The season of Christmas, I believe, calls for us to make a response. As we do so, we follow in the tradition of those who witnessed the first Christmas.
The angels sang praise with words of peace.
The shepherds, after hearing about the birth, went with haste to see the Christ-child.
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The Wise Men brought their gifts.
The question for each of us is: What is my response to Christmas? How shall I respond to this child born some 2,000 years ago in another part of the world?
On Christmas Eve, I will focus on the response of those who came to see this child in the manger. Then, on December 28, we join in singing songs of praise to God.
What kind of a response will you make to this great birth in history!
Peace and joy,
Pastor Marty Pauschke
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sixth Grade Scrooge
This coming Sunday, December 21, the young people of our church along with the choir will be doing "Sixth Grade Scrooge." A program for Christmas involving the youth has been a a tradition at Savior Divine. The chimers will also be playing.
The program invites us to delve deeper into the meaning of Christmas. I look forward to being part of this production!
The program invites us to delve deeper into the meaning of Christmas. I look forward to being part of this production!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
In the Footsteps of John the Baptist
This Advent season leading up to the celebration of Christmas provides us with a wonderful opportunity to witness to the Christ-child. It's easy for us as believers to get sidetracked from our role as brothers and sisters of the One born in Bethlehem.
Sunday's Gospel (1 John 1:6-8, 19-28) speaks to the relation of John the Baptist to Jesus. John himself was one who came to point people to Jesus. Apparently, John had established his own followers--some who thought that he was the Messiah. The evanglist John makes it clear that John the Baptist came to direct people to Jesus. Jesus needed someone like John so that there would be no confusion as to who is the Messiah.
John the Baptist came to point people to Jesus, the one who came to be the light of the world. As such, John knew that he could only do so with humility. It is Jesus who must increase and he, John, must decrease.
At this time of the year, our role is to follow in the footsteps of John. We are to point people to Jesus. Have you thought about yourself doing this as Christmas is approaching? I think that we need not be timid about who we are. We can point to Christ through our Christmas cards, our decorations, and our converstations.
Will you make this to be an emphasis of yours during this Advent season? Are there any additional ways that we can point people to Jesus?
Sunday's Gospel (1 John 1:6-8, 19-28) speaks to the relation of John the Baptist to Jesus. John himself was one who came to point people to Jesus. Apparently, John had established his own followers--some who thought that he was the Messiah. The evanglist John makes it clear that John the Baptist came to direct people to Jesus. Jesus needed someone like John so that there would be no confusion as to who is the Messiah.
John the Baptist came to point people to Jesus, the one who came to be the light of the world. As such, John knew that he could only do so with humility. It is Jesus who must increase and he, John, must decrease.
At this time of the year, our role is to follow in the footsteps of John. We are to point people to Jesus. Have you thought about yourself doing this as Christmas is approaching? I think that we need not be timid about who we are. We can point to Christ through our Christmas cards, our decorations, and our converstations.
Will you make this to be an emphasis of yours during this Advent season? Are there any additional ways that we can point people to Jesus?
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