Circuit Thoughts – Christmas

Here it is Christmas day, and I’m in my office reflecting on the events of the past few weeks. Ever since the beginning of Advent, I feel like I have been on a dead run, and I am tired. But it is a good tired.

My family has opened all the presents. And since they are adults, they have gone back to their respective homes. The house is quiet. The church is not. As I sit here, the church is making its own music and sounds. At 135 years old, this building has a lot of creaks and pops. As the wind blows, it seems this church can sing. I often wonder what the songs would be.

As I sit here, I think of all the saints and sinners who have graced this place called Doniphan United Methodist church. I think of the many Christmas programs that were performed around the same pulpit that I use. How many times has this church heard “Away In A Manger” or “Silent Night”? How many children, and their children, and their children, memorized lines? How many angel wings were worn by reluctant little angels? How many times did chaos ring out?

As I reflect on this Christmas, I thank God that we had a reason to share in the traditions of this church. Every year, for over 135 years, this building has allowed this congregation to share the story of the nativity with as many people as possible.

How many candles have been held while singing “Silent Night”? How many times have we heard ‘O holy night”, or “Go tell it on the mountain”? Already, I can hardly wait to hear them all again.

Yes, we tell the same story, year after year after year. This congregation has been doing it longer than most. (Although the building was built in 1888, the church was established in 1851.) Yet this story never gets old.

A young couple travel to a small town. They bed down in a stable. The child is born and all of heaven opens with singing and praising. Shepherds run to a manger to see this child. Folks, this story never gets old.

Soon, we will be putting away the decorations. The trees and wreaths will be stored, the nativity scene put back in the shed. We will set things back to the way they were, and ministry will continue as usual. As usual? I hope not.

What I hope for this congregation and for you, is that we repeat the story time and time again. That as we approach Easter, we remember that here, in a manger, is where it all started. This baby will grow up and save you and me. I hope that we can keep this narrative on our lips and in our hearts. People need to hear, and we need to never get tired of telling it. This is one of the greatest events the world has ever known, and it all took place in a manger.

Why would we get tired of telling that story?

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.