New Light

December 21st came unwelcomed

here in Frederick, Maryland

the bleak, dreary solstice of winter

our longest night

15 hours and 37 minutes of chilled darkness

the depths of winter, here in our town.

Cold blue blackness

frost and bitter wind

a howling, frozen hurricane

here, in blesséd Yellow Springs.

But in December

every small candle

whispers hope,

every little string of sparkling lights

sings a silent expectation:

The longest night must end sometime,

And that sometime is soon.

Now each new day brings more brightness

Every new week: seven more minutes of fresh daylight

Spring is coming!

Look past white January to pink February

And then to wild, blooming March –

Sun and wind and wonder!

So in the darkness of my anxious nights

When pains and fears and worries hide the sun

When hope seems gone, I still lie down in hope

When faith seems dead, I still rise up with faith

New light has come, and more is soon to come!

Our Father God is not silent –

He even speaks on windy winter nights

He even soothes in frosty darkness

He shouts and thunders with the rising Son

Perfect love and perfect light in Jesus.

Tom Mills on Christmas

This morning I met again with the men

who get together with me

early on Tuesday mornings.

We read and discussed

how Jesus healed the demoniac

in Luke chapter 8.

Then we talked about the hustle-bustle of Christmas,

and how this flurry of activity (even church activity)

can keep us from true worship.

My friend Tom Mills was part of this discussion.

Then later he sent this e-mail,

            which I have permission to share with you:

“To expand on the Christmas hype conversation

at the end of today’s study:

If we are to look at the life of Jesus

as our beacon of how to live ours,

let’s start with His birth.

The king of the universe wasn’t welcomed

into this world with majesty,

bright lights and parades.

Hardly majestic, very cold and dark,

no tinsel or music and dancing.

He was born on the manure-laden dirt floor

of a cold, filthy stable, in the midst of the mundane;

farm animals,

a virgin teenager, a lowly carpenter

and smelly, sweaty shepherds. 

Not in the presence of kings and queens

and people of high regard,

just family and newly acquired friends.

Mary didn’t choose that,

Joseph didn’t choose it either. 

God did. 

If this is how he brought His son into our world,

why would He want us

making a huge production of the season now? 

It just seems to me and my measly, tiny little brain

that we do what we do during this season

for us, not for Him. 

The lights, parties, shopping helps make us feel better

about who we are in the world

by connecting it to His birth

through the special season of Christmas. 

I am also a participant in this, and must admit enjoy most of it,

but the older I get the more I think we should be

connecting this to His birth without the hype

and through the reason for the season. 

And that should be celebrated everyday. 

If you stop and think of what God really did for us

on Christmas morning,

it is really un-believable!

How many of you would send your only son

away from your presence for a cause like us? 

Not me! 

And God knew what He sent His son here to ultimately do,

NO WAY! 

We allow the clutter and clamber

of what this world thinks Christmas should be

to cloud our view of it.

Wash off the “make-up” of Christmas

and see the true beauty beneath –

it’s there and nothing can compare.

Merry Christmas my friends!

Tom Mills.”

Robert's Christmas Party

Mr. Robert Heitmuller is over 90 years old,

a World War II veteran.

He lives in a nursing home,

wheel-chair bound.

Robert is of German descent.

Most of his life he has been a Lutheran.

Several years back he somehow got connected

with folks from Brook Hill Methodist,

and now he is picked up

and brought to our church

every Sunday.

Seven men take turns picking Robert up.

They get him and his wheelchair into their cars,

            bring him to church,

get him back into his wheelchair

and wheel him to his regular place

                                                at the end of a short pew.

Each December Robert hosts a breakfast party

for these men, their wives,

            and some of his caregivers.

The celebration takes place at Brook Hill’s fellowship hall,

            and breakfast is prepared by Brook Hill men.

Robert invites us to attend almost a year in advance.

We must pay him 25 cents to attend,

and this largesse is donate to a charity.

The sixth annual party was last Saturday morning.

Thirty-some guests were seated at five or six round tables.

We enjoyed a beautiful, filling breakfast.

There was much joking and merriment.

A lady read the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2.

Several persons shared their memories of Christmas.

Robert sang O Tannenbaum in German.

He presented the gift of a rolling pin (?) to one of his friends.

And we sang four carols together.

This event is now a regular part of my Christmas season.

The affection that Robert and his men share

is readily apparent, tangible even.

Giving to one another.

Serving one another.

Loving one another

                                    Another story of Christmas.

Joey's Cookies

In most ways, 
       Joey Athey is a typical seventh grade boy.

       Here’s what makes him unusual:

In 2003, Joey was a kindergartener.

His teacher gave her students an assignment

as Christmas approached.

Each of them was to give a gift

and write a true story

about the giving of it.

Joey thought about it.

            He decided to bake some cookies, sell them,

and use the money to buy

Christmas gifts for needy children.

What began as an assignment has become

a family tradition for Joey and his family.

For the past eight years 
       they’ve continued the tradition.

On the last Saturday of November,

the Athey family was hard at work

baking over 200 dozen cookies

in the large commercial oven

in our church’s kitchen.

Earlier this week they went to Toys “R” Us

and purchased $1200 worth of children’s toys.

The gifts are given to needy children

            through various charities in our county. 

Around the world at Christmastime,

untold thousands of ordinary folk

experience the joy of giving to others.

In my neck-of-the-woods,

            Joey is one memorable example.

Lament (Psalm 44)

Sitting round the night fire

Grand-dad told the stories

Tales of olden days

battles won

enemies undone

Deliverance!

We weren’t the strongest

richest

most cunning

But we had You!

Mighty One...

Ruler of all...

We had Your power

You loved us!

Light from Your face

blinded them

And we won!

not by swords

not by bows

but by Your favour.

So we recall those olden days

We praise and worship You.

But what about today?

What about today???

What a mess!

dishonoured

retreating

plundered

butchered

scattered

mocked

humiliated

shamed

Where are You now?

I didn’t think

we’d violated Your Covenant.

Have we turned away?

Have our hearts strayed?

Wake up, Lord!

Rise up! Help us!

Show us

Your unfailing love

Please!

Please!!!

Best. Muffins. Ever.

Tuesday mornings (7:45am) I get together with four or five men
     for some good conversation and Bible study.
We’ve been meeting for several years
     and really enjoy one another’s company.
Last month we went to a Washington Capitals hockey game.

Recently, one of them started bringing his freshly baked muffins
     and sharing them with us.
Paul bakes great muffins!

The first ones were bran or something.
Then chocolate chocolate chip.
And yesterday, orange cranberry muffins.
     They were still warm, and the orange aroma
          filled the small room where we were meeting.

Seriously, yesterday’s muffin was the best I’ve ever eaten.
     Magnificent!
I brought coffee from Dunkin Donuts,
     and we ate and laughed together.

Then we read the account of the harlot
     who anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears
          and washed them with her hair (Luke ch. 7).
This happened at the house of Simon the Pharisee,
     and Simon was scandalized.
Jesus said that those who are forgiven of little love little,
     while those forgiven of much love much.

The men seemed eager to talk.
     We brought up the issue of how to deal with acquaintances
          who profess Christ but live in continuing disobedience.
It was a great discussion.

Paul’s muffins were memorable.
     I need to get his recipe and share it with you soon.

Maybe you have a good recipe to share?