John's Nativity Story ...

I'm looking out the window of the sliding door to the deck onto the scene of snow falling on the trees and the pond. I can see the reflection of the lights of the Christmas tree on the glass. As I do, I'm considering my options -- do we watch "White Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman," "Home Alone," or the local weather channel? I think that Ralphie, the Red Ryder BB gun, and the "Christmas Story" might just win. Maybe it will be "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas."

I rejoice that families behave like families at this time of year. That we make and collect memories, tell the old stories, and get nostalgic over decorations, trees, and traditions. If nothing else happened, it would still be worth celebrating this outpouring of kindness once a year. But there is an amazing reality that sits just below the decorations, the celebrations, the music, and the giving.

In the Gospel of John we read ..."the Word became flesh and dwelt among us ..." (John 1:14). The scope of what John wrote is amazing because he also tells us that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1). John has just told us that the Creator chose to live among us. That is the Nativity story distilled down to its most fundamental truth -- that God chose to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ.

I'm so happy that the other Gospel writers tell us about Mary, Joseph, the angel, the trip to Bethlehem. About the magi, about Anna, about Simeon, about Elizabeth, and about the shepherds. They gave us a way to comprehend the humanity of Jesus' birth and love the humility of it all.

I have wondered why the apostle John didn't tell us more of the birth of His Lord. After all, Jesus committed Mary to John's care ..."Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, here is your mother. From that time on, the disciple took her into his home." (John 19:26-27). John most certainly knew all of the stories that Mary hid in her heart. So why is John's Nativity story so different?

I am convinced that John knew that Matthew, Mark and Luke had given us the baby Jesus in their Nativity accounts. John wanted us to take our comprehension of the baby Jesus one step further. John wanted us breathless at the manger. He wanted us to be, like the prophet Isaiah, "undone" in the presence of the Holy One.

I love God's style. He gives us a heart message -- the story of the baby Jesus who we can all love because it speaks to our love of our own children -- and a head message that captures our imaginations. He wants our hearts and our heads, and He feeds both.

So, as you celebrate this amazing intervention of the Word into the world, hold your family especially close -- make a memory. And think about the deepest blessing of this season ... that He dwelt among us.

Keep the faith.

The Forgotten Man at the Manger ...

Christmas brings lots of memories -- family gatherings, watching "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Carol," and the "Christmas Story" are all near the top. They remind us of the blessings of family and how precious it is to spend this season with the ones we love. It's also a season to remember the One whose birth we celebrate. It is so easy to get caught up in the cards, the shopping, the decorating, the parties and figuring out exactly how far our budget can stretch that we can forget just what we celebrate.

There are moments when it does come back into focus -- when we think about that night when there was no room at the inn. That night when, in the words of John's gospel, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14) I'm not sure that the Christmas creche is exactly right with shepherds, angels and wise men collecting in the stable on the same night. Matthew's gospel tells us that the wise men came to the house where the child was staying (Matthew 2:11), but I am sure that Joseph was present when Jesus was born.

Joseph amazes me -- he was asked to trust Mary who told him what must have seemed to be an impossible story. He had no visit from an angel to calm his fears or settle his doubts, and yet he stood by Mary protecting her and the Baby who would save them both. All that Joseph had was his love for Mary, and a dream (Matthew 1:20). I wonder how many of us would be willing to set aside our pride, our doubts and our hurts because of a dream that told us ... "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife ... that the child is of the Holy Spirit ... and that you shall call his name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."

Somehow in all of our remembrance of Bethlehem, the inn with no room, the shepherds, Mary, the cattle trough, and the Magi Joseph seems to slip quietly into the background. I have come to appreciate the rare gift of humility that he demonstrates -- just do the loving and right thing even if no one sees it. But Joseph received an honor that the rest of us can only imagine -- he was chosen to protect Mary and Jesus, to provide a home for them, and to love that holy baby. What an awesome reward!

This song, written by Michael Card, is the only Christmas song that looks to Joseph and opens up the heart of that father. Think of this as an early Christmas gift -- I hope it gets you into the real Christmas spirit.

Keep the faith!

Follow me ...

Last Thursday I visited an old friend who is now in hospice care. I had the privilege of joining more than 20 other men who know and love Lloyd. The men were all part of a Bible study that Lloyd taught for many years. The men came to minister to him, but Lloyd remained that faithful minister of grace that he has been for so long. He had a word of encouragement for each and every man there, he shared his hope for a cure, and his confidence that His Lord was waiting to say ... Well done, good and faithful servant.

Lloyd did not forget that it was grace that saved him and that it is grace that leads him home. Each time Lloyd spoke, the words of Scripture were on his lips. When you spent time with Lloyd, it was clear what a radically transformed life really is -- it is filled with grace, love, and peace. Everyone who knew him has the same description -- Lloyd is Jesus' gentle giant.

When I think about Lloyd, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's advice to the church at Corinth -- Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) This picture of a boat sailing on Narragansett bay at sunset so perfectly illustrates this -- you will note that there is a small boat being towed by the sailboat, following in its wake. For many, it has been a great blessing to ride along in that little boat following in the wake of this gentle giant.

Two days before the visit our Church Board and Deacons unanimously appointed Lloyd an Honorary Deacon. I am certain that no one has ever deserved the title more -- deacons were first appointed in the Jerusalem church to serve God's people. I don't know anyone who has been a more joyful servant.

Well done, my friend. I'm proud to sail in your wake.

Keep the faith!

New Again

Butterflies have long been symbols of rebirth and renewal -- their lives include metamorphosis changing from one form to another, sometimes appearing more dead than alive only to reveal after the final cocoon stage the magnificent creature that the Father designed. When we look at a butterfly, we can see the immense creativity that His hands possess.

Recently, I heard a song that brings into very sharp focus the One who is the ultimate model of renewal. The Lamb that was slain and sits upon the throne of heaven. It's part of an MP3 Christmas album by Sara Evans and is a duet with Brad Paisley. In this marvelous song, there is an amazing dialog between Jesus and Mary.

Always remember, because He became "new again" on Easter Sunday, His promise that He will give eternal life to all those who trust Him is something that we can believe and build our lives upon. We can become "new again" too.

Listen to the song and let His love speak to you

Keep the faith.

Richard

they that wait ...

On Columbus Day weekend, we spent an afternoon in Gloucester Harbor taking in the sights which includes a 2001 stature that honors the wives of the fishermen who have sailed out of Gloucester and never returned. It reminds all of us of the courage of these women who have, for centuries, accepted the risks, raised kids and displayed that quiet strength that's all about doing the right thing because it is the right thing. There is no movie like The Perfect Storm that chronicles their lives. Only their families know.

There is a second statue, an older statue, erected in 1923, that celebrates the courage of the fishermen who sailed from Gloucester harbor from 1623 to the present. The names of 5368 men who are known to be lost at sea, who never came home, are listed on bronze plaques that surround the statue of a fisherman at the wheel. The names tell the story of the immigrants who came to this corner of New England to make a life in the schooners and dories of Gloucester. It is a testimony of men who could pray, "Oh Lord, Your sea is so great; and my boat is so small."

Each of us faces an uncertain tomorrow. No one has been promised tomorrow, and we do not know the challenges that it may bring. Jesus told us "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34). He challenges us to live each day one at time and to trust our heavenly Father for the needs of today and tomorrow. It is a willingness to wait upon the Lord that gives us real strength and a confidence that even though the sea is so great and our boat is so small, His eye is upon us.

The prophet Isaiah encouraged the children of Israel at a dark time with these words. They remind us of where our sufficiency is and where our confidence must be anchored.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Keep the faith!

Memorial Sunset

This weekend we spent a lovely afternoon in Plymouth and acted like tourists. We saw the sights and took the harbor cruise which I highly recommend. As we were returning to the dock, we saw the Forefathers Memorial from the deck of the ship as it overlooks the city. After taking yet another look at Plymouth Rock, the statue of Massasoit and the statue of Governor William Bradford (one of Candace's ancestors), we took the short drive up to Memorial Park. This was the image that greeted me -- a memorial silhouetted against the sunset. The Lord is so gracious to us as He shows us the work of His hands painting the perfect backdrop for this moment.

When you get a bit closer, you can see that the large figure that crowns the monument is Faith who is surrounded by statues representing Liberty, Morality, Education and Law. Candace and I were both amazed by this vision and understanding that Faith is the crowning achievement of our forefathers and it rests upon the virtues of liberty, morality, education and law. That it is not a thing apart, but the outcome. It is worth recognizing that liberty is not separated from morality, education and law. It is also compelling that these very American virtues are so intertwined.

Faith depends upon the liberty to follow your conscience; it is the outcome of a desire to know the truth (education); it is the fruit of a desire to live according to the truth (morality) and it learns from the law. Candace and I wondered if such a monument (this one was erected in the 1890's) could be built today or if political correctness would mute such a statement.

This memorial honors the Pilgrims and the faith that drove them to seek a new land where they might see the Gospel lived out. While it is a lovely thing to honor those brave men and women, we should not forget that the reward that they desired most was to hear these words when they passed on from this life ... Well done, good and faithful servant ...

Keep the faith

when you're out of step ...

While we were on vacation in Dennisport I spent some time watching sandpipers on the beach. They ran into and out of the waves as they were searching for a bit of food buried under the sand. They shared their beach with several ducks and sandcastle "architects." It didn't seem to matter to them that we were loitering about their home; they just kept doing lunch.

Unless you've been fully off the grid for the last few weeks, it's hard to escape noticing that the debate over health care has become heated with lots of misinformation from both sides of the issue. When you listen, you can't help but hear a lot of fear and frustration bubbling to the top. So much of the public debate has become rude that I wonder if anyone is listening anymore. Sometimes you feel like you've landed in a country where being gentle is considered a sign of weakness. Jesus didn't think so "... learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29

As I've watched the process, I am reminded of a group of people who were exiled from their homes and were struggling with how to live in a strange land where they could no longer sing the songs of Zion. The prophet Jeremiah gave them this word from the Lord ... This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

God calls us to pray for the peace and prosperity of our nation even when it isn't feeling like home. He calls us to be about living, to be productive and to seek His blessing for the nation, especially when the politics and policies aren't your first choice. I suspect if we prayed with the same intensity that the town hall meetings have demonstrated, we'd see revival fall. Let's bring the passion into the prayer closet and see what God can do. As the old song says ... His eye is on the sandpiper, and I know He watches me.

Keep the faith