Family

Juliana.  Loves reading and imagining possibilities.  Future
tae kwon do master

  As we approach the Christmas celebration one of the greatest joys is the gift and blessing of family. Family is the unit of measure in the Kingdom of God, not the individual. It is true that God loves each one of us and we are all uniquely made, however it seems that the biblical witness suggests that it is the family that God is most interested in.

Alex.  Loves science, logic and has a heart for justice

It makes sense the very nature of God is that of a loving community of relationships. We understand the One God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit all of the same essence yet distinct in their own way. All three living as one in relationship with each other.

Savannah.  A natural leader.  Loves dance.

Jaylen. Always happy.  Loves to
"drive" everything i.e.Mario
Cart, toy trucks, plates, chairs -
whatever he can imagine as a steering
wheel. 

God, however has not restricted the idea of family to those with whom we share DNA. In fact It seems that it is God's intention that we see beyond those connections to find a broader definition of family. In chapter 12 of the book of Genesis in the Bible “The Lord said to Abram, 'leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.” Notice God called Abram away from ties of biological family to do his will. God wanted to use Abram to bless others in this new place. Abram receives the promise from God that “all families on earth will be blessed through you.” This is interesting because it is radically inclusive. It's not just the Hebrew people, it's not just this kingdom or that one. Likewise it is not for all individuals, it is for all families. Being part of a family, an active part of a family means that we are necessarily in relationship with others. Our own ideas, passions, desires, fears are all in play in the context of the on-going dynamics of multiple relationships. It is when we are selfish and insular that we deny ourselves the blessings of God.

This model of relationship expands. Families are not supposed to isolate themselves either but share the blessings they have with others. Chapter 12 of Exodus describes the instructions for the first Passover. In it it says “...each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat.”

Family has always been and remains important to me. My ideas of family are expanding though. For instance our friends Mike and Nancy have become such beloved friends that indeed they are a part of our family even though we are separated by 200 miles and not a lick of DNA. God brought us together. My biological father was adopted as a toddler; I was adopted by my step-father; After having two children of our own we adopted three children in 2008 and am currently trying to adopt their youngest sibling who was born in April of 2010. Family in all these cases had nothing to do with being biologically related it's all about choosing to be in relationship with each other.

Julian.  A deep thinker.
 Loves action and adventure. 

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:5-8

My three youngest all have special needs. If you know them you probably already know this. If you are interested here is a link to an article I would like you to read so that you may understand them better and perhaps make being in relationship with them a little easier.

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/050610/loc_634601012.shtml

A Christmas Story

Mark 1:1-8

God is telling a story and we are the main characters.

This Gospel reading is, as I said from the book of Mark. Over the course of the next year we will be reading primarily from the book of Mark. This is my favorite of the Gospels because the energy is so high. The writer of Mark tells the story of what happened when he was following Jesus. The portion I just read was the beginning of that story. He was setting the stage for all that he experienced when he was following Jesus.

When we look at this text we have a tenancy, for good reason, to look at the words of the prophet Isaiah and to try to understand the message of John the Baptist and what it means to prepare for the lord by making paths straight. But I like to take a step back and just listen to the voice of the story-teller. In this story he sounds so excited.

There is an urgency in the story as if he understands that this is something that needs to be said and something that people really need to hear. I think because he knows that it is God's story.

I read a story recently. A supposed Christmas story. The only thing “Christmas” about it was that Christmas was mentioned in it. I am going to step out of the pulpit to tell it to you because it's not the message for the day...

http://www.childrenstory.info/childrenstories/brerrabbitchristmas.html

What did that story teach us? What values did that story convey? It lifts up being crafty, heartless, ruthless perhaps even being mean. Just because we put the label Christmas on it does not make it Christian.

year we hear the message: “Keep Christ in Christmas.” and I agree with the idea, its just that all the Christians I know...do. They all say “Merry Christmas.” They all know of the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. So to whom are we directing the message, Keep Christ in Christmas? To those who don't believe? Do we really want Macy's and Wal Mart being the ones who direct the message of Christmas? Do we want atheists and people who are opposed to the teachings of Jesus to be spokes persons for the holiday?

I say, if someone wants and prefers to say “Happy Holidays.” let em'. Because then we know where they stand. We can love them right where they are. We won't make any false assumptions about what they believe. We touched on this issue in the adult discussion group a couple weeks ago.

The theme of our discussions for the past several weeks has been on how do we give in a way that is in line with our faith. How can Christmas and the lessens we learn change our life? How can the story of Christmas change the world?

The event that we celebrate at Christmas certainly changed the world in the most profound way. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem divided time. The eternal God of all creation became human and offered salvation to anyone who would put their trust in in him. After the birth of Jesus every thing has been different. We have access to God. We have a way that leads to eternal life. The suffering and injustice of this world is not part of God's story for us. God wrote a different story for us but we messed it up. Humanity, in our freedom that God granted us, failed to follow the story line.

You see, we are all central characters in the story that God wrote.

Can you imagine reading a book where the main character didn't do what he was supposed to do? When you pick up a mystery novel and the detective in the story decides not to pursue the truth, would that be frustrating? If you have ever seen the movie No Country for Old Men you know what I am talking about. In that movie there is a very bad guy and the good guy is pursuing him, but in the end the good guy just retires. That's it. There is no justice. I found that ending to very jarring and frustrating.

That's how it is with us. God wrote the story of creation. He intends for all of us, every person living to be a part of his family. He gifts us with talents and abilities as well as spiritual gifts. God intends for us to use our gifts to make life better for all those around us. We tend to forget this though. The tendency is to think first of our own comfort and prosperity.

The question is: If someone were reading the story of our lives, would we be following the story line that God intended for us or are we off course? The answer is, of course, between you and God.

When we participate in the Holy Sacraments. Holy baptism and Holy Communion we become direct participants in the story of God. When we invite the Holy Spirit to bless us we are inviting God to change us. We are giving ourselves over to the Story that God is tellingl. John the Baptists part of the story of God was that of a messenger to all, that we need to prepare ourselves to receive God. But what does that mean? Does that mean that go shopping and sing Christmas carols? Well yes in our culture that is part of how we prepare. Those are cues to us that we are getting ready for this blessed season. Those are things that bring joy to people. That joy is a reflection of the joy that God promises to his children. Are shopping and parties supposed to be the source of our joy? No, of course not; Jesus is. And that is a story worth telling. So to all those who prefer to say “Happy holidays” you can give them the gift of telling them the story of Jesus through your life. When you follow God's story-line and your life is filled with joy, despite its difficulties, despite it's challenges people will be interested in hearing the story you have to tell.

This is the season of Advent. A time when we are preparing ourselves to be changed. Preparing ourselves to be a part of the story. How is it with you today? In this season of Advent? What part has God written for you? Would you pray with me?

A reading from the Church Fathers

I thought you would like to read today's reading from A Year with the Church Fathers.

Recognize both natures in Christ

Jesus Christ, the Word incarnate, was true God and true man. When we hear or read the Gospel stories, says St. Gregory the Great, we need to see both natures at work, because we need to understand that both natures are vital for our salvation.

When you read or hear the Gospel, you find some things in our Lord Jesus Christ subjected to injuries, and some things lit up by miracles. In the same Person now the humanity appears, now the divinity shines out.

Don't think any of these things are a delusion, as if Christ were either man or God alone, but believe both faithfully, and worship both very humbly.

Attribute it to the man that he was born of a woman; attribute it to God that his mother's virginity was not harmed, either by conception or by bearing.

Recognize the form of a slave wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, but acknowledge that it was the Lord's form that was announced by angels.

Understand it of his humanity that he did not avoid the wedding feast; confess it divine that he turned water into wine.

Let your own feelings explain to you why he shed tears over a dead friend; realize his divine power when that same friend, after moldering in the grave four days, is brought to life and raised just by the command of his voice.

For the old original wounds in human nature could not be healed, except by the Word of God taking flesh to himself from the Virgin's womb, by which flesh and the Word existed together in one and the same Person.

–St. Gregory the Great, Sermon 46, 2

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