Humbug to Hallelujah: Valuing Relationships

The focus on spending and things can truly cause us to forget what Christmas is all about. Recently I was reading about the ecological problem caused by millions of plastic shopping bags. One solution was to purchase reusable bags. But even that can get out of hand - as noted in this article:

Never Mind What's in Them, Bags Are the Fashion

Our consuming society can blind us to the importance of relationships - to turn our "humbugs" into "hallelujahs," we would do well to rediscover the importance of relationships, especially at Christmas time.


The Bible gives us fair warning of the danger of focusing on material things. The Proverbs are especially helpful:

PROVERBS 17:1. Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

PROVERBS 15:16. Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

PROVERBS 11:24. Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

PROVERBS 11:28. Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.


In Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Scrooge's vision of Christmas Present was quite a "wake up call." He saw the impoverished Cratchit family enjoying each other as Christmas, despite their poverty. He found they had riches that he did not have.

Joseph is also an example of one who valued relationships. Read how he handled the crisis of Mary's pregnancy - in Matthew 1:18-25.

What do you notice about Joseph? How might he reacted had he not valued relationships?

By the way - see what you can determine about the economic status of Joseph and Mary by reading these two short Scripture passages - one from the New Testament and one from the Old:

Luke 2:22-24

Leviticus 12:6-8



THOUGHTS:

I believe in God's master plan for the interaction of lives. He moves people in and out of each other's lives, and each leaves his mark on the other. You find you are made up of bits and pieces of everyone who ever touched your life.
- A. Dudley Dennison, Jr.

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing others' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
- W. C. Jones

If any of you have any quarrels, or misunderstandings, or coolnesses, or cold shoulders, or shynesses, or tiffs, or miffs, or huffs, with anyone else, just make friends before Christmas - you will be so much merrier if you do. I ask it of you for the sake of that old angelic song, heard so many years ago by the shepherds, keeping watch by night, on Bethlehem heights.
- Charles Dickens

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessings
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing
Returns to you glad.
- John Greenleaf Whittier


SOME POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS:

• Think of a long-lost friend or relative with whom you can reconnect this Christmas season.

• Is there someone who was a big influence in your life who could use a big "Thank You," even if their efforts took place many years ago?

• Think of someone who is a long way from their home of origin. Find a way to be a blessing to them!

• Who could be your Cratchit family this year - someone who could use a helping hand?

• Get a photo of your family when you were young, and pray over it. Offer thanks to the Lord for what has happened in your family since the photo was taken. If needed, shed tears of joy, or perhaps tears of regret. Ask God how you can be like Tiny Tim and bless your family. Don't let other people's "Humbugs" keep you from reaching out.

• Do something for someone who can do nothing for you in return.

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

When we prayerfully examine the relationships that shove us into humbug
experiences, we can expect God to give us remarkable ideas for reconnecting with
those sometimes difficult personalities. These divine insights will help us celebrate
others and give Tiny Tim–like blessings far beyond our human abilities to grant.

• Can you think of someone who played a significant role in your past?

• Should you contact one such person to renew the friendship and express your Christian love?

• Who might that be, and what would you say?

• Would it be fitting to issue a “Christmas pardon” to someone you have been angry with?

• What appropriate action might you take (e.g., sending a Christmas card)?

• Is there someone in need this Christmas you can reach out to in Jesus’ name?

• Ask the Lord to make you especially sensitive to others’ needs at this special time of year.

For more practical suggestions about valuing relationships at Christmas, see pages 44–45 in the Devotional Calendar.


MAKE THIS YOUR PRAYER:

Dear Lord, too often I forget what's really important. Forgive me. Help me to value the people you have put into my life before it is too late - both for them and for me. I thank you for the way you showed your love by sending Jesus, your Son, to earth. May I trust him, and may I show his love to all I meet. Lord, comfort those whose hearts are broken. And where possible, allow me to be part of the healing. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Humbug to Hallelujah: Reawakening the Joy

The focus of Week 2 of our Advent Celebration - reawakening the joy inherent in Christmas.


Joy is central to the Christmas story.

Read what the angel had to say to the shepherds about joy.


Like the shepherds, Mary had a frightening or troubling encounter with an angel's message. But she received the message, and ultimately responded with a song joy:

LUKE 2:46-47. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Read the entire Song of Mary here.


Christmas always results in a powerful stirring of memories - all of us have memories that are both bitter and sweet.

Scrooge's transformation involved three night visitors - the first was Christmas Past. He was reminded of times of hurt - old wounds from his childhood - but he also saw visions of past joy - the fanciful Christmas ball where he danced into the night.


Reawakening the joy inherent in Christmas will mean both being realistic about old memories as well as making new memories. You are not alone - Jesus is with you!

Allow Christ to help you:

• Focus on memories that bring joy! Don't ignore the bitter memories. But don't allow them to "hog the stage!" Thank God every day for joyful memories!
• Transform those memories that are painful. George Morrison has said, "It is the glory of Christianity that it has a message for your past." No matter what has been, Christ has the power to make all things new.
• Find a fellow pilgrim. Just as Mary shared her journey with Elizabeth, God can provide you pilgrims to make the journey less lonely and more meaningful.

(Before she sang her song of praise, following the visitation of the angel, Mary traveled to be with her kinswoman Elizabeth - read about that encounter here).


THOUGHTS:

"Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

"The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." - Westminster Confession of Faith

"Grimness is not a Christian virtue. There are no sad saints. If we have not joy, we have missed the heart of the Good News, and our bodies as much as our souls will suffer the consequences." - Bruce Larson


"TEACH ME TO DANCE," a poem by Greg Asimakoupoulos

Lord, I hear the band playing the waltz of your grace
In toe-tapping three-four time.
But here I am, with my life out of rhyme, hiding in the shadows.
While other twirl and spin and turn on a dime,
All I seem to be able to do is mark time with my flat, unhappy feet.
But you are not content to let me cower in the corner.
You hold out your hand to me as if to say, "They're playing our song!"
Oh, God, deep inside I knew there was a chance that you'd ask me to dance.
But here I stand. I can do no other. That is of course
Unless you sweep me off my feet with memories of happier times.
Moments in my memory that flood my heart with innocent joy.
The simple wonder that the baby laid in crude wooden manger
Was a parcel of love just for me. Lord, teach me to dance once again.


SOME POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS:

• Make a list of moments during 2007 when God blessed you in a special way. Keep that list before you this season.
• Block out times during December when you will be available to family or friends for creating new joyful memories!
• Remember someone who may be having a difficult December. Ask God to reveal something you might do to help bring them unexpected joy!

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Ordinary holiday practices, which often focus on secular expectations, tend to leave us disappointed and depleted. Like Scrooge, we need to revisit the times when we experienced holy, festive moments. Then, to be transformed, we should start building memories that will reawaken Christmas joy, not only for this season but for many years to come.

• Think back—what warm Christmas memories can you recall?

• Now, what activities are you planning that you hope will be remembered fondly from this year’s celebration?

• What new activity or custom could you initiate this Christmas to reawaken joy in you and your loved ones (e.g., the weekly home candlelighting ceremony)?

• What might help you rejoice anew in the miracle of Christ’s coming to earth?

• See pages 30–31 in the Devotional Calendar for more help in reawakening the joy inherent in Christmas.

MAKE THIS YOUR PRAYER:

Lord, I sense you are inviting me to dance. You know that there are moments when the season is no longer special. I may be tired, hurt or bound by the past. But Christmas is unique because you came in the flesh, and that event is cause for rejoicing. You want to reawaken the joy of Christ's incarnation in my heart.

So I accept your invitation to the dance of Christmas joy. Now go before me and help me this week, as I recreate happy memories. In the name of the Christ - who was, is, and evermore shall be. Amen.

Humbug to Hallelujah: Breaking the Chains

This is the beginning of Advent, and our focus will be the theme "HUMBUGS TO HALLELUJAHS." The word "HUMBUG" is associated with the Ebenezer Scrooge character in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

Someone once identified four BIG December humbugs:

• spending too much
• family issues
• crowded schedules
• loneliness

Can you identify at least one of these humbugs that might be an issue for you?

The theme for the first week of Advent is "BREAKING THE CHAINS" - and we remember Scrooge's encounter by night with his long deceased old business partner - Jacob Marley. Marley had been financially successful, but this encounter showed Scrooge that he had missed out on the most important things. Marley was covered with a chain made of padlocks, ledgers and other tools of his trade. Note Marley's words:

I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.

Too often the chains we wear are the direct result of our own actions. Scripture makes that point well:

GALATIANS 6:7. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.

Read further from this passage (taken here from the translation The Message).


The beginning to breaking the chains is when we realize that it's not all about me. Let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing what is right. This December – instead of adding links to our chains – allow God to begin breaking those chains – link by link – through the power of his Spirit.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT...

What negative patterns have marked your past Christmas celebrations?

Describe the emotions connected to these recurring problems.

What advice do you think God might offer to improve matters?

Write down a specific action you can take this week to help remedy a problematic holiday situation.

The Advent Devotional Calendar offers suggestions for breaking Christmas chains forged in life, on pages 16–17. Copies are available from the church office, or you may order online.

Some more practical suggestions are listed at the bottom of the blog.

This poetic prayer - A Christmas Hostage, by Greg Asimakoupoulos - may be a helpful reflection:

Old habits hold me hostage in the closet of my heart.
And Jesus, you know what it is that's tearing me apart.
Some I know are helpless when it comes to lust or booze.
Others deal with gluttony or having a short fuse.
Ruts are my kidnapper. They've locked and barred the door.
And here I sit and cower, quite aware of what's in store.
I'm dying to be rescued and Lord, you keep the key.
Please free me from the hold old Christmas routines have on me.


Read the story of Zechariah in Luke 1:57-79.
As a result of his lack of belief, Zechariah had been without a voice throughout Elizabeth's pregnancy. When the child was born, however, Zechariah believed and obeyed God by naming the child John. And he got his voice back. Zechariah reminds us that faith in God breaks the chains.

Read the story of a biblical Scrooge character who never changed his ways in Matthew 2:1-18.

Herod, like Scrooge, was bound by the chains of wealth and power. He believed the world revolved around him. Like Scrooge, Herod had unexpected visitors who came to him one night with a message - three wise men. Unlike Scrooge, however, Hero'ds heart was closed, and he did not listen. Herod missed God's opportunity. History tells us that he died a hated man, despised by all who knew him.

MORE PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

• Make a special investment in the poor and needy in some tangible way, through a special offering or contribution, perhaps to our gift collection next Sunday.
• Ask God to remind you of someone who needs a special touch of love and encouragement. Write that person's name on a piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror so you can pray for him or her each morning as you prepare for the day. Be sure to check up on that person a few times during December, to put action into your prayers. This daily prayer exercise will serve as a reminder that Christmas is not about you!