Tag: Christmas

Controlling the Narrative

The public impeachment hearings that have been held in Wahington over the past two weeks should be important to take in But are they? The drama going on may simply be between, on the one hand, establishing truth to act on (or not), and, on the other hand, simply engaging in a nasty battle over who controls the narrative. In other words, it’s all about what it’s all about.

It could be argued you’re not missing anything if you haven’t seen any of it. After all, you live it every day.

Do you live your own truth? Decide what that is? Do your best to live it? Or accept the most appealing narrative of the most compelling influencers–personal, political, or commercial?

It is almost Advent in the Christian calendar. You will find (still, at least in some churches) Scrioture employed that focuses on ultimate things, with Jesus talking about his Advent to come (e.g. Mark 13).

Advent celebrates that we have the opportunity to know, now, the one who is yet to come.

There is truth. Truth will win out. Truth matters. That should be obvious, but apparently it is not obvious.

And oh yes, there is an accompanying major Scriptural theme in Advent, drawing on scenes with John the Baptist (e.g. Luke 3). He anticipates Jesus’ own warnings against leaders who are obsessed with their power and status, and with controlling the narrative of their people and their time.

It will not end well for such people in any age.

White Christmas

It looks like it’s going to be a foggy, soggy Christmas here in southern Ontario–certainly disappointing for those hoping for a White Christmas, with softly falling sinow flakes having just the right consistency for snow persons.

A White Christmas is one of the ways we want everything to be ‘just right’ at Christmas time, even while we know it is a time that accentuates everything, good or bad. It makes me wonder if it is the mere turning of the year that follows that leads us to make new year resolutions. Maybe this urge comes also out of a time of wanting everything to be ‘just right’–or as close to it as possible. So we resolve to make life better in some way.

That’s a good thing. Let’s go for it. Ultimately, though, we will want to remember that our true peace does not depend on circumstances, saying, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).

Extra Ordinary

Outline of message prepared for Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, Toronto (the service was cancelled due to ice storm). Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25.

One implication of Christmas is that the timeless can be born in the very timely circumstances of our life. What is extraordinary (meaning outside of the ordinary, not just unusual or special) can transform our ‘ordinary’ experience.

1. a) The circumstances of Christ’s birth were in some ways quite ordinary, even less than than ordinary. b) Other aspects of Christ’s birth were well outside of the ordinary (the meaning of his name, conceived by the Holy Spirit). c) The extra ordinary invaded the ordinary to bring about his birth.

2. a) Much our essence is “ordinary” or less: the reality of sin as descendants of Adam. b) God causes us to be extra ordinary because Christ also can be born in us through the same Holy Spirit by whom he was conceived in Mary’s womb. c) We can allow what is eternal and timelss to invade our “ordinary” experience with its needs and challenges by allowing Christ to be born in us.