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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"We Are All Santa's Helpers"
December 23, 2009
It began with a simple question. "Do you have a Santa cap?" With a wink
and a nod I had passed my audition and was invited to play Santa Claus for
a couple of little boys in our church. I got up the next morning and was so
excited. It was silly but the thought of bringing joy to the hearts of the
children touched something deep inside of me.
I got to the church early and pulled out the Santa suit. I was humming and
smiling and thinking to myself, "This is what Christmas is all about." That's
when the phone rang.
A woman was on the other end of the line. From the sound of her voice
you could tell she had been crying. Her first question, even before
identifying herself, was whether I was busy or not. It seemed like a strange
question to ask a Pastor just a few days before Christmas. I asked her why
and her reply made my heart sink in my chest.
She explained that her husband had died on Sunday. She didn't have
anywhere else to turn. He was going to be cremated. They couldn't afford
to have a service but she wanted someone to say a few prayers with the
family. She didn't have a church so they picked up a phone book and found
my name.
A funeral so close to Christmas doesn't seem right. I said that with a tear
in my eye as I conducted that intimate family service later that day. Then I
added that it is precisely why we celebrate Christmas. It is a reminder that
in the midst of the grief and sorrow God is with us. In that manger in
Bethlehem God showed his love by descending the steps of heaven and
living among us.
The angel said he should be called, Emmanuel, which means God with Us.
That was the good news for the poor forgotten shepherds. It is the good
news for us as well. When life doesn't seem fair, when up seems down and
nothing is going right, God is with us. When you do all you can do and it
never seems to be enough, God is with you. When life is like a blizzard and
it threatens to leave you snowed under, God is with you. That is the
message of Christmas.
At the end of the service we hugged, shook hands and I left them to say
their good byes. As I left the funeral home the image of Santa popped in my
head. The truth is that even without the cap I had just played the role of
Santa. I had delivered the gift of hope in their sorrow. I had delivered the
gift of light in their darkness. I had delivered a small sample of God's love to
them on the eve of Christmas Eve.
The truth is that God calls all of us to play Santa's helpers at this time of
the year. The good news of a great joy was given to us and now it is our
job to share it once again. So go tell it on the mountain. Go and spread some
Christmas cheer.
God Bless. See You In Church. Cal
December 23, 2009
It began with a simple question. "Do you have a Santa cap?" With a wink
and a nod I had passed my audition and was invited to play Santa Claus for
a couple of little boys in our church. I got up the next morning and was so
excited. It was silly but the thought of bringing joy to the hearts of the
children touched something deep inside of me.
I got to the church early and pulled out the Santa suit. I was humming and
smiling and thinking to myself, "This is what Christmas is all about." That's
when the phone rang.
A woman was on the other end of the line. From the sound of her voice
you could tell she had been crying. Her first question, even before
identifying herself, was whether I was busy or not. It seemed like a strange
question to ask a Pastor just a few days before Christmas. I asked her why
and her reply made my heart sink in my chest.
She explained that her husband had died on Sunday. She didn't have
anywhere else to turn. He was going to be cremated. They couldn't afford
to have a service but she wanted someone to say a few prayers with the
family. She didn't have a church so they picked up a phone book and found
my name.
A funeral so close to Christmas doesn't seem right. I said that with a tear
in my eye as I conducted that intimate family service later that day. Then I
added that it is precisely why we celebrate Christmas. It is a reminder that
in the midst of the grief and sorrow God is with us. In that manger in
Bethlehem God showed his love by descending the steps of heaven and
living among us.
The angel said he should be called, Emmanuel, which means God with Us.
That was the good news for the poor forgotten shepherds. It is the good
news for us as well. When life doesn't seem fair, when up seems down and
nothing is going right, God is with us. When you do all you can do and it
never seems to be enough, God is with you. When life is like a blizzard and
it threatens to leave you snowed under, God is with you. That is the
message of Christmas.
At the end of the service we hugged, shook hands and I left them to say
their good byes. As I left the funeral home the image of Santa popped in my
head. The truth is that even without the cap I had just played the role of
Santa. I had delivered the gift of hope in their sorrow. I had delivered the
gift of light in their darkness. I had delivered a small sample of God's love to
them on the eve of Christmas Eve.
The truth is that God calls all of us to play Santa's helpers at this time of
the year. The good news of a great joy was given to us and now it is our
job to share it once again. So go tell it on the mountain. Go and spread some
Christmas cheer.
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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