I know it's old news, but I wrote this for the local paper just after we, and our neighbour to the south, had their big elections. As I had temporarily forgotten about this blog and didn't post it I figured I'd put it up now in case anybody cares.
I don't know if you could help but get caught up in the happenings of the election campaigns of the past few months, both here in Canada and in the United States. Last week Barak Obama made history by being the first black man elected president. There were also many younger voters who seem to have been influenced by Obama's message of hope and change. Hope-fully the changes he talked about and promised will come about and the people who were engaged by his message won't be disappointed.
Only a month ago we were in the midst of our own election campaign. I voted at one of the early polls because I was on vacation with my family on election day. We were in Florida and on the day after our election I surfed the channels through all the news programs trying to hear something about the results of Canada's election. I didn't hear a single thing. I had to phone my parents to find out what happened up here. What I heard was that nothing really changed.
Sure, we have a new member of parliament from a different party representing our riding. A few more women MPs have been elected and are now serving in cabinet. The number of seats held by each party shifted a little here and there. But the overall picture didn't change much. The parties are in the same places in parliament. The governing party is still a minority government. We went through those weeks of campaigning, the parties and Elections Canada spent millions of dollars on this election, and nothing really changed.
It's frustrating for me, to see the vast sums of money that are spent on certain things, in this case on election campaigns, when there is so much need in our world and in our own communities. Shortly before the American election Barak Obama spent millions of dollars on a half hour television spot in prime time that was almost like an info-mercial. I couldn't help but wonder how many poor, hungry people could be fed with that money. How much medication could be sent to help the sick and suffering in the developing world.
I realize there are always trade-offs. These days you have to spend large sums of money to get elected, at least in the American presidential campaigns. For a politician to have influence and get elected and have the opportunity to do good for the poor he or she needs to spend a lot of money just to get into that position, money that could do a lot of good if spent in other ways.
In the Bible the prophets were often very critical of those in power who didn't care for the poor. A king was often described as a shepherd who was to care for his flock, the people he was ruling. There were very few "good" shepherds of the people. Eventually Jesus came, God's chosen one, to show the world what God's good rule looked like. He was the Good Shepherd who went so far as to give his life for the sheep, for every one of us.
In our church we pray, almost every Sunday, for the world's leaders and those in power. An example of such a prayer says, "God of every nation, you enfold all peoples, tribes, and languages in your care. Give your grace to all who govern, that peace would prevail among all of earth's inhabitants." Another says, "Righteous God, you call us to reflect your righteousness in all our living. Give to the leaders of the nations that right judgment in all things, that they may govern fairly and justly all people of the earth." Our prayers aren't just wishful thinking. We pray that God's will be done and we trust that it will happen. We continue to pray but we don't just sit back and wait. We participate in God's work in the world. We work for peace. We strive for justice. We advocate for fairness. And many people of faith participate in government and work to make the world a better place.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, bless the public servants in the government, that they may do their work win a spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. Help them use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote our common life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
This is what I hurriedly put together yesterday for our newsletter. It's not like I don't know we put out a newsletter but I always seem to leave it to the last minute.
God comes down. Christ arrives. He enters creation as every human ever has. It's a common thing. It happens all the time. But anyone who has ever given birth, or been present at the birth of a child, knows that there's nothing common about it. But this birth is even more uncommon because here is God.
But this baby is still a baby. He's born in a stable. He's laid in a manger. And who on this earth knows that there's anything special about this child? Mary knows, and Joseph, those who heard and believed the promises. And I know, and you. By faith we are present at the birth of our Lord and Saviour.
Tradition tells us that Mary was a very young mother. Finding no room in the village inn they are forced to bed down in a stable. Joseph scoops up some clean straw and makes a bed for Mary, as comfortable a bed as he can, stretching out a blanket for her to lay on. The time comes for her to deliver her child. The sounds and the pain of giving birth are the same as for any child. Joseph with his rough, thick carpenters hands becomes the midwife.
The pain of giving life ebbs and flows for Mary and suddenly there is release. Joseph's breathing checks in his throat as tears come to his eyes. He wipes baby Jesus clean and gives him to his mother. She wraps the swaddling cloths around his body as she kisses his face. She is tired. Jesus is tired. She lays him on clean straw using a rough feeding trough for a cradle. She strokes his cheek with the back of one finger. Then she lays back down, closes her eyes, and sleeps.
It's easy to romanticize the scene. The nativity scenes that we set up in our homes and churches are usually very beautiful but probably not very realistic. What would the situation be like in our day?
A young couple arrives in town. They don't have much money. The motel they could afford has the NO VACANCY sign lit. They ask if there's any place they might stay. The only option is a corner of the parking garage. The husband finds some cardboard boxes and old sheets of plywood in the alley that he props up to give them some privacy. The wife is pregnant and goes into labour. They don't know where the hospital is, and it's too late anyway. The baby is born in the parking garage. The father takes his best white shirt out of his suitcase to wrap up the newborn baby. They lay him in a cardboard box, pillowed by some towels. Mother and child fall asleep while father stays up through the night protecting them.
It's not quite the sanitized picture of our manger scenes and children's storybooks. But it might not be far from the mark. The cantata that the choir will sing on Christmas Eve includes a piece titled "No Candle Was There." No candle was there and no fire, in the stable where Jesus was born, in the stall where our Savour was laid ‘til the rosy red breaking of morn; for the Christchild and Saviour no light, and never a candle to burn.
This is how our God came down. He didn't tear open the sky and reveal his splendour and might. That would have likely been terrifying. Instead he appeared as a baby, a poor baby at that, and was laid in a manger. It was hardly an auspicious beginning. But this baby boy came to save the world, to liberate us and establish everlasting justice and mercy. Angels sang. All of creation rejoiced. Lowly shepherds were the first to hear the news. In this baby the creator of the universe was present. And Mary and Joseph named him Jesus meaning "the one who saves."
And now we gather each Christmas to celebrate. We pull out all the stops, ring the chimes, sing at the top of our voices. Because the one who came down all those years ago still comes down. We remember, and we give thanks. We join the song of the angels. And we witness again the miracle of grace that slept on a bed of straw in a lowly manger, and we pray for that same heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
God comes down. Christ arrives. He enters creation as every human ever has. It's a common thing. It happens all the time. But anyone who has ever given birth, or been present at the birth of a child, knows that there's nothing common about it. But this birth is even more uncommon because here is God.
But this baby is still a baby. He's born in a stable. He's laid in a manger. And who on this earth knows that there's anything special about this child? Mary knows, and Joseph, those who heard and believed the promises. And I know, and you. By faith we are present at the birth of our Lord and Saviour.
Tradition tells us that Mary was a very young mother. Finding no room in the village inn they are forced to bed down in a stable. Joseph scoops up some clean straw and makes a bed for Mary, as comfortable a bed as he can, stretching out a blanket for her to lay on. The time comes for her to deliver her child. The sounds and the pain of giving birth are the same as for any child. Joseph with his rough, thick carpenters hands becomes the midwife.
The pain of giving life ebbs and flows for Mary and suddenly there is release. Joseph's breathing checks in his throat as tears come to his eyes. He wipes baby Jesus clean and gives him to his mother. She wraps the swaddling cloths around his body as she kisses his face. She is tired. Jesus is tired. She lays him on clean straw using a rough feeding trough for a cradle. She strokes his cheek with the back of one finger. Then she lays back down, closes her eyes, and sleeps.
It's easy to romanticize the scene. The nativity scenes that we set up in our homes and churches are usually very beautiful but probably not very realistic. What would the situation be like in our day?
A young couple arrives in town. They don't have much money. The motel they could afford has the NO VACANCY sign lit. They ask if there's any place they might stay. The only option is a corner of the parking garage. The husband finds some cardboard boxes and old sheets of plywood in the alley that he props up to give them some privacy. The wife is pregnant and goes into labour. They don't know where the hospital is, and it's too late anyway. The baby is born in the parking garage. The father takes his best white shirt out of his suitcase to wrap up the newborn baby. They lay him in a cardboard box, pillowed by some towels. Mother and child fall asleep while father stays up through the night protecting them.
It's not quite the sanitized picture of our manger scenes and children's storybooks. But it might not be far from the mark. The cantata that the choir will sing on Christmas Eve includes a piece titled "No Candle Was There." No candle was there and no fire, in the stable where Jesus was born, in the stall where our Savour was laid ‘til the rosy red breaking of morn; for the Christchild and Saviour no light, and never a candle to burn.
This is how our God came down. He didn't tear open the sky and reveal his splendour and might. That would have likely been terrifying. Instead he appeared as a baby, a poor baby at that, and was laid in a manger. It was hardly an auspicious beginning. But this baby boy came to save the world, to liberate us and establish everlasting justice and mercy. Angels sang. All of creation rejoiced. Lowly shepherds were the first to hear the news. In this baby the creator of the universe was present. And Mary and Joseph named him Jesus meaning "the one who saves."
And now we gather each Christmas to celebrate. We pull out all the stops, ring the chimes, sing at the top of our voices. Because the one who came down all those years ago still comes down. We remember, and we give thanks. We join the song of the angels. And we witness again the miracle of grace that slept on a bed of straw in a lowly manger, and we pray for that same heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
sleep in heavenly peace.
I'm Back
Okay. So at least one person is reading this blog. Here's a MEME I found at LutherPunk's blog.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real. We always go and cut one at a tree farm on the Saturday of Advent 3. That's this Saturday!
3. When do you put up the tree? See #2. We decorate the house (well mostly my wife decorates the house) for the beginning of Advent of December 1, whichever comes first.
4. When do you take the tree down? After Epiphany.
5. Do you like eggnog? I can take it or leave it. It's not something I crave or have to buy when I see it in the store.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't even recall specific gifts that I received as a child, but I was always happy.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My wife.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Any of my kids.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. A few actually.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Don't really do the card thing.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't mind clothes and my tastes in clothing aren't too picky, but sometimes you've got to wonder, "What was s/he thinking?"
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? That's a tough one. We've got so many Christmas movies that it's hard to fit them all in during Advent and the 12 days of Christmas. We've got 4 favourites that we reserve for the 4 Sundays in Advent: Going My Way, The Bells of St. Mary's, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually late November. My wife does most of the Christmas shopping and sometimes she'll start in January.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The Christmas cookies that my wife and mother bake that you just don't get at any other time of year.
16. Lights on the tree? I really don't understand the question. What's the alternative?
17. Favorite Christmas song? My grade school music teacher taught us a distinction between Christmas carols (religious theme) and Christmas songs (non-religious). So my favourite Christmas song would probably be "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting...) and it would have to be Nat "King" Cole's version.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Family is all within about an hour's drive. I don't call that travel.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner (or Donder), Blitzen, and of course Rudy.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither. We put a Spitze on (one of those pointy things with a couple of balls at the base)
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve. Santa brings the presents while we're at church. We come home, open all our presents, relax a bit before we have to go back to church for the late service.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It's too busy. With parties, family obligations, extra church functions, children's concerts and pageants at school, etc., there's hardly a quiet moment at home with family.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We look for a new "I Love Lucy" ornament every year for my wife. They're kind of fun.
24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? I never get tired of the big turkey. And the gravy my wife makes from the pan drippings and white wine is yummy.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? No special wishes. I still like getting toys, so a good video game or two would be fun.
If you're actually reading this and feel like doing this, consider yourself tagged.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real. We always go and cut one at a tree farm on the Saturday of Advent 3. That's this Saturday!
3. When do you put up the tree? See #2. We decorate the house (well mostly my wife decorates the house) for the beginning of Advent of December 1, whichever comes first.
4. When do you take the tree down? After Epiphany.
5. Do you like eggnog? I can take it or leave it. It's not something I crave or have to buy when I see it in the store.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't even recall specific gifts that I received as a child, but I was always happy.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My wife.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Any of my kids.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. A few actually.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Don't really do the card thing.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't mind clothes and my tastes in clothing aren't too picky, but sometimes you've got to wonder, "What was s/he thinking?"
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? That's a tough one. We've got so many Christmas movies that it's hard to fit them all in during Advent and the 12 days of Christmas. We've got 4 favourites that we reserve for the 4 Sundays in Advent: Going My Way, The Bells of St. Mary's, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually late November. My wife does most of the Christmas shopping and sometimes she'll start in January.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? The Christmas cookies that my wife and mother bake that you just don't get at any other time of year.
16. Lights on the tree? I really don't understand the question. What's the alternative?
17. Favorite Christmas song? My grade school music teacher taught us a distinction between Christmas carols (religious theme) and Christmas songs (non-religious). So my favourite Christmas song would probably be "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts roasting...) and it would have to be Nat "King" Cole's version.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Family is all within about an hour's drive. I don't call that travel.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner (or Donder), Blitzen, and of course Rudy.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither. We put a Spitze on (one of those pointy things with a couple of balls at the base)
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve. Santa brings the presents while we're at church. We come home, open all our presents, relax a bit before we have to go back to church for the late service.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It's too busy. With parties, family obligations, extra church functions, children's concerts and pageants at school, etc., there's hardly a quiet moment at home with family.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? We look for a new "I Love Lucy" ornament every year for my wife. They're kind of fun.
24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? I never get tired of the big turkey. And the gravy my wife makes from the pan drippings and white wine is yummy.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? No special wishes. I still like getting toys, so a good video game or two would be fun.
If you're actually reading this and feel like doing this, consider yourself tagged.
Monday, December 08, 2008
WOW!
It's been a long time since I blogged here. It's not a surprise. I know I haven't been posting. I've been wondering if I should give up entirely. I don't want to take the time to blog frequently. I don't know if I should continue my infrequent posting or not. I'm not even sure if anyone reads this thing. If they did they probably quit since I haven't posted in over 3 months.
Oh well.
Oh well.
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