Abundant Life is the Spirit of

Christmas

Something about Christmas captures human hearts and imaginations. Christmas motivates us to deeds of affection and acts of love. The spirit of giving becomes infectious. We easily commit random acts of kindness and become ninjas of compassion.

When we contribute to a food bank, a kettle campaign or a toy drive over this season, we wonder anew at how good this makes us feel. When will we ever learn that the joy of sharing can be experienced any day and every day between our annual celebrations of Christmas? When will we actually grasp the whole truth of Christmas?

At the heart of the Christian celebration of Christmas is the self-giving of God, the creator of all that is. For love of us, God, the limitless Almighty, embraces sharing in our limited and brief human living. God enters into our history in our world as Jesus by being born - just like you and me. This is the truth that lies at the heart of Christian faith-Jesus was born for the sake of this world - not the next one. That is the selfgiving and sharing that Christmas actually proclaims. This is the world-changing reality that lies at the heart of the story of the Babe of Bethlehem.

A familiar seasonal carol nails it. “Lo, within a manger lies, he who built the starry skies,” it marvels. And God in Jesus did this for the sake of this world so that the kingdom of God will continue to come in the here-and-the-now of this world with or without any one of us!

Please consider some history for a moment. The world into which Jesus was born was a broken one - much like this one for some people. His peasant parents were citizens of an oppressed land suffering under a brutal military occupation. Food was scarce in the subsistence economy. After the sun set, absolute darkness was unrelieved by any artificial light.

The Jewish faith, while tolerated, was not the religion of the ruling army of occupation and was regarded by them as alien in its own homeland. There was violence in the streets. Taxes were high. Of the children who were born at the same time as Jesus, a third would die before reaching the age of six. Another third would have perished by the time he turned sixteen. And by the time he began his public ministry in his late twenties, three-quarters of his contemporaries were dead. Accidents, illness, famine, war, overwork and mortal exhaustion were everyday realities of that world.

While everyone reading these words enjoys levels of leisure and comfort and wealth beyond imagination in first-century Palestine, there are corners of this world today where families still struggle to eke out existence in a world just like the firstcentury Palestine into which Jesus was born. And many of the people in those places are still waiting for the good news of Christmas.

During the human lifetime of Jesus, he challenged this broken way the world worked. His vision of a new order inspired followers and challenged authorities. His challenge to Sadducees and Pharisees was not really over trivial self-important matters like his own beliefs, his own theology or his own religious opinions - but was over the use of religion to exploit the poor again.

His challenge to the political authorities was not over the laws or the constitution or social rules; Jesus challenged a world-vision that imposed peace by might and order through military violence. Jesus did not reject the Jewish faith; he sought to reform its practice so that it might become just and life-giving again.

Jesus did not lead an armed rebellion against Rome; he challenged its violent and exploitative worldview that exploited the poor to support an enormous death-dealing military machine. For the former religious challenge, he was denounced and vilified; for the latter challenge to Rome’s world-view, he was nailed to a cross and left for dead.

The birth of Jesus is just the beginning of the real story. And it is how that story ends that gives the beginning its full meaning. For Christians, the celebration of Christmas is just the first chapter in a much bigger story.

The gracious self-giving of God goes way beyond his sharing the joys, strengths, sorrows and weakness that human flesh inherits. The gracious self-giving of God who is revealed in Jesus extends to compassionate action for those who are poor, sick, sorrowful, lonely and exploited.

His entire ministry that unfolds after his birth in Bethlehem embraces those who are hungry and hurting and overworked and poor on the margins of society. In my reading of the Gospel, Jesus was born to bring good news to any person whose living was diminished by the tyranny of others or by the weight of their own sin.

The resurrection and ascension of Jesus express fully the transforming, worldchanging, life-blessing power of God’s love in Christ.

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”

John 10:10) might well be the way that Jesus himself would choose to describe his birthday - what we now call Christmas. For me the true spirit of Christmas is summed up in one phrase - “abundant living.”

What does “abundant living” mean? For some in our society, “abundant living” can mean having lots of stuff - more than could ever be needed - to eat or to drink or to wear or spend or even to give away. Is this the “abundant life” about which Jesus spoke and for which he gave up his life? Despite my participation in such Christmas excess, I do not think this is what Jesus had in mind - but I could be wrong and not for the first time.

What if “abundant living” were more about how life is lived and not about the stuff we have accumulated for living it.

Then, “abundant living” could mean growing within a loving, life-giving and lifechanging relationship to God in Christ despite human weaknesses and errors.

Then, “abundant living” might be belonging to a covenanted faith community that models healthy, transparent, and affectionate Christlike living.

Then, “abundant living” could mean seeking and finding hope, experiencing belonging, giving and receiving forgiveness, and finding purpose, meaning and direction.

Then, “abundant living” would be sharing the joy of relationship to God and to other people in Christ - regardless of situation or circumstance. Then, “abundant living” would be trying to embrace “whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report” (Philippians 4:8) for as long as God continues to share the gift of life with each of us.

For me, “abundant living” not only affirms the absolute value of choosing to try to live rightly as a disciple of Jesus in this life in this world, but also it is a reminder that each human spirit passes along this earthly way just once. How and what we choose to do and to become here can be judged simply - whether or not our living has built up or diminished others and ourselves.

As a follower of Jesus, I hold that choosing the Christmas spirit of “abundant living” has consequences for the person we finally become in the abundant life of eternity in Christ.

As hard as it might be to practise “abundant living” everyday, following Jesus seems to demand that disciples should make an effort to do just that. What a world that would create! In response to the cries of the hurting and the oppressed, there would be an army of more than a billion people singing to them, “We have come to you that you might have life, and have it abundantly - we have come to make a difference for you in your life.”

Is the possibility - however remote - that this might actually happen some day what fuels the annual generosity of heart and of spirit at Christmas? Is this a vision of “the coming kingdom of God” pictured in the words of a charismatic vagabond Jewish preacher two thousand years ago?

Please take time this month to contemplate anew the wonder of our self-giving Creator-God who chose to be born as Jesus, a human like us, so that we might better see the potential for divine love which lies within each one of us. May you find ways to express that love every day all year.

May the Holy Child of Bethlehem make you merry and bless you and those whom you love with peace in this sacred Christmas season.

The Rev’d John Lockyer

Parish of Mono

––o–– “If God be for us, who can be

against us”

Well, we’ve almost made it. We are coming to the day that we have all been preparing for. And if, on Christmas Eve, you haven’t bought your Christmas tree, it will be too late. If you have any Christmas shopping left, it will be too late. If you haven’t bought the turkey, it will be too late . . . unless of course, you’re an Orthodox Christian and then on January 7 it will be too late.

One thing I think it’s never too late to do is to give thanks. I think, in fact, that that is what Christmas is all about and why we come together in song and praise. We will hear the story of the shepherds who, after their visit to the manger, return glorifying and praising God. The shepherds move from fear, to a journey of discovery, to sharing the news. I think that we do the same as well, from fear, to journey, to sharing.

First we hear in the story of Jesus’ birth the words: “Do not be afraid for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Fear is something that we all experience from time to time, but there are times and places where people live in constant fear.

If you read the newspapers, watch TV or listen to radio you can understand why. The Toronto Star, late last year, showed a calendar in their Sunday edition that illustrated events around the world that had occurred during the month of November. Almost every day had a catastrophic event of immense proportions; some had two.

There are well over 300 references in scripture to not be afraid. God knows that we will be afraid and there is good reason, but in the end we are told not to be, because Jesus’ birth says that something new is coming that will change the world. God’s angels declare good news and the shepherds begin a journey to see what this is all about.

We later read the words: “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15). It is often in peculiar and unusual ways that the goodness and blessings of life are made known to us just as they were to the shepherds and everyone from Mary and Joseph on down about the birth of Jesus. But what about the pain and misery in the world today we may ask, how are the blessings of the world made known to those who suffer.

I am reminded of the story of a man who goes to the Priest and complains, “Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?” The Priest asks the man to tell him about his living conditions and the man tells him of the one room with

nine people, that there is an outside cook hut, an outhouse, a few chickens and a goat. The Priest answers, “Take your goat into the room with you.” The man in unconvinced, but the Priest insists. “Do as I say and come back in a week.”

A week later the man comes back looking more distraught than before. “We cannot stand it,” he tells the Priest. “The goat is filthy.” The Priest then tells him, “Go home and let the goat out. And come back in a week.” A radiant man returns to the Priest a week later, exclaiming, “Life is beautiful. We enjoy every minute of it now that there’s no goat — only the nine of us.”

It’s all relative; what we thought was unbearable is now bearable because our perspective has changed. We’ve all had difficult times and we often discover that it could be worse. Often when visit people it usually those in the most desperate circumstances, I hear say that there is someone worse off than them. I don’t know what the psychology is behind this, but think what we are thinking when we say this is that when we share our misery with others we find out that there they have similar or worse experiences. That is the advantage of community, of journeying together. It is also the advantage of faith; that God has shared in our pain and suffering in Christ and continues to do so. It is in that sharing that we gain solace and strength and that is a message to be shared.

At the end of the reading we hear that “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20). The only way that the story is passed on is by telling it; telling it here and telling it through how we live our lives. God chose to be “Emmanuel” - which means God with us.

Here’s an illustration that I think exemplifies the power of that message very well. An ancient land was once ruled by a wise and beloved King who cared greatly for his people and desired only what was best for them. He was very generous and would often bestow gifts upon his subjects from time to time without notice and seemingly without earning them. One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the cellar, so the King made his way to the dark place to sit with the man who tended the fire. The two men shared the coarse food the worker had to eat, and the King befriended him in his loneliness.

Day after day the ruler went to visit the man, dressed as a poor man. The worker became attached to this stranger because he “came where he was”. One day the King revealed his true identity, and he expected the man to ask him for a gift. Instead, he looked long into his leader’s face and with love and wonder in his voice said, “You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat my coarse food, and to care about what happens to me. On others you may bestow rich gifts, but to me you have given yourself!”

I recently heard Handel’s Messiah and in it at one point the soprano sings, “If God be for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)

This phrase, as with most pieces in Messiah, is repeated time and again, almost as the writer wanted to make sure that we heard it, understood it and lived it. The birth of Jesus says that “God be for us”.

When we leave whichever shelter house of prayer we go to, as the church is called in our Celtic Service at St. Mark’s, may we all go out giving thanks with that phrase in our hearts and minds and share it in all that we do and say.

Merry Christmas and God’s Blessings to you and yours this season.

The Venerable Peter Scott, St. Mark’s Anglican Church,

Orangeville

––o––

“I Still Believe”

In our household, each December as we begin to unpack the Christmas decorations one of the first items to be unpacked is the box of Christmas videos and puzzles. In this box are Christmas classics such as “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street” (in black and white, of course), and, Alastair Sims as Scrooge in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (only in black and white). Recently, to our box of classic films, we added “The Polar Express”. This is an animated film released in 2004 starring Tom Hanks in no less than six roles. It has become family favourite.

It is an incredible film. Besides the technically amazing animation, the script and the story are truly wonderful. The characters are mysteriously familiar and oh so wise and loveable. But what I love most about this film is its invitation to ponder about what we believe and why it is that we believe.

Intentional or not, there are echoes of John’s version of the story of Jesus running throughout the film. Not so much parallels in the narrative of the stories but more in the quest for truth, for understanding, for belief. There is the sense of being drawn forward, trusting, hoping and waiting for ‘the truth’ to be revealed and understood. There is companionship on the journey, both guides and fellow travellers on the way. The whole film becomes a kind of parable of belief.

For me, this is something quite different than the faith we hear about in “Miracle on 34th Street” where faith is ‘believing in something when your brain tells you not to.” It is the kind of belief that engages deeper in the heart than logic or proof. Some say ‘seeing is believing.’ In my experience, it is my faith that has enabled me to see, and so for me ‘believing is seeing.’

There are some who think that believing in God or Jesus is just as foolish as believing in Santa Claus. They will cite historical fact and evidence against it. There are some who continue to attend church ‘just to be on the safe side,’ but don’t really pursue the questions in their heart. And there are those who continue to wonder, to ponder, to hope, to question, to search for faith. At this most holy and most wondrous time of the year, I pray that you continue on the journey, that you continue to ask questions, that you continue to be open to the possibilities that lay before you.

When the Conductor on the Polar Express says, “All aboard,” the young boy at first chooses not to board the train, he suddenly changes his mind and runs to jump on, and the journey of a lifetime begins. As the Conductor says near the close of the film, “One thing about trains, it doesn’t matter where they’re going, what matters is deciding to get on.”

Jesus beckons his disciples by saying, “Come and see.” One of the places to explore faith is at a local church. At Christmas time there are special services, many with special intention towards visitors, newcomers, and those who continue to search for some kind of faith connection. We hope that you will feel welcome and that you will find some companions for your journey.

Christmas Eve services at St. Paul’s, 312 Owen Sound Street, are at 4:30pm and at 8:30pm. The earlier service is intentionally child and family friendly; the later service is a more quiet and traditional candlelight service. We also gather for worship on Christmas Day at 10:30am.

The Reverend Susan D. Wilson, St. Paul’s Anglican

Church, Shelburne

––o––

What is Peace?

During the Christmas season the communication of peace and good will is seen on Christmas cards, expressed in song and words, and demonstrated at times in actions.

Jesus, the One whose birth we celebrate is referred to as the “Prince of Peace”. World peace is often mentioned when people are asked what would they wish for if they could have anything they wanted. What do you picture when you think of peace? Is it a tranquil setting, or an absence of strife?

Beit Kjos thought about this and in his book, “A Wardrobe from the King” told of a man who sought the perfect

picture of peace. He wrote, “Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The

challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.

The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled.

As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.

The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.”

The image that is often presented at Christmas in the Carols we sing and the stories we tell continue to portray the birth of Jesus as a festive, peace filled time: silent nights, manger scenes, animal petting zoos near the baby, angels and shepherds rejoicing with trumpets sounding, elegantly dressed Kings with nicely wrapped presents bowing before Him. As the Prince of Peace what kind of peace did Jesus really come to bring?

Think about the turmoil that was caused when Joseph heard the love of his life, his fiancé, Mary was pregnant and he knew he had nothing to do with that fact. He was forced to deal with the disappointment and shame the community would bring over pregnancy before marriage.

What about the upheaval caused when he was forced to take his family and flee to a foreign country to keep Herod from killing his son?

Was there any peace when Herod ordered the slaughter of all boys in the Bethlehem area two years old and younger?

The birth of Jesus is a reminder to us that we live in a world in which there is an ongoing war between the forces of spiritual darkness and light for the souls of humanity.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-12, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. {11} Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. {12} For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

He then went on to instruct the followers of Jesus to put on the “full armour of God”. We would not need armour if we were not getting attacked. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but that does not mean the war is over yet. Victory is assured because Jesus overcame death, but there are still serious skirmishes and cleanup battles taking place. Just as there was a difference between D Day and VE Day in WW II so this is true in the spiritual realm as well.

The Prince of Peace provides an internal peace despite what outward circumstances may be happening in our lives so that we can say with the hymn writer Horatio G. Spafford,

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. Refrain: It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

This is peace. Rev. Bob McLellan is pastor of the Grace Church of the Nazarene,Shelburne

The Greatest Gift

‘For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest

His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6).

This was prophesied by Isaiah about 700 years before Jesus Christ was born. God sent His son into the world as His Gift to us, He [Jesus] did not come to condemn the world, but through Him he would save it (John 3:17).

Isaiah 53:3-12, prophesied Jesus would be despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

He has borne our grief, carried our sorrows, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed. Jesus poured out His soul unto death; He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

There is no Greater Gift than the King of the universe, laying down His life for you and me.

Isaiah 61:1-11, tells us what Jesus’ mission was on earth: to preach good tidings to the poor, heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God. He came to comfort all who mourn, to give beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, instead of our shame.

He has given double honor to all those who believe that Jesus is God’s son, and that He paid the Greatest Gift ever, Salvation for you and me. I praise God that I have received this Gift, have you?

As I minister to people, the greatest need we have as human beings, created in God’s own image, is love and acceptance. All we have to do is receive the Gift of Jesus and accept His love, John 3:16-17, a gift that keeps on giving forever and ever.

Blessings to you and yours this Christmas, from all of us at Abiding Place Fellowship

Rev. Gord Horsley, Abiding Place Ministries, Shelburne