As we inch closer to the big day, we put the final details in place. Where will we go/be on Christmas day? What will we do? Do we have family to join with? Will we be hosting others? Or will we find other things to do? One person I spoke to said, "It's just a day off for me. I'm going to start a remodeling project on my bathroom." I have to admit when he said that I had several feelings overwhelm me - sadness, didn't he have a family to celebrate with? Guilt, why didn't I invite him to my house? Finally envy, he wasn't confined by tradition and expectation. He was taking the freedom of a day off to do something he had been longing to do. He went on to say, "I love doing remodel jobs and I've been waiting for time to do this one."
     The third chapter of our study book, "Christmas is not Your Birthday" is titled Scandalous Love. In it Mike speaks of the God who pursues us with love. The God who comes to us even when we have been unfaithful, even when we given our devotion to other forces.
     Do you believe in God's pursuit to love you? Will you give God the chance to catch you this Christmas. Will you boldly allow yourself to enjoy the day?
    My friend who will be remodeling the bathroom won't be celebrating like I will and yet it seems he is somehow open to the scandalous love by embracing the opportunity to experience pleasure.
    What will your Christmas day look like? And how will God's love catch up with you?

After a week of attempting to be able to add comments to my post on the church website, I give up and start to post here. Hopefully you have found this site and can join the conversation.

Week one we read Chapter 1 of Christmas is Not Your Birthday by Michael Slaughter. The chapter began with a discussion of our individual image of God and how that effects our thinking? What did that stir in your  thinking? Has your image of God changed over you lifetime? In what ways?

Michael then goes on to discuss how we melt Jesus and Santa Claus together resulting in a distorted understanding of what the incarnation of God looks like. I was especially delighted to read this reminder:
...everything about Jesus' life stood in start contrast to worldly priorities and values. He arrived on the scene not in strength but in weakness. He was born a Palestinian Jew, into a community of marginalized, oppressed people, spending his early years as a refugee in Africa, eluding political genocide. His formative years were spent in a nondescript village, as a member of a working class family... (p.2)

Reminds me of Tukwila and our current economic struggles. A perfect setting for Christ to be born, misunderstood, persecuted, and lost in a society working toward values of wealth and personal security. What images come to mind for you?

The author then goes on to speak of how he has led his church, Ginghamsburg United Methodist, Kansas City, to approach Christmas in a new way. His faith has led him to believe that giving away ones life is the way to deeper meaning. "So, it should be no surprise that a meaningful Christmas is not found in mindless spending, eating, and stress." (p.13) Thoughts?

What are your Christmas traditions/activities that lead to deeper meaning for you? What would you like to change?

The Advent-ure Begins

Dear Friends,

I hope you enjoyed family, friends, and good food over the Thanksgiving holiday. Now it is time to turn our focus toward Christmas (as is clear from all the sale emails I am getting). Let’s make this season a little different this year. I’m suggesting that we all read a book together and spend time in thought and conversation about the meaning of this season. The book I have chosen is Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Experience the Joy of Living and Giving Like Jesus by Michael Slaughter. You can pick up copies from me or in the church office (cost is $10 – if you can). Chapter titles include: Expect a miracle, Giving up on Perfect, Scandalous Love,…

I’m asking that you not only read the book but also join in an ongoing conversation. Each week we will read a section. I will post some reflections on the reading on the church website www.rivertonparkumc.com. You are invited to add your own comments to facilitate a conversation.

Although I value face to face sharing and learning, it seems that in our busy lives it is not practical to add a class or study session for faith development. By doing it online we save the time and expense of gathering at the church and still have the opportunity to share. I ask you to take this task seriously. Check into the website a couple times a week. Add your thoughts, stories, experiences,… It will give a new dimension of meaning to this season and help us all to focus on what we are really celebrating.

It is so easy to just do what we always do for Christmas. Put the tree up in the same place with the same decorations. Hang the lights the same way as always. Pick out presents to give, covered with pretty wrapping paper and bows. It can be beautiful but doesn’t always inspire faith or deepen understanding. At times it is just routine – isn’t it?

Don’t allow yourself to get swept away in the routine of the season without pausing to deepen the meaning. Grab a book, read a section each week, and join the conversation.

The story may not be new but the meaning can be. Let Christ be born again in your life and in our world.

In peace,

Rev. Jan