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I grew up in church but the idea of celebrating Advent was something that “those other churches did.” I didn’t necessarily think it was wrong, I just didn’t understand what it was about. Advent celebration is not a Biblical mandate, it is a human invention that helps us think about the incarnation as we anticipate the Christmas Holiday. We don’t have to be afraid of human inventions. Sunday School is a human invention and it has, in most cases, provided a wealth of Bible content that has helped in the renewal of the mind. Advent celebration, whether facilitated in the church or the home is a way to keep our thoughts on the most incredible moment in history rather than on commercialism and/or empty tradition. The stores are humming with Christmas music and the displays are set up. Black Friday sales are starting earlier and earlier. Family arrangements are being made with expectation and a fair amount of tension. The budgets get budged and the waists get bulged and some are longing for the whole thing to be over before it gets started. Into this, the church brings a remembrance of a baby that was God. The Creator became creation. The Infinite took on finitude. The Holy One was born in a barn. A silent night, a holy night…angels singing, shepherds bringing, wise men traveling from afar. There is so much beauty and goodness and real life in this story. There’s drama, intrigue, murder, disappointment and celebrative exaltation…just like life. There is something in this Advent celebration for all of us. So, we’ll be working our way through Luke chapter 1 over the next four weeks ending up with the Nativity Story from Luke 2 on Christmas Sunday. I hope you’ll join us and bring a friend. The gospel is central to this story; let’s be praying that many will hear the Spirit’s invitation and leave with the greatest gift of all.
It was quite a week in the home of the brave and the land of the free. People were sad, numb, afraid and euphoric. Some people actually believed they had “won” something. I hate to burst any bubbles…no, actually I would like to burst some bubbles. It’s hard for me to see what happened on Tuesday as “a win.” I cannot see how a nation split down the middle is a win. I cannot see the erosion of decency, the mockery of values and mean-spirited stereotyping of voters as a win. Furthermore, I do not see that anything that happened on Tuesday was ultimately a win for the church, the gospel, the weak, the hurting or the poor. I am shocked that so many people think that the occupant of the White House actually has control over the things that matter most. I would say this regardless of who “won” the election. The fact is, the greater Greenville community is going to flourish or languish because of what we do (or do not do) in God’s power as a church. I don’t mean Calvary exclusively for we are only a small part of the Church in this area. There are many local congregations and agencies that continue to be purveyors of kindness, assistance, food and most importantly, hope. For example, babies will be saved because we teach the sanctity of human life, provide foster care and resolve to establish a culture of adoption. Alpha Family Center is meeting people “where they are” providing basic necessities and counsel that promotes life and living. Lincoln Lake Camp is providing instruction and experiences that offer children, teens and adults an alternative to the drift of this culture. Straight Street, Randy’s House and Have Mercy are serving the addicted and the homeless to assist them from self-destruction to life-giving lives. WingShadow is providing opportunities for true intimacy with God that results in a flourishing inner life. The Great Commandment has nothing to do with political machinery; it has everything to do with our love for our Creator and love for our fellow man. When people love God and each other, that’s a win—a win over the world, the flesh and the devil. Let’s not forget who the enemy is. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came that we might have life…life abundant! God has made “this Jesus” both Lord and Christ. It is Jesus that died, was buried and raised up for our justification. It is Jesus that is exalted at the right hand of the Father. It is Jesus that will return to establish His Kingdom and it is Jesus alone that is worthy of all honor, praise and glory. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we worship the One who had the most stunning victory of all time…and that win is no illusion!
