A Winter's Reflection - 'Sunny and 55'

There's no better forecast for me when it comes to enjoying winter in North Texas than "Sunny and 55 degrees." Of course, I know my feelings concerning this might be contested, but, I'm the one who's writing this BLOG, so...

'Sunny' means the sky is clear - usually a deep blue. 55 for a 'high' means that it was likely colder than this last night - making the morning temperature crisp, perhaps at or near freezing. And clear means that winter allergies - certainly the lesser of our Texas allergy season's - are now at a minimum.

'Sunny and 55' means you can stand on a hillside with a jacket on, especially if there's no wind, and enjoy being outside. Or, Sunny and 55 means you can sit in your favorite chair - the one by the window - enjoying what you see. Sunny and 55 means you can ride your bike, go for a walk, a jog, or even play golf. And, in December, It means you can work in the yard without pressure of mowing it, plant flowers, prune your roses, or trim your trees.

Bible historians have estimated the calendar date of Jesus's birth at varying times of the year, and recently the date 25 December has come under suspicion. But, suffice it to say, since the time of John Chrysostom (4th century BC), or, for the last 18 centuries, the church has chosen to celebrate Christ's birth on December 25. If this be so it would have been wintertime in Bethlehem of Judea, with weather much like that of a North Texas winter's night. Much like that of last night.

So, if I'm wrong - then I am. But, in my mind, I have always imagined Jesus being born on a clear, cold, winter's night - with the following day presenting itself as... Sunny and 55. A good day, indeed! For on that day, 'unto us' - regardless of what else might be - 'Christ was born.' And today, with the weather at my house 'Sunny and 55,' I am rejoicing.

Your's,

Pastor Sam

simply CHRISTmas

Christmas has long been one of my favorite times. How can you not love sharing the message - "Immanuel, God With Us?"

But, for many, Christmas-time is difficult. With constant reminders of family - as well as a huge overemphasis on giving and receiving of gifts - not having one or the other makes such reality marked. After all, who wants to be broke or alone - especially at Christmas?

I once read that for every 'happy' person walking about there are three others within arms distance struggling. Truth be told, we are all just one phone call away from unhappiness!

But it shouldn't be like this - especially for we who are in Christ. For if Christmas brings anything, it certainly brings joy. A joy possessed in Christ. One realized from the inside out - regardless of circumstances. Or, might I allow? - in spite of them.

As a younger pastor I was want to say, 'there is no excuse for a Christian not feeling joy.' Of course I still know this sounds right, and I know it to be theologically true - but, still, we do. We do because we are human and our mind is not the mind of God. We determine favor - from God or anyone - from the perspective of circumstance. From our view in the mirror, as Paul would say.

So what must we do? Well, we should recall 'His ways are not ours'. We must remember that His view - both of us and for us - is eternal. And we must know that the things He values - as much as we'd like to think of as being the same as ours - just aren't. At least not naturally.

My assistant opined something today worth sharing - that on that first Christmas morning, when Jesus was laying in Mary's arms and everyone was feeling all that they felt, the one person looking upon this scene from a different, less than 'fuzzy warm' perspective, was God. He knew that this baby, His Son, was going to die! And, if there was anyone on that first Christmas morning not feeling the joy of the kind we so oft desire - it was Him. God's joy was larger than the moment. It lay in the whole story, including the finish. And so, too, must ours. For 'Immanuel' really is with us.

And that is simply CHRISTmas, indeed!

Pastor Sam