A simple gift

Yesterday against my better judgment I went to a mall to pick up a few gifts for Christmas. I didn’t always dislike shopping, in fact there was probably a time when I would say I loved shopping, but those days are long gone. Lately I get stressed just thinking about it. But I put my stress aside, braved the incredibly full parking lot, all for the love of a young child.

Now here’s the thing, my kids are now adults and the toys today don’t make sense to me anymore.  What is a L.O.L Surprise? Or Hatchimals?  What happens after the thing hatches? I even saw a board game called Pop-a-Zit!  No kidding! Someone is going to wake up on Christmas morning and open that up! Yikes.

As I perused the overwhelming selection of toys my eyes fell upon a plain wooden Nativity set. It was so simple. It seemed so insignificant in amongst all the electronic widgets and whatchamacallits, not to mention the bells and whistles. And yet there was a charm in its simplicity.

I picked it up and I wondered if the young person I was thinking about would find this as charming as I did. Probably not, so I put it down.  As I walked aisle upon aisle of toys, I remembered what our family used to do when our kids were younger. 

I would set up the nativity scene with Mary and Joseph, the animals and the shepherds gathered in or around the stable. But the wise men were placed at the opposite end of the house. Each day during advent, the wise men were moved just a little closer to the manger scene. We had traveling wise men. Some years we had the entire set spread all over the house and throughout the month of Advent moved closer to the stable. It was so fun!

The memory of that led me right back to the simple, wooden nativity set. I picked it up and put it in my cart with a hope that our wacky tradition might continue in another family’s home.

Do you ever wonder why we do all this? Why do we go through this Christmas journey year after year: the traditions, the nativity scenes,the tree, the fuss?I believe the answer can be found in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of God’s love toward all humanity. The little baby in the manger is more than just a sweet little child. He is the image of God. He is God made flesh so that in that body he might take on the sins of the world. 

Jesus is God’s free and simple gift to each of us. This is what Christmas is about. This is why I have traveling wise men: they are a reminder to me and my family of what we have been given in Christ – GRACE.

The most amazing thing about this is that God did it for you and for me – for no other reason than His unconditional love for us. He entered into this world, took on human flesh, and died on a cross to bear our sin.

God did all this so that we might enter into His presence and experience the peace, hope, joy and love that He brought into the world.

Each Sunday at Amberlea we are building onto our Nativity scene on a felt storyboard.  It’s so much fun to watch the children engage as we build on the story each week.  Not unlike our journeying wise men!  Come join us as we journey through Advent together!

On Sunday morning I will ask the following question.  If you can be the first to answer it you will win a special gift, but you have to be there ;)  

Question:  What did I buy?

Answer: A simple wooden Nativity Set

Let’s celebrate the season of Advent together as we continue with Part 2 of our sermon series entitled:  God With Us.

See you Sunday!

Ho Ho No

One of my earliest Christmas memories was not a particularly good one.  I was raised by a single immigrant parent whose family of origin didn’t celebrate Christmas. Sure there was gift-giving and maybe even a tree, but there was no Santa and certainly no talk of Jesus.

I don’t know exactly how old I was but I remember my first awareness of Santa. I remember how excited the kids at school were that Santa was coming. I saw the cartoons depicting Santa as a big jolly stranger who came magically down a chimney, out through the fireplace, and left presents under the Christmas tree.  It was too good to be true and yet, I remember the hope and excitement I felt that Santa would be coming to my house too.  Then panic hit. We didn’t have a fireplace!  

So on Christmas Eve, after leaving a plate of cookies, a box of Smarties (an extra special treat for Santa because this would be his first visit to my house),a glass of milk and a carrot for Rudolph, I unlocked the front door so that Santa could still get in despite the absence of a fireplace. Of course I didn’t tell my mother any of this. She didn’t see the goodies I left out because I hid them on a small table beside the tree.  And as my mom did every night, she locked the front door.

 When I got up on Christmas morning there were no presents under the tree other than the ones that were there the night before. The cookies, milk and carrot were still there. Even the Smarties were still there! I ran to the door and sure enough it was locked!  How could she do this to me?  How could my mother lock Santa out of the house? 

 I was miserable. My mother was confused. It was not a nice Christmas.

 I suppose it was unfair to blame my mom for my profound disappointment, but what was a kid who wanted more presents to do?

 At whatever tender age I was at the time, I learned the truth about Santa. I also learned that when we put our hope in the wrong things we are often disappointed, even hurt.

 Eventually, I put my hope and faith in God. A God who is real, not like Santa.  A God who is always there, not like Santa.  A God of abundant love, joy and hope, not like Santa.

 Santa could never make promises like those found in scripture.

 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)

 …but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

 or

 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

This Advent season don’t put your hope in things that will disappoint. Put your hope in Jesus, Immanuel, God with us!

On Sunday morning I will ask the following question.  If you can be the first to answer it you will win a special gift, but you have to be there ;)  

 Question:  What did I leave out for Santa?

Answer: Plate of cookies, a pack of Smarties, a glass of milk.

 Let’s celebrate the season of Advent together as we begin a new sermon series entitled:

God With Us.

See you Sunday!

Getting ready!

The Christmas season seems to begin earlier and earlier each year, doesn’t it?  It is not unusual to see Halloween costumes and Christmas trees set up in the same store, at the same time! But that’s retail.

In the Christian world December 2 marks the first Sunday of Advent for 2018. Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas that is different from the retail world. The word advent from the Latin adventus, means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is focused on the coming of Jesus as Messiah (Christ or King).

Traditionally, the season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and continues through December 24, while the Christmas season starts on December 25 and goes until the Epiphany on January the 6th.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the Christmas preparations fuelled by the retail sector but I wonder if we really have a chance to stop and prepare our hearts and our minds to receive our Saviour. That is the whole purpose of Advent. 

I must admit that I love that, as a pastor, I have the privilege to set aside time to reflect on the Christmas story as I prepare for Advent and Christmas services at Amberlea. I get that it’s not always easy for those outside the ministry to do that.  So as Advent approaches I wanted to share some resources with you. 

There are a great number of Advent devotionals that you can access online or at your neighbourhood Christian book store.

Here are four I highly recommend:

1. God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas edited by Greg Pennoyer and Gregory Wolfe

My favourite Advent devotional by far. Gorgeous, full-colour art plates (both classic and contemporary) for each day of Advent and Christmastide. Devotional introductions and reflections on the weekly Scripture readings and prayers include authors like Eugene Peterson, Scott Cairns, Luci Shaw, Emilie Griffin, Richard John Neuhaus and Kathleen Norris. A beautiful addition to your Advent & Christmas decorations

2. Celebrating Abundance by Walter Brueggemann - only just browsed through this but so far it looks great.  I LOVE Brueggemann’s daily prayers and reflections.

Family friendly:

3. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

Love this!  This is an adaptation, for families, of her best selling book The Greatest Gift. It is beautiful to look at and it directs you to scripture, as well as including devotional reading and simple activities. It is truly written for all ages, so the entire family can join in.

4. Welcome Baby Jesus  by Sarah A. Reinhard 

Perfect for families with young children of multiple ages. The readings are short and simple. There are three sections to each day’s instalment: Think, Pray, Act. Think provides a thoughtful devotional reading.

It’s my prayer that as you take some time to reflect, pray and respond during Advent that Christ will become even more special to you during the this very special time of year!

This Sunday we will begin the Advent season with a wonderful Intergenerational service.  Please plan to join us.

Also, because it is a time of preparation, anticipation and surprises I will have a surprise for one of you.  When I ask:

What does the word Advent mean?  

Answer with the response “coming or arrival” and you will receive a lovely gift!

See you Sunday!