Dec. 22013
There is a story about a pastor and his wife that
illustrates the need for us to recapture the childlike approach to Christmas.
Supposedly one Christmas Eve their young children were preparing to go to
church for the candlelight service. On the way their son asked his father: Dad,
are you going to let us enjoy this Christmas or are you going to try to explain
it to everybody?
Well… should I explain
Christmas or just let you enjoy Christmas?
Let’s do a little of both…
shall we?
PRAYER:
Josephine Humphreys, an author of several books, and
being from the South was asked, “Why are Southern authors different from other
Am. Authors?” After years of pondering that question she came to the conclusion
the difference was “Front Porches”. My theory, she says, “Southern authors get
their start on Front Porches and watch the town go by.”
Perhaps… you remember this…
perhaps you still have a house with a large front porch. I remember growing up
in the 60’s when front porches were still larger than back porches, and I
remember sitting on the front porch with friends and family as the town passed
by.
Then the 70’s came, and
suburbia began to spread, and front porches began to shrink. Back porches, decks and patio’s as they began
to be called, grew at a rapid pace. Some of these back porches were even enclosed…
As we huddled privately… It seemed the town stopped going by.
While on internship some 11
years ago I served at Spirit of Joy LC, Orlando, Fla. This congregation at the
time was part of a new developing community called Avalon Park. It was a Neo-Traditional
community that resembled the perfect Norman Rockwell and Thomas Kincaid
paintings with its houses having front porches. Avalon Park even had a downtown
like that of an earlier era. It was the perfect 1950’s Americana.
I remember participating at a
Christmas Eve gathering at the town center. There was singing of Christmas Carols, there was Coffee & Hot
Chocolate, Kids Games, Hay Rides throughout the town, worship & sermon, and
yes… Santa. After worship I went on the hay ride
around the town. You could feel Norman Rockwell throughout. It was interesting
as we passed by all the homes, people would come out on their front porches and
wave and shout Merry Christmas as the town was passing by.
Mary & Joseph came to
Bethlehem… the town of their linage. But… instead of watching the town go by…
they experienced being closed out. The Inn’s were full… there was no more room
they were told, but you can stay in that stable over there. NO!!! I need a
room… my wife is about to have a baby! Joseph must have exclaimed. They must
have thought why God would bring them all this way to Bethlehem and not have a
place for them to go. But they did have a place… Mary & Joseph had the use
of a stable. They must have wondered what purpose God had in mind.
Shepherds gathered… angels
danced in the sky… animals bleated… wise men paid homage…and they must have
been somewhat puzzled as to Why? They came because the Lord spoke and pointed
them to follow the light. And… we gathered
here tonight because the Lord speaks to us to come to the light… so we do…
I believe we come together
not by chance, but for the purpose of witnessing and celebrating the darkness
turning to light.
Why Now? Why Here? I don’t know…
While I believe the Lord
gathers us…I really don’t know why you’ve decided you should come here tonight. Perhaps, it’s because of
tradition, perhaps mom or grand mom said you better for me… perhaps your searching
for something. Perhaps it’s your only time to find a moment of peace. Perhaps you’re
lonely, hurting, and the town seemingly just passing by. Some psychologists
say, at least 75% of Americans are sad during the Christmas Holiday season.
Partially because there is
less day light… but more intently because the world’s full of hurts, unmet
expectations, stress, and an array of emotional feelings. For some, there is no
love, no peace, no hope, and no joy.
Yet… you’ve come… you come
because someone calls you to come.
“Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy”
the angels proclaim.
We come because we are
attracted to the light much like the shepherds and the wise men. Just as they
followed the light of the star we follow the light as well. It is the light
that pierces the darkness of our lives.
The light is called Emmanuel,
“God with Us”, and this God of light has called us to come.
Pastor Jim Henry of First Baptist Church, Orlando
wrote in a Christmas newsletter of Christmas, “The God of Christmas is the God
who works the night shift, punching holes of light in the dark.”
Tonight we celebrate with
family and friends the joy of Peace, the joy of Love, and the joy of Hope.
Tonight we come to the Front
Porch to see the light and to experience hope… It’s not what we would expect. Not
in things, not in other people, not in our ability, but in Jesus Christ…
God with Us, the Prince of
Peace, The Light of the world.
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