"More Than Just a Memory"
What a blessed and meaningful Advent journey it has been! We had the opportunity and privilege, as we do each year, of traveling to Bethlehem’s manger and celebrating our Christ's birth. I hope and pray that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas celebration. Amber, Miriam, Elijah and I had a wonderful one. We had a great time with friends and family, received a lot of nice gifts and of course, who could forget, ate a lot of good food. Once again, this year’s Christmas activities and worship services were all meaningful and uplifting. And I was certainly pleased with our attendance at both our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services. I also appreciate having our newest member, who is both a friend and a colleague, the Rev. Wes Jamison help with the Christmas Eve Service.
But now, Christmas is behind us. The excitement and anticipation is over and we are forced to ask ourselves, "Now What?" Although Christmas has passed on the calendar, the spirit and celebration of Christmas hasn’t ended according to the church calendar. In fact, we won’t put away the decorations just yet, nor will we stop singing the Christmas carols and hymns. Instead, our celebration is just beginning. The Christ-Child has been born anew and afresh in us that we might live with the Christmas spirit and joy in the new year.
Not only does the afterglow of Christmas continue to shine into the new year, but it also rings in another season in the life of the Church - the season of Epiphany. Epiphany officially begins on January 6, which this year falls on a Sunday. The word "Epiphany" comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means "to make known." Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi - the Wise Men to Jesus. It is also a time where we celebrate the manifestation of God’s love in and through Christ to the Gentiles. Certainly, the mystery of Epiphany is summed up in the Apostle Paul’s words; "But when the time had fully come, God sent God’s Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive the full rights of children. Because you are children, God sent the Spirit of God’s Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a child, and since you are a child, God made you also an heir" (Galatians 4:4-7).
The only negative aspect of Christmas is how quickly it’s over. Come December 26, it’s all just a memory. Not only is Christmas a memory, but soon 2007 will be also. We stand on the threshold of another year. Perhaps, you have already pondered what 2008 might have in store for you. It is with this thought in mind that I want us to consider what God has in store for us here at Edgemont.
For most of us, 2007 was probably a balance of both good and bad, joys and sorrows. We never know what each day will bring us but we do know that God is with us in all of life - holding our hands and seeing us through the disappointments and discouragements, trials and obstacles. As I look back over the year I recall the joy and sorrows of 2007 for us here at Edgemont; but rejoice that God is giving us another year filled with opportunity and possibilities, new hopes and dreams. While none of us are exempt from the difficulties of life, we can celebrate the message of Christmas - Emmanuel (God with us)! That is not a memory; rather, it is a reality! God did not just come to visit and redeem our world - God came to live with us in the person of Jesus Christ and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And it is this Spirit that encourages and enables us to live our lives to their fullest.
It has been said that there are three types of people:
But now, Christmas is behind us. The excitement and anticipation is over and we are forced to ask ourselves, "Now What?" Although Christmas has passed on the calendar, the spirit and celebration of Christmas hasn’t ended according to the church calendar. In fact, we won’t put away the decorations just yet, nor will we stop singing the Christmas carols and hymns. Instead, our celebration is just beginning. The Christ-Child has been born anew and afresh in us that we might live with the Christmas spirit and joy in the new year.
Not only does the afterglow of Christmas continue to shine into the new year, but it also rings in another season in the life of the Church - the season of Epiphany. Epiphany officially begins on January 6, which this year falls on a Sunday. The word "Epiphany" comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means "to make known." Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi - the Wise Men to Jesus. It is also a time where we celebrate the manifestation of God’s love in and through Christ to the Gentiles. Certainly, the mystery of Epiphany is summed up in the Apostle Paul’s words; "But when the time had fully come, God sent God’s Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that we might receive the full rights of children. Because you are children, God sent the Spirit of God’s Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a child, and since you are a child, God made you also an heir" (Galatians 4:4-7).
The only negative aspect of Christmas is how quickly it’s over. Come December 26, it’s all just a memory. Not only is Christmas a memory, but soon 2007 will be also. We stand on the threshold of another year. Perhaps, you have already pondered what 2008 might have in store for you. It is with this thought in mind that I want us to consider what God has in store for us here at Edgemont.
For most of us, 2007 was probably a balance of both good and bad, joys and sorrows. We never know what each day will bring us but we do know that God is with us in all of life - holding our hands and seeing us through the disappointments and discouragements, trials and obstacles. As I look back over the year I recall the joy and sorrows of 2007 for us here at Edgemont; but rejoice that God is giving us another year filled with opportunity and possibilities, new hopes and dreams. While none of us are exempt from the difficulties of life, we can celebrate the message of Christmas - Emmanuel (God with us)! That is not a memory; rather, it is a reality! God did not just come to visit and redeem our world - God came to live with us in the person of Jesus Christ and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And it is this Spirit that encourages and enables us to live our lives to their fullest.
It has been said that there are three types of people:
1. Those who make things happen.
2. Those who watch what happens.
2. Those who watch what happens.
3. Those who wonder what happened.
As you look toward another year, you must ponder which type of person will you be. One thing I love about a new year is the opportunity for new beginnings, new goals, new dreams, new hopes and new possibilities for spiritual growth, witness and service. Some call these, "New Year’s resolutions." But in the church we call it "discipleship". Through the church you and I have the opportunity to experience growth through worship, Church school and fellowship. Through the church we have the opportunity to witness our faith and we are also given the opportunity to serve, by utilizing out gifts and talents that God has given us.
My intention is to lay the groundwork and to challenge YOU to become a person "who will make things happen," with the expectation that God will do wonderful and marvelous things in and through YOU in 2008! It is time we seriously consider what God has in store for Edgemont and how YOU and I can be a part of it! Won’t YOU allow the opportunity of this new year for YOU to do just that?
My intention is to lay the groundwork and to challenge YOU to become a person "who will make things happen," with the expectation that God will do wonderful and marvelous things in and through YOU in 2008! It is time we seriously consider what God has in store for Edgemont and how YOU and I can be a part of it! Won’t YOU allow the opportunity of this new year for YOU to do just that?
Peace in Christ;
Pastor Christopher
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 10:49 PM
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