December 25 - 31, 2006

 SOLI/Update 

  www.stewardshipoflife.org


Now's the time to say Merry Christmas!

As I write this, the 25th of December ended less than 24 hours ago, and already you can see that the world has shifted gears and is now heading full-speed away from Christmas. Radio stations have already stopped playing Christmas music. Many of the big stores have already put away their Christmas merchandise and taken down their Christmas decorations.

How strange that after doing all they can since Halloween to pump up the spirit of Christmas, ad nauseum, the commercial interests abandon it so quickly.

For the followers of Christ this presents a paradox, because until Christmas Eve we are not even in the season Christmas at all, but rather Advent -- a time of waiting. For us Christmas BEGAN at sundown Sunday, the very time that many stores were closing for Christmas Eve, marking the END of their holiday season.

How strange that stores and radio stations abandon Christmas at the exact same moment that the Christian calendar begins Christmas. 

This strange timing presents opportunities for us, the stewards of the Christmas story (not to mention the souls of people for whom Christ died and rose again). We can use the post-Christmas time to teach and preach about what it means to live in the reign of the Messiah who came to earth through the same biological process that brought us all here.

Without the distractions of parties, travel and holiday shopping, our people may listen and hear the miracle that began in a stable on a wintry night over 2000 years ago in a world beset by strife and sorrow. They may understand that the important part of Christmas does not end at the anniversary of a baby's birth long ago, but rather that's where the important part begins. 

The important part is the continuing arrival of the Messiah in the midst of our world beset by strife and sorrow; the continuing arrival of the Messiah in the midst of our lives and families beset by strife and sorrow. Now there's a Christmas message that can last the year long.

--Rob Blezard, Editor and Webmaster
(Reprint rights cheerfully granted for non-profit use by congregations (inquire about other uses). If you reprint, please include the following notice: "Copyright (c) 2006, the Rev. Robert Blezard, www.stewardshipoflife.org. Used by permission.")


New This Week:

‘Do Not Be Afraid’ -- ELCA Bishop Mark S, Hanson
“In this season of Christmas, we encounter again Jesus, sent from God for our salvation. As the Word is proclaimed in both simple buildings and cathedrals of grandeur, we receive the good news of God's love in Christ Jesus for the whole earth.” Click here for the Christmas Message from Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.


‘Transform the World’ – World Council of Churches
“The Word became flesh when God's son was born in a stable. Christ's incarnation is an invitation to each of us and all of us together: to receive this profound message of grace, of celebration, of justice; and to share that message with those around us in the hope that the whole world shall be transformed.” Click here for the message of The Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.

‘The Light of Christ’ – Pope Benedict XVI
“The modern age is often seen as an awakening of reason from its slumbers, humanity’s enlightenment after an age of darkness. Yet without the light of Christ, the light of reason is not sufficient to enlighten humanity and the world. For this reason, the words of the Christmas Gospel: ‘the true Light that enlightens every man was coming into this world’ (John 1:9) resound now more than ever as a proclamation of salvation.” Click here for “The Light of Christ” by Pope Benedict XVI.


‘The Gift of God’s Love for All’– Archbishop of Melbourne
“There are strong parallels between asylum seekers and refugees and Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in very humbling circumstances because Mary and Joseph were forced to travel to participate in the census. He suffered persecution throughout his life, leading to his painful and public humiliation upon the cross.” Click here for ‘The Gift of God’s Love for All,” from Dr Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne Diocese, Anglican Church of Australia.


Stewards of the Gift of Community
At their best churches do provide a sense of community. Like the old TV show "Cheers" -- the place where "everyone knows your name." But more the place where you can go and people are there to listen. People are there to help, and people are there who are in the same boat, and you can work at it together. Click here for the latest weekly column by Pastor Dana Reardon. To read past columns, click here.