Christmas

Christmas Eve

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

The hustle and bustle of another busy Christmas season is coming to an end shortly.  And I know I probably say this every year but it seems this Christmas season was busier than others.  For pastors this is indeed a busy time, especially for those who have mid-week Advent worship service (I don’t have those).  And as I look back on the past month I get more and more tired.  But no need to worry…as it happens during Holy Week…on Christmas Eve I get a boost of adrenaline that takes me through Christmas Day worship.  But can you say “Eric will be napping on the way to Iowa tomorrow”.

Today is Christmas Eve and I am preparing for a 5pm worship service at Salem and a 9am Christmas Day service at Belmont.  My sermon is written…I just need to review, practice and tweak it some.  The worship service is set…I just need to run through things and make sure all my “props” are there and ready.  The music will be coming (Connie’s family is providing the brass accompaniment tonight).  And all the worship participants are set to go.  My biggest task I have left to do today is to make some bread in the bread maker for supper tonight (Italian Herb bread is on the menu).  All in all…not too bad of a day coming up (maybe that is the adrenaline).

But before I go and continue my preparations I want to leave you with a couple things:

(1) MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all and thanks for a great year.  I will be posting a year-in-review later on but I just want to say now that I am thankful for the many friends I met through this blog.  I am also thankful for the many commenters and others who stop by.  This blog is for you and that is my motivation for writing this; knowing that God is using me to preach his Word to people all over the world.  What a blessing this has been.  May you experience the love of God through your many gatherings and may you have safe travels and joyous homecomings.

(2) I want to share a story with you I heard on the news this morning.  Check out this Star Tribune link for the complete story.  Basically…there was an apartment fire in Burnsville, MN recently where nearly 200 residents lost everything.  Yesterday a person donated about 1 million dollars to the victims (nearly $17,500 per person…today the people can pick up their checks).  Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville is serving as a collection site to provide for the basic needs of these families.  This story touched my heart as it is an example of the Spirit of Christmas at work.  Praise be to God.

Once again…have a very blessed Christmas and be safe…all the while praising God, always and forever.  Amen!

-edh-

I Love to Tell the Story

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
(ELW #661)

…that is Lyle’s song…and it speaks of his life.

I wrote about Lyle last week.  At that time he was living his last days.  On Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30pm, Lyle took his last breath and I had the honor of being there with various members of his family.  I have been at the bedside of other people as they died but this one was different.  As I said last week, Lyle was like a grandpa to Connie and I so to watch him die was not easy.  Lyle was also a great proclaimer of the faith.  He did this through his words but probably more loudly through how he lived.  The quote from St. Francis of Assisi was indeed true for Lyle:  “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.“

But I want to share one thing that happened that night; something I will never forget.  At around 7:3opm we knew that the time was close.  One of the kids turned off the light above Lyle’s bed and for the first time in a couple days, Lyle opened his eyes.  That was a powerful moment.  It was like he was taking one more look at us before he went to see Jesus and Gladys (his wife who died in Feb.) again.  A couple minutes later he breathed his last.  Of course their were tears, but it was different.  They were tears who came from people who had hope.  Then one of his daughters summed up what we were feeling…she said, “I feel so at peace.“

WHAM!

That was exactly it.  That is the peace that Jesus came to bring; a peace that surpasses all understanding.  It is a peace that we feel when a loved one dies (at least for those whose faith is in Jesus).  It is a peace that tells us not to be afraid.  It is a peace that allows us to say, “See you later.”  The peace that came with the Christ child at Christmas is the very same peace that filled Lyle’s hospital room on Dec. 11.

I am sad that Lyle is gone and I will miss him greatly, but I feel at peace.  Lyle is no longer suffering and Lyle is not gone forever.  He’s gone (physically) from this life, but not from our hearts and minds.  Lyle is not gone forever, but through Christ we will all be reunited again.

May the peace of God that surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  And was we live in this peace, let’s join together in praising God always and forever.

“See you later, Lyle.“

-edh-

Christmas list

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Once again I am late in getting my Christmas lists off to the various members of my family.  For the most part Connie has it almost done on the computer but we just haven’t finished looking it over one last time.  As is the case every year, I feel little guilty sending it off.  And now with our economy officially in a recession I feel even more guilty.  Maybe people should just save their money or put it to more worthy causes.  Frankly…I would be happy if people bought a flock of chickens through Heifer International in my name.  At least that way someone else would benefit as I continue to be blessed here.  And I am indeed blessed…what more could I possibly want.  I have a loving wife…a great family…awesome friends…I live in a wonderful community serving a caring congregation…and I could go on.  God has blessed Connie and me and for that I am thankful.

But there is still that side of me that wants a couple DVD movies and some more music CDs. I would like some new shirts/sweaters and other things that only my wife and mom seem to now that I need (I don’t know how they do it every year…I guess they pay attention).

So Connie and I will email our list off to our family tonight (did you catch that mom…it’s coming tonight).  We will make suggestions on what we would like, but in the end Christmas is about spending time with family and friends; counting the blessings that we have already received and continue to receive from God through Jesus Christ. We will continue to buy presents for our family and friends and look forward to their expressions as they open their gifts.  But one thing I do ask and pray…and that is that we do not lose focus.  Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and thanking God for the life that came with him.

May God continue to richly bless you in every way as you live in the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-edh-

The Spirit of Christmas

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

img_f0517412aa1Don’t freak out…I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet, but I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the Advent sermon series I am pondering.  Sometimes it is hard to believe, but Advent is right around the corner and of course Christmas is close behind.  And since that is our reality, Advent planning needs to begin (if it hasn’t already).

I haven’t done an Advent sermon series since 2005 when I preached a series on 1 Peter (something I came across in some publication).  This year…my series is a little different.  The title of the series is “The Spirit of Christmas” with the following sermons topics:  “The Spirit of Hope”, “The Spirit of Life”, “The Spirit of Peace”, “The Spirit of Sharing” and ending on Christmas Eve with “The Spirit of Love”.  This idea came from a Hanging of the Greens worship service we are doing on Nov. 30; a service I found in a Hanging of the Greens book.

Each Christmas season, one of the things that really gets me going is seeing people totally miss the true spirit of Christmas.  It seems that with each passing year, Christmas becomes more and more commercialized (if that is even possible).  Each year I feel moved to submit a letter to the editor in our local newspaper to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.  Each year I hear stories of how businesses and retail stores tell their employees that they can’t say “Merry Christmas” to the customers.  Heaven forbid if we offend anyone with those words.  So this sermon series really speaks to me and hopefully it will speak to others as well.

I haven’t totally thought out the scripture references for each theme (maybe you have some ideas for me), but hopefully I will have that done within the next week.  I am thinking a one day retreat away from my office might be in order.

In any case…I wanted to through this out to you and see what you think.  Is anyone else doing a Advent/Christmas sermon series?  Have you ever done one before?

God’s blessings to you as you prepare for the Christmas season.

-edh-

Christmas prayer and blessing

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

I still don’t know where the month has gone.  Today is Dec. 22 and Christmas is upon the doorstep.  Thankfully I have my shopping done so all that is left to do is to put the finishing touches on worship and sermons.

Today, also, will more than likely be my last post until after Christmas.  Tomorrow (Sunday) Connie and I travel to my parents, returning on Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day we travel to Connie’s family.  So as I take my leave of you I would like to leave you with a prayer that I will be using on Christmas Eve.  It is one I found on the Internet that really spoke to me, so here it is…let us pray…

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the magi.  Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.  Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.  May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.  Amen!

I hope and pray you have a joyous Christmas as we bask in the glow of God’s awesome love.  May the peace of the Christ child fill your hearts and the grace of God overwhelm you with joy.  May your travels be safe and your homecomings be happy.  God bless and take care.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good life.

See you soon.

-edh-

And he gave me a chicken

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

Chicks_2

Last night Connie and I received one of the most unique and memorable gifts we have received in a long time.  And by the above picture you can guess what we got.  One of our 6 year old Sunday school students, W, gave us a flock of chicks.  We don’t actually have them but he bought them through Heifer International on our behalf.  Some hungry family is going to benefit from this wonderful gift.  Something that will provide them with food and income for years to come.  Often we receive and give gifts that end up collecting dust, end up in the garbage or wear out over time.  This gift will possibly save lives and last a long time.

I know that many of you have probably finished your shopping by now (LOL…yeah right). Well…here’s an idea for you.  Buy a flock of chicks or some other animal for someone and give them a gift that could save someone(s) life.  I am willing to bet that all those involved will be very thankful.

Thank you, W…Connie and I will remember this gift for a long time.

Merry Christmas and God bless!

-edh-

A Christmas 3X3 Meme

/ The Pastor / 6 Comments

David, over at Here I Stand has tagged me for a Christmas 3X3 meme.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year so this will be a fun one for me.  So…here I go…

What are your three favorite Christmas songs and who sings them?
This is a tough one.  My wife and I have dozens of Christmas CDs that get played constantly in our home and car.  Picking three is not easy but here are three that just happen to stand out right now:
(1) Silent Night when sung during the candle lighting portion of the Christmas Eve worship service.  Watching the candle light slowing spread throughout the sanctuary while the lights slowly dim while singing this great Christmas carol always gives me goosebumps.  Others that follow close behind are "Joy to the World" and "Go Tell it on the Mountain".

(2)  "Hallelujah" by Soulful Celebration.  Imagine a Southern Baptist choir going all out singing the Hallelujah Chorus.  I still like the traditional Hallelujah Chorus but listening to Soulful Celebration also gives me goosebumps and makes me want to jump up and start clapping.  There is a part toward the end where one might think things are winding down but just then they hit you with some more "soulful" Hallelujahs.

(3) Once again let me remind you…this is far from an exhaustive list, but number three has two "non-traditional" Christmas songs:  "Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)" sung by Amy Grant and "A Strange way to Save the World" (told from Joseph’s perspective) sung by 4Him.  Two great comentaries on the miracle of Christmas.

What are your three favorite Christmas foods?
(1) I am with Diane here with number one — LEFSE.  My wife is a butter and WHITE sugar person and I am a butter and BROWN sugar one.  But I will use WHITE sugar if need be.

(2) My mom’s famous candy kiss cookies.  I look forward to these every year.  With me trying to lose weight, I throw that weight lose thing out the window for candy kiss cookies since this is that only time of the year I get these.

(3) Lastly…this is not a Christmas food but it is my family’s Christmas Eve tradition — homemade pizza.  One year my mom suggested we not do this but my sister and I threw a fit and my mom learned quickly not to mess with homemade pizza on Christmas Eve.  We each make our own little pizza and this is the only time of the year I have pepperoni and sauerkraut pizza (Hmmm…I am getting hungry just thinking about it).

What are your three Christmas secrets?
This is a tough one because people who know me well know I love the Christmas season and that I do not keep that a secret.  But many of you out there do not know me well so here it goes…
(1) My wife does most of my Christmas shopping for me.  Maybe that is not a surprise that a wife shops for her husband, but I think it is pretty funny.  I think I learned that habit from my dad.

(2) Of the 36 years I have been on this earth I can only remember one Christmas that we were not in Minnesota (Mom…correct me if I am wrong here).  That one year was at grandpa and grandma’s house in Yuma, AZ.  At the time Julie and I thought it was strange going swimming at an outdoor pool on Christmas Day.

(3) I love poinsettia plants.  We got one early December last year and I kept it alive until this past September.  And…as I am writing this, the church custodian and his wife have just given me and Connie a nice big poinsettia.  Wow…they must have been reading my mind.

Well…there you have it.  What a fun Christmas 3×3.  Now…let me see…I think I will now tag:  Pastor David at Posting from Prairie Hill and Chris at The Lutheran Zephyr.  Have fun and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-edh-

Sunday morning prayer – 12/02/07

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

We have finally arrived…the first Sunday in Advent…and the other unofficial beginning of the Christmas season (Thanksgiving being the other one).  Today at Salem we are have a Hanging of the Greens worship service (Does anyone else have a Hanging of the Greens worship service?).  We will finish decorating the sanctuary this morning.  A lot of the decorations have been put up already in the interest of saving some time.  The evergreens on the pews will be put up, the children will decorate the Christmas tree, a poinsettia will be brought in (we add a poinsettia each week of Advent), and the manger and cross up front are talked about.  All in all, it is a fun worship service with a lot of people involved (especially the children).

Yesterday we got a good ole fashioned Minnesota snow storm.  Nothing too big but definitely enough to cause some cancellations yesterday, including the worship service at Belmont Lutheran Church (the other congregation I service).  One service on Sunday morning really throws off my groove.

Anyway…let’s being our "unofficial" start of the Christmas season together in a word of prayer.  Let us pray…
Loving and tender God, we come before you today with much on our plate.  We have a lot to do to get "ready" for Christmas.  We have decorating and baking and shopping and planning and so on and so to get done.  Sometimes this causes stress and sometimes it causes us to lose sight of what is really important.  Please keep our focus directed in the right direction…for Christmas is all about your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord…the greatest gift of all.  Help us not to lose sight of what our preparations are leading us to and don’t let the secular world cloud the true meaning of the season.  Dear God…thank you for loving us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we pray…AMEN!

God bless you this day and everyday and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

-edh-

My Christmas story/memory

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

This post is a long time in coming, but here I am with my Christmas story.  A couple days back I challenged people to share their favorite Christmas story/memory.  I actually have two that are near and dear to my heart.  One began with my immediate family and the other began with Connie and me.

Christmas story
For a long time, Christmas eve was a very anxious time for my sister (Julie) and me.  We knew the routine:  Get cleaned up and dressed for church – Get to church about 45 to 60 minutes early to make sure we got a good seat – Sit in that crowded sanctuary…staring at our watches thinking that time had somehow slowed down – Worship – Return home and change clothes again – Mom and Julie would begin to make homemade pizza while dad and I hung out in the living room…with me scoping out the presents – Eat – and then the moment we all were waiting for…PRESENTS.  That was how things went when I was little.  But somewhere along the way (I think it happen after we graduated from high school; mom…help me out here), dad changed the routine.  After our delicious homemade pizza was consumed we retired to the living room where dad said that we are going to hear a Christmas story that he had found.  We were all surprised…but pleasantly. Through the years the story is usually a story that elicits a tear or two from people, and one that always makes you think…putting Christmas into perspective.  Eventually the story reading duties shifted and was shared among the family.  The Christmas story is a powerful, bonding moment for all of us; helping us keep everything in perspective.  Now…we have something else to look forward to.  Thank you dad.

Christmas shopping
I can not remember exactly when this tradition started or how we came across it, but it was not too long ago.  Connie and I started thinking about the money we spend on each other and then started thinking about those who get very little or nothing at all.  So we decided to change our Christmas spending habits.  Between Connie and me we decided how much money we would spend on each other.  Currently we are at $100 (that may go up this year).  Then we decided that 25% of that would be spent on each other and the other 75% had to be spent on someone else.  The stipulation here is that the someone else had to be someone we do not know or have any real connection to.  It has to be a random person or persons.  On Christmas eve, then, Connie and I would exchange gifts and reveal how we spent the other 75%.  But the thing is, we almost always "cheat"…by spending way more than 75% on others.  But we always forgive each other for "cheating".  Each year I look forward to figuring out how I am going to spend my 75%.  Last year, as part of the 75%, I bought a goat for a family in a third world country through the ELCA Good Gifts program.  We had a lot of fun with that one.  I wonder what I will do this year.

What is your Christmas story/memory?  I know that some of you are thinking about this and I look forward to reading your stories (as I am sure we all do).  Have a blessed Christmas season.

-edh-

The Christmas season is here…now what?

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

Here we are…the Christmas season!!!  I look forward to this time of the year every year.  I love the music, the lights, the decorations, open houses, Holiday Fest in Jackson, and everything that goes with this season.  I love it all.  Well…almost everything…

…each year I get worked up about the commercialization of Christmas (click on the "Christmas" category to the right for more Christmas posts).  It drives me crazy when family ask me for a Christmas list each year…but I eventually give in to make them happy (feeling guilty the whole time I am writing it out).  For the last three years I have written a letter to the editor of our local paper talking about the real meaning of Christmas (I am currently pondering another letter this year).  This morning on the local news cast they had a special guest talking about how parents can begin to turn their kids from a "gimme" attitude to a "giving" attitude.  At an early age, kids are learning that Christmas is about presents.  Sure…they hear the Christmas story.  Kids participate and prepare Christmas programs.  They help decorate trees and see manger settings.  Kids know that there is something special about this season, but behind it all…they are hoping for the "right" present(s).

"Eric…maybe people do have a ‘giving’ attitude and that is why they want to buy presents"  Sure I will "buy" that.  But what I am alluding to is the reason people buy and give presents.  When Christ was born in that tiny manger stall, God gave the world the best present of all – love, forgiveness, salvation.  Christmas is about THAT gift and all we do should communicate and proclaim that message.

So…I am not exactly sure where I am going with this, but maybe we should try something.  What if we started this Christmas season by sharing Christmas stories on our blogs (or leaving stories in the comment section if you do not have a blog).  The stories should not be about a really cool present you received but rather about how the Christmas season/message has touched your life or the life of someone you know – stories about the REAL meaning of Christmas.  The idea is that people searching the Internet may stubble across these stories and maybe begin to move from a "gimme" attitude or a "hurry up and find the best bargain" attitude to an attitude of sharing God’s love for all.  I don’t know…maybe I am being overly optimistic.  Maybe I have no clue what I am talking about.  If so…then at least we can have some fun sharing Christmas stories.

So there you have it.  I will post my Christmas story soon.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

-edh-