Christmas Musings Day 12

Season of Light

Isaiah 9: 2 (ESV) ² The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

               When I was a young soldier, I participated in an exercise at Fort Riley, Kansas. We were conducting a movement to contact in the middle of the night. The training area was far removed from any city lights and a heavy overcast blocked out the moon and stars. A deep darkness enveloped us. All I could see of the man in front of me were the two bits of luminescent tape sewn onto the elastic band which held the camouflage cover on his helmet. I kept my eyes on those two dim bits of green light as we moved across the prairie. Suddenly, the lights disappeared. Just as I wondered what had happened, the ground disappeared and I found myself falling through blackness, landing on the four or five men who walked off the edge of the precipice before me. Fortunately, the fall was not far, and our muffled cries stopped the formation before the soldier carrying the Hog (M-60 Machine Gun) fell on us. It was not the first time in my military career that night maneuvers did not work as planned, and it would not be the last. We live in such a world.

               Look around and you will see that we live in deep darkness. Countries invade one another. Those in power ignore the plight of the poor and destitute, often lining their pockets at the expense of the poor. One group excuses the hatred of another. In some cities, the homeless throng public spaces, seeking shelter. Even the planet seems to reel under the onslaught of various types of natural disasters. It seems as if sin prevails. Right is called wrong, darkness light, and the sad list goes on. The writer of Ecclesiastes counsels us to not look back, the old days were not better. Ecclesiastes 7:10. As a history major, I must agree. All creation groans as we stumble through the darkness. But Advent has come.

               Advent shines a bright light into the darkness. Advent brings hope to the hopeless. In John’s version of the Advent story, he reminds us that the light shines into the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 Though things are bad, we live in the joy and hope of Advent. The true light of the world has broken through the veil and light has dawned. This is why light plays such a pivotal role in our celebration of Christmas. We love to festoon our houses with lights of all kinds. Drive down the streets of Lubbock and you cannot miss the festival air all the lights create. The shining lights of Christmas remind us that the true light of the world shines on us, illuminating the way home. Christmas is truly the season of light. 

Christmas Musings Day 11

Unfair Treatment

Isaiah 53:6 ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

               My understanding of Advent has changed with the passage of time. As a child, I focused on the presents found under the tree or in my stocking. Knowing that the gifts were coming, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the J. C. Penny’s and Sears catalogs. I remember sitting on our blue couch paging through the toy section earmarking toys I wanted, particularly the G.I. Joes. I also enjoyed decorating the tree, watching the Christmas specials and movies, driving around Abilene looking at the lights, and the sublime strains of Christmas carols; but in the end, I coveted the presents. In fact, on Christmas day my best friend Steve Harper and I would get together in the afternoon and compare our gifts. But somewhere along the way, something changed.

               Perhaps it was during the annual Harper, Thompson, and Robinson Christmas parties. Every year we gathered for a meal, Christmas carol singing, a reading of the story of Advent from the gospels, and a small gift exchange. Maybe it was the corporate familial worship, and yes, the HTR parties were family gatherings of the highest order. Those yearly gentle reminders, eagerly awaited, planted a seed that slowly germinated, and ever so gradually I began to understand what was going on during Advent. Most of our parents are gone now, home to be with Jesus, but they gave me a gift that still sweetens my life.

               Amid all the celebration, the music, the lights, the gifts, the food, and family, a stringent truth shines through. My iniquity caused Him to come, caused Him to sacrifice, and caused Him pain. I celebrate because of what He did. I went astray and He came to find me, accepting my guilt and shame, so, I do celebrate, joyously. Of course, there is a sober element to all of this; however, joy fills the season. So, every year during this time my mind goes back, back to the late sixties and seventies. I see the squirming little boy on the couch waiting anxiously to open a gift. I smile, knowing that those precious tender moments singing and reading the Advent story planted a seed that bears fruit today. My sin is gone. He carried it away so I can celebrate. 

Christmas Musings Day 10

 A Truly New Thing

Ezekiel 43:18-19 (ESV) ¹⁸ “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. ¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

               One of the challenges of arriving at the ripe old age of sixty-one is the catalog of failure built up over the passing decades. Sadly, I developed quite the list of personal failures during my life, some egregious and public, others private and just as appalling. By human standards, I have done well; however, compared to the stringent holiness of God I am an abject failure. Those inner hatreds nursed, grudges held, ignoble passions stoked, all the fruit of a prideful failed human heart. This is why I cherish the Advent season so.

               As I make the Advent journey from Eden to Bethlehem, God speaks to me. He counsels and comforts, “Remember not the former things…” Dwelling on my failed past does not sponge away the stain of guilt or provide strength for future battles. Advent focuses me on what God does. He is doing something new, something bold, something unimagined. Here in Lubbock, we often endure long periods of drought, just as we humans endure periodic failure. God says, “I will make a river flow in the desert.” Advent surprises me with new possibilities that I cannot imagine. Advent reminds me that God changes the dynamic of human existence. Failure need not dominate my life. Advent focuses me on the radical possibilities generated by God drawing near and making things new. I am blessed to live on this side of Bethlehem. I enjoy the daily Advent of God in my life. It is present tense, not future. What new things is God bringing forth in your life? 

Christmas Musings Day 9

 A Role for Me

Matthew 1:1 (ESV) ¹ The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

               When I was younger, I often gave in to the temptation to skip the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in Matthew and Luke. The names are difficult to pronounce, and the long list seems rather boring and inconsequential. Why take the time? How do people, mostly ancient Jewish men, relate to me, a twenty-first-century white man some two millennia down the road? I would jump over to what I considered the meat of the story, the Annunciation, the Magnificat, the Angelic visit to the shepherds, the visit of the Magi, and most important the birth. This habit robbed me of a special lesson of hope woven into Advent.

               Reading the long list of names reveals one of the great miracles of God. He regularly uses imperfect, egregiously failed humans to forward His plans and desires. Their abject failure pales when compared to His mighty and powerful purpose. Look carefully into the genealogy of Jesus and you find adulterers, murderers, liars, and cheats. There are even non-Jews in the Messianic lineage. For His own reasons, God revels in restoring and using failed humans to flesh out and complete His strategies. For me, a grievously failed goy, this is good news. His love and plan overpower my sin and failure. There is hope for me. Through Advent, not only do I find forgiveness, but I also find purpose. Advent proclaims that there is a place for me in the broad sweep of God’s plan for restoration and wholeness. 

Christmas Musings Day 8

 Desperate Need

Genesis 16:2 (ESV) ² And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

               I like to think of myself as self-sufficient. I fully imbibe in the West-Texas myth of pulling myself up by my own bootstraps. After all, I worked hard most of my life, and aside from a period of wandering in late high-school and shortly thereafter, I have stayed true to the Lord…at least that is how I see it. Even though my logical thought-self understands the fallacy, my heart-self truly thinks I am a pretty good guy, after all, I do not commit any of the biggies…any more. In my mental and spiritual calculus, I worked off those indiscretions long ago. Like Abram and Sarai of long ago, I designed a plan to help out God. But God, through the Advent journey, reminds me of my desperate need.

               Some time after the birth of Ishmael, God appears to Abram, reminds him of the promise, and changes his name. Abram has the temerity to remind God of Ishmael, saying, “¹⁸ And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” Genesis 17:18 (ESV) He’d worked out a plan to fix the problem of Sari’s bareness. But as usual with mankind, his plan failed to account for the majesty and power of the Lord, as well as his own depravity. God gently reminds him, “…No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac.” Genesis 17:19 (ESV) God is insistent. His plan will be the one. Our own maneuverings fall woefully short.

               Reviewing the long-unfolding story of Advent serves to remind me that no matter how hard I might try, whatever machinations I might develop, they all fail to meet my needs. My good efforts just do not stack up. They may be nice. They might even make me feel better, but the truth is, I need God’s help to solve my fundamental sin and guilt issues. As I consider the wonderful and poignant journey of Advent, I must come face to face with my own desperate need and the overwhelming love of God that pays my debt. I stand on the common ground of human need in awe of a God that would come so far just to be with me. 

Christmas Musings Day 7

 Still Useful

Hebrews 11:12 (ESV) ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

               Twelve years ago, I retired from the Army and chose to pursue a new career, wanting to step through a different door. Throughout my time in the Army, I had observed many men that retired and took jobs as DA Civilians or contractors. They loitered on the edges of military life, reminiscing about their days in uniform. They were trapped in the twilight watercooler region of marginal purpose, living on memories and “war-stories.” I deisred something different, a new challenge, and settled on teaching. Next year I will turn sixty-two and be eligible to collect Social Security. Fortunately for me, a teacher does need great physical prowess to keep on working. I still provide a function society considers useful, even important in some circles. Unlike many, in a world devoted to youth, I enjoy a life of meaning and purpose. For many people my age, life loses direction and purpose. But that is not God’s plan for us.

               As I make my way through Advent, I think of Abraham. In both Romans and Hebrews, scripture notes that Abraham was as good as dead. Men moved by the Holy Spirit penned that seemingly harsh judgment. The dude was as good as dead, but God still had a purpose for his life, something important for him to do. God’s actions in bringing about Advent remind me that He often uses the improbable to achieve the impossible. In many ways, Advent is a several millennia-long string of dubious, or even unbelievable, events hung together culminating in God breaking into our mean and meager existence with breathtaking results. Advent teaches that age is not the deciding factor in living with purpose…or into purpose, faith is.

Christmas Musings Day 6

 The Long View

II Peter 3:9 (ESV) 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

               Christmas takes the slow train. As a kid, I remember how the days crawled by with agonizing slowness. It was as if the calendar developed a slothful attitude after a roadrunner-like summer. Each year I anxiously waited as the Christmas milestones rose on the horizon and slowly passed. First came the preparation for the Christmas concert, then the J.C. Penny’s and Sears catalogs with the special Christmas toy sections arrived. After that came the trip to Gibson’s on the corner of Sales and South First to ogle the toy section. Soon we would go out and find a Christmas tree and decorate it. Then the Christmas TV Specials made their long-anticipated appearance. Rudolph, the Little Drummer Boy, and the Grinch flickered into our living room. Then came the annual HTR (Harper, Thompson, and Robinson) Christmas Party. It was always a joyous evening and one that I still dearly miss. These events filled the days while I counted down to the biggie…Christmas. I relished this vision with its associated anticipation and various signs all swirling in my head. Like Abraham, I looked forward with eager anticipation to the glorious day.

               Abraham, and his role in Advent, reminds me that God works on a different timetable. He made a promise to Abraham which took millennia to work out; yet, Abraham saw it from afar and greeted it with joy. Hebrews 11:8-13 Advent counsels patience. In my hurry-up lifestyle, Advent reminds me that some things, some exquisitely wonderful things, take time to sort out. When his name was still Abram, Abraham placed his trust in God and His ability to work things out as promised. So, as Advent unfolds, with its attendant joyful anticipation, I must exercise patience. After all, someone waited nine months for their joy to come to fruition.