The Aftermath of Christmas

So, in the aftermath of Christmas, what's next?  Today will be a big day of returning gifts that were the wrong size, color, or just not what was really wanted or needed.  Some will hit the big sales that are always promoted after Christmas, while others will begin or continue their travels to visit family or friends.  Perhaps the shepherd's response is worthy of noting in the aftermath of Christmas.  Luke tells us that as the shepherds left the Christmas scene, they "returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen..."   As we return to our schedules and routines in the aftermath of Christmas, following their example is good advice for us.  Like the shepherds, let us return, glorifying and praising God for all that we have heard and seen!

 

This Sunday, I hope you will join us for Bible study and worship.  The Sunday after Christmas is usually less formal as many of our folks are out of town and others will have folks visiting during the holidays.  Dress is more casual, the service less formal, but it will be an opportunity, in the aftermath of Christmas, to glorify and praise the Lord, just as the shepherds did.  We'll have special music and I will bring a two-part message entitled, "Making Sense of It All." Invite a friend or bring along your out of town guests.

 

Please note, the church office is closed through January 1.  As has been noted in all of our recent publications, if you want to make a donation to be credited for 2014, it must be postmarked by December 31.  Thank you for your faithfulness in giving and in sharing in our continuing Westwood story.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 25

I John 4:7-12

 

“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”

(I John 4:9)

 

The contents of Christmas gifts are revealed in many ways.  Pretty paper is unwrapped, gift bags and the tissue paper than fills them are sifted through, envelopes are opened to reveal gift cards or money, and if you watch many car commercials during the holidays, big red bows adorn the roofs of expensive automobiles that magically appear in the driveway.  Holiday treasures are revealed in many different ways.

 

In Bethlehem, God’s great gift of Christmas was revealed in a small child, wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.  Mary and Joseph were beside him when the shepherds wandered in, having been invited by the angels to come and see this great joy given for all people.  God’s love was revealed among us in this way.

 

Many Christmas packages are opened and soon forgotten.  God’s love is revealed in the Christ-child who becomes for all who will receive him, the One through whom we live.  Open your heart anew this Christmas to find God’s love revealed in the Christ of Bethlehem. 

 

Prayer: We receive anew the gift of Christmas, dear God.  May others see this love revealed in us today, and every day. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

 

Thanks for joining me on this Advent journey.  God’s richest blessings to you on this very special day.  May you know the joy of Christmas, and the assurance of God’s gracious hand to guide your steps in the coming year.  

Advent Devotional, December 24

Philippians 2:5-11

 

“Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.”

(Philippians 2:5-7)

 

In O. Henry’s classic Christmas short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” Jim and Della Young are faced with a dilemma.  They have little money, yet each want to do something special for the other for Christmas.  They each have something in mind for the other, but no way to pay for it.  Della decides she will sell her prized possession, her beautiful, long hair, and Jim decides to sell his handsome, gold watch.  Quietly they sacrifice these treasures for something far greater…love.  As Jim comes home on Christmas Eve, he opens the door and is immediately greeted by Della, but there is something different…her hair.  He seems nearly speechless as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the present he has bought for Della.  She excitedly opens the package to find a set of combs to adorn her beautiful hair.  She hands Jim his package and he opens the box to find a fob for his handsome gold watch.  There are tears and laughter as each one recognizes what they have lost, but much more, what they have gained.  The sacrifice of love is a powerful.

 

The apostle Paul speaks to us on this Christmas Eve of the sacrifice of love in the gift of Bethlehem.  Christ was willing to disregard equality with God and take on the form of a servant, a human being like you and me.  Not only was he willing to become one of us, but he was also willing to take upon himself our sin and suffer the humiliation of the cross, all because of love.  It would seem that he gave up too much, yet love made the sacrifice worthwhile.

 

Jim and Della willingly gave up what they each treasured, because of love.  God gave up his Son, because of love.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…”   Sacrifice is a central theme of the Christmas story.  It is a central theme of the Christ-like life.  It is an important way in which we proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

 

Prayer: Gracious God, you have given everything in the gift of your Son.  In the story of Christmas, teach me once more the joy of sacrifice. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 23

Psalm 66

 

“Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.”

(Psalm 66:5)

 

Invitations are a blessing of community.  To be welcomed into relationship with another is a treasure of life.  The good news of Christmas is that the Creator has welcomed us into relationship, not as a distant outsider, but as One who has come among us and invited us to join the celebration.  Angels share good news with shepherds in the Judean hills that a Savior has been born in the city of Bethlehem, telling them where they can find the baby. The invitation is accepted by the shepherds who say to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”  There, they found him, just as the invitation said.

 

The Psalmist reminds us that God has been inviting his human creation to join in the blessing of relationship throughout human history.  Here, he calls all who will come to see what God has done.  It is an invitation to praise the One who is awesome in his deeds among mortals.

 

Christmas offers us an invitation to praise, to come and see what God has done.  Like the shepherds, let us go and see what the Lord has done.

 

Prayer: Gracious God, for the invitation to grace and mercy through Jesus, the Christ, we give you thanks. 

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 22

Psalm 118:1-14

 

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear.  What can mortals do to me?
(Psalm 118:5-6)

 

Wouldn’t it be great to live without fear?  The Psalmist reminds us that in that moment of trust when we truly place ourselves in the hands of God, fear does not consume us.  I don’t think the writer is claiming here that he is never afraid, but in those moments, those glimpses of faith when he acknowledges that God really is who He says He is, there is a level of trust that empowers him to stand in a broad place to face, and even overcome the challenges before him.

 

This truth played out again and again in the characters of scripture that faced overwhelming threats and yet, found the courage to overcome.  Mary would be a good example of this.  Called by God to a task that surely must have been frightening, she was willing to trust God and in the process, risk herself.  Mary’s response to the angel’s message is a simple, but determined declaration; “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be unto me according to your word.”  Sounds as if she is echoing the essence of the Psalmist’s words…”With the Lord on my side I do not fear.”

 

Prayer: Lord, with you by my side, I will not be afraid. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 21

Isaiah 42:1-9

 

“See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.”

(Isaiah 42:9)

 

Movie trailers have become a significant part of the movie-going experience.  In fact, special productions are now made just for television that offer extended-play introductions of feature films.   Studios use them to promote future projects while fans see them as enticements for future trips to the movies, or perhaps as evidence for why they should stay away.  Truth be told, we like to know what’s coming…to have inside information to inform our thoughts and actions.

 

Speaking through the prophet, the Eternal One offers a preview of what is to come.  For a people in exile, this is the good news of deliverance, something new that will ultimately bring transformation.  From Abraham to Isaiah, Moses to Zechariah, God‘s promises find fulfillment, and men and women of faith find encouragement in the faithfulness of God.

 

Gospel writer, Matthew, in celebrating Joseph’s decision to take Mary as his wife, confirms the preview the prophet Isaiah foretold as he writes, “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’”  Preview fulfilled…Amen.

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are ever faithful.  Continue to do something new in me. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 20

James 1:19-21

 

“…everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.”

(James 1:19b)

 

We would all like to believe that the Christmas season brings out our best.  Certainly there seems to be an emphasis on peace and good will throughout the holidays, and there are all kinds of stories, even movies made that reinforce this theme.  Truth is, however, the rush and pressures of these days sometimes sharpen our tongues and shorten our tempers. 

 

James’ words are appropriate in every season, but perhaps no more appropriate than in the rush and hurry of Christmas.  Quick to listen…slow to speak…slow to grow angry; that’s a formula we would do well to embrace when standing in a long check-out line at the mall, trying to find a parking place at the grocery store, or when out of town guests overstay their welcome.  These are opportunities to let the light of Christ shine. 

 

Jesus words are helpful here as he says in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine so that others can see your good works and glorify your father who in in heaven.”  That may well be the best gift you offer this Christmas season.

 

Prayer:  Lord, help me be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. Help me, Lord, to be more like Christ. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy