The Heart of a Pastor

Christmas prayer and blessing

I still don't know where the month has gone.  Today is Dec. 22 and Christmas is upon the doorstep.  Thankfully I have my shopping done so all that is left to do is to put the finishing touches on worship and sermons.

Today, also, will more than likely be my last post until after Christmas.  Tomorrow (Sunday) Connie and I travel to my parents, returning on Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day we travel to Connie's family.  So as I take my leave of you I would like to leave you with a prayer that I will be using on Christmas Eve.  It is one I found on the Internet that really spoke to me, so here it is...let us pray...

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the magi.  Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.  May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.  Amen!

I hope and pray you have a joyous Christmas as we bask in the glow of God's awesome love.  May the peace of the Christ child fill your hearts and the grace of God overwhelm you with joy.  May your travels be safe and your homecomings be happy.  God bless and take care.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good life.

See you soon.

-edh-

And he gave me a chicken

Last night Connie and I received one of the most unique and memorable gifts we have received in a long time.  And by the above picture you can guess what we got.  One of our 6 year old Sunday school students, W, gave us a flock of chicks.  We don't actually have them but he bought them through Heifer International on our behalf.  Some hungry family is going to benefit from this wonderful gift.  Something that will provide them with food and income for years to come.  Often we receive and give gifts that end up collecting dust, end up in the garbage or wear out over time.  This gift will possibly save lives and last a long time.

I know that many of you have probably finished your shopping by now (LOL...yeah right). Well...here's an idea for you.  Buy a flock of chicks or some other animal for someone and give them a gift that could save someone(s) life.  I am willing to bet that all those involved will be very thankful.

Thank you, W...Connie and I will remember this gift for a long time.

Merry Christmas and God bless!

-edh-

A Christmas 3X3 Meme

David, over at Here I Stand has tagged me for a Christmas 3X3 meme.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year so this will be a fun one for me.  So...here I go...

What are your three favorite Christmas songs and who sings them?
This is a tough one.  My wife and I have dozens of Christmas CDs that get played constantly in our home and car.  Picking three is not easy but here are three that just happen to stand out right now:
(1) Silent Night when sung during the candle lighting portion of the Christmas Eve worship service.  Watching the candle light slowing spread throughout the sanctuary while the lights slowly dim while singing this great Christmas carol always gives me goosebumps.  Others that follow close behind are "Joy to the World" and "Go Tell it on the Mountain".

(2)  "Hallelujah" by Soulful Celebration.  Imagine a Southern Baptist choir going all out singing the Hallelujah Chorus.  I still like the traditional Hallelujah Chorus but listening to Soulful Celebration also gives me goosebumps and makes me want to jump up and start clapping.  There is a part toward the end where one might think things are winding down but just then they hit you with some more "soulful" Hallelujahs.

(3) Once again let me remind you...this is far from an exhaustive list, but number three has two "non-traditional" Christmas songs:  "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" sung by Amy Grant and "A Strange way to Save the World" (told from Joseph's perspective) sung by 4Him.  Two great comentaries on the miracle of Christmas.

What are your three favorite Christmas foods?
(1) I am with Diane here with number one -- LEFSE.  My wife is a butter and WHITE sugar person and I am a butter and BROWN sugar one.  But I will use WHITE sugar if need be.

(2) My mom's famous candy kiss cookies.  I look forward to these every year.  With me trying to lose weight, I throw that weight lose thing out the window for candy kiss cookies since this is that only time of the year I get these.

(3) Lastly...this is not a Christmas food but it is my family's Christmas Eve tradition -- homemade pizza.  One year my mom suggested we not do this but my sister and I threw a fit and my mom learned quickly not to mess with homemade pizza on Christmas Eve.  We each make our own little pizza and this is the only time of the year I have pepperoni and sauerkraut pizza (Hmmm...I am getting hungry just thinking about it).

What are your three Christmas secrets?
This is a tough one because people who know me well know I love the Christmas season and that I do not keep that a secret.  But many of you out there do not know me well so here it goes...
(1) My wife does most of my Christmas shopping for me.  Maybe that is not a surprise that a wife shops for her husband, but I think it is pretty funny.  I think I learned that habit from my dad.

(2) Of the 36 years I have been on this earth I can only remember one Christmas that we were not in Minnesota (Mom...correct me if I am wrong here).  That one year was at grandpa and grandma's house in Yuma, AZ.  At the time Julie and I thought it was strange going swimming at an outdoor pool on Christmas Day.

(3) I love poinsettia plants.  We got one early December last year and I kept it alive until this past September.  And...as I am writing this, the church custodian and his wife have just given me and Connie a nice big poinsettia.  Wow...they must have been reading my mind.

Well...there you have it.  What a fun Christmas 3x3.  Now...let me see...I think I will now tag:  Pastor David at Posting from Prairie Hill and Chris at The Lutheran Zephyr.  Have fun and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer - 12/02/07

We have finally arrived...the first Sunday in Advent...and the other unofficial beginning of the Christmas season (Thanksgiving being the other one).  Today at Salem we are have a Hanging of the Greens worship service (Does anyone else have a Hanging of the Greens worship service?).  We will finish decorating the sanctuary this morning.  A lot of the decorations have been put up already in the interest of saving some time.  The evergreens on the pews will be put up, the children will decorate the Christmas tree, a poinsettia will be brought in (we add a poinsettia each week of Advent), and the manger and cross up front are talked about.  All in all, it is a fun worship service with a lot of people involved (especially the children).

Yesterday we got a good ole fashioned Minnesota snow storm.  Nothing too big but definitely enough to cause some cancellations yesterday, including the worship service at Belmont Lutheran Church (the other congregation I service).  One service on Sunday morning really throws off my groove.

Anyway...let's being our "unofficial" start of the Christmas season together in a word of prayer.  Let us pray...
Loving and tender God, we come before you today with much on our plate.  We have a lot to do to get "ready" for Christmas.  We have decorating and baking and shopping and planning and so on and so to get done.  Sometimes this causes stress and sometimes it causes us to lose sight of what is really important.  Please keep our focus directed in the right direction...for Christmas is all about your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord...the greatest gift of all.  Help us not to lose sight of what our preparations are leading us to and don't let the secular world cloud the true meaning of the season.  Dear God...thank you for loving us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we pray...AMEN!

God bless you this day and everyday and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

-edh-

My Christmas story/memory

This post is a long time in coming, but here I am with my Christmas story.  A couple days back I challenged people to share their favorite Christmas story/memory.  I actually have two that are near and dear to my heart.  One began with my immediate family and the other began with Connie and me.

Christmas story
For a long time, Christmas eve was a very anxious time for my sister (Julie) and me.  We knew the routine:  Get cleaned up and dressed for church - Get to church about 45 to 60 minutes early to make sure we got a good seat - Sit in that crowded sanctuary...staring at our watches thinking that time had somehow slowed down - Worship - Return home and change clothes again - Mom and Julie would begin to make homemade pizza while dad and I hung out in the living room...with me scoping out the presents - Eat - and then the moment we all were waiting for...PRESENTS.  That was how things went when I was little.  But somewhere along the way (I think it happen after we graduated from high school; mom...help me out here), dad changed the routine.  After our delicious homemade pizza was consumed we retired to the living room where dad said that we are going to hear a Christmas story that he had found.  We were all surprised...but pleasantly. Through the years the story is usually a story that elicits a tear or two from people, and one that always makes you think...putting Christmas into perspective.  Eventually the story reading duties shifted and was shared among the family.  The Christmas story is a powerful, bonding moment for all of us; helping us keep everything in perspective.  Now...we have something else to look forward to.  Thank you dad.

Christmas shopping
I can not remember exactly when this tradition started or how we came across it, but it was not too long ago.  Connie and I started thinking about the money we spend on each other and then started thinking about those who get very little or nothing at all.  So we decided to change our Christmas spending habits.  Between Connie and me we decided how much money we would spend on each other.  Currently we are at $100 (that may go up this year).  Then we decided that 25% of that would be spent on each other and the other 75% had to be spent on someone else.  The stipulation here is that the someone else had to be someone we do not know or have any real connection to.  It has to be a random person or persons.  On Christmas eve, then, Connie and I would exchange gifts and reveal how we spent the other 75%.  But the thing is, we almost always "cheat"...by spending way more than 75% on others.  But we always forgive each other for "cheating".  Each year I look forward to figuring out how I am going to spend my 75%.  Last year, as part of the 75%, I bought a goat for a family in a third world country through the ELCA Good Gifts program.  We had a lot of fun with that one.  I wonder what I will do this year.

What is your Christmas story/memory?  I know that some of you are thinking about this and I look forward to reading your stories (as I am sure we all do).  Have a blessed Christmas season.

-edh-

The Christmas season is here...now what?

Here we are...the Christmas season!!!  I look forward to this time of the year every year.  I love the music, the lights, the decorations, open houses, Holiday Fest in Jackson, and everything that goes with this season.  I love it all.  Well...almost everything...

...each year I get worked up about the commercialization of Christmas (click on the "Christmas" category to the right for more Christmas posts).  It drives me crazy when family ask me for a Christmas list each year...but I eventually give in to make them happy (feeling guilty the whole time I am writing it out).  For the last three years I have written a letter to the editor of our local paper talking about the real meaning of Christmas (I am currently pondering another letter this year).  This morning on the local news cast they had a special guest talking about how parents can begin to turn their kids from a "gimme" attitude to a "giving" attitude.  At an early age, kids are learning that Christmas is about presents.  Sure...they hear the Christmas story.  Kids participate and prepare Christmas programs.  They help decorate trees and see manger settings.  Kids know that there is something special about this season, but behind it all...they are hoping for the "right" present(s).

"Eric...maybe people do have a 'giving' attitude and that is why they want to buy presents"  Sure I will "buy" that.  But what I am alluding to is the reason people buy and give presents.  When Christ was born in that tiny manger stall, God gave the world the best present of all - love, forgiveness, salvation.  Christmas is about THAT gift and all we do should communicate and proclaim that message.

So...I am not exactly sure where I am going with this, but maybe we should try something.  What if we started this Christmas season by sharing Christmas stories on our blogs (or leaving stories in the comment section if you do not have a blog).  The stories should not be about a really cool present you received but rather about how the Christmas season/message has touched your life or the life of someone you know - stories about the REAL meaning of Christmas.  The idea is that people searching the Internet may stubble across these stories and maybe begin to move from a "gimme" attitude or a "hurry up and find the best bargain" attitude to an attitude of sharing God's love for all.  I don't know...maybe I am being overly optimistic.  Maybe I have no clue what I am talking about.  If so...then at least we can have some fun sharing Christmas stories.

So there you have it.  I will post my Christmas story soon.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

-edh-

The "Christian" tree

"Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born TO YOU; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10 and 11)

That was the angel's proclamation to the shepherds that first Christmas night.  It's a proclamation of what Christmas is truly about.  It's a proclamation we need to hear on a daily basis, because we too easily get distracted and turn to secular reasons for the season.  But if you will indulge me for a brief moment; allow me to give you an easy daily reminder for why we celebrate this time of the year.

There is a story that Martin Luther, the great 16th century reformer, was walking along a road one evening when he noticed the star light shining through the evergreen trees.  He was taken captive by such a beautiful sight and wanted to preserve it.  So he cut down a small evergreen and placed it in his home. Next, he fashioned a small wooden candle holder and attached it to a branch; placed a candle in it and lit it.  He stood back to admire the sight and proceeded to put more candles in the tree.  This is believed to be the first lighted Christmas tree (can you imagine putting real candles in Christmas trees today).  But for Martin Luther, the evergreen was a reminder of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.  In the midst of winter when everything is dead, the evergreen stays alive and never fades; like God's love for us.  The candle light represented the hope that Jesus brought to the world through his humble birth.  The evergreen is more than just a Christmas symbol, but a Christian symbol. 

So as you sit in your home gazing at your beautifully decorated and lit Christian tree, be reminded of the true reason of this season; God's love for you and the hope we have through Jesus Christ.  This is indeed Good News for all people.  Merry Christmas and Amen! -EDH-

The warmth of Christmas

Yesterday was Holiday Fest in Jackson.  It is an annual celebration that ushers in the Christmas season.  I wish they would call it something different, but that's another blog entry (see my other entries in the "Christmas" category)

At 4:30pm eight of us braved the cold weather and sang Christmas carols at the clock tower in downtown Jackson.  Various churches had signed up for half hour time slots.  The music was broadcast throughout downtown on the sound system.  Believe me...I help provide quantity...NOT quality.  But then again, if you are listening to a group a carolers and you are judging their quality, then you have a problem (at least as far as I am concerned).  I am just glad people showed up when they could have chosen the warmth of their homes.

During the late afternoon hours, various stores had open houses where they served soup, hot beverages and other Christmas goodies.  It was nice to walk into a store without someone bugging you with a sometimes overly enthusiastic, "Can I help you!"..."No thanks I am just looking."  Last night was about fellowship, not money.

At 5:30pm the Holiday Fest parade started.  Up to that point people were mingling on the street talking and trying to keep warm.  But when we saw the cop car with its lights on, silence ensued.  We all knew what was coming next...the color guard.  People stopped what they were doing; adult and child like to show respect for our nations flag.  The first float behind the color guard was one carrying a local soldier.  People waved and I heard shouts from the crowd, "Thanks for serving".  It gave me goosebumps to hear that support.

After the last float went by we rushed back inside to await the grand finale...the fireworks display.  That's right...you read correctly...fireworks were on tap next.  I was standing in the entrance of the movie theater with some other Holiday Fest goers, trying to get warm again, wondering when the fireworks would start.  Just then we heard a loud BOOM!  I guess they were going.  All at once we rushed the whole one block to the river and saw a wonderful sight.  It was probably the best display I have seen in many years.  People cheered and car horns were honking.

Even though it was 10 degrees above zero; we forgot about how cold we were.  I shivered from time to time, but the Christmas cheer downtown last night was enough to keep me warm.  It is amazing what a does of Christmas cheer can do.  I firmly believe it could have been -10 degrees and people still would have come out to celebrate.

Jackson has it's issues (like any other town) but for a few hours last night, none of that mattered.  I just wish I could bottle that Christmas cheer from last night and keep it for the next time people start bickering and arguing for stupid, trivial things.   We can co-exist in peace.  Last night was proof of that.

I guess it is true what they say, "Love is all we need".

Praise be to God and Merry Christmas. -EDH-

Advent

"The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate." (citation:  http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html).

For those of you not familiar with church seasons and holidays; Sunday, December 3 marks the first Sunday of Advent.  It is a season of anticipation of the coming/arrival of Jesus Christ (see above definition).  Advent is not just a day that marks the "appropriate" time to put up Christmas decorations, but it reminds us of God's love for a fallen world.  God heard the cry of creation and came to us in Jesus Christ.  But Christmas is not only about the birth of Jesus, but the reason Jesus came into this world.  LOVE!  Jesus lived among us and went to the cross where he suffered and died.  But this is not the end of the story; Jesus rose from the grave and smashed to pieces death's grip on our lives.  Jesus lives and reigns victorious and that victory is passed onto us.  This is the wonderful message of Christmas; love, life, and salvation.

Coming Dec. 1 is a movie I can hardly wait to see.  It is called "The Nativity Story"  (http://www.thenativitystory.com).  See this movie.  Don't wait until it comes out on DVD, but see it now.  Experience the story and know it is for you.  Whether you are seeing and experiencing the story for the first time or not, the story of Jesus' birth is one for the ages.  See it again and again and proclaim to the world the true meaning of Christmas; don't let Satan win through commercialization.

Advent is here.  Christ has come.  Christ is coming again.  Praise the Lord and Amen. -EDH-

Finally here!!!

It felt great to pull out my Christmas CDs again.  The next step is to get out the Christmas decorations tonight (Sunday) and "go to town".  There is nothing quite like Christmas:  lights, decorating, great music and of course the most important thing of all...the celebration of the Christ child.

As you get yourself ready for this great season; as you put up your Christmas tree and lights; remember why we do those things.  It is not because everyone else is doing it.  It is because God has given us a reason to celebrate and be joyful.  With Jesus, we might as well "pack everything up and go home".  For without Christ there is no hope.  Without Christ there is no life.  Without Christ...well...you get the picture.

We don't celebrate Santa Claus this time of the year.  Santa is a fictional character.  We celebrate Jesus Christ and Jesus IS NOT a fictional character.  Jesus is our Lord and Savior; who gives us hope and life everlasting.  Don't worship a fat guy in a red suit, but worship our God; the Father almighty.  Have a very merry Christmas and God bless. -EDH-