The Blessing of Christmas

The Blessing of Christmas
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Lord, You listen–
I trust.
You care–
I heal.
You empower--
I’m strengthened.
You give–
I receive.
You speak–
I listen.

You are peace–
I rest.
You are redemption–
I’m free.
You are song–
I sing.
You are worthy–
I praise.

You are forgiving–
I am forgiven.
You are glory–
You are mercy–
You are holy,
Holy God.
I am Your child.
You are my King.

You are the blessing of Christmas.

Celebration in the Face of Tragedy

Celebration in the Face of Tragedy
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Christmas, a time for joy and celebration.  Where is our joy?  Where is our celebration?  We are like the ancient Israelites.  We have hung our harps on the willow trees. How can we sing the Lord’s songs and dance with Him in the midst of such heartbreak?
Please know that the Lord’s dance is not always in allegro.  Often it is a long, slow, intimate largo. At this time of deep, national grief, the Lord is calling us to dance with Him in largo, to dance to the rhythm of His heart of love and compassion, to allow Him to hold us close, to lead us tenderly into His peace that passes all understanding.  Then our dance becomes one of joy in His love.  
Our celebration cannot be the revelry of worldly dissipation.  Even in the best of times, dissipation leads to disillusion.  True celebration is in the comfort of His presence, in the healing of His touch, in the hope of His Word.    
As we dance in His arms, may we as a nation and a culture come once more to the understanding that our children are gifts from our God.  May our heart's desire be to nurture them, to comfort them, to guide them, to enjoy them. Parents and teachers have the most important jobs in the world.  We are among those who nurture tomorrow.  
We will overcome this tragedy by holding fast to the Lord and allowing Him to nurture us so that we can nurture others.  The Lord is asking us to dance with Him for the rest of our lives.

Jesus Is the Reason for the Sesaon

Jesus Is the Reason for the Season
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

History and tradition have added many details to the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus.  Sometimes we, unknowingly, put more emphasis on the traditional accounts rather than on the scriptural account. Even many of our Christmas carols do not accurately reflect the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth.  We love the old melody,  “The First Noel”. The original author is unknown.  The song  probably originated as a folk song  in the late 18th or early 19th century.  Let’s look at the traditional lyrics:  
 “The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.”
Two mistakes in the first two verses:  
It is unlikely that Jesus was born in the winter time.  December 25 as the date for Jesus’ birth was not established until the 4th century.  Because the shepherds were out in the fields at the time of Jesus’ birth, it is probable that Jesus was born during the warmer months when the sheep could be grazing.  However, when we celebrate is not as important as why and how we celebrate.
The second mistake is much more glaring.  The shepherds did not see the star.  They saw the angels.  It was the wise men who saw the star.  
Some other additions to the Christmas story:  Although we have seen him in many Christmas plays, no innkeeper is mentioned in scripture, no animals are listed as having witnessed the birth, the angelic host refers to an army of angels rather than a choir, neither the names nor the number of the wise men is given; the wise men did not come at the time of Jesus’ birth, but later they visited the Child in a house; a little drummer boy did not play his drum as a gift to the Christ child¸ and Santa Claus is a completely  different tradition.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit spared details so that we can concentrate on the miracle of the Incarnation, God’s coming to earth in the form of a man, to walk among us,  to pay the price for our sins, to allow us to enter into an eternal covenant with Him.  Jesus is the reason for the season.   He is Emmanuel, God with us.  Trim the tree, give the gifts, put out the Creche, prepare the food, send the cards, enjoy the music,  but above all else, adore Him, our Redeemer, Savior and coming King.