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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"I See Christmas Everywhere"
December 3, 2008
Christmas has arrived in southeastern Connecticut. I first noticed it in the
midst of the rain and gloom last weekend. I was driving down I-95 to New
Haven when I switched my radio to WBMW and began listening to one
carol after another. From "Silver Bells" to "O Holy Night" the station carried
me away and left me with a warm feeling of peace and joy. There was
something special in those words.
As I plowed through the rain I realized just how brutal the last few months
were on all of us. Hope and good news were in short supply. The dark
clouds of bankruptcy and bailouts, of rising prices and falling investments
hung over us. Even the election of a new President, with all the hope that
surrounded his victory, seemed to be stumbling along and losing
momentum. I asked myself, "Where is the hope? Will things ever turn
around?"
I carried these thoughts with me into the sanctuary of the Noank Baptist
Church. I was there for a performance George Frederic Handel's "Messiah."
After just a few minutes I realized this was just what I needed. Actually it is
what we all need. As the chorus sang "For unto us a child was born" it
struck me that this was the good news in the midst of the storm.
The Christmas story reminds us that Jesus, the light of the world, came to
show us that God still loves us and that He cares. This is the message of
Christmas. It is a message of hope and salvation. As I began to look around,
I saw acts of love and compassion all around me. I saw Christmas
everywhere I turned. It was as if my eyes had been opened and the light
had been turned on.
For example Christmas is here for a family in Eastern Connecticut. This
family is going to be the beneficiary of Ty Pennington's Extreme Makeover.
Colchester's Bruce Hayn and his crew of volunteers will be a part of it as
they give of their time, expertise and talents to build a new home for one of
our neighbors. In 106 hours the world will look a little brighter through the
loving efforts of hundreds of volunteers who will step up and make it
happen. What a beautiful gift! It is a sign that God still answers prayers.
But there is more. The Norwich Rotary Club just gave out new winter coats
to over 400 children in our community. They saw the need and responded
in love. Christmas is here. The Norwich Police Department has a Secret
Santa Program that provides gifts for families going through difficult times.
Love is front and center. When the officers slip in and put the gifts
underneath a tree these families will know that Christmas is here.
In a couple of weeks the Annual Tommy Toy Fund will provide over 5,000
gifts to boys and girls who would have gone without, The gifts are come
from heartfelt donations of hundreds of people who want to give something
back as a way to say thank you to God or a way to share their blessings
with others. Do I need to say it again? Christmas is here.
Christmas isn't about stores and sales. Forget the Muzac. Christmas is
about love and sharing. It is about generous spirits and gracious acts.
Christmas reminds us that no matter how dark the clouds, we will never be
alone because God is with us. I pray your eyes will be opened during this
season of Advent and that you will see the generous acts that reveal God's
love and let's us know that Christmas is here again. Then let's get together
and praise the one whose love makes it all possible.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
December 3, 2008
Christmas has arrived in southeastern Connecticut. I first noticed it in the
midst of the rain and gloom last weekend. I was driving down I-95 to New
Haven when I switched my radio to WBMW and began listening to one
carol after another. From "Silver Bells" to "O Holy Night" the station carried
me away and left me with a warm feeling of peace and joy. There was
something special in those words.
As I plowed through the rain I realized just how brutal the last few months
were on all of us. Hope and good news were in short supply. The dark
clouds of bankruptcy and bailouts, of rising prices and falling investments
hung over us. Even the election of a new President, with all the hope that
surrounded his victory, seemed to be stumbling along and losing
momentum. I asked myself, "Where is the hope? Will things ever turn
around?"
I carried these thoughts with me into the sanctuary of the Noank Baptist
Church. I was there for a performance George Frederic Handel's "Messiah."
After just a few minutes I realized this was just what I needed. Actually it is
what we all need. As the chorus sang "For unto us a child was born" it
struck me that this was the good news in the midst of the storm.
The Christmas story reminds us that Jesus, the light of the world, came to
show us that God still loves us and that He cares. This is the message of
Christmas. It is a message of hope and salvation. As I began to look around,
I saw acts of love and compassion all around me. I saw Christmas
everywhere I turned. It was as if my eyes had been opened and the light
had been turned on.
For example Christmas is here for a family in Eastern Connecticut. This
family is going to be the beneficiary of Ty Pennington's Extreme Makeover.
Colchester's Bruce Hayn and his crew of volunteers will be a part of it as
they give of their time, expertise and talents to build a new home for one of
our neighbors. In 106 hours the world will look a little brighter through the
loving efforts of hundreds of volunteers who will step up and make it
happen. What a beautiful gift! It is a sign that God still answers prayers.
But there is more. The Norwich Rotary Club just gave out new winter coats
to over 400 children in our community. They saw the need and responded
in love. Christmas is here. The Norwich Police Department has a Secret
Santa Program that provides gifts for families going through difficult times.
Love is front and center. When the officers slip in and put the gifts
underneath a tree these families will know that Christmas is here.
In a couple of weeks the Annual Tommy Toy Fund will provide over 5,000
gifts to boys and girls who would have gone without, The gifts are come
from heartfelt donations of hundreds of people who want to give something
back as a way to say thank you to God or a way to share their blessings
with others. Do I need to say it again? Christmas is here.
Christmas isn't about stores and sales. Forget the Muzac. Christmas is
about love and sharing. It is about generous spirits and gracious acts.
Christmas reminds us that no matter how dark the clouds, we will never be
alone because God is with us. I pray your eyes will be opened during this
season of Advent and that you will see the generous acts that reveal God's
love and let's us know that Christmas is here again. Then let's get together
and praise the one whose love makes it all possible.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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