Pastor's Message

December 2010 Spirit Steps

 It is the week before Thanksgiving and the holiday season is about to launch into high gear.  The Christmas decorations are up at the shopping malls, the children have received their parts for the Christmas program, and a date has been set to decorate the church; and Advent, the time of preparation is still two weeks away.  I really enjoy this time of year, with all its business.  There are so many traditions and customs that come together around Christmas; there is so much richness in the diversity that unites as Christmas.  It is a time of reminiscence, a time when past, present, and future seem most convergent.  It is a time of polarities, for some it is a time of excitement and joy as they recall fond memories of past Christmases and revel in the present; while it is a time of deep sadness for some as the pain of their lives stands in vivid contrast with the brightly decorated homes and businesses.  It is a time of superficial commercialism and a time of deep spirituality.

Maybe December 25th has always been like this, a time of richness and a time of deprivation, a time of polarities.  Many believe that December 25th was chosen as the date to celebrate the birth of Christ because it coincided with the winter equinox, an existing time of celebrating.  They suggest that the early church might have tried to redefine or give a new meaning to a celebration that already existed.  If that were the case, it seems to me that one could conceivably argue for the success of this redefinition based on the Christian impact on the holiday: or, view from another vantage point, for the failure of the redefinition based on today’s commercialism of the day. 

While the polarities that mark Christmas may be accentuated because of the holiday, aren’t they the same polarities that exist in every day of our lives?  On a daily basis don’t we struggle with triumph and tragedy?  On a daily basis don’t we struggle with finding time for work and leisure?  On a daily basis don’t we struggle with the lure of the material world and the need to nourish our spirit? 

What is important here, as it is everywhere in our lives, is balance.  We need to balance body and soul, material and spiritual.  It is good to get together with friends and relatives.  It is good to reminisce about the past and to plan for the future while all the while enjoying the present moment.  It is good to be busy.  It is important to carry out ancient or sometimes, not so ancient customs.  It is important to pass on traditions and it is important to nourish our spirit.

This Christmas season strive for balance, enjoy the material blessings and take time to contemplate a mystery so great, a wonder so incredible, a gift beyond all telling.  The Creator and sustainer of the universe should choose to become humble enough to enter creation as a child, being born in a stable.

HAVE A JOYOUS AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Pastor Bob