Unto Us A Child is Born - December 2022 Newsletter

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 In my house, I feel like the Christmas season really begins after my children’s birthdays. As with the rest of the country, it’s hard to get excited about being grateful with Thanksgiving, although the food is always top notch. But here recently, Aaron has been badgering me to get out the Christmas decorations. “Dad… it’s almost time! We gotta be ready!” he exclaims. And me, the supposed rational adult in this situation has to be the wet blanket and tamper his unbridled enthusiasm. 


I try to explain to him that we need to lower our excitement otherwise we’ll get burned out from holding it in… but I am a little envious of that impossible-to-contain joy. It’s infectious - for once, an infection that everyone probably wants. We know Jesus is going to be born at the end of the month, and it’s a beginning for all of us (of sorts). God has come to us, and will eventually bring love and redemption, and words of restoration and peace. 


But what about those prophets who told of his coming? Those Israelites who were born at the right time to see the future, but not able to live in the glory of its realization? This is what we’ll be talking about this month. Our scripture will be through the book of Isaiah, which seems strange for our Advent study, but I assure you it seems more relevant than one expects. 


We can look to this book as a study not only of what was prophesied for Jesus, but maybe even what Isaiah and the Israelites were looking for in a messiah. We can appreciate Isaiah for his prophetic voice, and his faithfulness in a difficult time, when the Assyrians were looking to conquer the people of Judah. 


When we think of our anticipation and expectation of Jesus coming, it can kind of feel that we are in the same space as Isaiah - removed from God, seemingly forgotten; but God is holy and compassionate. We will be faithful because we have the love, peace, joy, and truth in our hearts.


This creates another paradox - that God is coming, that we are anticipating with all expectation, and yet, we know God is with us. This reminds us that tomorrow matters, that we need to be present in the moment to see how God is working. In our waiting, in our trusting, we  have faith that all this is to come to pass, and yet, reassured in the grace of Jesus that has been and will be readily available for us and anyone. Both of those things being true can be confusing, but it is the truth. 


But how are you responding to Christ once again coming into your life? Has Jesus felt close to you? If so, how can you take this month and prepare to welcome him back into your life? How can we prepare the world for the miracle that is Jesus’ birth? 


We have work to do. Whether that’s trimming our trees, putting the lights on our houses, cooking for or celebrating with family and friends, let’s anticipate the wonder of faith and let it lift our hearts to bring each of us a little closer to the heart of God. Let us find where God is placing our prophetic voices in the wider world. May we be modern day Isaiahs and pronounce that the Messiah is once again coming to save the world from all its harm and division, softening the hearts to allow Christ and all His glory to come into each one. 


PASTORS PICKS


Watch: Blockbuster (Netflix) 

This show has an interesting concept. The show takes place in the last Blockbuster on the planet, which was once a global entertainment empire. I’ve seen some analogies that the church can tie together, but I thought it’s a fun show with great characters. 


Listen: “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

This is one of those albums that just tell me it’s Christmas, along with a handful of others. I’ve been listening to this since I was little, and give me any Christmas crooner versus the pop idol anyway. I love the movie as well, but it just feels like home at Christmas when I put it on. 


Read: “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” by Ronald Siders

A completely disarming, yet interesting book. What if instead of comparing ourselves to the people who live to the left and right of us, we would actually compare our lives with our neighbors in developing countries. Made me think about what rich really looks like. 





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