Darkness and Light

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." (Isaiah 9:2 RSV)

We live in darkness. On Christmas Eve we gather in darkness during the dark, dreary days of winter. We live in a world of darkness. Two-thirds of the earth's population does not profess Christ as Lord. Atheists openly advertise their misguided belief that "There is no god." The Church around the globe is under persecution and attack like never before. These are dark times.

But there is light at the end of this tunnel of darkness and despair. The light came as a star flickering in the dark, winter sky. The light came as a Baby born on a cold, dark night. The light came as tongues of fire descending upon a small group of frightened and confused men and women.

The Good News is that the flicker of light grew. The star lead to the Son of Righteousness. The Baby grew into the Son of Man. A handful of disciples grew into a third of the world's population known as the Church. The light of Christ started out small as the Babe of Bethlehem, but now the light of Christ has grown into the flames of fire found in the Church and will one day culminate with the blinding light of His triumphal return!

Every little mission, and church, and ministry is a flicker of light in the darkness of the world. Alone they are but flickers, but together they are a roaring fire! This world is a place of hurt and suffering, poverty and addiction, brokeness and sinfulness. And it is our flickers of light that offer hope in this dark world as we testify to the One Who Is Light. The Christmas story, the story of Light coming into the darkness, must be our constant theme. We must carry the Light into the world.

Those who have been bound up in darkness can see a great Light. That Light is Jesus Christ. Amen.

Why I Love Christmas

I'm really a kid at heart and I guess that is one of the reasons I love Christmas so much. I love the music, the shows, the decorations, the lights, and the presents! Even though my family was fairly poor growing up we still had wonderful Christmases with family and friends. I treasure the memories from those days and I reflect on them often.

I have certain rituals that I follow every year during the holiday season. I have to watch "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and "A Christmas Story." I also have to indulge myself with copious amounts of Egg Nog and Christmas cookies. To top off these rituals I have to try and convince my nieces, and now my grandson, that I'm an elf and that I'm best buds with Santa. When the movie "Elf" came out I told them it was my life story. :)

But I also have some other rituals. I have to light the Advent wreath to bring to mind the fact that the Baby in the manger will be returning as the King of kings! I also make a point of being in church on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of the One Who Saved My Soul. The biggest reason I love Christmas is because I love the Christ whom it celebrates.

I am amazed every time I think of what Christ has done for me and for us all. The thought that God would humble Himself to become like me is staggering. It is even more staggering to realize that He has made a way for me to become more like Him. The Christ Mass, the celebration of the Primordial Sacrament who is Christ Himself, has implications that are almost unfathomable. The Lord of the Universe walked among us and died among us. He ate and slept like us. He hungered and thirsted like us. He cried and laughed like us. Jesus Christ was and is like us and yet He is so much more. Fully divine and fully human.

I love Christmas because I love what it stands for...peace on earth, goodwill toward men, family, friends, fellowship, giving, etc. But the main reason I love Christmas is because I love Jesus Christ and, more importantly, He loves me.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May the Christ of Christmas fill your hearts with peace, love, and goodwill toward men.

We Still Believe...

I have been greatly disturbed by recent trends in the Church. For many years now the so-called "mainline" denominations have turned their backs on Biblical principles and traditional morality. A tide of evil has swept through the Church and has forced many to draw a line in the sand and take a stand. Many are leaving the church and many more say the church has left them.

I just read an article about the continued support of abortion by many denominations including The Episcopal Church USA, The Presbyterian Church USA, The United Methodist Church, The United Church of Christ, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, etc. I also read an article on the ordination of another gay bishop in the ECUSA.

There are those inside of these churches who are taking a stand. Recently the Diocese of South Carolina (ECUSA) took a stand against the tide during the diocesan convention. The Confessing Movement in the UMC are doing the same. But will they be able to prevail? One would like to think so but history has shown that sometimes a clean break is needed to bring reform. Remember Martin Luther? He tried reform internally but eventually it would take a break to reform the Church.

I have labored inside of the UMC with hopes that change would come. It did, but not for the better. My wife and I finally decided that enough was enough. We left and we have now launched a mission with a few other brave souls to reach those whom the church has left. Our small group still believes!

We still believe that Jesus Christ is Lord! That means He is the Lord of our lives and the Lord of the Church. That means He sets the rules and He sets the agenda.

We still believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God! The words contained in this Holy Book are not fables, myths, or mere suggestions. We believe that God's Word is the standard for the Church and our lives.

We still believe that our clergy should meet high moral standards and follow explicitly the commands of Holy Writ. Humans do not have the authority to circumvent the clear commands of Scripture. Our clergy should be our example, not our shame.

We still believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. Why? Because that is what the Bible and the tradition of the Church says.

We still believe that every human being is created in the image of God. Therefore, every life is precious and should be afforded the sanctity that God intended. Unborn children have the same right to life that you and I have.

We still believe that there is no salvation outside of the Church. Christ and the Apostles made it clear that salvation is not a private affair, but a communal life. We are not to forsake the gathering together of ourselves. Those who profess Christianity outside of the Church deceive themselves.

It is our job as faithful Christians to be witnesses to the Truth. We know that Jesus Christ is Truth. During this Christmas season I encourage each of you to be faithful witnesses to the Truth that is the incarnate Son of God.