Christmas on the horizon

SiriusXM radio has played three channels of Christmas music since the first week of November. I wonder how many people chose to listen? Christmas movies and cartoons appeared in mid-November, with some running on a loop. Reading or hearing the news is difficult right now, and it has been for a long time. Still, it seems to have become even more intense, exponentially worse, even as people do their best to do good, help their neighbors, and be ethical in an economy that rewards scarcity, unethical behavior, and divisive voices.  It’s no surprise that we want to speed up hearing all the Whos in Whooville sing, “Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer.” So many could use some cheer, need a break, a good health outcome, or crave some time without drama, chaos, or grief. We need the reminder that hearts can grow, perspectives can change, and people are capable of good.

In a recent sermon, I said, “Advent is the anticipation of a hope that leads to a peace built on a love that creates tangible shalom that is life-affirming, life-giving, and eternal.”  Today’s rewrite.  “Christmas is a hope that leads to a peace built on a love that creates tangible shalom that gives life and is eternal.”  Christian tradition has simply said, Immanuel / Emmanuel.  “God with us” is: a prayer, a faith statement, a feeling, and/or a lived experience.  Some among us use it as a rallying call with an implicit “only.” “God only with us.”  But that’s not the message the angel announced to the shepherds.

Christmas is on the horizon.  What’s the message?  This is what I’ve seen since I visited the manger last year.  Every day, Oklahoma Disciples, our congregations and their members live out Immanuel and embody the spirit and work of Christmas in ways that multiply a shalom that provides: food, shelter, clothing, dollars, comfort, works to transform systems of oppression, rebuilds and nurtures community, and welcomes as they have been welcomed.

Immanuel.  Go and see what God has made known to you, and return to your community rejoicing, comforted, and ready for the work of Christmas ahead of you and ahead of us, in the new year.

Disciples, you are a blessing.

Peace . . . Michael

P.S.
When you think about all the characters in the Christmas story, which one do you identify with this year?  Though they don’t arrive until Epiphany, go ahead and include the Magi in the story, but don’t escape to Egypt just yet.