Jimmy's Jots, December 2009 Edition

Christmas time is upon us. In just a few short weeks we will be gathered with family, eating our Christmas dinner, singing songs and opening presents. There will be laughter and noise. Wrapping paper will be thrust around the room and the Christmas tree will become empty underneath. We will say our goodbyes to our loved ones when it is over with. Within a few days the lights and the decorations will all be put away. Christmas will all but be forgotten after the New Year and then we can start it all over again come next December.

What really happened on that day so many years ago? The Gospels of Matthew and Luke give us an accounting of the birth of Jesus. They tell of the quiet night where there were no family gathered, no eating of a Christmas dinner, no presents to open and the lack of song in the air. It is a very calming vision under the stars with some animals and shepherds gathered around. The story of Christmas takes on a different meaning from the hustle and bustle of today.

John on the other hand leaves out the birth story but begins the life of Jesus in another way. John gives us a simple and dramatic telling of the mystery of the Word made flesh, dwelling among us, and empowering us to become children of God. This is what the story of Jesus is about. It is the story of reconciling the relationship between ourselves and God. It involves not only a birth of Jesus Christ but a new birth in us. We are made new in Christ Jesus.

The word of God was God from the beginning, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us in Jesus. The birth stories told in Matthew and Luke are night stories. The story in John is a day story. Light appears, overcoming all darkness. In whom does such light shine where you are? Who has stories to tell in witness to God with us, right among us, visible in broad daylight through the ongoing ministry of Jesus?

I like this reflection of John’s gospel. Christmas happens at all times during the year. We are being made new in Jesus Christ. What stories can we tell to others of being made new? The stories come to life of newness in Christ through the ongoing ministry of Jesus. We are called to carry on that ministry to others.

Recently a group of us attended a seminar in Mansfield led by Bishop Schnase from the Missouri Conference about his book “Five Practices of a Fruitful Congregation.” Bishop Schnase gave us examples of how to carry that ministry of Jesus Christ to others. He told of how we could be the light of Jesus for others to follow so that they might be born again and become children of God.

It is in the Christmas experience that I want to continue the ministry for what Jesus came. The group that attended the seminar have met a few times to get some ideas to share so that we might touch others and grow the kingdom of God here. We will be calling a meeting for all of us to share in. All of us working together are going to stretch ourselves so we can touch others. We need your participation. We need your ideas. We need your voice. There are some ideas that are going to cause us to stretch ourselves physically and spiritually. We are moving forward in our evangelistic efforts in growing our church and growing the kingdom of God. The paths we take will be decided by a group effort with the Holy Spirit guiding and directing us. Come be part of this exciting new birth in the life of the church. Be in prayer about the decisions that will be made on how to move forward. Details will be coming shortly about how we will proceed with these meetings. The stories come to life of newness in Christ through the ongoing ministry of Jesus. These are the stories we have to tell. Join us in this exciting journey.

Grace and Peace to All,
Pastor Jimmy