Trinity Lutheran Church

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:5-7

At the end of each 8^th grade confirmation class, I ask the students, “Who will pray for us today?”  Most of the time, they just look at each other in silence.  Sometimes someone might volunteer someone else.  Rarely does anyone jump up to volunteer.  Again, a majority of the time they sit and stare at each other, waiting for someone else to step up and do it.  They know we will not end class until someone volunteers.  Though there is a need, they all think someone else will do it, even if they feel moved to do it themselves.

In the reading from Isaiah above, we hear that we are called to be a servant, to be a light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind and to bring out the prisoners.  In other words, we are called to serve.  It is in the very nature of what God, through the suffering servant Jesus Christ, has done for us.  Because we have been made righteous through Christ, we have been made to serve.

So often, though we feel a call to serve, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to work for the neighbor and the poor, we stop.  We wait.  We wait for SOMEONE ELSE to answer the call.  That wait is often caused by our own selfishness.  “Oh, someone else will take care of it.”  It is like seeing a dirty dish in a sink and instead of washing it, we just leave it there.  Even more so, when it DOESN’T get clean, we complain about it or wonder why someone hasn’t done it.

That is our struggle.  Not that we are called to serve, but that we actually ANSWER that call.  Instead of looking around like my confirmation students, wondering who is going to pray, we should jump up and answer that call.  After all, God HAS called us.  This is the same god who created us, who has saved us, and who promises to be with us always.  So what do we have to fear?  What stops us?  A sense of inadequacy?  Of wondering if it is our place?

The Lord has called you to be a light to the nations.  The Lord has called you to open the eyes of the blind.  The Lord has called you to set the prisoners free.  The Lord has called YOU.  Today.  Yesterday.  And everyday.

Answer that call.  Serve the Lord.  Love the neighbor.  Proclaim the Good News.  Be a light to the nations.  Thanks be to God!  Amen

Christmastime is often a time of traditions.  Every family has their own special tradition or traditions, whether it is a specific day, time, or way to decorate the house or Christmas tree, to baking cookies or other holiday treats, or activities and events that are attended every year.  In my family, we always went into downtown Chicago right near Christmas to shop, look at lights and other sights, and go to a show and a nice meal.  Still to this day, when I come home to IL after Christmas, we go into the city for a day, keeping that particular tradition alive.

Traditions are important things because they become touchstones in people’s lives and often they connect us to not only our present, but our past, and often will continue into the future.  For me, going downtown started with my grandparents and then continued with my parents and even though they are all gone now, when my sisters and I go into Chicago, I can feel and remember the years prior with those who are no longer with us.  We continue traditions to remember others, connect with each other, and pass on a part of who we are to the next generation when they experience the tradition for the first time.

Of course, the church is a place steeped in tradition.  From singing “Silent Night” in candlelight to certain activities and events, the church lives in tradition that connects us with the saints that have gone before us.  One of those traditions continues this week (and, actually, in an hour or so from me writing this) with lefse making.  Not being Norwegian, over my 12 years here at Trinity I have really enjoyed this tradition, and it is not just for the taste of the lefse!  I enjoy the fellowship of it, of seeing men and women (and sometimes children) together, teaching each other, conversing with each other, serving the Lord together.  The laughter that comes, the friendships that are made, the love that is shared, is what really makes these two days fun and special.  Even better, the group loves nothing more to welcome a new person in and become part of this Trinity tradition.

Of course, this week is full of other traditions as well, with the Silent Auction on Saturday, the Live Nativity late Saturday afternoon, and all the other activities in town this weekend.  I hope you will stop in and support our youth, buy some wonderful lefse and baked goods, and come by the Live Nativity to remember the true meaning of this season.

But most of all, I hope that you give thanks for your Christmas traditions and recognize that the Lord has blessed those traditions that connect us as family, friends, and children of God.  Never take them for granted and at the same time, never be afraid to start a new tradition either!  I got an idea for a new one: give the pastor bacon for Christmas!

May God bless you this day and always!