Trinity Lutheran Church

Last Sunday, December 8^th, something interesting happened during my children’s sermon.  The normal stuff occurred: kids mostly paid attention, there was a scramble for candy, and there was the occasional chuckle.  No, what was interesting was that an argument arose between two boys.  What was the argument about, you ask?  How to say the word “Christmas.”

  One kid said it the way you probably just read, the way that most of the world says it, “Christmas.”  But the other boy, emphatically I might add, said, “CHRIST-mas.”  He emphasized the “Christ” part.  Loudly.  And they went back and forth a few times before I got them refocused on the children’s sermon.

   I found this argument very interesting.  Often, during the Christmas season, you see all sorts of stuff in the media and on Facebook about keeping the “Christ” in “Christmas.”  Just “Google” that phrase and you will find over 14 million search results.  You will see all sorts of activities and ways you can keep Christ in Christmas as a family, a person, community, etc.  Google “war on Christmas” and you get over 868 million results.

   I find this all a little amusing and absurd.  I think about a post I saw from a friend: “The only one who can take Christ out of Christmas is you.”  I like that.  Christmas is not about what you can say on a store front window or what some group or another thinks.  Frankly, it is all about you.  If the birth of Christ is the primary focus for your celebration on December 25^th, then I think Christmas will be just fine.  Jesus Christ is going to be born to save us sinners no matter what.  Christ is going to continue to die and rise from the grave no matter what.

   I play Santa every year at our elementary school, but that doesn’t mean the birth of Christ isn’t my focus during this time of year.  My joy at this time of year doesn’t come from Santa, even the Santa Yoda that is in my yard.  My joy is because my God loves me so much he sent his only Son to be born into our messy and sinful world to save me.  I am not filled with hope because of the presents I get underneath my tree.  I’m filled with hope because God has given me the ultimate gift of faith and eternal life.

  No matter how you say it or what goes on in the world, Christmas belongs to Christ because his birth, and our salvation, is the reason we celebrate to begin with.  For the light of the world shines in the darkness of our lives, and the darkness will never, EVER, overcome it.

“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!

²For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 117

In preparing a devotion for a Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Candidacy Committee meeting, I came across the shortest Psalm in all of the Bible, Psalm 117.  In a way, this short and sweet says it all.  It is about all, nations and people, praising God for His love and faithfulness.  More so, God’s love and faithfulness extends to us forever.  That is Gods’ promise to us.

  Sometimes we need to remember this.  When I read this to our Candidacy Committee, it was -14 outside.  Many had traveled pretty good distances to come to a meeting along icy and sometimes treacherous roads.  It was fairly early in the morning.  It is easy to be crabby in that kind of situation.  To be down.  To complain about the weather, the roads, the drive, even spending a full Saturday away from family this time of year.

   It is easy for us to complain in life, to forget the steadfast love and faithfulness of God, to forget to praise God for the blessings of this life.  Besides super-cold weather, we all suffer in some way. Maybe we are burdened by stress and anxiety during this holiday season.  Maybe we are filled with grief or pain.  Maybe we are struggling with depression or feelings of loneliness.  Maybe we have relationships that are fracturing or down right hurtful.

   Yet, despite these things, there are always things to praise the Lord about.  The forgiveness and grace given to us in Jesus Christ.  Healthy and loving relationships.  Food, clothing, shelter.  The sounds of Christmas music or the joy at receiving a Christmas card in the mail from an old friend.  The beauty of snow covered trees and the sun shining in our windows.  There is much that we can praise the Lord about each and every day.

   Take a moment every day to praise God for a blessing your life, most especially for God’s love and faithfulness that is poured out for you every day.  For that you can say, “Thanks be to God!”  Amen

Well, the calendar has turned and December is now here.  We have a lot going on at Trinity in the month of December.  I hope that you will take advantage of many of them.

• December 4^th, 6:00 pm: Women of Trinity (WELCA) Joint Meeting.  A great meal, good fellowship, and a chance to make a difference in the ministry at Trinity through the women’s group.  All women of Trinity are invited.
• December 8^th at 9:00 am is New Member Sunday.  Come meet our new members and welcome them to Trinity!
• December 10^th is the deadline to bring in Silent Auction items.  We appreciate all items, including gift certificates.  Thank you for supporting our Mission Trip youth!
• December 11^th and 12^th is Lefse Making Days!  Come be a part of this Trinity tradition!  There is an announcement above with all the details.  All men and women are welcome!
• December 14^th is the Lefse & Bake Sale, the Silent Auction, and the Soup Lunch.  The sale and auction run from 9 am to 3 pm.  The Soup lunch from 11 am to 2 pm.  Stop by Trinity all day!
• December 14^th is also the Spirit of Christmas throughout Boyceville with lots of great activities.  The Live Nativity is at 4:30 pm on Main Street followed by the Horse Parade.  Hope to see you there!
• December 15^th at 9 am is our Christmas Carol-By-Request Sing-A-Long.  This is also the deadline for ordering Poinsettia’s for Christmas Eve.
• December 22^nd is our Sunday School Christmas Program at 9:00 am.  Join us for our “Superhero Christmas!”
• December 24^th is Christmas Eve!  We have two services, our Family Christmas Eve worship at 4:30 pm and our Candlelight Worship at 10:00 pm.  Come worship the newborn king!
• Lastly, though this is technically in January, we will be having a January 1^st New Year’s worship at 7:30 pm.

There may be more activities added so keep on reading our “Trinity Tidings!”

YouTube Video of the Day

Here is me paying up my Cubs-Brewers bet on Sunday.  Sigh.  Why do I make these bets?

Click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajdUITxGJ64&feature=c4-overview&list=UUSN3pB3g8S8QiQqeXQ2aQ-w

Check out sermons and more at www.youtube.com/TrinityBoycevilleWI

Website: www.trinityboyceville.com