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

 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.                                                            Luke 2:1-17 (KJV)

It is only for a few weeks each year that I get to write about Christmas, so I have been writing about Christmas more than usual this year. Why? Well, that’s a good question.  

Maybe it is because we should be keeping in the mindset of Christmas more of the year. Maybe it is because I am aware that there are fewer future Christmases for me to celebrate now. Maybe it is because I like the old classic Christmas movies. And maybe it is because we need seasons like Christmas to harken back to childhood memories which were filled with awe and wonder.

As the Christmas season rolls around, the Christmas movies are dusted off for showing. Familiar favorites, and there are many, are shown, and many of us watch them for the 20^th time. I mean, how do you resist watching Christmas Vacation during this season?  Or maybe A Christmas Story, where Ralphie finally gets his Red Rider BB gun? Maybe it is Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen in White Christmas? Possibly it is Miracle on 34^th Street, or Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? Could be It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart?  Maybe it is all of them.

I will watch several of those movies this season because it is comfort food for my mind. Like a comfortable pair of old shoes, those movies, and others, provide a soft landing for the reality around us that is so often not kind.

At any rate, I also cited above my favorite old version of the Christmas story from Luke 2.

Enjoy…

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name       I John 2:12

Trust must be earned. In marriage, trust typically grows over the years as spouses learn that their partner is the one they can fully count on, no matter what, to have their best interest at stake. That is a fundamental basis of a healthy relationship.

Yet, when that trust is broken, it takes a long time to rebuild it. It takes lots of work, patience tears and honesty to rebuild broken trust, but it CAN be done. I have a fairly large number of marriages where that trust has been broken by an affair. It takes a great deal of courage to enter that rebuilding process- and it is a process.

The good news is that with proper accountability, time, patience and perseverance, that trust can slowly rebuild. I have had two recent marriages where that rebuilding process is now nearly complete. It is an ongoing process to be sure, but one of the milestone events is when the partner who was offended decides to trust the partner who cheated.

This is not easy by any means, but when that offended partner gets to the place of being able to say, “I have decided to trust you again”, the miracle is almost complete. Grace and forgiveness are always a necessary part of the formula. The one who committed the affair will always carry some level of shame, but the forgiveness of the offended one is the key to healing- for both.

So, my friends, this is a hard subject, not to be taken lightly. True healing takes time and hard work by both the offending and offended party. But the end result of a restored relationship is truly a mark of grace at work.  

Prayer: Lord, you are the healer who gives grace to the wounded, Amen.

Our pastor has been doing Advent messages using popular themes of the culture around Christmas, like movies and T.V. shows,. He always brings it back to the true meaning of our Christmas celebration, but he, like me, does not mind sharing the Christmas season with the whole world, regardless of their understanding. I mean, surely we would love others to find the peace and joy of Jesus coming to earth because of God’s love for us, but until people understand the true meaning of Christmas, perhaps they first need to see Christians enjoying our Holy Day as their Holiday.

At any rate, today is the celebration of the feast of St. Nicholas. This was kind of a big deal in my family’s German Catholic tradition, because St. Nicholas would visit homes on this evening and leave little gifts in shoes laid outside the door. I have carried it on to some extent by helping my children celebrate the day with their children.

Traditions around the Christmas season are helpful for our dreary winter days. Gatherings around the holiday season make life more joyful. Traditions and rituals, as I have said before, are reassuring to us. Traditions help alleviate some general anxiety because they are things we can count on. That being said, I hope my readers do not overstress themselves during these days with worries about gift-giving and party hosting.

Just enjoy the season!

And by the way, Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Prayer: Lord, help rekindle our child-like joy of Christmas, Amen