Atom“Living with Full Cups”
“And suddenly there was with the angel a heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those with whom God favors!’” Luke 2:14
Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas? Perhaps not. It wasn’t one of those Christmases for most of us. The economic news has not been good and the mood of most shoppers has been guarded at best. And for some of our local businesses that count on Christmas buying, that guarded attitude has not been good news for their bottom line. There has been a good deal of anxiety in our approach to Christmas and the New Year…and paying attention to much of broadcast news just heightens this feeling.
My brother-in-law, a Lutheran pastor in Inver Grove Heights noted in his church newsletter that if we’re listening to the news of the day,
“With banks wilting, credit elusive, and retirement accounts slashed, this holiday season is going to jingle a little less than in years past.” Kimberly Palmer: US News and World Report
we’re sure to be anxious and have hard time singing along with Burl Ives, “Have a holly, jolly Christmas.” And yet, we who follow Christ are always to have one ear to the news of our time and another ear to the news that is timeless, the promise of God that in the birth of Jesus we have reassurance that life is filled with other meaning than shopping and gathering treasure around ourselves. We have reassurance that God does not abandon or forsake us when our economic fortunes turn downward. Jesus came to earth in a most difficult time in a most difficult place to a couple experiencing more difficulty than they might have imagined at this moment in their lives. And God continues to come in Jesus in precisely such times as these. We Christians have one ear tuned to our times and one ear turned always to the Promise and Presence of God. To this end my brother-in-law passes on a word that I found timely...from Joyce Rupp in Fresh Bread:
“It is significant and necessary for us to ponder deeply all that we have been given. If we reflect quietly and honestly, we can be almost overwhelmed with all that is ours. God has been very generous. None of the gifts have been earned. God gives all gifts freely. Even Jesus is an abundant, free gift to us. God is lavish in love, generous in the outpouring of goodness.”
I suppose it’s a “cup half empty” versus “cup half full” kind of thing. But the truth is that as Christians live with “full cups” even in the midst of difficulty. We walk to a different beat and hear a different call and see a different purpose and end to life…because God has come to us and shown us God’s heart in Immanuel, “God with us.”.
That does not mean that there is not difficulty and that our hearts to not ache for those who are struggling in their jobs and relationships and health. We do…but we remember and remind each other that “God is with us” and from thankful hearts freely share the gifts of Christmas, the gift of Christ’s love, the gift of ourselves, the gift of time and help for those Jesus brings into the circle of our lives.
Praying God’s peace for you,
Pastor Wade
On behalf of my family, thank you again for your prayers and support throughout the year and for your cards and goodies shared in this Holy Season!! We are blessed!
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