Christmas 2016 Greeting & New Year Greeting

Clergy Comment column

Here is my article published in the December 22, 2016 Camrose Canadian Clergy Comment column.

The greatest Christmas gift

In our part of the world, giving gifts at Christmastime is a big deal. Businesses love it, since it gives a boost to the economy—especially when some folks get so caught up in consumerism that it may take them many months after Christmas to pay off their gifts.

   Although some may lament the secularism and materialism of the season; one thing that always causes me to ponder is the piped-in music of Christmas carols in the stores. I wonder if the gospel message of Christmas through these piped-in Christmas carols actually does reach the hearts, minds and lives of some frantic shoppers.

   That too causes me to ponder God’s greatest gift to humankind, Jesus. The word becoming flesh, pitching his tent and dwelling among us. The same Jesus who went into unexpected places in the world; befriending men, women and children whom other religious folk would not even think of going near. Jesus who loved and accepted the outcasts of his day; the poor, the blind, the lame, the lepers, a woman almost ready to be stoned to death because of the sin of adultery, and yes, even tax collectors who were regarded as betrayers of their fellow citizens and colluders with the occupying Roman authorities.

   Maybe we should be grateful for the piped-in music of Christmas carols in stores; as shoppers frantically buy their gifts they hear the gospel message of Jesus’s birth, God’s greatest gift.

   When I think back to Christmases past, I recall as a young boy I would go into a small corner store with my parents to purchase a few items. Each Christmas the storeowner, who loved children, would often delight in giving me some candy along with a Mandarin orange. Nothing seemed to make him happier than the opportunity to give this small gift to the children who came into his store. The joyful generosity of that storeowner made an impression on me and many other children.

   This Christmas, instead of giving or in addition to giving your loved ones gifts, I encourage you to give a gift to the poor and all-too-often forgotten ones in the world. There are many charities doing excellent work with the world’s poor and forgotten in our city, province, country and globally. One organization I would highly recommend is Canadian Lutheran World Relief, to learn more visit their website at the following address: http://clwr.donorshops.com/products/giftsfromtheheart.php.  In response to Jesus our greatest gift may you be inspired to give with joy and peace, hope and love not only at Christmastime, but every day of the year.   

December 10th is Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign