“When you return to the Lord your God, then the Lord your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you.”  Deuteronomy 30:2-3

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”  Mark 1:15

Before we ponder the guiding star, before we consider what gifts might be brought to the young boy, before we have time to marvel why he came to us at all; lights will be rewound, unwanted gifts returned, the ceramic baby swaddled in tissue, laid in a box, not to be seen for another year.  Christmas is put behind us.  On we go to a New Year of plans – vacation time, lake time, work and school routine time; resolutions to change – eat less, exercise more – to be better people.

The church calendar also moves on.  We will celebrate the star and the gifts; but in just a few weeks the newborn baby of today will be a grown man.  In just over 6 weeks we will make a cross of ashes, acknowledge our need for a redeemer, and “return to God“ – until Easter.

I recall a recent editorial cartoon:  Two children wonder why grownups are so nice on Christmas Day but not the rest of the year.  Indeed, there are days when we keep Jesus packed away, days when we are crabby, impatient, unkind.   We may not see the beloved creche for a year but Jesus does not live in that box in the attic.  He lives in us, all around us.  Will others see the compassion of Jesus, the love of God manifested in us? 

Holy child of Bethlehem, you came to us to live with us, because you love us.  Help us live throughout the year as you meant us to live, with love and compassion, as generous and “nice” as Christmas Day.  Amen

Verla Olson

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party