One Special Moment

The hymn "Silent Night" is a popular favorite among the traditional Christmas songs. It conveys a sense of a peaceful and calm environment during the time of Jesus' birth. However, few people realize that when Mary and Joseph arrived, Bethlehem was a hub of activity. Many others had arrived before them to fulfill the decree issued that required taxes to be paid in Caesar's census. (Luke 2:1-3) The population of Bethlehem swelled with visitors. Beggars cried out in the streets seeking alms. The moneychangers were furiously converting money to the coins of the day. (i.e. shekels, denarius) The marketplace was bustling with activity as bakers sold fresh baked bread and sellers of brass peddled their wares. Regardless of the many goods up for sale, visitors needed to be mindful to save enough money to pay the tax collectors. Yet, despite all the chaos in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were able to focus in on one special moment, the birth of Jesus. Even after the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in Bethlehem and no doubt shared with them the angelic announcement they had experienced, we are told "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) 

One Special Gift

The activity in Bethlehem is not unlike our experiences during the Christmas season. There are very few other times during the year when marketplace activity is at a fever pitch. While some are trying to seek the peace and joy associated with Christmas, that which they seek is often overshadowed with the frenetic hustle and bustle of shoppers exchanging money both paper and plastic to get that "perfect gift." Shoppers also need to be mindful of their overspending lest they fall short of paying that credit card bill when it comes due. As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, the challenge is even greater to find one special moment to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and like Mary, ponder all these things in our hearts.  Let us take to heart Jesus words from the gospel of Matthew, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) May we all take the time this Christmas to stop and focus our hearts and minds on the only gift that really makes a difference in our lives not just on one day but throughout the whole year. Moreover, let us remember it is a gift that comes from the hands of Almighty God and it is one that will never wear out, perish, or fade because it is eternal. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Pastor Sheree

Forever Grateful

"I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:1-3 NIV)

We have come yet again to another Thanksgiving season. At this time of year there is a special emphasis on being grateful or giving thanks. How many of us have grown up with the tradition of going around the family table and declaring the reason we are thankful? While it is important to acknowledge our gratitude for many things, let us not forget that giving thanks is not reserved for one special time of the year. As the psalmist declares in Psalm 34, we are to extol the Lord at all times, for it is the Lord who is the giver of all good and gracious gifts (James 1:17) My prayer this Thanksgiving is that we will awaken everyday with gratitude in our hearts and will forever praise the One who has given us the greatest reason to be thankful--Jesus.

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all!
Pastor Sheree

Celebrate The Gray!

As I grow older, it seems that my body reminds me that I am aging with aches and pains not previously experienced in my younger years. Sometimes, these physical reminders can send me to a place in my thinking where I am feeling my life is coming to an end. Moreover, I feel my ability to serve the Lord is waning because of my age. In Isaiah 46, God speaks to the Israelites regarding false gods and their inability to supply what Yahweh has provided for them. I was drawn to verses 3-4, "Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV) 

GOD IS OUR SUSTAINER

These verses resonated with me as I recognize the Lord calling me to listen to Him as He has been with me from the very beginning, even before I came into this world. ("I have upheld you since your birth and have carried you since you were born") Once I was conceived, God was immediately there and intimately involved. God has also promised that He will remain with me throughout my life. ("Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you.") Since the Lord has carried me into this world, the Great I Am will keep me here as long as He desires and give me what I need to keep going. Furthermore, regardless of my physical limitations, God is ultimately my strength. ("I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.") Since I am God's creation, He will not abandon me but will deliver me. I don't have to worry about how my physical body is aging. I can and will walk through the days of my life depending solely upon God to walk with me, in life and in death. The Psalmist declares, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley; I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 NIV) 

A CROWN OF SPLENDOR

Despite my angst, the Lord celebrates my aging, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31 NIV) My prayer as I move through the seasons of my life is echoed by the Psalmist, "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, Your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18 NIV) italics mine.
To God be the glory,
Pastor Sheree