When the news broke in January that the treasurer of the synod had confessed to embezzling funds from the synod, the first question that many asked was “can he pay it back?” In the law this is called “restitution” which is often ordered by the courts when a crime involving money or property has been committed. The perpetrator is ordered to pay it back, or pay for the damage, as the case may be. This is the law’s attempt to make things right again for the victim. It is my sincere hope that the former synod treasurer will pay back what he took. If he does, he can make things right financially with the synod. What he cannot do is restore the trust that people had in him. That is forever shattered.
This whole incident started me thinking about confession, forgiveness, sin, punishment, and restitution. Before the Reformation, the church generally taught that a valid confession of sin required three things before forgiveness could be granted: sincere contrition (contritio cordis), a spoken confession (confessio oris), and satisfaction (satisfactio operas). The last one involved either restitution or some other deed that in some way compensated for the sin that was committed. Who can ever forget Kristin Lavransdatter, in Sigrid Undset’s great novel of that name, making a harrowing winter pilgrimage over the Dovre Mountains to the cathedral in Trondheim with her firstborn son in her arms as an act of contrition for conceiving the child outside of wedlock with a married man? She was told to do this as part of her penance. She had to balance her bad deed with a good deed, or so she was told.
The Lutheran reformers abolished the satisfaction part of confession, holding that confession should consist of only two parts: the confession spoken by the penitent and the absolution spoken by the confessor. The purpose of this change was to make clear to the penitent sinner that “ we receive everything by grace.” (Luther’s Small Catechism) There is absolutely no way the sinner deserves or earns the forgiveness of sins from God. The only acceptable act of satisfaction for sins was accomplished by Jesus on the cross and is given as a free gift to the one who has faith in Jesus. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:23-35 makes this clear. The servant was forgiven his debt by his master and never asked to pay it back. Unfortunately he did not show the same kindness to his fellow servant.
The reformers were right to make this change because it conforms to the Bible. And yet, the natural human instinct is to ask “what can be done to make things right?” when seeking forgiveness. A sincere confession of a sin against another human being would lead the sinner to try to make restitution if it is possible. Unfortunately, many sins cannot be made right because they are not as simple as a mere theft of money. In those cases the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant teaches that Jesus expects unconditional forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer he taught his disciples to pray “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
In a famous incident in the life of St. Francis of Assissi, a woman came to him and asked forgiveness for gossiping about her neighbor. She asked what she could do to make it right again. St. Francis said that she should place a goose feather at the door of each house in the village and come back the next day. When she came back the next day he told her to gather back all those goose feathers. She said that it would be impossible to get them all back. He said to her that it was just as impossible to recall the words of gossip she had said about her neighbor. She was going to have to accept forgiveness and know that she would have to live with the consequences of what she did for a very long time. Her words would float around the village for years to come, and there was little she could do about it except say she was sorry.
In the case of the synod treasurer, the synod staff has pledged to make every effort to recover as much of the money that was taken as possible by every means possible. They have also pledged to put in place all the safeguards against this kind of theft that they can. These are entirely appropriate things to do, but they should not be seen as diminishing the church’s teaching on confession and forgiveness. As Lutherans this church still stands on the Lutheran understanding of confession and forgiveness as found in the Catechism and the Augsburg Confession – and the Bible.
February 22 is Ash Wednesday, the church’s great day for confession of sins. While sorrow over sin is real and sometimes intense, faith in the unmerited and unconditional forgiveness that God offers in Jesus Christ our Lord is yet more powerful. It is with grateful hearts that we confess our sins to God, knowing that divine forgiveness is real and complete.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Newsletter January 2012
The greatest team in the history of football, the Green Bay Packers, is having the greatest season in its fabled history. As of the writing of this article they are still undefeated under the cool, competent leadership of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who is sure to be the league’s MVP (Most Valuable Player) this season. But the biggest story in football this year is the story of a young upstart quarterback for the Denver Broncos named Tim Tebow. (www.timbebow.com) Whether playing in the Mile High City or on the road, he has led a series of improbable and exciting-to-the end comeback victories. The media are in a frenzy.
Tim Tebow’s fame rests as much on his strong and very public evangelical faith as it does on his improbable success as a quarterback. Last summer I read his book, “Through My Eyes,” and then donated it to the high school library. I had it on good authority that when high school boys are assigned to read books they head for the sports section. This book would be a good one for them to read, even if it is apparent on every page that it was written by a 22 year old, but a 22 year old of strong character and strong, if youthful, faith.
The book chronicles the well known facts of his life: born of missionary parents in the Philippines to a mother who was told to abort the pregnancy for solid medical reasons (you may remember the pro-life TV ad they did during the last Super Bowl), home schooled in Florida, Heisman Trophy winner during phenomenal seasons at the University of Florida, and consistently being told that quarterback was not the position for him. Google his name and one of the most common hits involves the word “virgin” because at the end of a press conference in college a reporter, who was well aware of his evangelical faith, asked him if he was “saving himself for marriage” to which he simply said “yes” and the press erupted in incredulity and amazement.
This young man’s name has become a verb in the sports world because of his habit of dropping to one knee, putting his elbow on that knee and his fist on his forehead when he prays on the sideline. That’s what it means “to tebow.” (www.tebowing.com) This action has been imitated by thousands of yo
ung people, some in sincerity and a few in mockery. To his great credit Tebow says in the book that he does not believe God has an interest in the outcome of football games. Sports are entertainment and recreation, where winning and losing are not subject to divine intervention. God surely has more important things to deal with, like the plight of orphans in the Philippines. Anyone who reads his book discovers Tebow’s success is not God’s doing but the result of relentless hard work ever since he started playing football. Tebow writes that he is puzzled that some other players do not spend more time working out, studying the game, and lifting weights. His work ethic is amazing and a good example for other young men.
However, Tebow does pray publicly, even at games, and does speak openly and often about his faith in Jesus Christ, which delights many and irritates a few. One former Broncos quarterback said he wishes Tebow would just “shut up” about religion. But others have rushed to his defense. On ESPN one night former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkington noted that many sports celebrities use their fame “to sell shoes,” so what is wrong with a Christian who uses his fame to witness to his faith in Jesus Christ? And he doesn’t get paid to do this.
Each one of us has a place in life where we are able to influence others for the good or for the dark side of life. Only a few have such a platform that their words and actions are the subject of TV coverage and internet searches, but everyone has someone who is listening and watching. Everyone has some opportunity to bear witness to the light, just as John the Baptist did when Jesus appeared. Without being obnoxious or heavy handed, everyone can witness.
The first bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod, Harold Lohr, used to end his visits with clergy by saying with a wry smile, “Don’t forget to put in a good word for Jesus.” That’s good advice. Wherever you are and whenever you can, using whatever your station in life is, bear witness to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ this Epiphany.
Tim Tebow’s fame rests as much on his strong and very public evangelical faith as it does on his improbable success as a quarterback. Last summer I read his book, “Through My Eyes,” and then donated it to the high school library. I had it on good authority that when high school boys are assigned to read books they head for the sports section. This book would be a good one for them to read, even if it is apparent on every page that it was written by a 22 year old, but a 22 year old of strong character and strong, if youthful, faith.
The book chronicles the well known facts of his life: born of missionary parents in the Philippines to a mother who was told to abort the pregnancy for solid medical reasons (you may remember the pro-life TV ad they did during the last Super Bowl), home schooled in Florida, Heisman Trophy winner during phenomenal seasons at the University of Florida, and consistently being told that quarterback was not the position for him. Google his name and one of the most common hits involves the word “virgin” because at the end of a press conference in college a reporter, who was well aware of his evangelical faith, asked him if he was “saving himself for marriage” to which he simply said “yes” and the press erupted in incredulity and amazement.
This young man’s name has become a verb in the sports world because of his habit of dropping to one knee, putting his elbow on that knee and his fist on his forehead when he prays on the sideline. That’s what it means “to tebow.” (www.tebowing.com) This action has been imitated by thousands of yo
ung people, some in sincerity and a few in mockery. To his great credit Tebow says in the book that he does not believe God has an interest in the outcome of football games. Sports are entertainment and recreation, where winning and losing are not subject to divine intervention. God surely has more important things to deal with, like the plight of orphans in the Philippines. Anyone who reads his book discovers Tebow’s success is not God’s doing but the result of relentless hard work ever since he started playing football. Tebow writes that he is puzzled that some other players do not spend more time working out, studying the game, and lifting weights. His work ethic is amazing and a good example for other young men.However, Tebow does pray publicly, even at games, and does speak openly and often about his faith in Jesus Christ, which delights many and irritates a few. One former Broncos quarterback said he wishes Tebow would just “shut up” about religion. But others have rushed to his defense. On ESPN one night former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkington noted that many sports celebrities use their fame “to sell shoes,” so what is wrong with a Christian who uses his fame to witness to his faith in Jesus Christ? And he doesn’t get paid to do this.
Each one of us has a place in life where we are able to influence others for the good or for the dark side of life. Only a few have such a platform that their words and actions are the subject of TV coverage and internet searches, but everyone has someone who is listening and watching. Everyone has some opportunity to bear witness to the light, just as John the Baptist did when Jesus appeared. Without being obnoxious or heavy handed, everyone can witness.
The first bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod, Harold Lohr, used to end his visits with clergy by saying with a wry smile, “Don’t forget to put in a good word for Jesus.” That’s good advice. Wherever you are and whenever you can, using whatever your station in life is, bear witness to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ this Epiphany.
The Name of Jesus
THE NAME OF JESUS sermon January 1, 2012 Year B
Today is the first Sunday of Christmas, and so the bulletin cover we use has printed the scripture texts that are used for this Sunday, which are all about the presentation of Jesus in the Temple when he was forty days old. But this is not the 40th day since we celebrated the birth of Jesus. It is the 8th day of the twelve days of Christmas and the 8th day since our Christmas day festivities. To every devout Jewish family and to those well versed in the culture of the Bible, the 8th day of a boy’s life was very special.
Why is that? Well here is a hint. In Philippians 3:3 St. Paul is arguing against having confidence in worldly attainments, ethnic purity, or outward religiosity. There he writes, “… if any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews…..” and on he goes. You noted it, right? Circumcised on the 8th day – in strict obedience to the law set down in Genesis 17:12 as a sign of the old covenant that God made with Abraham and his descendents. A boy who was 8 days old was to have this done – and was to be given his formal legal name at the same time. This is what happened to Paul in strict obedience to the command. And this is what happened to Jesus. In the New Testament there is but one simple verse describing this event. It is Luke 2:21 “At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
The very next verse in the Bible is the verse that begins today’s reading about the things that happened 32 days later when Jesus was 40 days old. Once again notice the strict adherence to the laws of the old covenant made with Abraham and his descendents so many years before: “When the time came for her [that is Mary’s] purification according to the law of Moses [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” You can’t help but notice that in the early life of Jesus, everything was done properly according to the rules and rituals that pertained to the Jewish people in that day.
But when you read Luke 2:21 you also can’t help but notice a subtle shift of emphasis from the acting out of the ritual to the new thing that God is doing in Jesus Christ. Listen again to Luke 2:21: “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” The event that took place at the end of eight days is just the setting for what this passage of the Bible really wants us to hear: that his name is Jesus.
Yes, once again, we find that Mary and Joseph were the kind of people who did everything according to the Book – or in this case according to the word of the angel who appeared to both of them, about this child Jesus. When the time came for the official, formal, and final naming of her son, they did as they were told. They named him “Jesus.”
In Luke 1:31 the angel Gabriel says to the very young Mary, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High……” And so Mary agreed to name him Jesus. In Matthew 1:20 Joseph hears an angel say, “…do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name ‘Jesus’ for he will save his people from their sins.” And so Joseph agreed to name him “Jesus.” They didn’t talk about any other name. They didn’t go through a book of popular names.
“Jesus” is the way we pronounce the name in the English language. In the original Hebrew it was the same as the name we pronounce as “Joshua” and was a fairly common name in the days of the New Testament because people were looking for a savior. In the Hebrew pronunciation it was “Yehoshuah” which means “the Lord* saves” or “the Lord* will save.” And so Joseph is told by the angel that “he will save his people from their sins.” *the Lord = the sacred ׳חוח
So while a subtext of this passage is the way that the family of Jesus did everything for him properly and in a timely manner, the main point is centered on this name. Jesus. Through Jesus salvation will come to his people – and to all people, even you and me. His name says it all.
The name of Jesus was not given to him simply as a convenient handle by which we can talk about “the Man from Galilee,” although that is one way it is used. The name of Jesus was never intended to be a swear word, as often as it is used that way in violation of the second commandment. This child was given this name to tell everyone what was his purpose in life.
I would like you to consider a few verses in the Bible about the name of Jesus.
First, listen to Acts 4:10 St. Peter is giving his testimony about the power that healed a crippled man. He says, “Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved.” In this passage, there is both the universal and the exclusive claim made by the followers of Jesus: universal in that all people everywhere are invited to faith in Jesus Christ and exclusive in that this is the only one way of salvation. It was an audacious statement then; it is a politically incorrect statement in today’s world. But it is the claim of the name.
Then there is Philippians 2:9. Leading up to that verse is a statement of the humility and suffering of Jesus which ended on the cross. Philippians 2:9 says, “therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” “Jesus” is that name which is above every name. It has not happened yet, but the day is coming when every knee shall bow before that name and every tongue confess that name.
Until that time, those of us who believe Jesus is Lord are to honor that name and use that name. In Colossians 3:17 we are told, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” It is in the name of Jesus that we gather here today on the first day of the new year. It is in the name of Jesus that we pray, confident that God the father hears our prayers for Jesus’ sake.
“Jesus” is the name announced by the angels beforehand, given by Mary and Joseph to her son on the 8th day, used by us today to pray and to bless, and one day exalted by all. AMEN.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
North Star News 12/29/2011
As we come to the end of the calendar year, it is time for some retrospectives. Newspapers and magazines are producing accounts of the major events of the last year along with lists of top news stories, personalities, and trends as well as events of 2011. Others write humorous articles about the great collapses of 2011: Herman Caine, the Minnesota Vikings, that Kardashian marriage. Recalling predictions made at the end of 2010, it is easy to poke fun at the prognosticators. The future is impossible to predict.
When the year Jesus was born came to an end, his mother Mary thought about all the remarkable things that had taken place over the past twelve months. Luke 2:19 says that Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” She remembered back in March when the angel Gabriel startled her with his unannounced visit and his astonishing statement that she would conceive and bear a son whose name would be Jesus. She remembered the warm embrace of her kinswoman Elizabeth whose child leaped for joy within her when Mary approached bearing the Christ child within her own body. Those three happy months in the hill country of Judah went by all too quickly. Then it was time to face reality. She remembered the unexpected kindness of Joseph who did not call off their engagement when she told him she was “with child,” but he said that an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream to tell him of the messianic fulfillment this child would bring. There was the long arduous trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem in her ninth month which they made safely despite the dangers. And finally, in the City of David, filled with strangers, the kindly old innkeeper found them a warm and cozy stable for the night when the birth took place.
When the year began, Mary thought it would be an ordinary year with an ordinary wedding for an ordinary girl. But when she looked back, there were twists and turns she never imagined would take place. At every point where there was danger or fear, the Lord provided for her and Joseph and the precious child growing within her. Perhaps in moments of quiet reflection she recalled Psalm 23 which says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….though I walk through the valley….I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
For many of us 2011 has brought some real surprises and maybe even brought us to a place we don’t want to be. But in the year 2011, just like in the year 1, the Lord has been there to guide, direct, comfort, and inspire. The well known poem “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson speaks to the truth that in the most difficult and dangerous moments of life, the Lord is the one quietly holding up his people. The closing line of the poem, when the Lord explains why there is only one set of footprints in the sand at certain times, says that “is when I carried you.”
He who carried us through all the ups and downs of 2011 will surely carry us through whatever 2012 may bring. As the angel Gabriel said to Mary, and again to the shepherds on the hillside, “Fear not!”
When the year Jesus was born came to an end, his mother Mary thought about all the remarkable things that had taken place over the past twelve months. Luke 2:19 says that Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” She remembered back in March when the angel Gabriel startled her with his unannounced visit and his astonishing statement that she would conceive and bear a son whose name would be Jesus. She remembered the warm embrace of her kinswoman Elizabeth whose child leaped for joy within her when Mary approached bearing the Christ child within her own body. Those three happy months in the hill country of Judah went by all too quickly. Then it was time to face reality. She remembered the unexpected kindness of Joseph who did not call off their engagement when she told him she was “with child,” but he said that an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream to tell him of the messianic fulfillment this child would bring. There was the long arduous trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem in her ninth month which they made safely despite the dangers. And finally, in the City of David, filled with strangers, the kindly old innkeeper found them a warm and cozy stable for the night when the birth took place.
When the year began, Mary thought it would be an ordinary year with an ordinary wedding for an ordinary girl. But when she looked back, there were twists and turns she never imagined would take place. At every point where there was danger or fear, the Lord provided for her and Joseph and the precious child growing within her. Perhaps in moments of quiet reflection she recalled Psalm 23 which says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….though I walk through the valley….I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
For many of us 2011 has brought some real surprises and maybe even brought us to a place we don’t want to be. But in the year 2011, just like in the year 1, the Lord has been there to guide, direct, comfort, and inspire. The well known poem “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson speaks to the truth that in the most difficult and dangerous moments of life, the Lord is the one quietly holding up his people. The closing line of the poem, when the Lord explains why there is only one set of footprints in the sand at certain times, says that “is when I carried you.”
He who carried us through all the ups and downs of 2011 will surely carry us through whatever 2012 may bring. As the angel Gabriel said to Mary, and again to the shepherds on the hillside, “Fear not!”
Thursday, December 22, 2011
North Star News 12/22/2011
Before the English popularized the practice of singing Christmas carols, before Martin Luther wrote “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come,” even before St. Francis created the first crèche, the Church celebrated the story of the incarnation of the savior in chant. One of those ancient chants was written in Latin by Aurelius Prudentius around the year 405 and begins “Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be” and continues on to tell the story and sing the praises of Jesus Christ in a hauntingly beautiful melody. Although it is not the sort of music easy to sing while Christmas caroling, this chant is still heard in concert halls and churches and on the radio at this time of year.
The birth of any child is a story of love. There is the love of a man and a woman that began the process that led to the birth. There is the story of the intense bond between a mother and her child, a love quite unlike any other. But the birth of Jesus is a unique love story. It is the story of a God who loves people like you and me despite our many flaws and imperfections and, at times, our open rebellion against the God who created us. The Gospel according to St. John does not contain the story of the birth of Jesus but it does contain the verse that most perfectly summarizes what the stories about Jesus’ birth in Matthew and Luke mean: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Christmas is the time to revel in the love of God, a love that is wholly undeserved which makes it all the more precious.
People in love love to give gifts. Many people this year have searched for just the right gift to put under the tree to show just how much they love the recipient of the gift. A young man shows his love for his bride-to-be with the gift of an engagement ring, which, in turn, is a sign of an even greater gift, the pledge of lifelong love and faithfulness which is made on their wedding day. The gift of Jesus, born in Bethlehem, is both the sign and the reality of God’s love. In 1st John 4:9 it says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.” The song of the angels, the chatter of the shepherds, and the reverence of the wise men are all in response to what God did to show his great love, as are the carols sung in Christian churches late on the night of December 24 or early on the morning of December 25 each year.
There is another Christmas hymn not sung so often and no longer in very many hymnals that was written by Christina Rossetti in the 19th century. It is simple and elegant and gets to the point of Christmas:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
The birth of any child is a story of love. There is the love of a man and a woman that began the process that led to the birth. There is the story of the intense bond between a mother and her child, a love quite unlike any other. But the birth of Jesus is a unique love story. It is the story of a God who loves people like you and me despite our many flaws and imperfections and, at times, our open rebellion against the God who created us. The Gospel according to St. John does not contain the story of the birth of Jesus but it does contain the verse that most perfectly summarizes what the stories about Jesus’ birth in Matthew and Luke mean: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Christmas is the time to revel in the love of God, a love that is wholly undeserved which makes it all the more precious.
People in love love to give gifts. Many people this year have searched for just the right gift to put under the tree to show just how much they love the recipient of the gift. A young man shows his love for his bride-to-be with the gift of an engagement ring, which, in turn, is a sign of an even greater gift, the pledge of lifelong love and faithfulness which is made on their wedding day. The gift of Jesus, born in Bethlehem, is both the sign and the reality of God’s love. In 1st John 4:9 it says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.” The song of the angels, the chatter of the shepherds, and the reverence of the wise men are all in response to what God did to show his great love, as are the carols sung in Christian churches late on the night of December 24 or early on the morning of December 25 each year.
There is another Christmas hymn not sung so often and no longer in very many hymnals that was written by Christina Rossetti in the 19th century. It is simple and elegant and gets to the point of Christmas:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
North Star News 12/15/2011
“Merry Christmas” is the greeting of the season. Through much of the year people say “have a good day” or “enjoy your weekend” but this month it’s “Merry Christmas” or some variation of it. Everybody wants to have a happy holiday. More than just wishing for it, most people are actively working for it by buying presents, sing songs, and planning meals. As the song sung by Andy Williams says,
“It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all.”
But this most wonderful time of the year will come to an end. Those who drive around on December 26th will see Christmas trees stripped bear and set outside. If not that day, then soon after, decorations will come down and be put away to sit in a dark attic or basement until next year. And what of that holiday cheer? Will it also disappear from view along with all the Christmas decorations?
If the joy of the season is based on well lubricated parties, once-a-year family gatherings, and the mound of presents under the tree, then yes, the joy of the season will disappear with the decorations. But if the joy of the season comes from God’s gift of a savior in the person of the babe of Bethlehem, then no, joy will not come to an end in the long slog through the cold days of January. Jesus was born to bring joy to every season of the year through his gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation which are granted to all who believe in him.
In John 15:11 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” In John 16:22 he said, “….I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” And in John 17:13 he prayed for his disciples, “But I am coming to you [Father], and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Jesus came into the world to bring joy to all people, just as the angel said when he announced to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be to all people.” Jesus comes into human hearts through faith to bring a joy that does not fluctuate with the seasons or with the contingencies of life because through it all, the one called “Emmanuel” really is “God with us.” For that reason, St. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice. Let everyone know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand!”
May these busy days of December be filled with the joy of the season, but even more important, may all the days of every season be filled with the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as savior and lord.
“It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all.”
But this most wonderful time of the year will come to an end. Those who drive around on December 26th will see Christmas trees stripped bear and set outside. If not that day, then soon after, decorations will come down and be put away to sit in a dark attic or basement until next year. And what of that holiday cheer? Will it also disappear from view along with all the Christmas decorations?
If the joy of the season is based on well lubricated parties, once-a-year family gatherings, and the mound of presents under the tree, then yes, the joy of the season will disappear with the decorations. But if the joy of the season comes from God’s gift of a savior in the person of the babe of Bethlehem, then no, joy will not come to an end in the long slog through the cold days of January. Jesus was born to bring joy to every season of the year through his gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation which are granted to all who believe in him.
In John 15:11 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” In John 16:22 he said, “….I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” And in John 17:13 he prayed for his disciples, “But I am coming to you [Father], and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Jesus came into the world to bring joy to all people, just as the angel said when he announced to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be to all people.” Jesus comes into human hearts through faith to bring a joy that does not fluctuate with the seasons or with the contingencies of life because through it all, the one called “Emmanuel” really is “God with us.” For that reason, St. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice. Let everyone know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand!”
May these busy days of December be filled with the joy of the season, but even more important, may all the days of every season be filled with the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as savior and lord.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
North Star News 12/08/2011
“What do you want for Christmas?” is the question being asked in many homes at this time of year. Beyond the gifts that fit under the Christmas tree, one of the great gifts of Christmas is peace.
Among the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah is this one from Isaiah 9:2 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…..”
This prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the child who was born in Bethlehem to be the savior of the world. His mission in the world was to bring peace with God to people who have been alienated from God by their sins. Since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) that includes all the people of the world, every last one of the 7 billion people who currently inhabit this planet, including you and me. Through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on the cross, sinners are forgiven and find true peace. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:14 says, “He [Jesus] is our peace….” And Jesus himself said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The gift of peace is given by God and received through faith in Jesus Christ, who is aptly called the Prince of Peace.
But the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2 has not been fulfilled yet in terms of conventional world peace. When Jesus was born the world was experiencing the Pax Romana engineered by Caesar Augustus and his successors which meant that there were only minor wars and insurrections going on in the Mediterranean world for about a hundred years. But this was just a pause in the vast sweep of history where wars and rumors of wars have been constant. 2011 is no different from other years. War planes and drones fly as men hatch plans for violence in many corners of the world. Those who have put their faith in the Prince of Peace are called to work for “peace, goodwill toward men” in every season of the year. Romans 14:19 says, “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” And Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with all men….” This means trying to encourage reconciliation between people coming to your home for Christmas dinner, on the one hand, and trying to influence the government toward a peaceful resolution of world conflicts, on the other.
As we move through this month of buying gifts and giving presents, may you receive the greatest gift of all, “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and may you give the gift of working for peace as you remember the beatitude, “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Among the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah is this one from Isaiah 9:2 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…..”
This prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the child who was born in Bethlehem to be the savior of the world. His mission in the world was to bring peace with God to people who have been alienated from God by their sins. Since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) that includes all the people of the world, every last one of the 7 billion people who currently inhabit this planet, including you and me. Through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on the cross, sinners are forgiven and find true peace. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:14 says, “He [Jesus] is our peace….” And Jesus himself said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The gift of peace is given by God and received through faith in Jesus Christ, who is aptly called the Prince of Peace.
But the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2 has not been fulfilled yet in terms of conventional world peace. When Jesus was born the world was experiencing the Pax Romana engineered by Caesar Augustus and his successors which meant that there were only minor wars and insurrections going on in the Mediterranean world for about a hundred years. But this was just a pause in the vast sweep of history where wars and rumors of wars have been constant. 2011 is no different from other years. War planes and drones fly as men hatch plans for violence in many corners of the world. Those who have put their faith in the Prince of Peace are called to work for “peace, goodwill toward men” in every season of the year. Romans 14:19 says, “Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” And Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with all men….” This means trying to encourage reconciliation between people coming to your home for Christmas dinner, on the one hand, and trying to influence the government toward a peaceful resolution of world conflicts, on the other.
As we move through this month of buying gifts and giving presents, may you receive the greatest gift of all, “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and may you give the gift of working for peace as you remember the beatitude, “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
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