A Divided Country, A United Church.

This post is a response to current political issues confronting our country. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect your political persuasions yet, I hope that we can find room in our hearts and come into agreement.

Local media outlets are now using the phrase to describe our country by declaring that we are in a "cold Civil War". We all likely agree that we are a divided nation. There are many parallels that we could draw from these current times and what had unfolded in our country’s history in the early to mid 1800s. We agree that our country is divided! There were opinions and persuasions on all sides of nearly every issue, we are finding political conflict.

What is so unfortunate is that we are bombarded with messages that are negative and it gives us an anxious spirit during what is supposed to be the celebration of the Christ child. Though He was vulnerable, the Christ child is the deliverance of all our greatest hope!

Let me remind you that in Bethlehem and throughout the region, there was political unrest not at all unlike our current times. Nearly every historian of biblical history as well as secular writings remind us that during the time that Jesus was born there was significant abusive of power as well as obstruction of their government as well. After all, it was taxation that forced Mary and Joseph to go to a small town in Bethlehem to be counted.

Government officials of that day were so hostile that even in the prophetic announcement of the king of the Jews, Jesus’ birth, that every firstborn child were ordered to be killed! Talk about anger and hostility, and jealousy; there’s nothing that even compares to the outrage in that day.

In Luke 2, of which the story has been rehearsed in nearly every Christian church around the world. The gospel is read and the majority of homes beginning with, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world."

Many scholars believe that this was a time in which it was an attempt for the government to seize more taxes and to discover this king of the Jews who was to be born. in the hustle and bustle of a busy community, even the innkeeper had no room in his "guest room" (NIV) for Mary, Joseph, and soon-to-be-born Jesus. For thousands of years the parallels of the Christmas story to our times have been shared in pulpits, and communities, and in our homes.

We have a divided country politically. Traditional values and historic definitions are being challenged. We are just as busy as they were in that little town in Bethlehem. People throughout the region were not only careful about what they said aloud but were bustling to the point that they did not even recognize that a King was going to be born in the town of David. David, the hero King of the Old Testament who was the King of Israel!

The message was heralded by the angels to some shepherds in the low lands. The prophecy was carefully read as the Wiseman searched for a King by following the star. Those who would dedicate this infant Kin, Jesus would sing triumphantly of the promise given long ago.

My point today? I remind us to always remember, and never forget that the story of Christ birth must unify the church around one central theme, the theme of love and goodwill! That though there was no peace in Jesus‘s birth, He can bring peace to every heart! Though the world is divided, our church is united in it’s central message that the King was born!

This King that I speak of is not the dictator, nor a ruling party, nor a monarch. He is not a King who would order our submission but a King whom we will come to worship of our own free will. This King that I speak of will bring peace to every heart that is willing to submit to Him. This king that I speak of will show love like no other. This King that I speak of transforms our bitter and anxious heart to one of hope and the deliverance that we long for.

Church, ring your bells and share the triumphant message; the only one who can save us has come called Emmanuel, Prince of peace, mighty God, everlasting father. Shout it from the mountain tops. Throw open the windows and knock on every door so that the carols of Christmas are heard!

Though our country is divided, our church is united!

Loathing the Impersonal and Longing for a Connection.

It isn’t new but it is an experience that many people face each and every day; people are dealing with loneliness. In the age of social media, when seemingly everyone is connected, research is telling us that people have never been more disconnected and isolated from one another than ever before. Inc.com offers up a good perspective.

“Unfortunately, however, the internet hasn't helped us feel more connected with anyone. Studies show almost half of us feel lonely and isolated.” Here's Why the Internet Has Made Us Lonelier Than Ever | Inc.com

Add to this, we are a busy society, schedules that are especially busy during the holiday season. Just look around any department store and you’ll see it. Many are doing their shopping online and avoid those same department stores. The increased suicide rate tells the most alarming story of how isolated and disconnected we really are.

I loath the impersonal, just ask my wife! I would much rather go into the bank then go through drive-through. This is also true when it comes to my pharmacist and fast food restaurants. I don’t mind waiting in line because it’s an opportunity to chat with people. I am highly social but for some who may not even struggle with social anxieties, they would prefer to remain in their car at the drive-through.

 I may be unusual in this matter. I even ring the bell for the Salvation Army during the busy Christmas season just so that I could chat with people, even if it’s just for a brief moment. Like anyone, I have my moments when I too can be over-scheduled. There are times when I just need a break from talking to people. Yet, like most, I too have a longing for the personal interactions of people.

Today, I want to encourage us to go outside and get together with others as much as possible. A parallel can be draw from research on seasonal depression. I think it’s sort of like those that deal with depression in the cloudy, gloomy season of winter, due to the lack of sunshine and vitamin deficiencies.

The sunshine can counter the effects of depression. I was one of those who struggled with depression during the winter months. Yet, I came to realize that I can’t do anything about the weather but I can control my social interactions. I actually compensate for the lack of sunshine with the drug of human interaction, increasing my social aptitude and engaging connection, building relationships with others.

Increasing one’s social aptitude can be counterintuitive but I encourage you to give it a try. Here are a few things that I did that you may also want to try, especially during the holiday seasons that occur during the winter months.

1. Go to parties (even if you’re not invited).
2. Volunteer your time at a community event or local Homeless Mission that serves the poor.
3. Go shopping ... for someone else.
4. Visit someone is the hospital or retirement community (Nursing home).

There are many ideas out there that you could do similar to these that I have stated. The idea is to think of others. The more that we consider our needs above the needs of others, the greater likelihood that we will become negative as well as self-centered, looking internally to solve our own concerns. As we think of others we will recognize how much greater other people‘s needs are and actually feel good and ourselves for helping someone else.

Through simple acts of kindness we can fill the longing in our heart for the personal not only during Christmas but throughout the year.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop