From the pastor

January 18, 2004

The clock has just chimed six times. The sound of the furnace puffing away reminds me that we are in the dead of winter. It is pitch black outside, and all I see in the window is my own reflection. My disheveled hair is evidence that it is 6 a.m. and not 6 p.m.

Before I can write this morning, I find myself needing to fill the house with color and soft light. The sun was hidden by clouds all day yesterday, and my emotional response to so much darkness nudges me to compensate. So I turn on the fireplace, light a couple candles, and plug in the Christmas tree. I don’t want lights that are too bright. That would be rude. I just want them warm and colorful.

I suppose I need to justify why the Christmas tree is still up. I like it. The needles aren’t falling off yet. And with both daughters finally gone back to school, it affords a lingering delight, a peaceful savoring of the time we spent together over the holiday.

A pot of beans simmers on the stove for my lunch. The cat is asleep on the heat vent. Books on the New Testament are strewn across my dining room table, a smorgasbord of knowledge to prepare me for the Bible study beginning this Thursday. The washer and dryer are silent, a little odd to me after several weeks of having college daughters home when they seemed to be in use 24/7. (It was a relief to finally get my own laundry done this week after they left.)

Perhaps I haven’t sufficiently justified my Christmas tree still being up.

We didn’t get it until quite late. In actual number of days, it still hasn’t been around as long as—say those who had their trees up from Thanksgiving through Christmas. I’m quite sure the presence of my Christmas tree on January 18 is NOT evidence of forgetfulness, laziness, or disorganization. I assure you, it’s quite purposeful.

There is a flyer in the bulletin this morning describing the New Testament Bible study that begins this Thursday. It will be 10 sessions and I’ve organized it so that folks can attend all or some of the sessions. If you can’t make all the sessions, but still want to participate—no problem. This Bible study is in response to several people indicating that they would like a "general survey" of the Bible to help them feel less disoriented when reading it. In preparing the classes, I make an effort to see that the material is easy to understand for beginners, yet stimulating and thought provoking for those who are well versed in the scriptures. People are welcome to share thoughts and ask questions, but I don’t embarrass people by calling on them to answer questions.

Before I close, I need to say one more word about my Christmas tree, as I sense some of you are still skeptical that it is still up. Would it help if I called it a Martin Luther King tree this weekend. Then a Ground Hog day tree, then an Abraham Lincoln’s birthday tree. Think about it. And if you’re still not convinced, let us judge not lest we be judged.

--Mike