That Noise Is Probably Us (11/25/23)

Today, if you hear a lot of ruckus emanating from somewhere in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, we’ll take the blame. Today is our family celebration of Thanksgiving and fall birthdays and our rolling out the Christmas decorations. There will be a turkey cooking along with other scrumptious dishes provided this year by our children and grandchildren. While I’ll be wearing an apron, it is more for tradition than necessity. We have so much to be thankful for, and so we celebrate. And as our finale, we bring out the beginnings of our celebration of the gift of the Son of God, the one for whom we are most grateful.

As we transition from a month of thanksgiving, a month of savoring the blessings in abundance, we look forward to the beginning of a new year in Christ beginning with the observance of Advent leading up to the celebration of Christmas. That is a blessing that we must not forget to include in our list of thanksgiving. Who are we without Christ? Truly?

And so, this day as we gather at my home, we bring with us all the joy of life in Christ, all the joy of relationships fueled by the love that Christ taught us, modeled for us, and shares with us. We know that no matter what, we are His. All of us have been born again through the waters of baptism and the Spirit to life in Christ. And while our politics may change, and our addresses may change, and our professions may change, that is the primary source of our identity that will never change – we are Christ’s – we are Christians. Indeed, when we think about it, we have so much for which we could and should give thanks.

After we’ve eaten our turkey and dressing and all the other delicious dishes, done the dishes, and taken a short break to let it all settle, we will begin our transition to Advent. We will bring up the tree and decorate it. We will bring out the advent wreath and have it ready for the table. We will hang the stockings. Most especially, we will set out the nativity sets in every room of the home.

During this time of transition from the celebrations of the fall, let us make our transition to the celebration of Christ’s coming intentionally. Let us spend time considering who we are because Christ is. Let us ponder what difference in our lives the Father Almighty’s gift to us of His only begotten Son has made. Let us claim the title Christian and not only wear it but live it daily. And let us bear within us as our compass His teaching and His example as recorded in the Gospels, most especially on our fundamental relationships with our LORD and with one another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.