Unwrap the Best Gift Ever!

You made it through all the last month.  You have been preparing and planning, working, decorating, sending out cards, preparing meals and wrapping presents.  Now the big weekend is almost upon us and we will all be able to take a big sigh of relief and relax. 

What is the big deal about Christmas?  Why is it that the world stands still one day a year in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ?  Why is it that a baby born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem on the other side of the world can stop traffic today in the Twin Cities?  And can jam up the shopping malls and parking lots in unbelievable ways.  And can drive you crazy with all the people and packages too? 

The answer is this: Christmas is the best news you’re ever going to hear.  In fact, it is the greatest news, it’s the best news, it’s the Good News.  Since the Christmas season began, one word has fallen from our lips more than any other.  Maybe you haven’t stopped to think about which word that was.  I don’t think it’s the word “joy” or “carol” or “tree” or “food.”  I think it’s the word “gift.”  If you listen in on conversations in shopping malls and on parking lots, you will hear the word mentioned several times in one conversation.  Let’s face it, we have lists of gifts we hope to buy.  Some of us have lists of gifts we hope to receive too. 

This weekend we celebrate God’s gift of His Son born in a manger.  And here’s what is so shocking: Not only did God send His Son to be born here in a manger, but God also sent His Son knowing that He would go from the manager to a cross.  You see, gifts that really matter cost deeply. 

So this weekend, as we gather with family and friends and celebrate God sending His Son into the world, let us unwrap the gift Jesus brings.  His gift will never, never disappoint you.  It’s personal, it’s practical, it’s useful, it won’t break, it never goes out of style, it fits like a glove and it will change your life.  It is a gift that will last forever!

Ever met a child who, when offered a chance to open a Christmas gift, said “no"?  The whole reason Christmas exists, the whole purpose is so you can have a relationship with God. 

Unwrap the gift of Jesus this Christmas!

Here’s a wonderful song from The Story called “Be Born in Me.”  Listen to Mary’s story as she ponders the Holy Child she is carrying. 

May the blessings of the Christ Child fill your heart this Christmas.

To His Glory!

Pastor Carol

Sneak a Peek

Advent is a season of preparation as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus – Immanuel – God with us!  In the church, the month of December is a month full of activities that help us to prepare: the Expressions Choir concert, Advent Festival, Women’s Christmas Dessert, special Wednesday Night Live activities, and "Lessons and Carols" Sunday with the Traditions Choir.  Not to mention all of the preparations that you and your family are doing at home as well. 

For many of you, you are busy decorating the house, shopping and mailing gifts, making delectable treats to share with family and friends, and writing out Christmas cards.  Some of you might even be putting up Christmas lights at the last minute since we do not have any snow and you can still easily get those ladders out. 

The Christmas season can become a blur of activity sometimes.  Last Sunday I hurried home after the last morning service at Calvary, ate lunch fast and came back to church for the delightful Advent Festival.  When I got home later that night, I realized I had actually put the ketchup bottle in the freezer!  Yikes!  I guess my mind just had too many things to “prepare” for that day.  Can any of you relate? 

As we journey ever closer to Bethlehem and the birth of our Lord, amidst the frantic chaos of family, work and church obligations, I pray that you will all be able to come before the manger and take time to see and experience the miracle -- to really see Jesus.

As I mentioned at the Women’s Christmas Dessert on Monday night, if you look at the Baby Jesus in the manger in the Sanctuary, you will see that His arms are outstretched.  He is reaching out to YOU!  It’s always fun to watch the children come up to Jesus in the manger.  With eager anticipation and excitement, they try to boost themselves up to “peer in” and “sneak a peek” at Jesus.  As adults, sometimes we just look at Jesus from afar.  We notice the beautiful Italian Fontanini statues of the Nativity in the Sanctuary, but we miss really seeing Jesus.  We miss the miracle of Christmas -- a miracle that changed the world and our lives forever.

This Advent, why not come before the manger with the heart of a child, full of anticipation and wonderment.  Go ahead, “sneak a peek” at the Baby Jesus.  He’s waiting! 

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, 'God with us.'"   Matthew 1:22-23

Listen to Chris Tomlin’s song, “Emmanuel,” and let the miracle of Jesus’ birth touch you today. 

To His Glory!

Pastor Carol

Give Me a Clean Heart!

Over the past week, I’ve been noodling Pastor Steve’s sermon. One of the main takeaways for me was that, despite all of our bad choices, God can forgive us and God can still use us to accomplish mighty things for Him in this world.  Can I have an Amen!!!??  Whew!

As we read about all the mistakes and cover-ups that King David resorted to, you would think that there was no way that God could possibly forgive him or use him in a mighty way.  Yet, David had a contrite heart and he sought God’s forgiveness and today we remember King David for all that he accomplished through God’s mercy and grace.   I absolutely love Psalm 51:3-12 where David wrote one of the best confessions ever. 

  For I know my transgressions,

   and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

   and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

   and justified when you judge.

 Surely I was sinful at birth,

   sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

   you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

   let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

   and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

   and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

   or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

May this prayer of confession and forgiveness be our prayer this week as we journey closer to Bethlehem.  May we, like King David, come before God this week with a humble heart and ask God’s mercy and His forgiveness for all the bad choices we have each made--and then ask God to use us in “unexpectant ways” to His glory this week. 

Listen to this acapella song using Psalm 51.  It is an amazing and touching version of this Psalm that will touch your heart.  
 

To His Glory!

Pastor Carol

Make My Heart Look Like Your Heart

Everyone needs a Jonathan in their life! 

In The Story this week, we learned about David being anointed King of Israel.  We also learned that King Saul’s son Jonathan, the next in line to the throne, was the only one, aside from God, who recognized the fact that David was indeed the one who would be king.  Jonathan not only recognized it, but also signified it by giving to David his royal robe, his tunic, his bow and his belt. 

We all need at least one Jonathan, one person, in our lives who sees God’s good plan in us even when we don’t and who also believes in us.  I know I have had a long list of Jonathans in my lifetime; some were teachers, some coaches, some pastors, some Sunday school teachers, and some mentors, but they all had one thing in common: they saw potential in me and they nurtured it.  They believed in me and saw beyond the surface to my heart.  Do you remember a teacher, coach or mentor who encouraged you and believed in you?  Maybe they looked beyond your situation and saw the person God created you to be.  They saw beyond the externals and saw your heart!  And that made all the difference! 

In the sermon this week, I mentioned that the story of David is a story that challenges each of us to look beyond our outward appearances and look at our character and our heart because God sees something in each of us that no one else sees.  What’s your heart like this week?  Do you have a pure heart for God, like David? 

I would encourage each of us not only to look at our own hearts, but also to have eyes to see the heart of others in our lives.  Perhaps we could each be a Jonathan this week to someone who needs some extra encouragement.  I’m going to throw out a “Jonathan Challenge” to each of us. 

Over the next week, find at least one person to whom you can speak words of encouragement.   Find one person who you can look beyond the surface and really see their heart and God’s good plan in them.  Ask God about it; pray about that person and ask God to reveal to you the gifts that this person has.  Then be a Jonathan – speak words of hope and encouragement to them.  Share your Jonathan stories on this blog.  Every one of us needs a Jonathan, but every one of us can also BE a Jonathan to someone else as well. 

Here’s the beautiful song Craig Anderson sang at worship this week called “Your Heart.”  It’s a song about David and his heart for God.  The song challenges each of us to look at our hearts and to be men and women after God’s own heart, just like David.

In His Grip!

Pastor Carol