Celebrating the Messiah

That's right. Christmas is a celebration, a remembrance, and promise of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Each year we remember the historical events that lead up to the birth of the Savior of the world...a meager and quite humble birth in the feed trough of a stable. Not quite up to AMA standards in birthing procedures, and yet isn't that just perfect! The one who is above all standards, above all rules and regulations that we put in place, was born below those standards.

Jesus Christ came down to earth those many years ago. Born to his unwed mother Mary, who almost got 'tossed out' by Joseph. Born in a manger because there was no where else to be born - no family, no money, no means to find a place in Bethlehem. How glorious! Wrapped in cloth that probably wasn't pristine or newly woven, sanitized with Woolite, or smelling of baby powder. How beautiful! With the stench of animal waste and general dirt, along with the sound of mooing cattle, donkeys, etc...(no real idea of what animals were present- just use your imagination.) How incredible!

Incredible indeed, because you see Jesus was born amidst the mess and the muck of the world, just as Jesus comes to us amidst the mess and the muck of our daily lives! Right now! Today and everyday. Jesus comes to us. Have you seen him today? Have you heard him today? He comes to us everyday and says, "I am with you. Come and see..."

That's the Christmas story we forget...that Jesus came down, right here on earth, as a human. Born in the most wretched of places - a feeding trough for an animal. He lived a humble life with his parents and family, and then wandered the area with his disciples, often being taunted, threatened, and ultimately killed for bringing the message of hope and salvation to all the world. And Jesus came back at the resurrection to remind us that we are not alone, and that God is at work in this world, God is at work through even those who would kill him.

God is at work in all of us and comes to us still, each and every day - whether in a baby, or a conversation with a friend, or a random encounter with a stranger on the street. Christ continues to come to us, right here on this earth, just as the little baby in the manger, and he is saying, "I am with you. Come to me. Come and see!

Stresses of the season

Ah yes, you can surely tell that Christmas is just around the corner here in the DC suburbs. How you ask? Well, the traffic is beyond intense - intense is normal around here, but this is just beyond that. Additionally, people are cutting people off, brushing by people in the malls, not looking up to smile or greet someone, grumbling and griping in lines at the stores, and well just having a short fuse. And maybe this isn't so 'unnormal' for this area, but I am noticing it.

And the exhaustion that accompanies this time of celebration and reflection is already evident. People look tired, and say they are tired, and yet they say, but there are only a few more days to go...as though they desire strongly to get beyond this day, this season.

And isn't this sad? I mean, this season is about stopping and taking note of the blessings in our lives - taking note and rejoicing in the ultimate gift this planet has received - Jesus Christ our Messiah. And yet we get caught up in ourselves and miss that - sounds like a textbook definition of sin, doesn't it.

So my prayer (without sounding cliche') is that we would all be brought back to the true meaning of this festive time and celebration. For while the gifts, the cookies, the gatherings are great (despite the stress and anxiety they entail) - we have already been given the gift that gives forever - a new life in Jesus Christ. That's the reason, and I pray that I and you, and everyone will take some time in the upcoming days to reflect, meditate, and celebrate that gift. For through this time the intentions behind our earthly gifts may be more fully revealed and open up a new understanding of our call for rejoicing, sharing, and celebrating.

The big approval day...

Thank you all so much for your continued prayer and support. Earlier today I went before the Candidacy Committee here in Metro DC and was approved for ordination! Yeah! (And yeah, I know most of you are saying, "No duh. This is no surpise.") Anyway - I wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you - for being part of my life, for being in conversation and prayer with me, and knowing when to kick me in the arse when I am just going the wrong way.

Blessings to each of you during this Advent/Christmas time and I look forward to coming together with you all in 2007.

Living boldly in Christ,
Kim

Back from the wasteland...

I use the title, "wasteland" not because the New Orleans area is a waste, but rather that it is wasted. It hasn't changed dramatically since I was down there in August, and I learn more during my 2.1 weeks down there why. We are broken people - like that's a surprise!

The federal, state, and local governments are still continuing to point fingers, cheap-out, and simply turn a blind eye to the horrific damage and pain in the area. This is not to say that some good is not happening, but damn it, if we can spend the quadrillion-billions in Iraq and Afghanistan, why is it so hard to do so down there to get it right!?

Then there is the church, the Lutheran church to be exact. The Lutheran church through Lutheran Disaster Response has done many wonderful things for those on the edges, those that have been forgotten about, those that fell through the cracks. But I am struggling with the Lutheran church's response to its own - its congregations and its pastors that have been so devastatingly impacted. And as I say this, many congregations and synods throughout the country have been so helpful, helping to pay the salaries of those impacted, as regular offerings, etc...could not carry cost of buildings, programs, and rostered pastors. But I need to ask the question, what happens when that support dries up? What becomes of that support when, God forbid, the next disaster hits? One would think, and in speaking with many back in OH, VA, and MD many think that LDR is helping out with the rebuilding of the churches and the homes of the pastors. Well, I learned on this trip that that is not the case. A couple churches are still not rebuilt, several pastors are still living in FEMA trailers, or out of state (commuting from TN to LA!!!) And I have to ask, what does this say to the community? Where is the church? Is there a place to gather together and "go out" from? What about the sheep-dogs of the congregations, those that are called to help care for and equip other sisters and brothers to "go out" - why are we not caring for them?

I am brought to the image of the body of Christ. We are all linked together, and when one suffers, so do the others. But why do we leave out members of the body from the care and support that is needed for them to be fully active, contributing, and equipped members? Because they make too much money!? Try buying a home in the area now, with the cost of land and shells of building sky rocketing.!

Anyway...I will post again about this, but I needed to get some of it out there. Check out the team blog we set up while down there at www.churchrespondstodisaster.blogspot.com

Please remember those affected by Katrina and Rita this holiday season. It is going to be 10-25 years before a 'normalcy' is regained...If you are considering donating money I would suggest: Peace Lutheran Church, Slidell, LA; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, New Orleans, LA; a Lutheran church out in Long Shore, MS (can't recall the name, Rev. Barb Hunter is the pastor) or Lutheran Disaster Relief (they are doing some good, really.)