Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A Day Late and A Dollar Short?

First published Friday, Dec. 26, 2008 in The Daily Sentinel


The stockings, once empty, then filled, are now empty again. The tree, almost hidden by presents just yesterday, now sits forlornly in the corner with nothing hiding under its branches. The trashcans are overflowing with discarded wrapping paper, crushed bows, and over-protective, theft-deterrent packaging.

Christmas seems so slow to get here – then so quickly left behind. A few hours (minutes??) of excitement seems anticlimactic following weeks and weeks (or months and months) of build-up. Is this how Christmas is supposed to feel?

I’ve tried to do Christmas differently this year. I worked hard not to get caught up in the materialism of the season and focus more on the spiritual aspects of Jesus’ birth. Then last Saturday in the Toledo Blade, I read a columnist who sneered at my approach:

“Christmas in America,” wrote Leonard Peikoff, “is an exuberant display of human ingenuity, capitalistic productivity, and the enjoyment of life. Yet all of these are castigated as ‘materialistic’; the real meaning of the holiday, we are told, is assorted Nativity tales and altruistic injunctions (e.g. love thy neighbor) that no one takes seriously. America’s tragedy is that its intellectual leaders have typically tried to replace happiness with guilt by insisting that the spiritual meaning of Christmas is religion and self-sacrifice for Tiny Tim or his equivalent. But the spiritual must start with recognizing reality. Life requires reason, selfishness, capitalism; that is what Christmas should celebrate – and really, underneath all the pretense, that is what it does celebrate. It is time to take Christ out of Christmas, and turn the holiday into a guiltlessly egoistic, pro-reason, this-worldly, commercial celebration.”

I’ve seen what following Mr. Peikoff’s philosophy gets us – and to me, the results are simply ugly. A person says this as he’s opening the gift: “I sure hope this is better than what you got me last year!” An entire movie based on the premise of desperation and rudeness being acceptable in order to get that “must have” toy. (Remember the Arnold Schwarzenegger fiasco called “Jingle All the Way”?)

The pursuit of happiness through acquisition is ultimately a dead end. Rather than dismiss the altruistic ideal of love thy neighbor simply because “no one takes [it] seriously,” why not try living into that ideal? I will admit that most Christians do a poor job of following this instruction by Jesus, but that doesn’t make the instruction itself false or unreasonable. Rather, this shows how deeply entrenched self-centeredness is in each one of us.

Unchecked selfishness, disguised as true capitalism, results in the same kind of post-binge regretfulness as drinking too much alcohol at the party. Wake up the next day with an extreme hangover. And unfortunately, that’s what too many Americans are probably experiencing on this day-after-Christmas. They are a day late in discovering the true meaning of Christmas; and when the credit card bills arrive next week, they discover they are a dollar short (or more) of being able to pay for it all. Is this the “reasonable” celebration called for my Mr. Peikoff?

Our economy is in trouble because of the reasonable selfishness followed by too many for too long. And our federal government is sending America into unchartered territory with the quasi-nationalization of the finance industry and automotive industry. Next on the agenda: the healthcare industry. What does all of this mean? I don’t know. What I do know is this: when I focus less on self and more on others, when I take the challenge of loving my neighbor seriously, I experience greater joy and personal satisfaction – with no “day after” regrets.

Perhaps that’s the reasonableness behind Jesus’ words: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matt 16:24-27 NIV).

Friday, December 26, 2008

Unexpected Generosity is Evergreen: The Christmas Tree

First published Friday, December 19, 2008 in The Daily Sentinel



My mother claimed victory over cancer 25 years ago by going home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ. If I have any talent in writing, it comes from her. I shared this story last year at Christmas, and I think I will make it my annual Christmas tradition – the sharing of “The Christmas Tree.” Merry Christmas!


They were young; they were poor; and it was almost Christmas. Joe and Mary had experienced more than their share of difficulties that year. Because of Mary’s illness, the doctor bills were eating into their small salary with precious little left over for the necessities — much less the luxuries like Christmas. But there was the child to consider: little Joey was only three, yet surely he deserved some sort of Christmas.

Mary scrimped on the grocery budget and managed to save a tiny sum. Together she and Joe went downtown to the variety store. It was filled to overflowing with dolls, games, trucks and cars. Little Joey’s eyes sparkled as they pushed him up and down the aisles. Then he saw it — the item that captured his heart. It was a small red cowboy hat.

Mary’s own heart leaped for joy! It only cost 98 cents. They could afford the hat, plus a set of toy guns, and still have two dollars left to buy a tree. After all, a little boy needs a tree even if he is only two.

Joe and Mary hurried over to the Christmas tree lot. Silently Mary prayed, “Please God, let us find a tree for only two dollars.” Even back then, that wasn’t very much money with which to buy a tree.

It was nearly Christmas Eve, so they knew the trees would be pretty well picked over. When the family arrived at the tree lot, they discovered only five trees were left. Still, when there are five trees — four must be eliminated.

Alone on the lot, they spent as much time picking out their tree as they would have if a dozen trees were under examination. Finally they chose one of the trees that everyone else had rejected.

Joe’s heart was in his throat as he approached the tent to pay for the tree. He had looked everywhere for a price tag, but found nothing. In fact, there wasn’t a sign anywhere on the Christmas tree lot telling the prices of the trees. Joe looked in the tent, but it was empty. Because it was such a cold day, he thought perhaps the salesman had gone to the drugstore across the street for a cup of coffee.

“Mary, you and Joey wait in the car while I run across the street and pay for the tree,” Joe said. And with those words he was off.

It’s hard not to be excited at Christmas when you’re young, even when you’re poor. So Mary and Joey sang Christmas carols and discussed Santa Claus while they waited.

It didn’t take long for Joe to return. He opened the trunk of the car and placed the scrawny little tree inside. He got into the car. Mary looked at him expectantly. “How much did the tree cost, Joe?”

Slowly a tear slid down Joe’s rough cheek. “Mary, it was free! The man who owns the lot leaves the last few trees each year for those who can’t afford to buy one. Our tree didn’t cost us anything!”

Suddenly they weren’t poor anymore. They had gifts for Joey. They had a Christmas tree. They had two dollars. And they had each other.

That night, after the tree was decorated with their small supply of hand-me-down ornaments, the family admired their handiwork. Joey’s eyes were nearly as bright as the star on top of the tree. The red, blue, green and yellow lights created a soft glow.

Joe and Mary thought their hearts would burst with joy. They reached to one another and gently touched hands. Before long, Joey — being a typical little boy — sat down in the middle between them. They knelt, held hands and bowed their heads while Joe said a prayer.

“Dear God, thank you for Mary and Joey. Thank you for our beautiful Christmas tree. Thank you that you love us and take care of this little family. Thank you for sending Jesus, whose birthday we are celebrating.”

* * *

Years have come and gone. Other children joined the family, and money was never quite so scarce. Joey grew just like a boy must; but somehow he always remembered that special Christmas — the Christmas he, his mama and his daddy knelt before the tree and prayed.

And on Christmas Eve, if you were to visit his home, you’d hear him say, “Let’s all bow our heads now.” Then you’d see three children and their mommy quietly listen as Joey, the man, prays.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Giving

First published on Friday, December 12, 2008 in The Daily Sentinel


Over the last several months, the newspapers, TV and internet have been full of stories talking about our economy. Our government has given billions of dollars to banks and financial services companies. Congress is considering giving billions more to shore up the “big 3” American automotive companies. Speculation is strong that more giving will be required to keep our economy from going even further downhill in 2009.

Churches and charitable institutions are also feeling the pinch because as people become increasingly worried about their personal finances, jobs, etc., they don’t give as much or as often. I’ve already received several letters since Thanksgiving from various organizations asking me to consider a year-end gift to allow them to finish the year strong and prepared for 2009. My own church’s stewardship committee is probably going to send out its own letter to our members asking the same thing.

Christmas is indeed a time for giving. But its often seen more as a time for getting. Consider how we even phrase things about our Christmas giving: “What are you gonna get for Uncle John?” Even our giving is phrased as a getting proposition.

There are some people who want to change this aspect of Christmas. This year, I joined the “Advent Conspiracy” movement. Its goals are simple: Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. Here’s how they describe it:

Worship fully: “It starts with Jesus; it ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. Entering the story of Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.”

Spend less: “How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re asking people to consider buying one less gift this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, but many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: they have been more available to celebrate Christ during the Advent season.”

Give more: “Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found in the mail. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols (or sing Christmas carols badly). Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?”

Love all: “When Jesus loved, he loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked, and the sick. By spending less at Christmas, we have the opportunity to join him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began in just four churches, this simple concept raised more than a half-million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift; one unbelievable present in the name of Christ.”

I offer you an opportunity to challenge your Christmas habits. If Christmas has become dreary instead of joyful, depressing instead of delightful, habitual rather than spontaneous – then join the Advent Conspiracy with me. Do something insignificantly significant for someone else. The “insignificantly” part is usually only from our perspective. The “significant” part is generally from the other’s perspective.

Our general economic principles are based on the idea of scarcity of resources. For one to have means another must be without. Price is based on the demand for what we want in proportion to how badly we want it and how limited its supply. But what if those are false assumptions? What if we could learn to live in an economy based on an attitude of generosity? I think that is what Jesus was driving towards when he spoke about worry:

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:26-33)

Worship fully. Spend less. Give more. Love all. No government bailout required – sounds like the best Christmas plan ever!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Dangerous Christmas

First published Friday, December 5, 2008 in the Daily Sentinel.


Last Sunday marked the beginning of a special time for Christians. Did you catch it? It marked the beginning of the Christian calendar year. Our common calendar has the New Year another month away, but the Christian year begins with Advent, which started last Sunday.

Advent is a time of preparation – preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ. Most of the time, we think about getting ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25th. But that was only Jesus’ FIRST coming. There’s still a SECOND coming to get ready to face.

The Bible tells us about some of the preparations made for both of Jesus’ comings. Isaiah 40 says: “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’”

That prophecy came true through the birth and ministry of John the Baptist. Luke’s gospel opens with God sending the angel Gabriel to visit Zechariah and telling him that he’s about to be a father – and his son will be John, the one who prepares the way for the Lord. But the first words out of the angel’s mouth were these: “Do not be afraid.”

God’s activities started with Isaiah, then continued approximately 700 years later with Zechariah. That’s a long time to prepare! And yet, the first words were “Do not be afraid.”
I think these words are still powerful and resonate with us even after a time gap of 2000 years! It is so easy to be afraid right now. The American economy seems on the verge of collapse. Wars are still being waged in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Terrorists are taking over ritzy hotels in India. Protestors ravaged the Bangkok airport in Thailand. AIDS and starvation are killing thousands every day in Africa. There’s no where safe on the whole planet!

And yet, in the midst of this fear, danger, and disaster – we are still supposed to be prepared for Christ’s coming?! Surely, Christmas is not supposed to be this dangerous!

The popular imagery of Christmas in Bethlehem is safely sanitized. Our Nativity set shows a happy baby lying in a bed of straw. Mother, earthly father, shepherds and wisemen gaze contentedly down upon the child. Cows and camels kneel quietly and softly chew their cud.

I don’t think that is anything like the reality of that situation when it occurred! I’ve seen childbirth first-hand three times – and it’s not easy or peaceful. Newborns don’t look like pleasingly plumb 4-month-olds, and they certainly don’t lay there quietly in any kind of bed.

That first Christmas was dangerous! Mothers and babies often died during childbirth. Diseases were rampant. Fleas and rats and other vermin made their homes in stables and on barnyard animals. Joseph is there having to do a midwife’s job – something he probably never expected to have to do in his life. That coming of Christ was very dangerous – but still the angel’s words ring out: “Do not be afraid!”

No matter how bad things may seem, we do not have to be afraid. Danger is irrelevant to God’s grace. You can give you fears to God and receive the peace of Christ in return. And that’s the best way to prepare for Christ’s SECOND coming, too.

Jesus describes his return in rather scary language: “But in those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” (Mark 13:24-27)

The second coming of Christ will be both a dangerous day and a joyous day. The difference between danger and joy is preparation. What are you doing to be prepared? Can you wholeheartedly accept the angel’s message: “Do not be afraid”?