Why do we celebrate Christmas?

I can think of many reasons NOT to make a big deal of Christmas:

~Jesus actual birthday is more likely in spring, not on December 24 or 25 at all

~The real reason to celebrate - Jesus' birth - has become overshadowed by Santa, elves, naughty & nice lists and magical expectations

~The emphasis on gifts, presents, surprises and extravagance is more about consumerism than giving

~The pressure on people to have big meals, gatherings, parties and other festive events is stressful

My antidote to all the distractions and self-imposed pressures is to focus on the simple things.  For one thing, I focus on people.  If I am writing a bunch of Christmas cards, I buy my cards on Boxing Day the year ahead and make a list of who I want to send them to.  As for decorating the house, I don't go overboard, just tasteful favourite items and a pre-lit Christmas tree (no muss, no fuss!). I want to enjoy the people, not worry about every detail being perfect.

 Now that our family is expanding with daughter-in-laws, we pick names amongst each other and then buy a smaller item for a gift exchange game.  The gift-giving is still fun, but we want to make the day about spending time together, not about the financial strain of over-spending.

When it comes to Christmas parties, concerts and events, we are not in that phase of school and church programs anymore.  But we intentionally choose the events we will go to  and make them meaningful.  We also love to host our family, whoever can come, at our house.  I am not so intent on making multiple dishes and every favourite cookie recipe; simple menu and let others bring some items to contribute to the meal and snacks.  It sure makes the pressure lighter!

This year, I am taking the time to write daily (we'll see how that goes!) to share Advent thoughts with my Blog fans. I want to focus on Jesus' birth and how to encourage others to keep their eyes on the prize!  I hope you can find joy in keeping it simple:  Jesus and people!  

 Candles.  Wreath.  The readings from Scripture.  Advent is a part of the church calendar, but not every tradition observes it in their worship services.

As a teenager, I began to take my faith more seriously.  I went to church whenever I could.  I joined the choir.  I attended a youth group and Bible study.  I paid more attention to what was going on in the services and began to wonder why things were done they way they were in various church groups.

The first Advent candle-lighting I observed was intriguing.  The minister in his black robe read Scripture.  He pointed out the three purple candles and what they represented.  The one pink candle stood for another theme.  And the white candle, pure and set apart, known as the Christ candle, represented Jesus the Christ.  Various members of the congregation would take turns lighting the candles on each of the Advent Sundays.  The darkened sanctuary with the glow of the Advent wreath made for a holy memory for me.

This season is a time of preparation as we come up on the event of Christmas.  

How are you preparing for Christmas?  Are you baking, shopping, cleaning, wrapping, decorating?  That is all part of the holiday and fun.

But the thing that really matters is the preparation of the heart.

"Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing..."  (Joy to the World)

If your church doesn't practice the observance of Advent, you can always do it on your own.  Look it up on the internet, see what supplies the Dollar Store can provide and make a special spot in your home to honour the coming of the Lord Jesus.

 Did you wake up this morning to a dark sky?  When you opened your eyes, did darkness greet you and you thought it was still nighttime?

If you live in the northern hemisphere, north of the 49th parallel, then you are approaching the winter solstice.  Depending on your location, you may be entering a time when there are more hours of night than daylight.  This can be a season of hopelessness and depression.

Do you turn on the TV news broadcast or read news headlines on your phone?  Does it feel like an assault of gloom and doom?

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the negative news and simply choose not to see or read about the homicides, the wars, the corruption and confusion in our world.  This may be denial on my part, but a person can only handle so much negativity before it swallows us up!

There is a scripture in Isaiah, chapter 9, that describes this condition.  "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined."  Isaiah 9:2  The people Isaiah is referring to is his own people, the nation of Israel.  But I would like to say that the whole world is experiencing darkness, deep darkness morally, relationally, politically, economically, spiritually...there is no group of people who is doing everything right!  More and more, the nations of the world are embracing selfish, greedy and evil lifestyles, rejecting the standards of right living and goodness that God has established.

The darkness can be subtle.  It is a gradual removal of light and hope and righteousness.  Immorality and evil creeps in slowly and even folks with decent lives can be unconsciously influenced by the downward spiral around them!

What is the answer?

The light that Isaiah refers to in the scripture verse is not a thing, not a scientific or physical beam of cosmic brightness.  This light is the Messiah, a promised leader who will bring truth and hope to this people.  Not just to the people of Israel but to the whole world!

Jesus is that light.  In John 8:12, Jesus Himself declares who He is.  Again Jesus spoke to them saying,  'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"  The awesome truth is that Jesus Christ already came to the earth and He has left His light here to shine.  But you may ask where is that light?  It seems pretty dim, not very impressive.

Jesus came and left His Church, His followers to continue to shine that light for the world to see.  He left His Word, the Bible, to provide truth and understanding, to give guidance on how to walk in this world that insists on staying in the dark!  

Will you set your eyes on Jesus, the light of the world?  He is offering His light to your darkness.

 Twenty-eight years ago this morning, Walter and I packed up our 3 preschool aged children, and drove one block over to the Albert Scott Community Centre. We set up chairs and tables, hooked up an overhead projector and made coffee. We expected maybe a handful of people to show up for our first worship/small group/gathering of what was to become Healing Healing Ministry. 

God met with us that first Sunday and we began a journey of ministry in north central Regina that brought the healing touch of Jesus to wounded hearts. That healing had to come to our own hearts first and both of us were hugely impacted by what we were learning to try and help others!  

We served in ministry with many wonderful folks who sacrificed and gave of their time and talents to love, pray for, visit and mentor many in the neighbourhood and beyond. The little gathering grew and we were able to eventually buy our own building. God provided so faithfully.  

Others joined our Healing Hearts team to bring that same message of healing and hope to other communities on the prairies. As the team expanded, Walter and I became more overseers and encouragers to the ministry staff and less involved in the pastoring role in Regina. 

Today I want to celebrate God’s great deeds through such a tremendous season in our lives. We have stepped away from that ministry and God has opened new doors for us to serve and use our experiences and abilities. Our hearts are full as we let go of the past and embrace the new. I am grateful beyond words for the friends- brothers and sisters in Christ- who have been part of our lives and our own healing journey. Seasons of ministry may change but God is faithful and the family of God is precious to us.

Thank You, Lord!!!

 Since we left home on August 22, we have logged in over 5,000 kilometres!

The scenery has been amazing: trees, rocks, lakes and rivers.  We have stopped to enjoy the sights and stretch our legs as we appreciated God's  creation.  And the architecture in old Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax is so old and beautiful.  We appreciated the rich history in Canada,  and some of the sad times, as well.  But all part of our heritage as Canadians.  We toured the Wharf in Halifax, ate at a restaurant on the ocean in Charlottetown and toured the citadel in Quebec City.  

It's difficult, nearly impossible, to describe these places and these experiences to those who have never been.  The salty, humid air on the coast, the screech of a seagull, the strumming of guitars along the wharf.  Or the musty smell in the munitions storage at the citadel, the view of European architecture set against the modern glass buildings, the cobblestone streets and voices intermingling in various languages from around the world.  It has all been surreal.

As Walter and I have gone from city to city, we have made connection with many dear people.  That's what the trip is all about. We drove across this great country partly because we couldn't fly out and find a rental car available!  But as we made appointments with the various family, friends, supporters, board members and missionaries, we have been blessed beyond all expectations.  My prayer had been that we would leave a blessing wherever we go and with whomever we meet.  The ironic thing is we leave with huge blessing as we are encouraged, reminded of their prayers and enjoyed sweet fellowship face to face.

Tomorrow we drive to Alberton, PE to join with our NCEM staff for an eastern field conference.  About 25-30 people will meet to worship, listen to great preaching and have fun together!  All on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean!  Food will be prepared and served to us and we all will be able to relax and enjoy visiting that everyone has been waiting for 2+ years to engage!

More adventures with picture to come...

 HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Back in 1867, a nation was created - actually called the Dominion of Canada, under British rule.  Many people called this dominion their home, even before the Europeans emigrated.  Today, the First Nations, Inuit, Metis and people from across the oceans live here together.

It isn't always peaceful and perfect.  Wherever humans try to exist and interact in some level of relationship, there is jealousy, greed, competitiveness and pride.  We just can't seem to get along!  No matter which political party is in power, regardless of efforts to be fair and just, our nation still struggles with divisions.  Canada is blessed with rich resources, majestic landscapes and vast space to live and make a living. It is "our home and native land" whether we were born here or were transplanted from other national soil.

I respect the strength and survival of the First peoples who first called this land their home.  Some of my best friends are of indigenous roots and I love their loyalty and sense of humour!  I feel most at home and most accepted by the people who have taught me so much.  My life and my family's values have been hugely impacted by the influence of indigenous love of family and friendships.

My greatest desire is to see ALL peoples who live in this beautiful dominion find peace with God and with each other.  My faith is in Jesus Christ alone to make this peace possible.  He died on the cross to secure this peace with God by taking all our sins and wiping them away.  He then made all people who believe in Him able to have peace with each other because there is no one who deserves this forgiveness and gift of grace!  We are all the same in our sinfulness and in our need of a Saviour.  We are all equal as sinners but also all will be received as His children through faith.

Let's lay aside our differences and work towards living at peace with each other in as much as is possible.  May God keep our land glorious and free!

"He shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth."  Psalm 72:8

 Trying to understand God is humanly impossible!

Even attempting to describe Him and how He operates, I find my words weak and my expressions totally inadequate.  

There is one God.  He expresses Himself in three Persons.  Father and Holy Spirit we have mentioned in the past two Blog articles.  But there is a third Person whom God chose to send on a mission to Earth.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world."  Hebrews 1:1 & 2

God has spoken through creation, through nature that we all see around us.  This is a general revelation that points us to a Divine Being, a Creator and Master.  But God continued to speak in more specific ways through history.  He chose prophets to deliver specific messages to humanity.  Men like Moses were sent to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; men like Samuel were raised up to speak to Israel and to Israel's kings.  Through these prophets, God would speak warnings, and also instructions on how to live and how to relate to Him.  

Through both prophets and priests, God would speak to His people and also to the Gentiles (who were any people NOT of the Israelite or Jewish heritage).  When God brought in the system of sacrifices for forgiveness and the worship in a tabernacle or temple, the prophets and priests would speak for God and God would receive their prayers on behalf of the people.  

Do you notice the go-between of communication?  Instead of a direct line for communication, God would go through a third party.  This reminds me of my Grandma Sanders who was a switchboard operator for the telephone company back in the 1950's and 1960's.  A call would come through the phone system and Grandma would answer.  The caller would request the number they wished to reach, or name the person specifically.  It was Grandma's business to know everyone and their number.  She would connect the caller with the desired party and let them communicate.  (Sometimes, she would listen in for a minute or two just to make sure they had a good connection.  Or that's what she would say if she was caught listening in a bit too long!)

Many times these prophets would be unsuccessful in connecting the two parties - their prayers were received in heaven but God's messages were not always heeded on earth!  The books of Judges, Samuel, Kings and Chronicles record the cycles of life that the Israelites experienced in their relationship with God.  Over and over, God would reach out in love and with warnings, and sometimes they would repent and get back on track; other times they fell away and continued to worship other gods and practice evil.

Clearly general revelation through nature wasn't quite enough to convey God's messages to people.  The more specific words through the prophets were not always heeded.  God then found a way to reach more personally and directly to those He loves:  He sent His Son!

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him..."  John 1:1-3a

This verse sounds a lot like Genesis 1:1 that in the beginning God created and here we see someone called "the Word" was present with God in the beginning.  This Person was there at creation and all things were made through Him!  It also said in Hebrews 1:2 that the world was made through Him, referring to the Son.  The Son, the Word, we know is Jesus Christ.  

Why would God send His Son to the Earth?  The world is a mess.  The people on the Earth are constantly in trouble and seem to do everything they can to offend this holy and patient God.  Somehow, God was moved by compassion and made a plan to rescue His beloved creation through an ultimate sacrifice, the Lamb of God that would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).  

Jesus is called the Word - meaning He is the ultimate way God has chosen to reveal Himself and communicate His message to the world.  God made Himself through Christ Jesus to become a human, by making a virgin girl, Mary, pregnant by His Holy Spirit.  What a crazy and unfathomable plan?!  But the story of Luke 1 and 2 gives the account and records the historical facts that Mary was willing to go along with this plan.  Jesus was born into the messy world as a human baby and grew up in a human experience.  God was going to show up directly and share His heart!

Hebrews also explains that Jesus went through every temptation and hardship that we as men and women encounter in our lives.  He didn't get special treatment because He was the Son of God.  "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."  Hebrews 4:15  Jesus is able to connect with us because He went through what we experience.  

Jesus is also called a "great high priest", like I mentioned that God used the role of priests to speak to and reach people.  The high priest would offer sacrifices to pay for sin and to cleanse the people.  Jesus was more than a normal high priest; He became the sacrifice that was offered on the cross!

There's a Gospel song I enjoy that expresses this truth:

"Wonderful, merciful Saviour, precious Redeemer and Friend; Who would have thought that a Lamb could rescue the souls of men, Oh, You rescue the souls of men." - (Dawn Rodgers & Eric Wyse)

God so desperately wanted to speak to us that He sent His own Son as a personal messenger; the Word  was willing to die as the sacrificial Lamb in our place.  He spoke His love and His plan of rescue through Jesus!