The Good Old days that never really existed

Christmas, for me, is a time when I am pulled to the past, more and more these days. Digging out the holiday décor in the attic, I found a box full of family picture albums. I pulled one out and paged through it. It was a sweet and painful thing to do. They stir up such memories, such longing for the happy moments when my kids were running through the house. Those images help me to remember Bev who went to Heaven 2 years ago. Nostalgia can be a dangerous thing drawing us into the past so that we miss out on the joy that today offers! I do not want to be one of those who are trying to navigate life while staring into the rear-view mirror!  I know that my memory is selective.

We rewrite history to fit our perceptions, our needs.  Getting misty about the 'good old days,' colors our perceptions. The hardships magnify and the joys amplify. Think back just 20 years ago. Do you remember the ordinary moments? Not likely. Mostly our conscious recall is formed around selected events and experiences - birthday celebrations, Christmas, family vacations, deaths, and tragedies.  The stuff of daily life disappears into the haze of time and can only be recalled only with focus and effort! Even then, the recall is suspect as to complete accuracy.

A by-product of time’s passing is the increasing draw of nostalgia.  Spiritually this can be toxic.  Know any Christians who are stuck in the ‘glory days’ of another era?  Have you heard them bemoan the state of the church, criticize the youth program, or long for the preaching of some pastor they knew years ago?  "Well, it's not the way it used to be." they say with sorrow.  And, they are at least partially right. Change is inevitable!

Growing Christians and healthy churches build on past experience, learning from it, celebrating victories, but they are like any living thing – always adapting and changing.  A church or Christian who enshrines an experience and tries to hold onto it - and many do - becomes less and less effective in doing God’s work.

Should we discard all tradition becoming slaves of the new, the trendy?  No, we love the ancient paths, are strengthened by slowly evolving patterns of worship. Novelty can lead to some places just as marginal as nostalgia. The Bible assures us that "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, today, and forever."  He is not hip, nor must His Gospel be made ‘relevant’ whatever that means. The celebrations of Communion, baptism, Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter are valuable ways of preserving continuity in the Christian community from generation to generation.

So what’s my point today?   Ask God what He desires for you TODAY!  Be very careful about trying to recreate the spiritual experiences of another time, no matter how wonderful it to you back then.  When you remember a place or time when God was near, when you lived close to His Presence, rejoice and give thanks.

Those memories that are stirred when I page through a family album are the foundation of my love for my family. But, if I attempt to relate to my kids who are now adults like I did when they were pre-adolescents, I'll alienate them from me. So it is with the Lord. What He did for you yesterday is the foundation for your walk with Him today, but those things are past. Ask God to help you to see and appreciate what He's doing today.  

(There is this. If you think the Church has gone a little 'off the rails,' do not let that become a source of bitterness or a critical spirit.  Instead, pray earnestly for those who lead.  As one of entrusted with leadership I can assure you that your prayer support is vital to the work.)

Here is a word from the Word.  They are a parable Jesus told - “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be torn, and the patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins." (Luke 5:36-37, NLT) And then live this -  “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. He has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness.” (Psalm 98:1, NLT)

Father, today I am pulled to remember,
Tempted to try to turn back the clock.
Come near and, with the voice of the Spirit,
Call me to what You are doing here and now.
Renew vision and hope.
I thank you for the victories past,
The lessons of yesterday that form me today.
Give wisdom to use those moments in a way
That makes me an effective ambassador you in the world where I live,
In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Tommy needs a ‘time out’

“Why did he do that?” The critical spirit rose in me. Later that same day I found myself wrestling with less than affirming thoughts about another over a trivial thing. Irritation showed up when the car in front of me failed to move when the light turned green. While I was around a happy family, listening to their laughter, my feelings of loss took center stage in my mind and I inwardly complained to the Lord, “Why them, not me?”  My mood was uglier than one of those terrible holiday sweaters sold at Walmart™!  The trap of being consumed with my agenda, my needs, my feelings, had sprung. Becoming aware of the place to which I slipped, I realized that I needed a dose of humility!  

Pride shows up dressed in many costumes – meanness, manipulative actions designed to get our own way, complaining about the blessings of another, and doubting God. We are especially susceptible to prideful behaviors in this busy, stressful Season. Our schedules are often full, leaving us exhausted. We tire of long lines in stores, of traffic, of endless demands on our time and energy. Right in that moment, we are likely to slip into “Me, first” behaviors. Yes, it is a natural protective response but it is not good nor godly.

Think about it this way. When I complain, criticize, or push to the front of the line though I may not be consciously aware but what I am really saying is this:  “Lord, I won’t trust You to take care of my needs. I won’t choose contentment that allows me to find my Peace in You. I’m taking charge!”  That is not good, is it?

God’s people complained about their lot in life, accusing Him of failing them.  His answer was not to relieve their stress immediately. Instead, He asked them to change their perspective.  “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?" (Isaiah 40:25-27, NLT)  Look up! Renew your hope in Me!

Are your emotions in turmoil today?
Are there behaviors that show your frustration?

Are you snapping at your children?

Are you seeking solace in criticizing another, or tempted to indulge your desire for something that tempts you?

In those moments, we need to give ourselves a ‘time out.’  A wise parent sees their child slipping out of control and intervenes before a crisis. They take Tommy aside and put him in his room for some time alone, perhaps to fall asleep for a much needed nap.  When we are acting in ways better suited to a 3 year-old, our Heavenly Father invites us to pause, to reflect, to pray, to become re-centered.   

I gave myself a ‘time out’ on that ugly day. I refocused on the important stuff. I spent a few moments to appropriately acknowledge my own grief.  I chose to thank God for the friends, the opportunities, the grace He gives – and soon found myself with a sweeter attitude.

When you become aware of pridefulness, when Self takes over,  choose a different path. Instead of ruining the day with an explosion of anger, instead of damaging a relationship with bitter accusations, instead of stewing inside about ‘the unfairness of it all,’  take a break. Tell Jesus, in an honest humble prayer, about it and then listen to the Spirit. That Scripture I quoted a moment ago, finishes with a passage more familiar to many of us.  It speaks of renewal found in the Lord.

Our word from the Word today is worthy of some deep reflection.  "Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31, NLT)

Time out.

Look up.

Quiet down.

Rest on His promise.

And, you will find peace.

__________

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O come O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice rejoice Emmanuel

Shall come to thee O Israel

O come Thou Dayspring come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight

O come Desire of nations bind

All peoples in one heart and mind

Bid envy strife and quarrels cease

Fill the whole world with heaven's peace

John Mason Neale | Thomas Helmore

© Words: Public Domain

Join the festival, let your light shine!

The rain was chill, the night dark as I drove home last night from a visit in the hospital. Fatigue made me long for the living room and relaxation until  . . .  I started to note the homes lit up with Christmas lights!  White lights in their simplicity, bright colored lights with their eye catching dazzle, simple strings along a fence, elaborate displays that covered a whole house – with each one I smiled and started to sing along with the carols on Sirius™ radio.  Yes, I laughed out loud at the displays that were in questionable taste – big, inflatable Santas, a forest of plastic ‘candy canes’ in a front yard, but it was a moment of realization.  The world is celebrating.

Do all know the reason for the Season? Probably not.  It is true that for many it is an feast of consumerism. For others it is just a time of excess of spending, and food, and drink.  And yet among all the clutter there are nativity scenes and invitations to “come and adore Him, born the King of Angels!” 

So, here is what I am going to do – I am going to join the festival of light and as the kid’s song says, I’m gonna let my light shine!  I want to take some extra care to see the ‘invisible’ people that surround us and try to make them feel respected, alive.  I am going to pause to praise the King with more intention. I will worship in Advent services with my whole being.   I’ll let a little light shine in my personal mission for this month to wish everybody a "Merry Christmas" and a "God bless you" from the heart.  Care to join me?

Let’s not just decorate our houses. With a child-like wonder and a deliberate choice for joy, let’s enter into the celebration. Those shepherds in old Bethlehem heard radiant angels sing and heard an announcement., There was a decision they made that caused them to become participants in the wonder. "That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, … “ What if they had just shrugged, looked at each coolly, and said, “That was something,” and let it pass?

They stirred themselves!  “the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger." (Luke 2:8-16, NLT)  

Celebrate! Worship! Welcome the Lord’s coming.

This is a word from the Word. "Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!” (Isaiah 40:3-5, NLT)

______________________

O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Saint Louis)

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep

The angels keep their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And peace to men on earth

How silently how silently

The wondrous gift is given

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven

No ear may hear His coming

But in this world of sin

Where meek souls will receive Him still

The dear Christ enters in

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born in us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

Lewis Henry Redner | Phillips Brooks

© Words: Public Domain