Bishop Mike Lowry

This was one of those rare years when Christmas Day (and New Year’s Day) fell on a Sunday.  In Methodist tradition our high celebration of the birth of Christ is on Christmas Eve.  At least originally the notion of Christmas Eve worship was to greet the Christ-child at the start of Christmas Day in worship (that is at midnight).  It “fits” with the angelic greeting of the shepherds in their fields at night.  Symbolically at least, we are joining the shepherds in adoration.  (Ancient Orthodox tradition has it that the animals are the first to greet the newborn Savior by speaking at midnight!  You might check out the hymn “The Friendly Beasts” (UM Hymnal, No. 227).

What draws my reflection is the morning after – Christmas Day, a Sabbath Day for Christians – the Son’s Day or Resurrection Day.  After multiple Christmas Eve services (including one at 11:00 p.m.), Arborlawn (my wife’s church) held one worship at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day (instead of the usual 3).  We went (and yes, I was late).  They ran out of bulletins!  Far more people showed up than were expected.

Christmas Day afternoon we drove to Oklahoma to have Christmas dinner with my mother-in-law.  Her United Methodist Church held a Christmas Eve service but no service on Sunday – the Christian Sabbath day! – Christmas Day.  My mother-in-law and her friends were disappointed (if not disgusted) by the lack of a Christmas Day (Sunday) service.  Politely but pointedly she noted that worshipping God on Sunday, especially a Christmas Day Sunday, was a part of keeping the commandment to honor the Sabbath.  The lack of worship on Christmas Day seemed unfaithful.

I can’t help but wonder in all this if the lay people are telling us (the clergy) something critical to faithfulness.  These laity appear to take the commandment to “honor the Sabbath and keep it holy” as more important than the clergy.  In the case of Arborlawn (where the clergy leadership was clearly faithful and provided excellent worship leadership), the laity were telling us (the clergy) about the importance of such worship.  The commandment to honor the Sabbath still applies; even … no make that especially, on Christmas Day.

The Word became flesh and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

 The amazing truth of Christmas is the Lord’s coming is our homecoming.  The author, poet and Christian theologian G. K. Chesterton caught this truth in his classic poem, “The House of Christmas.”

“To an open house in the evening
Home shall men come,
To an older place than Eden
And a taller town thanRome;
To the end of the way of the wandering star,
To the things that cannot be and that are,
To the place where God was homeless
And all men are at home.”

May this Christmas be for you a true home-coming.  Luther is said to have remarked, “The Gospel is not so much miracle as a marvel.”  The God of the universe has made a home among us.  Truly, we have seen God’s glory, full of grace and truth.  May your Christmas be merry in the bright light that is the natal star.

Last Sunday (December 18^th) I attended my wife’s Sunday School class (New Hope) at  Arborlawn UMC.  James Nader (the father of two of our pastors – Joseph and John) is the teacher.  He does an excellent job and on the rare occasions I am able to go with my wife I thoroughly enjoy both the lessons and the class members.  Sunday’s lesson was on the birth narratives from Luke (using Ellsworth Kalas’s Christmas from the Backside).  It focused on the innkeeper and the famous line from Luke 2:7 – “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”  I was following the lesson in my Bible which is the new CEB (Common English Bible) translation.  What caught my eye was the way the CEB translated verse 7 – “She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.”

Is it guestroom or inn?  The difference is intriguing.  NRSV says “inn.”  The NIV says “guest room.”  The KJV says “inn.”  I confess I was not aware of the disparity.  I am not even sure it makes much difference.  And yet . . . a guestroom implies intimacy. We have a guest bedroom in our house.  When you are there, you’re an honor guest, cherished company.

Cautiously, I am aware that we far too easily “villianize” the innkeeper (guestroom host?).  After all, to make room for the holy family, he or she would have had to kick someone else out.  A good case can be made that the innkeeper (guestroom host) did the best he or she could do.  Still, the translation “guestroom” lingers in my heart and mind.  Do I, do we, receive Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus has honored guests in our home this season?

St. Ambrose remarks, “He had no other place in the inn, so that you may have many mansions in the heavens.  He, being rich, became poor for your sakes, that through his poverty you might be rich.  Therefore his poverty is our inheritance and the Lord’s weakness is our virtue.  He chose to lack for himself that he may abound for all.”  There is much to reflect upon and learn from each time we enter the drama of the Savior’s birth.  The very nature and character of God is revealed to us.  And, we . . . , we are invited (or is it challenged) to host the Lord in our homes.

We know December 7^th as “a day that will live in Infamy!”  Do you know what is special about December 6^th?

In a lot of ways, it is a much bigger day for Christians.  December 6^th is the feast day for a Bishop from Myra (a part of today’s nation of Turkey) in the 4^th century.  That bishop’s name was  Nicholas – St. Nicholas from which we get the original story behind Santa Claus. St. Nicholas was known as a champion of the poor and especially of poor children.  He is also considered the patron saint of sailors.  The list of his accomplishments and compassion especially for those in  need is long and distinguished.  Ironically, he originally stood for the opposite of glided  consumption. St. Nicholas gave away what he had to help those in desperate need.  (The story behind the stocking has to do with him putting gold coins in the stocking for poor young women so that they would have the money to pay a dowry for marriage rather than being sold into prostitution and slavery.)

Tuesday, December 6^th, I was Duke University attending the Episcopal Leadership Forum (a part of my continuing education with 24 other UMC bishops under the auspices of Duke  Divinity School and The Thomas Center for Business Leadership).  In the morning devotional and prayer time, we remembered St. Nicholas and invited him once again to teach us by  example.  Our morning prayer was entitled, “Remembering our brother Bishop, Saint Nicholas of Myra.”  It is as follows:  “Almighty God, who in you love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on the land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work from the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you. Amen.”

I have shared often how crucial Christmas Eve worship is as an opportunity to reach non- or nominal Christians.  A recent article in Ministry Matters (www.ministrymatters.com click on “Articles”, it was posted November 28^th) entitled “How Christmas Can Help Your Church Grow in 2012” caught my attention.  The authors listed 6 key ideas.  “1) Promote your January sermon series and other upcoming activities during Advent and Christmas services.”  2) Use your Christmas kids’ programming as an on-ramp for new families to get involved.  3)  Offer multiple mission opportunities. 4) Do the caroling thing. (The CEB New Testament Christmas Outreach Kit works well for this kind of outreach.) 5) Use your church’s small groups for outreach during the holidays.  6) Be creative and try new things.”  The authors, Betsy Hall & Shane Raynor, add: “Don’t settle with doing the same candlelight service year after year. Remember, Christmas Eve is prime time. Pull out all the bells and whistles. Get your most creative people on board and provide a worship experience that will make first time visitors want to return in 2012.” To which I add a hearty Amen! The worship of God is the first and most basic step on the path of discipleship.

I commend the article to you.  It closes with the challenging question, “What does your church do during Advent and Christmas that encourages growth in the months ahead?”

As you are lifting up the connection between Christmas Eve, making disciples, and church growth? Don’t forget alternative forms of communication as a way to reach seekers.  A church Facebook page and a twitter auto update are two (among many) different suggestions.  (Our younger clergy have been coaching me, and they are great resources to visit with about different options!)  Whatever you do, have Christmas Eve services featured PROMINENTLY on your  website!

While you are at it, another article from the Lewis Leadership Center is really worth your attention.  It is entitled “Asking Bigger Questions” and written by Keith Anderson. It is from The Lewis Center for Church Leadership online journal Leading Ideas dated November 30^th (www.churchleadership.com).