Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. At about that time some astrologers from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in far-off eastern lands and have come to worship him.”                             Matthew 2:1-2

I have been looking at the clear night sky lately, and the stars and planets have been especially brilliant. The one advantage of winter is the clarity of the sky due to the cold temperatures and relative lack of clouds and haze. I was really taken aback the other evening with the brightness of Jupiter. Venus, the morning star is similarly brilliant.

Then I happened to hear a podcast which discussed a possible explanation of the Christmas star. That same star the Magi were tracking when they sought the newborn ruler whom they believe the star portended.

The theory put forth by this scholar was that on the morning of April 17, in 6 B.C. an unusual alignment of the planet Jupiter, rising early in the morning, before sunrise in the eastern sky, caused the Magi to follow this omen. Since it arose in the astrological house of Aries, it caused them to believe that this omen meant that a significant king would be born in Judea. Judea evidently was associated with the astrological house of Aries.

It is interesting to note that these Magi were astrologers from perhaps Mesopotamia or Babylonia. They were skilled in the arts of astrology, and when they determined that this new king would be born in Judea, they headed to Jerusalem to inquire of the current king about this amazing birth.

Jews were prohibited from practicing the astrological arts, so Herod, and the other Jewish inhabitants were unaware of the significance that the pagan world associated with this sign. Of course, Herod wanted to hear about a king who might supplant him. Herod wanted names and addresses so that he could destroy this usurper king!

The mind-blower for me was that on December 19 of that year, Jupiter seemed to stand still in the sky. It shone brightly because of a confluence with the moon, and it seemed to just stand still. There is a technological reason for this phenomenon- Jupiter did not stand still. However, it appeared to stand still relative to the position of the earth in its course around the sun relative to Jupiter at that point.

Now this theory is just that- a theory. However, it does have some scientific backing and it could have been an explanation of the Christmas star followed by those wise men from the east.

Whether this theory flies or not, there are some interesting aspects to it. The Judeans would have been clueless about the astrological significance of this momentous event, but the rest of the world may have seen something that the Jews of the time did not.

A new King was being born.

Prayer: Lord, you give us wonderful gifts that we sometimes fail to see, Amen

Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.                                                                                                                                                          Matthew 16:16-18 (The Message)

I saw an article in the paper today that church attendance is down to 30% participation by the U.S. population. In prior decades, going back into the 1960’s that percentage was around 40-45% in most decades. However, in the past decade, partly due to the effects of COVID-19, that percentage fell significantly, and now stands at around 30%.

COVID of course took a big toll on church attendance, but so also did the unhappy marriage of religion and politics. Younger people see that as politics becomes more intertwined with religion, both institutions suffer.

Church attendance for a group of believers is more than just a Sunday exercise. The bond that comes from social and spiritual interactions is healthy in every way to the human spirit. From a mental health standpoint, I typically encourage church attendance for my clients as a way to become part of a movement that is larger than ourself. Involvement in a church is good for both mind and spirit.

I am not really worried about the sustained existence of the “capital C” Church. The Church will prevail because God said that it would- it will just look a bit different in future decades.  In the meantime, we need to remember that participation in church is healthy, and that even though it looks different these days, the Church will survive.

Prayer: Lord, bless your Church so that it can bless others, Amen

Luke Chapter 1

This time of year, I always like to look back at Luke chapter one for his telling of the story about the birth of Jesus. He gives a rich background too. He tells the story of Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, who also had conceived a child, and with whom Mary stayed for three months. That was about the timeframe which coincided with Elizabeth’s delivery of her own son, John.

I also found it interesting that Gabriel, the angel who delivered the good news to these families, told Mary that her relative Elizabeth (cousin perhaps), had also conceived in a miraculous way. Luke relates the beautiful words recited by Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah (Elizabeth’s husband) as they tell of the glorious miracles that God had delivered to them. Maybe this was encouraging to Mary, who now had a kindred spirit to share these life-changing (world changing) pregnancies.   

Luke’s background gives the very human touch to these miraculous happenings. Indeed, the idea of miracles becomes a part of our wonder in this Christmas season. How often do we see unexplainable things in our life and later recognize the presence of modern-day miracles?

The miracles still happen, even if they look a little different than the ones we see in Luke.

Prayer: Lord, you are the author of miracles, yesterday and today, Amen

 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.                                                                                                                                               Genesis 50:20

Enjoy this replay of an earlier blog from last year…

Imagine if you will…

These are the familiar words from the beginning of the iconic TV show Twilight Zone. I was addicted to that show, which unfortunately aired late on Friday nights when I was a kid. I loved the show, but when it was over, I had to run upstairs to my bedroom to get to the safety of lights and comfort. Yes, some of the shows really creeped me out.

And I wouldn’t have missed an episode of that show for the world!

I write about the program, and its creator Rod Serling, because he was born around this time of year- on Christmas Day, 1924.

Rod Serling, was a World War II veteran who served in the South Pacific, and he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service. The war had a deep effect on him, and I am guessing that he had what we might now diagnose as PTSD. Serling seemed to write in the science fiction genre in order to exorcise some of the demons of war he may have fought. He was able to get his points across in this genre and it was accepted as genius. I think he truly was a genius.

Earlier, he had written Emmy award winning shows like Requiem for a Heavyweight which helped to bring serious social and interpersonal issues to the light of public awareness. Serling was able to work out his emotional pain in a creative way. He turned his pain into our gain.

The Twilight Zone series still impacts our culture, even though the show left the airways in the late 1960’s. Syndication, and media like YouTube and the SY-FI channel keep this marvelous series alive in the public. It still influences audiences after all these years.

I cannot speculate if Rod Serling would know how his writing has continued to influence the culture decades later. His courage and writing genius responded to and helped heal his emotional pain in a creative and healthy way.

Thanks Rod Serling. Maybe you are standing in the corner, commenting as we acknowledge your impact on us…

Prayer: Lord, help us all to continue to redeem pain into gain, Amen

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.                                                                                               John 8:12

It’s dark here in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States at this time of year, and it is only 5:30 PM as I write this blog entry. Yes, this time of year it gets dark pretty early here. In the farther eastern part of the time zone, it gets dark even earlier.  Suffice it to say, this feels like the dead of Winter. The darkest day, December 21 is, of course the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

I suppose that such facts really color my thinking about the Christmas season in this part of the U.S. We tend to relate the dark days of mid-winter with Christmas. Hence the reason we love the outdoor illumination of the season. It just brings light into the dark.

The metaphor of Jesus being the light of the world comes to life in such a setting. When it is so dark, even a little light brings refreshment and hope. So, we celebrate Christmas at a time when we need a little more light, a little more encouragement.

This reminds me that Christians are, of course, all over the world, and my brothers and sisters in the Southern Hemisphere are basking in a season where light abounds this time of year. That also reminds me that my United States view of Christmas is hopelessly parochial, and not at all relevant to a different cultural perspective.   

So, while I enjoy my cultural understanding of the Christmas season, I also understand that the true reason for the season has nothing to do with seasonal light changes, or snow, or Currier and Ives prints. It has to do with a celebration of true Light in a dark world.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of True Light, Amen

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things                                                                                                                                                                   Philippians 4:8

What is the deadliest animal in the world in terms of human deaths caused? Is it sharks? Maybe snakes? How about scorpions or spiders? Well, you can add up all the deaths caused by all of the above animals, multiply it by a thousand or so, and you are still not close to the biggest killer.

Mosquitos.

Yes, mosquitos are responsible for about 2.7 million human deaths each year, and about 500 million mosquito borne illnesses. Yeah, they are deadly, not to mention completely annoying. But mostly those of us in the Northern Hemisphere just find them annoying. People in the Southern Hemisphere, especially children, find them to be deadly.

I was watching a documentary on NOVA (PBS) the other evening about the search for a malaria vaccine. The scientists, doctors, researchers, and human aid groups have been diligently searching for a malaria vaccine for decades, and in October, 2023, one was approved by the World Health Organization. I was captured by the reactions of the scientists.

They wept.

I write this because I saw the reactions of these heroic workers when the vaccine trials showed effectiveness. Spent of emotional energy from years of frustration, they wept and celebrated as they anticipated the millions of children, especially children in Africa, that would be spared the devastation of malaria.   

Mostly these days, we are inundated by the news of inhumane actions of evil in Ukraine, Gaza, and many other places. I can get pretty downcast by the cruel actions of humans toward other humans. But in this Christmas season, I was looking for uplifting stories. Stories of people who love their fellow man and work for the best interests of humankind.

They are all around us to be sure if we are looking. We just need to remind ourselves to look.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the loving kindness we see in others when we look, Amen

I often have clients who are dealing with anxiety, and they find that when they leave comfortable places, they may have increased social anxiety. That certainly makes sense, as predictability helps to lower anxiety. To the extent that we can exert control in situations, we have lower anxiety.

I recently had a client who told me about her “safe place” in her home, a large closet. She can go in there for periods of time, pray, meditate, and feel safe. It is enclosed, but she does not have claustrophobia, so the enclosed place actually gives her comfort.

We talked about the comfort she has there, and the idea is to “bring as much of the closet as she can” in to her normal work environment. She likes the idea, and she will think about the ideas we discussed. She may actually wear a piece of clothing or jewelry that she wears in the closet when she goes out.

We need reminders of who we are when we go into places that may bring some perceived risk. Having a familiar piece of clothing, a ring, a wrist band, whatever, can be of some small comfort to us as we make ourselves aware of those items.

So, that proverbial “rabbit’s foot” is not a magic charm, but we can find value in items when we can ascribe our own value to it as a familiar token of comfort.

Prayer: In this season of peace, help us find some comfort, even in uncomfortable places, Amen

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life                                                             John 3:16

So, two weeks until Christmas, 2023 is here. How are you doing? Shopping done? Cards, contacts to friends, family and loved ones taken care of? Have you been listening to songs of the season, watching Christmas movies, gone to parties with friends or co-workers? Maybe you are into college football bowl games, or maybe holiday basketball tournaments.

Or maybe none of these things helps put you into the Christmas spirit. The things I have mentioned above are cultural events in America that are seasonal reminders to us. Perhaps this is a difficult season for you. Perhaps you have recently lost someone you loved, and this season is a difficult one. Maybe some family changes have taken place, and this Christmas feels just a bit “different”. Maybe you are an empty nester, and you are missing familiar family scenes of years gone by.

Whatever may be your situation, know that we need to acknowledge that not every Christmas will be that “Currier and Ives” Christmas that people are “supposed” to experience. Even when situations change in our life, the fact of the Incarnation of Jesus into a broken and hurting world remains the same.

Celebrating that visit of Jesus to earth is best done by realizing that we can be Jesus to others by visiting those who are lonely and in need. Perhaps that “Jesus response” is finding a non-profit that serves others all year long and donating to that cause. Whatever your response, know that the Savior loves you where you are and whatever state you are in.

Blessings on your journey this Christmas season!

Prayer: Lord, help us to celebrate Christmas in ways that honor you, Amen

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!                                          Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus came into this world as a helpless vulnerable baby to experience this world as a thoroughly human person. He also wanted to give us the message as a model of a sojourner in an alien place. He was denied and persecuted from birth. He was rejected by his own people, and finally put to death by a crushing civil government.

He gave the message to comfort the afflicted, to alleviate the suffering of the oppressed, and to welcome the stranger in our midst. As Christmas approaches, we need to evaluate- how well are we doing obeying his commands, and not just celebrating his coming?

Prayer: Lord, help us to fully appreciate your message as Savior and Redeemer, Amen

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”                                                      Micah 5:2

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts     Isaiah 55:8-9

Once again, we see how the smallest and least significant of places, Bethlehem, becomes the ancestral place of the birth of Jesus. The Bible is replete with upside-down explanations.

Young David, the least honored of his clan, becomes the King of Israel and leader of a mighty nation. Then he becomes part of the lineage of Jesus. Jacob, the second born twin (Esau’s brother) also becomes an ancestor in the chosen lineage of Jesus. Then of course, there are the scorned women- Rahab, Ruth, Tamar, and Bathsheba, all of whom had stories not expected in a royal lineage.

The list goes on. Unexpected people who play a major role in a holy story- because the story is one of a savior who does not find race, ethnicity, wealth, privilege or bloodline to be a preferential value in his Kingdom economy.

Ah, but we have corrupted the story, right?  We are “respecters of persons”. We rank privilege and race as demarcations of preference. We think that because of heritage, perhaps we have a corner on the truth.

Let’s remember that the last shall be first, and first shall be last. What appears right to mankind is not always the way God sees things. Remember the principle of paradox. God’s economy differs from ours. The beginning of wisdom is humility- the humility to know that God’s plans and ways are higher than ours…  

Prayer: Lord, gives us wisdom to be able to see your way, Amen