Why Can’t We Love Each Other All Year Long?
Good Morning Friends,
Orientation to time and place is something we consider in determining a person’s mental health and yet when it comes to our spiritual health things get turned upside down and inside out. When Jesus became our Sabbath we began not so much to look forward to a day of the week or an upcoming feast day. Christmas in July…Christmas in December…or Christmas in September, the month when Jesus was probably born, makes little difference. The date of our conception, the date of our birth, the date of our rebirth makes little difference if indeed we are continually being reborn, if indeed every day is Christmas. Why Can’t We Love Each Other All Year Long?
Scripture: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:1-11 (NRSV)
Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great: He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16 (NRSV)
Message: Ever wonder what Christmas means to an 80 year old man living in a hut in the Congo today. Here is a man who has seen more death than most on the planet and knows nothing of shopping malls or Christmas trees. Ever wonder what Christmas means to an elderly woman in Assisted Living who thinks Christmas is coming soon and very soon every day of the year. Maybe they have it more right than we know. For the first 300 years of Christianity there was no significant Christmas celebration. The date eventually chosen fell during a time of several pagan holidays. Today 1700 years later we celebrate Christmas but it has become in many ways a secular holiday. But do not fear, for the future of Christmas is in good hands. God’s plan is not finished with Jesus’ birth. Perhaps the sentiment we are to have is as Charles Shultz wrote down for Charlie Brown to question of Lucy, “Tell me, do we have to love each other only at this season of the year? Why can’t we love each other all year long?” After all is not each and every day a day that the Lord has made? Is not today the day that He gives us the opportunity to receive forgiveness of our sins, help in our present situations and hope for the future in the return of the King. It is not Christmas but a type of Christmas each day the sun comes up. I do not know how you feel or experience God. I do not know if you have jumped into the river or are standing on the bank under the shade trees eating a fruit and waiting for the flood. When I jump in, God is like water pressing in on me wave upon wave like the sea on the shore, but also like stars in the sky that reflect in my eyes, like a hand pressed on flesh and it is peaceful and at the same time disquieting like friendly dogs. Perhaps I have seen the Christmas season come and go too many times. It is a mystery of words sworn in secrecy and then revealed at Christmas. Unwrapped like a present that then forgotten as if all of it had never happened. A chronic historicist repeated in a rhythm of darkness and light. Have I forgotten something important? That is how I feel about the church after Christmas has come and gone. That is how I feel about this stuff of mystery. I desire it to be as clear as a bell and in tune vibrating memories. But memories are not so clearly stored and packed away with the ornaments of life. Sure the stars still shine unchanging for the most part on these winter nights. They tell a story that astrologers miss. And there should be no mystery about it at all. Words becoming flesh in my mind and then in the world around me. The light presses in on my soul and I remember looking here as a child playing at being grown up and knowing. But it is what I knew even then in the Spirit of the moment that is pressed into my soul. Wondering how God will unseal the surprises of life I press on into the day. Tomorrow seems easy but today seems so difficult. Clues are everywhere even in the food. Is it time to eat again? Maybe we will remember as we prepare. Christmas is coming but what will come next?
Pray for sheep herding pastors that bring the message of Christ coming into the world. Pray for the miracle of transformation present in the hope and anticipation of Jesus coming. Pray that we like Scrooge experience the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Pray we look for signs of Christ’s presence. Pray we anticipate Jesus’ coming every day. Pray that the season of peace on earth and good will toward men be with us always.
Pray that God forgive us of our unbelief. Pray that we bear witness to the miracle of love that He performs daily in our lives. Pray we have faith and reason. Pray we love God with all our hearts, minds and souls as a community of love. Pray we have the blessings of belief shared.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 