What's In Your Heart?

We have all heard the advertisement on TV that ends with the question; “What’s in your wallet/” It’s an advertisement for a credit card which many people do carry in their wallets, purses and handbags. I have no doubt but what your card has seen frequent use this year. Well, I’m not going to ask, “What’s in your wallet but instead; “What’s in your heart?” My reason for asking the question is found in Luke 2:15-19. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known unto us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

      What do we ponder in our hearts when surrounded by all the excitement of the season? Are we thinking about the busyness of the season the hectic pace that we have set for ourselves? Is our heart asking the question; “Did I get the right gift for him or for her?” Are we wondering whether the turkey is enough to feed everyone? Perhaps we are even thinking about the mess we have to clean up after all of this is over.

   What was Mary pondering in her heart?  I believe based on what I read in the gospel that Mary was thinking about what the angel had previously told her would happen. “Mary you have found favor with God and now you will conceive and bear a son and you will call Him Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy, He will be called the Son of God.” Perhaps she was also thinking about the visit to the home of her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary had entered her cousin’s home Elizabeth cried out; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” Then, Elizabeth said something to Mary which in the reading of the Christmas story we often overlook not intentionally it’s just that we failed to give it serious thought. Elizabeth said; “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Mary on that night so long ago was pondering in her heart how wonderful God was in keeping his promises. What are you pondering in your heart this Christmas?

Pastor John

A Blessed Christmas to All

How Long Has It Been Since.....

When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today.

When Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today.

It is a long time since 1832, longer still from 353, longer still from that dark night brightened by a special star in which Jesus the king was born. Yet, as we approach December 25 again, it gives us yet another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all the excitement and elaborate decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas today, to consider again the event of Christmas and the person whose birth we celebrate.

Brian L. Harbour, James W. Cox, The Minister's Manual: 1994, San Fransico: Harper Collins, 1993, p. 254.

Remember When?

Remember When?

   We all have our favorite memories from Christmases’ past? Some of us may go back just last year to a favorite memory. Others may go back a few years to a favorite memory. Still others go back several years to their favorite memories. See if you can recall some of these favorite memories of Christmas past.

 Do you remember when hanging your stocking meant hanging up a woolen sock? Do you remember when there was an orange in the toe of the stocking? Now Christmas stockings come in red velvet with gold lettering! Something is missing!

   Do you remember when Christmas candy meant ribbon candy? It was colorful and it was hard but it lasted for a long time. Not like chocolates which disappear as quickly as you put them in your mouth!

   Do you remember when you would leave a lunch for Santa Claus? There was a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. No wonder the guy was so big!

   Do you remember when your church would put on an old fashion Christmas concert? There were short plays, recitations and lots of carols! Of course at the end you enjoyed a visit from the old fellow himself. Do you remember following him out of the hall to see where he went because there was something strangely familiar about him?

   Do you remember when (going back a long way for this one) a $1 would buy four gifts? There was a package of razor blades for dad, a comb for mom, bobby pins for your sister and gun caps for your brother. How far would $1. go today? It wouldn’t even pay for the tax!

   Do you remember when you woke up on Christmas morning only to find the door to the room where the Christmas tree was closed? No one went in until everyone was ready to look at and open gifts!

   Do you remember when your tree had bubble lights? The mini lights today are nice but there was always something special about the bubble lights!

   Do you remember reading the Christmas story as a family before you were allowed to open any gifts? Today, some people might even ask, “So what’s the story?”

   Do you remember when you use to fight with a brother or a sister about who gets the leg of the turkey? Do you remember making a wish with the wishbone?

   A lot of things have changed over the years some things for the better and some for the worse. One thing that will always remain the same is this; “He’s the reason for the season.” For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life( John 3:16).

Pastor John