From the Pastor’s Heart

Last week Nancy and I spent a few days with our daughter Amy and her family. It is always a blessing to spend time with our children and grandchildren. Mac, our soon to be two-year-old grandson has discovered the world of “bugs”. On one of our many walks we saw a rather large night crawler. We spent several minutes examining and watching this worm inch its way across the road. On another walk we encountered a grasshopper. Mac’s squeals of joy were delightful. He sat on the pavement closely eyeing the “bug”. He watched his every move. As Mac observed this fascinating bug he would slowly move a little closer to get a better look until the grasshopper would jump and Mac would squeal again and move away. This went on for several minutes. He wanted to be brave and touch the insect as he moved his little hand ever so carefully closer to the grasshopper. He wasn’t quite sure what would happen and couldn’t bring himself to actually touch the “bug”. His curiosity and fascination were overflowing but he always maintained a safe distance from this mysterious little creature.

We find ourselves stepping into the Advent and Christmas seasons. We begin our journey to Bethlehem to the stable that we might once again peer into the manger at the Christ Child. Like my grandson, our fascination, enthusiasm, joy and curiosity are overflowing this time of year. Something wonderfully mysterious has happened in Bethlehem. And we want to be part of excitement. We want to join the choirs of angels and sing of that holy night. Sadly, however, too many do not move beyond their curiosity and fascination when it comes to the babe in the stable. We find that we would much rather keep a safe distance between the Christ Child and us.

My grandson did not know what would happen if he touched that grasshopper. But we know… we know that the Son of God not only brings love, compassion, and forgiveness; this tiny little baby grows up and says: “If anyone would come after me, deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” We know that if we get too close to this tiny little baby we are called to move beyond fascination and curiosity and embrace the Son of God. We are called to complete commitment in our discipleship. I invite you to journey with me once again as we follow the star to the place where we will look upon the face of God. I invite you to come with your enthusiasm, joy, curiosity and fascination as we celebrate. And then as God calls you to be a faithful servant you are invited to move beyond curiosity and fascination and embrace this holy child as you give yourself completely, for we need not fear the one who is called Emmanuel, the Savior of the world.

Christmas Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Russel