Living Liturgy

December 26th always brings a sigh of relief.  It is the end of a season.  It stretches people thin, especially those that have been charged with producing events that others can gather in and around to feel warm and expand their waistlines.  For some reason, the day after we celebrate Jesus coming here, I feel like it is the end of a season.  Reading back through Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus reminds me of hope.  Hope that this isn’t the end.  This is the beginning, and celebrating it that way changes Christmas for me. Read the rest of this entry »

At our church, we’ve been on a journey this Advent season through an Advent Conspiracy. This past week we talked about the need to “spend less” and took it far beyond merely speaking of finances and price tags. As a supplement or a stand alone, I offer these suggestions for your gift-buying from the perspective of buying less. These ideas are from a financial perspective, yet greatly affect far beyond dollar signs. (The actual suggestions in bold print were taken from the book, Advent Conspiracy, by McKinely, Seay, and Holder.  Commentary and any scripture references were added by myself.)

1. Be considerate when spending money. Stores are filled with people that are in a mindset of themselves.  Their shopping lists, their distaste for standing in long lines, their schedule for the day, their needs.  That includes us.  Move beyond that mindset to remember that all of the people shopping around you or working in the stores are people and they need expressions of love and appreciation as much as you do, maybe even more.  (Phil 2:3-4) Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been dwelling on the whole idea of Emmanuel – literally “God with Us.” It is a title conferred on Jesus describing His trip to humble little planet.

We expound the blessings of having God with Us. A relationship with God brings along its own kind of Christmas gifts: forgiveness, freedom, family, life forever, etc. Life with God brings blessings that are hard to quantify. He brings prosperity, joy, peace and a shaping of my life to reflect His goodness in me. I’m so glad to have discovered all of this stuff God just had waiting for me!

And then, I realize that many in the Old Testament were said to have God with them. Their experience was a bit different. Read the rest of this entry »

Have any of you seen Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium?

If you haven’t, you should.

I was reminded just this morning of the true wonder of the very simple thing we dress up with a big fancy word like, “incarnation.”

We say that we believe the “word became flesh and dwelt among us.” That is all fine and well, but what does that all really mean? When we say that “God put on flesh” or in other places, that he “emptied Himself” to become like us, perhaps the familiarity has bred an acceptance that leads us into quiet thoughtlessness. If there is one thing the magic of God in our skin should not do, it SHOULD NOT bring our minds to idleness. Read the rest of this entry »

I LOVE Christmas lights!  I love driving around and looking at homes that are plastered with them.  One of my favorite childhood Christmas memories is of a retirement trailer park where they would do lights like crazy.  In particular, at one home, the guy was a retired electrician.  He took it to another level.  It was more than just lights over just about every square inch of his yard.  He had all kinds of moving pieces and it was incredible!

I love putting up lights at home, as well.  In college I would frame my desk, sink area, closet door, book case, bed frame and even the ceiling in lights.  I don’t get to do that anymore, but I love it. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s started!  There we were, minding our own business, and suddenly it happened!  Many people slept right through it, but most knew it was going on.  My wife was even at the starting line when the crazy race started.  The official Christmas shopping season has begun, and with it the insanity of the holidays.  You can read about the buzz in friends Tweets and Facebook status posts.  People talking about their schedules beginning to get crazy.  Friends and strangers lamenting about all the gifts to buy, sales to hit, goodies to bake and events to fit into the schedule.

At midnight Thursday night, my wife was in a ridiculous line that wound around and past and over and under store after store after store in effort to get into Toys-R-Us.  She didn’t last long before she couldn’t handle the craze and the crowds.  She put her small gathering of purchases down and left it behind.  I am convinced that it is very appropriately named “Black Friday.”  Not because the day is evil or because participation is wrong.  No, I’m convinced of it’s title, because when left unchecked, it’s the death of the deeper story of Christmas. Read the rest of this entry »

So, are you gonna prepare for when the Zombies attack, or are you going to simply figure it out when the time comes? Seems like a silly question, right? It should just come naturally. Sure, you will know what to do:

1. Hit the mall and break into the sporting goods store.
2. Grab all the guns and ammo.
3. Defend the family.
4.Save the day.

The problem comes when two hundred people get there before you and the zombies are in full feeding-frenzy-mode as you discover your naive mistake. Read the rest of this entry »