Memories from Christmas' past.....

Today I had coffee with a friend.  We were talking about Christmas and both of us will have very different Christmas celebrations this year.  My friend's children are no longer living in this area and can't come home for the holiday.  So they are trying to work out some kind of meeting time/place.  Our holiday will be very different this year as we are all missing Lucas.  Yes, we will be together.  And there will be presents for the kids.  But it will not be anything like the celebrations we have had in the past.  I am very thankful that we will be remembering exactly WHY we even celebrate Christmas......Jesus birth.

This got me thinking about different Christmas celebrations from my childhood. Here is one year that I remember well....

This was Christmas 1962.  I was in Third Grade (which is exactly the same age as Lia is this year).  That little cutie sitting on the floor next to me is my very first niece Amy, who was about 1.5 years old.  I remember this Christmas because my brother Jerry was in the Army and not with us.  I also remember how much fun it was to have Amy there with us.  She loved opening those presents.  You can see my sister Karen and brother-in-law Roy in the background (if you look carefully).  They lived in South Dakota and we lived in St. Paul, Minnesota.  So it was very special to have them visit.  And I especially remember the dress I have on in this picture.  It was a blue corduroy jumper and the blouse was really silky.  I loved that dress and it was only for "special occasions" like Christmas.  I also am wearing a cross necklace.  I am sure that this was my mom's and she let me wear it for Christmas Eve.  And Amy was wearing a red velvet dress and black patent leather shoes.  When I look back at these pictures, I realize that church and the reason for Christmas were not very evident in our celebrations during my grade school years.  My mom was working full time and often worked on Christmas Eve.  Things were very different for me than the rest of my siblings.  It was always interesting to listen to my mom talk about Christmas celebrations because she never talked about the Christmas' in the 1960's.  She always talked about the 40's and 50's.  She would forget that it was very different for me.  I never had a children's Christmas program that was on Christmas Eve. (All of my siblings did!).  We never went to church on Christmas Eve (all of my siblings did!).  In fact it wasn't until I was in high school that we went to Christmas Eve church (this was actually in 1969). Yes there were memorable celebrations, but in looking back, I wish that church had been on the agenda for us during those years.  

I am very thankful that Ken and I made sure that church was always a very important part of our Christmas celebrations.  In fact during most of my kids growing up years we went to church on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  And I am so thankful that this year our Christmas celebration will include church.  If there is one thing that has been so clear to me in the last weeks, it is my great need to draw closer to Jesus.  At these times when the missing and the sorrow seem so big, the reality of Christmas.... the baby in the manger.....the angels in the sky......the star.....well it seems to bring Jesus that much nearer.  The wonder and joy and excitement help.  It doesn't change anything.  It doesn't stop the missing or the sadness, but it is there.  And it is good.  And I am grateful.  

Jesus, thank you for memories and for reminders that your story is what matters most.  Thank you for this season and the reminder that you came and made your home with us.  Thank you for meeting us exactly where we are and bringing us your love and your comfort.  Holy Spirit, help us all to find joy in the celebration of Christmas, no matter what our circumstances are.  Jesus, draw us closer to you!  Amen

Thought for the day..."What is a church?"

After the last couple of weeks attending various events, (none of which were actually held in a "church" building)  I have been considering...... "What is a church?"  The last 14 or so days have been filled with some of the most wonderful worship times and incredible teachings.  And then there is that incredible experience of the presence of Jesus.  Now I am not saying that you CAN'T have all of this IN a traditional church.  What struck me was that you CAN have all of this without the building.  

These two pictures are 10 years old.  I took them in Kenya and Uganda in 2004.  As you can see, while there were "buildings", these buildings were not exactly what we think of a "church". As a matter of fact, there were several services that were entirely outside, with NO building.   But I can assure you, there was worship and teaching and the presence of Jesus.   In the last couple of weeks, I have been at "church" in a basement meeting room of a large conference center, in a large ballroom of a conference center, and in a living room of a home. 

 

In each of these events, the common denominator between all of the people in attendance was the cross.  It did not matter what denomination you were.  How or when you baptize, or what you think about the book of Revelation.  All that matters is the cross of Jesus.  It is so good to be in a place of unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

 



I know that this is not a new thought.  Lots of people have contemplated this, talked about it, spoken about this, wrote about this.   That is why I almost didn't share this thought today.   But, you see, I have been so blessed in these very non "church" church services.  And I believe that part of the reason is because these events happened.........outside of the ordinary.  

So I am thankful tonight that my definition of "Church" does not include a building.  It includes people.  Lots of wonderful, loving people.  Some of the people don't really know me at all.  To some I am just a face in a crowd.  To others, I am known.  With all of my faults and troubles and prayer needs.  AND with all of my gifts.  When I sit with these people, and share a meal with them, or worship with them, learn and grow with them, I am loved.  I feel that love of Jesus flowing through them into me.  And it is awesome!  

My encouragement to you tonight is to consider expanding your idea of church.  Think "outside of the box" (or the walls).  Find an event that is different than anything you might have previously considered attending.  Look for a meeting or conference or group in your area that includes people from many different churches.  Or better yet, form one of your own.  My home group is a life saver for me.  I know that I can count on their prayers.  And these meetings and conferences are life giving for me.  Take a risk.  Step out of your normal routine.  Go and be blessed.

Jesus, thank you so much for reminding me that YOU are the only thing that matters.   Holy Spirit, give us all courage and boldness to go outside of our "normal".  Help us to seek and find those places where you are.  Draw us to those like-minded people, with whom we can share and grow.  Keep us open and free to learn and grow!   Amen

The Church is the People!

So here is the church I mentioned a couple of days ago in my blog.  Zion Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minnesota.  The top picture was taken in 2005.  My sister Karen, brother-in-law Roy and my mom visited this church.  It was one of the highlights of my mom's later years.  She had always wanted to get back to this church.  I think she felt a connection to all of her family there.  The picture on the bottom is the exact same church at pretty much the same angle, taken in 1880.  Amazing isn't it?  It looks very much the same.  Isn't that a great comfort to know that some things DON'T change? However, this church is no more.  It has closed and I can't find out any other information about it.  So while the building might be there, it is no longer the church that these pictures represent.  I am thankful that my mom got to visit when it was still Zion Lutheran Church.  I am so glad that I have pictures from my mom's visit.

 

This picture is my sister Karen and my mom inside of that church.  You can't see very much in this picture, but it is amazing.  I love that the ceiling looks like the sky and clouds.  I remember my mom saying (when she was showing me these very pictures) that it was if you could see right up to heaven.  I just love thinking about both Karen and mom celebrating right now in heaven with Jesus. I know that my mom sat in the pew of that church and envisioned her dad there as a young boy.  He was actually baptized and confirmed at that altar.  And she was also thinking about her mother, who sat in those pews when she was ill and near the end of her life. My mom said that she remembered her sister Bea talking about going to that church during that time.  And she was also thinking about the many funerals that she had attended there over the years.  As we looked at these pictures I remember asking my mom if she wanted to be buried in that "family" cemetery.  She was so practical that she said it simply did not make sense to her.  My dad had been buried at a small cemetery in the suburbs of Minneapolis and that was fine with her.  

As I was writing this blog, I found I was humming a song.  It suddenly dawned on me exactly what I was humming!  Here it is......

I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.

All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together.

 

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,

 the church is not a resting place, the church is the people.

 

I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.

All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together.

 

We're many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces,

all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places.

 

I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.

All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together

 

Okay, Jesus, I get your point!  Even as I am writing about this BUILDING, I am reminded that the building is not the important part.  I remember very clearly when Gwen learned this song in Sunday School when she was in first grade.  She sang this song over and over.  Yes, the point is that the building is not the church.  So, in spite of buildings closing and being torn down, the church is not destroyed.  I certainly experienced this first hand, on my trip to Africa.  I met many, many, wonderful people.  They were filled with the Holy Spirit, loved Jesus, they were committed to sharing the Gospel message, many times without any real building to speak of.  It was a powerful picture of the body of Christ, being the church.  Unfortunately, in the United States, it is often not like this.  The buildings become the most important thing!  Sometimes ministries are judged by how big and wonderful their actual buildings are.  Perhaps its time for us to step back and reevaluate what it means to "be the Church!"  Jesus never had a building.  He focused his attention on the people.   Seems like it would be wise for us to remember this song, and turn our attention to those around us.  And to let go of our buildings. 

 

Jesus, thank you for changing the direction of this post to remind me of what is really important.  Holy Spirit, help me to focus on the people that surround me and to know how to reach out to them with your love.  Jesus, thank you for providing these trigger photo's to help me hear more clearly what you are speaking to me.  Holy Spirit, would you remind me to see with the eyes of Jesus as I look around me.  Thank you for knowing exactly what we need each day.  Amen