get placed on store shelves earlier and earlier. It’s getting harder and harder to find a radio station that doesn’t begin playing Christmas music non-stop as soon as Halloween has ended. (I warned you – “bah-humbug!) Then there’s “Black Friday” – as the early shoppers, with their well-planned buying lists, disintegrate into a mad frenzy by December 24th

This time of year imposes a certain “tyranny” on many of us. Instead of being able to give out of thoughtfulness and love, we often give because it is "expected". And with this economy – there’s more than enough guilt going around when we don’t meet those expectations. I read about one couple who had 85 people they felt obligated to remember with a gift. No wonder the joy of giving falls away to depression and panic.

It is time to refresh our understanding of Christian “gift-giving” by listening once again to the words we’ve all heard hundreds of times … words that some refer to as “the gospel in miniature”. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God gave – not reluctantly, not because it was expected, or because he was somehow coerced by popular culture -- but because He loved. Jesus’ love for each of us is so vast, that he gave the only thing he knew we didn’t have and really need – himself. No “God-trinket” here for the “person who has everything”. No thing or object on the face of the planet would suffice.

No … God gave himself. A gift so expensive that it cost him everything he had. Jesus is the first and last gift – the Alpha and Omega of all blessing. It is that incredible gift that informs our “gift giving” and brings deep beauty to the wonder that is Christmas. Only when we open ourselves to the First Gift will we truly appreciate the real significance of giving and receiving gifts.

May the cultural definition of “gift giving” not capture us in its tyranny. And may we be open us to the blessing of that First Gift, even as we share the beauty and blessing of that gift with others. Oh … one more thing -- I hope and pray that this is your best Christmas ever!

Pastor Barb