Prepare Ye

I want to say thanks to the Toad Lilies. They are a band that I found on the YouTube. I was looking for a Christmas song that referenced the Baby Jesus as a king. The readings in the Narrative Lectionary were pointing to the question, "Whom will you serve?" One pastor was using the title "Game of Thrones." I wished I would have thought of that, and when I saw it, it was too late to use. Through the powers of Google, I came across this song. The lyrics are below.                                                       King of Kings Chorus King of Kings, lying in a manger Lord of Lords, so frail so small Prince of Peace, son of the almighty Came to earth, to give his life for all Verse 1 No trumpet sounds, no fanfare, the stillness all around On a night so cold and empty, in the sleepy little town No royal pal - ace no castle no priceless gems, no crown Just the cry of a helpless baby from a stable on the edge of town From a stable on the edge of t

This is the text of my Christmas sermon. Text in italics are quotes from Luke 2. Just in case your Christmas shopping isn't done, or you need to get something extra for someone because they ignored limits or went over the top, I have a gift for you to give. It isn’t a two-pound bag of frozen lutefisk, but if that seems appropriate, there are some bags still in the freezer at Our Savior’s. Actually, I’m going to tell you to give the gift given on the first Christmas morning. I’m not suggesting gold, frankincense or the ever-popular myrrh. It is actually much worse than that. I’m asking to you share the Good News of the birth of Christ. Yes. I am suggesting that you re-gift. Now, I have a problem with re-gifting, where you take a gift that someone gave to you and re-wrap it and give it to someone else. Personally, I have one exception – fruitcake. I think there really is only one fruitcake in the world and it is involved in a global game of hot potato. If you are in pos

This is the written text that I preached from on December 27. The lesson was Mark 1.1-20. Today, you are not getting a sermon. Instead, you are getting a smorgasbord of thoughts and meditations on this text. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four Gospels, and is assumed to be the first one written. It was written to be read in one setting, to tell the story of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That line alone would have gotten a reaction from the first hearers. The word Gospel, which means Good News, was only used to announce a victory, usually a military victory. The word Christ, which means the anointed one, or messiah, would have caught the attention of any Jewish hearers, because this was the one promised by God who would deliver them. The title, Son of God, was treasonous in the Roman Empire, where the first listeners would have been. No one could claim to be the Son of God. That was a title reserved for Caesar, and only Caesar. Not a bad way to start y

This is the text of my Christmas Eve sermon. Text that is in italics are quotations from Luke 2. Text that is in bold italics are quotes from the song, King of Kings by the Toad Lilies. I REALLY hope that your Christmas shopping is over. But I realize you might not be done because there is always that ONE person. You know what I mean – and if you’re sitting next to them, try not to stare. But everyone has that ONE person for whom, trying to buy any present, let alone the right one, is a struggle, possibly even near impossible. For me, this was my mom. My dad was easy to buy for. He was an avid reader. He collected figurines of Santa Claus dressed in different outfits. Dad was a duck hunter and deer hunter. Dad was SO easy to buy presents for. Then there was my mom. I love her dearly, but she was SO hard to shop for. She really didn’t have any hobbies. She did crafts; she would make Christmas ornaments to sell at local craft shows, but she would get her own supplies. She w

This is my article for the Owen-Withee Enterprise newspaper for their Christmas edition. It is also the centerpiece for the sermons that I gave at various assisted living and nursing home centers in the weeks before Christmas. A Charlie Brown Christmas is my favorite show about Christmas, and I think it helps to explain God’s love for us. For me, the best symbol of that love is Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. The tree is just sad. It is one droopy branch that can barely support a single red ball. It doesn’t compare to the other beautiful trees, especially the ones in your homes. But that is why I love it. Because it symbolizes how Christ came to us. Jesus was born to a poor teenage girl and her new husband. They could not find anyplace to stay in Bethlehem, so the stayed with the animals. When the baby was born, his first blanket were strips of rags. His first cradle was a feeding trough. The angels were so excited about the birth of the Messiah, the Savior, that they had t

Since Ananias reminded you to get your pictures taken for the new directory, let me write about some other things. I found this photo online last year, and have saved it to give you an idea of an Alternative Advent. One that you can still enjoy, but one focused on giving back, and not getting gifts. While spending time with family and loved ones can be hectic, those are the memories that last, not the gifts. Except for fruitcake and ugly ties and sweaters, those last forever. Focus on being present and giving the gift of yourself rather than on presents and gifts. Find times and ways to give back to those who have given to you, or to those who have nothing to give. Take time to celebrate one another and the love you have for each other. Share God’s love with others. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, Pastor Brian