Merry Christmas

Christmas 2011 has come. The staff of Canada East Mission of Community of Christ would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May the Peace of Jesus Christ rest within your soul and the generous gift of love bless your heart throughout this blessed season of grace.

Carman, Tim, Mike, Melissa, Cheryl, and Jim

Another Perspective

This past weekend, Doug Bolger talked about the need to be sensitive to the Perspective of others and what we can learn from that experience. I find it particularly instructive to listen to children in this way.

At Christmas time, Children's eyes often show the excitement and wonder Christmas and the marvel of the Christmas story. By paying close attention to them, we see what they are learning, perhaps from us, and in the process, we learn a lot from them.

The following link provides a wonderful glimpse into the Children's view of the birth of Jesus. I know you will enjoy it. Click here for a delightful Childhood look at Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the staff and leadership team at Canada East Mission.

Posted by Carman

Pondering

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. (Luke 2:8 NRSV)

There is a lot to think about in the Biblical Christmas story of the shepherds’ encounter with the divine; this event described in such brief but dramatic form in Luke 2:8-20. Whenever I read this, it always gives me pause. To begin with, the text says the shepherds were “living in the fields.” Older versions of scripture use the term “abiding” instead of living. It means the same thing, but somehow “living in the fields” seems more compelling. It definitely catches my attention.

I ask myself, what does it mean to be living in the fields? What is the life of these shepherds like? Are these wandering herdsmen, roaming the hills with their sheep, always looking for good pasture land and water? Do they have backpacks or pack animals to carry their supplies? What predators must they guard against; lions? Robbers? Do they look for a cave to get in out of the weather or do they sleep in a bedroll out under the stars? Do they have tents? Do they take turns sleeping, some in the daytime, some at night?

Are all the shepherds men or are there women shepherds out there too? If they are all men, do they have women at home somewhere? Children? Do they even have a home? What do they eat? Who prepares their food? Do they cook over an open fire? Do they live in the fields all the time or only during certain seasons of the year? Do they ever get time off? How do they bathe or wash their clothes? How often?

None of the answers to these questions are included in Luke’s description. Why is that? Is it because this is a short, summary version (12 verses) of this important event and there is no room for such details? Perhaps it is because such contextual questions were not the point of the story. Or maybe it is because the readers to whom the text was originally written would have known the answers so well the questions did not even arise. Whatever the reason, the daily life experience of the shepherds is not told to us, and we are left to ponder.

The New Jerome Biblical Commentary page 683 contains the following statement about the Shepherds. “...in accord with Luke’s theme of poverty, the shepherds are the lowly. “Mangy, stinking, bathless shepherds are in their ritual uncleanness an encouragement for all who lack religious status” (Danker, Jesus and the New Age 27).” Oh my!

To me, the life of the people in the story matters as I try to understand. Who are these people and what is their life like? To Luke, however, such details are apparently all inconsequential. Luke’s story is that the shepherds are out in the fields, doing their work, living their lives, and in the midst of all that, God breaks in on them. To Luke, it doesn’t matter what their life is like; they are people and they matter to God! Oh...well then... maybe Luke has a point there. And maybe that is the point.

The second last verse of this story says, “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” I totally understand that; there is a lot to ponder here.

Carman

Attawapiskat

There are many things about the birth stories of Jesus I find curious. For example, why does Luke’s gospel place Jesus’ birth in such a humble (not to mention unsanitary) situation while Matthew places this event among the rich and powerful? Of course much has been written about this difference, and those charged with delivering Christmas sermons generally realize the need to discuss one story or the other. Sermons will usually highlight either the wise men or the shepherds; not both unless it is to acknowledge the dichotomy present in the two texts.

Just so that I don’t assume too much, perhaps I should describe the difference in the two texts a little more clearly . In a sentence, Matthew tells us that Jesus lived in a house with Mary and Joseph and was visited by Wise Men who consulted with Kings and brought fine and expensive gifts. Luke, on the other hand, described a birth in a stable with a manger for a crib. Having grown up on a farm myself, I cannot help but think of our smelly stable and the thoroughly chewed, slobbered on and germ laden mangers in the barn.

In the meantime, countless Christmas pageants throughout the Christian parts of the world blend these two narratives together almost seamlessly, and children grow up with a romanticized and thoroughly sanitized story that bears little resemblance to Luke’s reality. It rather reminds me of the difference between the way my privileged, middle class children were raised and the images we are currently seeing on television of the living conditions experienced by children in Attawapiskat and other Northern First Nations communities. It is almost inconceivable that the two are part of the same national, provincial and human experience. My children’s birth would be in line with Matthew’s narrative, while the conditions experienced by infants born in Attawapiskat would be more like those described in Luke, i.e. miserable poverty.

It is tempting here, for me to write, “But setting all that aside,” and go on with what I wanted to say. And therein lies the problem: we want to set aside the images of poverty right here in our own country, and not take action or do anything about it. We see the living conditions but get caught up in our government’s diversionary tactic of raising questions about who is responsible. Why don’t we be responsible? After all, the second Mission Initiative of Community of Christ is to Abolish Poverty and End Suffering. How can we set this aside?

Well, what do we do? First, lets begin by writing or emailing our members of parliament and insisting that this be changed, not just by throwing money at the problem, but by changing the system of paternalism and control that keeps native communities down. Lets do that now! Then lets follow up over the next 20 years to make sure something actually gets done.

Second, I will ask our Peace and Justice committee to give us some further ideas.

Third, we can have a discussion here about what else we can do. This should not be about condemning governments or criticizing First Nations people or managers. It is about ways we can abolish poverty and end suffering. What are your ideas?

Carman

Christmassy!

I am feeling rather Christmassy!. Is that a real word, or did I just make it up to describe the feeling? Probably the latter I think, but no, it turns out it is a real word. According to Dictionary.com and The Oxford Dictionary of Current English, Christmassy is a proper adjective. Well good. Who knew? Over the past few days, I have found myself thinking or using this word more than once.


This feeling is something of a surprise. In recent years, I have gotten around to Christmas late, carrying a busy schedule through to the week of Christmas itself. Somehow that does not accommodate well to sensing the Christmas spirit, does it? So this year, I took advantage of a half day off to put up the Christmas tree early. Out came the glass balls, the icicles, and those special ornaments that have accumulated over the years. Here is that lovely little cardinal given to us by my sister Gayle, the Buck that was a gift from the Nortons at Camp Buckhorn, the ball from the Menzie’s Christmas party at Graceland, and so on. Its not that our decorations are all elegant and beautiful, some are decidedly not, but each is special to me.

And then there are the other special things reserved for this time of year. Here are the various little groupings of angels and the little wooden snowmen, a gift from Teagan that bear a wish for “peace on earth this night,” Here is the little Santa collection and, ahh yes, the (apparently) hand-carved wooden nativity set from Africa. There they are, the wooden Mary and Joseph, the little wooden manger and the tiny wooden baby Jesus, the donkey, the horse, the sheep, the lama (or is it really a camel?), the angel and the five wooden kings with their crowns and gifts. I wonder again that there are five kings and no shepherds. Is there someone somewhere else in the world who has shepherds but no kings?


Last August, a week’s vacation trip took us through Frankenmuth, Michigan, home of Bonner’s famous Christmas store. That resulted in three new pieces to add to the Christmas collection: a lovely glass Christmas ball for the tree, a new centrepiece for the table, and a new “cooking Santa” to make the kitchen a little more festive. Lovely!


Then there are the Christmas books, especially my copy of Frank McCourt’s beloved story of Angela and the Baby Jesus, bought at Borders in San Diego four years ago. (Angela and the Baby Jesus was discussed last year in a What's the Good Word post called Missing. You can read it again here if you wish.)

This morning, the world outside my study is white with freshly fallen snow. I have a choice, I can feel grumpy about it, or I can feel Christmassy. I choose the latter. It is a good thing.

I hope you may also be blessed with feelings you can describe as “Christmassy” this year. It is a good feeling that recalls to memory the special wonder of childhood. Or in the spirit of the little wooden snowmen, “Star light, star bright, wish for Peace, on earth this night.”


Carman

Shopping

The Christmas shopping frenzy is over. The crowds of people, desperately seeking the gifts they hoped would satisfy family and friends finally went home from the stores on December 24th, needing to get those gifts wrapped, labeled and stacked up around the tree just in time for someone else to rip them open on Christmas morning. Then, often in a matter of moments, its all over. The stuff is everywhere, and the wrapping paper, ripped, torn and crumpled, is scattered across the floor.

I found it interesting this year that the television news people, always needing something to talk about, reported steadily that “retail analysts” predicted every nuance of the spending habits of our populace. They could forecast how many transactions would be made per second across the country, how many purchases would be made by Visa or MasterCard, and how much many millions of dollars we would collectively spend. And we did. According to later reports, Canadians exceeded their expectations. Shareholders of all the various companies involved should feel blessed, for we blessed them.

If one stopped and thought about it logically, one might have thought that all that shopping would be enough for a long, long time; certainly for weeks, probably for months, perhaps even for a whole year. Alas, not so. The Christmas shopping frenzy is over, and now the Boxing Week frenzy has begun. In central Canada, one day after the end of this intense month of shopping, we the people are back in the stores, looking for things to buy. This week we will lug home big screen TVs, cameras, crock pots, and who knows what. Store parking lots are full, isles are crowded, “Sale” signs are everywhere, and we “consumers” dutifully respond.

I sometimes wonder what Jesus would make of all this. What would he think of the frenzy of consumption that happens every year, all supposedly in the name of celebrating his birth; a frenzy that, in fact, has nothing to do with him? Somehow I think he would laugh. I imagine some rather sardonic amusement as he shakes his head and makes his way to the shelter to hang out with some people he loves. No frenzy here, just a crowded but warm church basement, a bowl of hot soup, a slice or two of bread, and a friendly smile from those servers who “get it.”

Well, enough of this early morning musing. I had better get dressed and ready to go. After all, the stores will open soon!

Posted by Carman

Welcome

Welcome Jesus, you are welcome
in this world made hard by fear;
loving reach us, living teach us,
Jesus you are welcome here.

Welcome Jesus, you are welcome
in the ghettos we have made;
give the tattered, bruised and battered
winter shelter, summer shade.

Welcome Jesus, you are welcome
with the wealthy and the poor;
give the broken love unspoken,
open wide each prison door.

Welcome Jesus, you are welcome;
let your loving light appear.
In our seeing, in our being,
Jesus you are welcome here.

Daniel Charles Damon
More Voices United
CCLI # 1547669

Posted by Marion

Missing

Something is definitely missing. Oh the lights are up outside the house, the Christmas tree is decorated, the nativity scene is on display and the collection of Santas is out. The beautiful Christmas angel is on her perch atop the tree, and the little wooden snowmen bring their "Wish for Peace on Earth This Night.” But with only a couple of days left before the 25th, something is definitely missing. Something is missing in the house, and I confess, also missing in me.

I sit in the pre-dawn darkness and ponder this stubborn absence. This is not a void like that described in Marion’s post, night, nor is it the result of Christmas tragedy or the overpowering loneliness experienced by so many people this time of year. What is it then? Why, in the midst of all these symbols of Christmas does there still remain this cold hollowness?

It is in the midst of this pondering that I realize I have not yet found my favourite Christmas keeper; Angela and the Baby Jesus. It is in a box stored in "the cold room” along with the other Children’s Christmas books I did not put out this year. I repent and go and find it. Mine is “the little edition meant for big people,” not “the big book meant for little people,” as the author would describe it.

This little book, written by Frank McCourt, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Angela’s Ashes, is the author's retelling of a true story told by his mother. McCourt begins;

When my mother, Angela, was six years old, she felt sorry for the Baby Jesus in the Christmas crib at St. Joseph’s Church near School House Lane where she lived. She thought the Baby Jesus was cold and wondered why no one had put a blanket over his plump little body.

Being all too familiar with being cold and hungry herself, Angela decides to rescue the Baby Jesus, and takes him home where he can be safe and warm. The difficulty arises when her troublesome brother, Pat, discovers her theft, and Father Creigh finds the Baby Jesus missing.

I read the book, and somehow my personal void begins to recede. Would that it were always so easy! Would that reading this little volume could do the same for everyone who finds that something is missing in their heart or home this time of year!

The symbolism is not lost on me. At the risk of being altogether too simplistic, perhaps this little story contains a key. Is it possible that we each need to take the Baby Jesus, wherever and however we find him, into our homes and hearts, to warm him and so ourselves be warmed?

It is the invitation of Christmas, so charmingly captured by the closing lines of the story.

“You can put him back in his little cradle now,” he said in a low gentle way.

“But he’ll be cold,” said Little Angela.

“Ah, no,” said Father Creagh. “When we’re not here his mother, Our Lady, makes sure he’s nice and warm.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

When she put the Baby Jesus back in the crib, he smiled the way he always did and held out his arms to the world.

Posted by Carman

Solutions

Here is a link to a "golden oldie"-- that is, a blog post from a year ago!

I've noticed how many of you have been inspired this week to share stories of what YOUR congregation is doing to be a solution for someone: needy families, third world children, kids with cold hands and folks who just need some extra spaghetti in the pantry.

And I was reminded of that year-old blog post suggesting that we not toss ALL the requests for help that come our way at this Christmas season. For some of them, we can actually be part of the solution! Keep your stories coming. Post in the Comments. We love to read what you're up to.

Bless you for your generosity.

Posted by Marion

Wrap

This past Sunday afternoon, our beloved little community known as Fired Up met for a party. In addition to visiting, playing games, drinking pop/juice and eating cookies, this was a wrapping party. That is a wrapping party, not a rapping party. In other words, the community gathered to wrap gifts, not to rap lyrics. (Smile!)

The wrapping party was organized to sort, group, and box or bag an assortment of gifts that were purchased two weeks ago at an earlier Fired Up event. The selection included items such as socks, mitts, hats, toiletries, children’s books, and even a few baby clothes. The recipients of these gifts are people who have never heard of Fired Up, or perhaps even Community of Christ. The recipients will be homeless youth or others who are in need. I do not know their circumstances, but I am certain they will each appreciate that someone, somewhere, cares.

Of course this is not the first time Fired Up has done this kind of project, but it is encouraging to see the group starting out in such a positive direction. Their desire to reach out and bless the lives of people in the surrounding community is not only heartening but exciting in its own small way. If every Christian congregation had the same desire, it would definitely make our communities better places for all to live, and probably go a long way towards relieving some of the negative stereotypes many people have of Christians and churches.

Each of us are in the process of living out our Christian discipleship, and it is easier to do that when we work together with our community/congregation. In addition to providing encouragement and support, we can celebrate our successes together. If your congregation is doing something to bless or help people who live nearby this Christmas, would you be willing to share that story here? Just click on the comments button and tell the rest of us what is going on? After all, it is almost Christmas, so lets wrap (or rap)!

Posted by Carman

Surprise

Brydges Street church was full on Sunday. Apostle Susan was in town. She had taught classes the day before, told stories of her adventures and travels the previous evening, shared her testimony in the 10:00 a.m. hour, and now was the guest speaker for the morning communion service. At least one neighbouring church had closed for the day so their people could come and hear the Apostle speak. She did not disappoint.

She began by inviting the children to come and help. The children in this congregation are used to being fully included in worship, and I suspect Susan was surprised at how many came forward to help dramatize Isaiah's ancient vision of peace and cooperation. Suddenly the planned story was transformed as the lion became several lions, the wolf became wolves, the goat became goats and so on. It was magical.

There was something wonderful about this experience of a "gathered" community. Having the church all decorated for Christmas and filled with people expecting a good worship experience felt like something of a throwback to an earlier time. Somehow I found it a little surprising. Isn’t it interesting that we (or at least I) have grown accustomed to churches not being full any more and find it surprising when they are?

I also found myself surprised that one special guest can still draw a crowd. Even more significant in a wonderful way is that people invited friends to come and hear this special guest. Not only did they come, but they were glad they did. Folks reported having felt blessed by being present. Some of these were people who have not attended church in years. Some had moved on to other churches in search of something more fulfilling. Sadly that something had reportedly not been found elsewhere, and this special event drew them back again. Some apparently found themselves refreshed, renewed, and surprised. Remarkable!

I am not entirely sure what to make of this occurrence; I don't know if it is a one-time anomaly or a new trend, but I find it hopeful and encouraging. Christmas or not, I think we need to invite Apostle Susan to come as often as she can. And most of all, we need to continue to extend the invitation to others to come.

May you also be blessed with wonder and surprise, and may your Christmas heart be filled today.

Posted by Carman

Season

It is upon us! 'Tis the season!

By any number of markers, it has indeed arrived. The first was probably the commercials on tv, quickly followed by the heavier and heavier piles of paper being delivered to our doorstep. Somewhere in there might be a few pages of news, but mostly it's ads for every potential gift imaginable--and some not so imaginable. (Who gives a furnace filter or bulk meat to show seasonal regard?) Conversation these days is typically some version of "Can you believe they're advertising so early? Does it get earlier every year?"

And of course it doesn't. We're right on schedule. Thoughts of gift giving, office parties, play rehearsals, choir practices, menu planning, tree buying, decorating, shopping, baking, holiday letter writing line up on our "To Do" lists. Festive songs get loaded into cd players, play lists, whatever. Santa lists are being compiled. School parties or seasonal concerts fill up calendar slots. How many things must be done and how can priorities be juggled to fit everything in? How many lists are you working on?

Some of us are trying to find extra time to plan critical parts of important Advent worship--reading, praying, preaching, drama, song. Our challenge may be to find something new to say about something very, very old. How to cast the old, old story in a way that's fresh or different? Or are you the one who loves everything exactly the same old way?

What are your thoughts as we enter this season? Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Four opportunities to slow down for some moments of rest on the race to the finish line. To remember those simple but very profound words that shape our mission, and for just now, that shape our season. Peace, hope, joy, love!

I'm going to try to let those words shape my season. It's too easy to get swept up in the frenzy and to forget what matters most. How are you doing? What are the elements of the season that give you peace, hope, joy and love? Are they the old ones or have you found something new to be excited about?

How do you plan to deal with the challenges of the season? Any tips to share?
Let me wish you all the best of the Season!

Posted by Marion

Christmas

Friends,

As December moves irrepressibly towards the 25th and beyond, we humans find ourselves faced with a wide array of feelings and emotions. The evidence of these feelings is everywhere, especially in the faces and behaviors of those we meet. For some especially fortunate children, there is excitement about what presents Christmas may bring. For too many parents, there is anxiety because there is little or no money with which to buy gifts for their children. For others, Christmas brings with it feelings of sadness, loneliness and anxiety as memories flood in of losses that have occurred at this time of year. The first Christmas without a certain member of the family is often a cause for considerable stress. For most of us, there is the push to decorate the house, put up the tree, go shopping…the list goes on and on.

It is interesting to consider the juxtaposition of the many, many stresses that Christmas seems to bring us with the angel message to the Shepherds given so long ago. According to Luke, the Angels proclaimed only two things.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth Peace among those whom he favors.” -Luke 2:14 (NRSV)

That’s it! No trees, no Christmas lights, no presents, no hustle and bustle; just glory to God and Peace to God’s people.

As Christmas, 2009 now dawns upon us, our prayer for you is that you will take time for these two precious elements in your own life. Christmas still gives us a chance to sense God’s glory and experience peace because of God’s favor (blessing). It is not found in the department store, under the tree, or in the tinsel, but is found in the stillness of that blessed Christmas night. Even in 2009, it can be found in lowly circumstances and heard in a baby’s cry.

May the peace of Christ and the Glory of God fill your heart this Christmas season.

Carman Thompson and all the staff at Canada East Mission