Not What We Give But How We Live

REFLECTIONS
December 13, 2009

In his book, WISHFUL THINKING, A Seeker’s ABC, Fred Buechner shares the following about joy: “In the Gospel of John, Jesus sums up pretty much everything by saying. ‘These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.’ (John 15:11) He said it at the supper that he knew was the last one he’d have a mouth to eat. Happiness turns up more or less where you’d expect it to–a good marriage, a rewarding job, a pleasant vacation. Joy, on the other hand, is as notoriously unpredictable as the one who bequeaths it.”

In Philippians 4:4-6, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near, do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippi was a city in Macedonia. A stop along a main trade route in an east to west direction in the Roman Empire. Thessalonians and Acts record that from the beginning some had opposed the Church at Philippi. This was the first Church established by Paul on European soil.

What is unique in this text is that Paul is emphatic in his instruction to live joyfully. So deliberate is his message, that he repeats himself. He encourages believers to a joyful, gentle, confident, response to whatever life brings. These words of encouragement are written while Paul himself is under house arrest. Which is a polite way of saying he is in prison.

Paul knew something the early believers didn’t, and we latter day followers too often forget. A life of faith is joy-filled. Though never devoid of detractors, opposition, pain, suffering, even death; a life in Christ is unique and unlike any we have known before. For Paul, a life of faith is a hope-filled, heaven-bound, joyous journey. In other words, anything put predictable. Perhaps he repeated his words not for emphasis, but because he sensed how quickly we forget!

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Finding Our Way to Christmas

REFLECTIONS
December 6, 2009

Have you ever seen something that was there all along, but in some way you’ve just witnessed it for the first time. This is a bit like what happened to the religious leaders in Jerusalem when they went to see John the Baptist, as recorded in John. Though they were well aware of the prophetic stories in Isaiah foretelling of a messenger to come before the Messiah, either John or his message was not what they had in mind. When they came upon him they asked who he was and he told them he was not the Messiah. In Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible the story continues, they pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?” “I am not”. “The prophet?” “No.” Exasperated they said, “Who then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something, anything about yourself.” “I’m thunder in the desert. ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”

Have you ever been in the desert during a thunder storm? Before the thunder comes a great light. This shines nearly bright as day. It is both awesome and revealing. Here John says that after the thunder he preaches, an even greater light will be revealed, but implicit in the narrative is that the people need a certain level of patience. The Bible story indicates this was not the case. To see something in a new light is the work of a patient soul, this in large measure is what Advent is all about. Think of Advent as a time of anticipation to be in deep thought considering all the facets of the powerful gift we are given at Christmas. However, somewhere along the way the prelude to the party which Advent was intended to be has become an extension of Christmas. It seems we throw out the Halloween pumpkins and immediately put up the Christmas lights. The malls and radio stations seem to play nothing but Christmas music from Thanksgiving on.

Early in my professional ministry (as opposed to the ministry we each are called as believers) armed with the high powered theological education I had acquired, I worked diligently to keep the seasons of Advent and Christmas clear and distinct within the context of worship. Then I began to note what the Bible records as murmuring. That bit of recreational griping which occurs when people are unhappy. On the second or third Sunday when we had not yet sung a Christmas carol, a parishioner or two would ask when this might happen. I would explain this was a separate season, sometimes even write an article on the theology and rationale. Yet every year this same pattern occurred. A beloved member faxed a list of favorite Christmas carols. This included Away in a Manger to Jingle Bell Rock. It was at this point I consulted a higher power. This is to say a more seasoned pastor. After listening to my story, my friend said the following, “Joey we both went to the same graduate school and received the same theological and liturgical training. What I have learned is that people want to sing Christmas carols. So we sing them early and we sing them all. Remember there is ample evidence Jesus was a Leo rather than a Sagittarian. Besides, the Advent and Christmas seasons are the greatest in terms of giving, so why not sing every one and be blest.” Who needs lightning or thunder when you have an old sage with a pen light pointing the way from rigid interpretation to a loving understanding of what Advent might actually be about?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

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Reflections

Advent is an “in the meantime” event in the life of the Church. It is a time of waiting, a time of anticipation. On the calendar, it occupies the four Sundays between the last Sunday of Pentecost and the first Sunday of Christmastide. During this time we are invited to consider the coming of Christ into the world in the telling and remembering of the birth narrative of Jesus; through recalling the lives of Joseph and Mary. In the comparison and contrast of John the Baptist’s story we are given enough information to formulate an opinion. Ultimately, that opinion becomes a question.

What impact did the coming of Jesus have? The quick answer is we haven’t enough time or space to cover the impact of Jesus. The teachings, healings, miracles, and love of Jesus have lasted two thousand years and touched countless lives. The greater questions yet remain... What does his coming mean to you and me, here and now? What difference has this Babe in the manger made? What difference does the Carpenter from Nazareth make; even here, even now?

Perhaps the greatest question is what difference are we willing to allow Jesus to make in our lives? What burdens are we willing to let loose of? What healing are we willing to accept? What miracles are we willing to believe in? How much of his love are we willing to claim for ourselves? Our expectations can be as high as we choose.

In the season of anticipation, consider the gifts given in love, forgiveness, acceptance by the One known as Immanuel. There is no question that the gifts are given freely. Acceptance of God’s graciousness is a question we each must answer with our hearts.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601