Childlike Expectation

I remember as a child I could hardly contain my pure excitement as I waited for Christmas to finally arrive. There was magic in the air and, at times, I could hardly contain my anticipation. Now that I’m older, a lot of the anticipation and magic are gone. There are still wonderful family traditions and joys of the season, but many times it seems like the anticipation is replaced with anxious scurrying and to-do lists.

Advent is the season for preparation and anticipation in the church. If we were to truly follow what the seasons of the church year dictate, we wouldn’t decorate our church or sing a Christmas Carol before December 24^th. And then the idea is, on Christmas Eve we would be blown away by the transformation and the joy of Christmas which we would celebrate for 12 days. Following that practice year after year would lead to true anticipation and preparation—that is if we weren’t so bombarded by Christmas in the rest of the world starting in early November. By the time the day after Christmas comes, we’re kind of sick of it all and ready to move on, not truly wanting to celebrate Christmas for another 12 days (which is the true season of Christmas in the church).

This year I hope that we can rekindle that childlike anticipation and joy as we wait, not for the coming of a man in a red coat and hat, but for the birth of our Savior, the Prince of Peace. To help with this, I’ve found a book called, “Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to Share Before Christmas” by Antonie Schneider. It is a children’s book that tells simple stories about a bear named Benjamin as he waits for Christmas. Each day beginning November 30^th, you can go to my blog through our website (kenoshawesley.org) and you will find a video as I read a story from the book (each story is about 60 seconds or so). On Sunday mornings, I will also read the appropriate story to our children at children’s time.

If there is a hell, baptism isn't going to do squat for you.

I received another phone call today asking for me to do a baptism for a few children who's parents have no interest in being a part of the church and aren't interested in the Christian faith what-so-ever. While I thought this type of thinking died long ago, it seems to me that baptism is still seen as fire insurance (i.e., if our child dies, if they're not baptized they're going to hell) or as a rite of passage, like a child's first birthday or high school graduation.

I have to tell you, I just don't get it. Seeing baptism as a rite of passage when there is no faith commitment is just like a couple looking to get married in the church because they've always dreamed of a white wedding in a church, but don't want God or Jesus mentioned in the ceremony at all because they don't believe in God (yes, I've had that conversation). This makes the church and the Christian faith little more than window dressing or a scenic backdrop and belittles what our faith is actually about.

Seeing baptism as "fire insurance" is more troubling. To think that God would send anyone to hell (especially children) because we haven't performed the qualifying ritual makes God out to be rather random, arbitrary, and cruel. Baptism then becomes like the early Christians who wanted to continue to practice Jewish circumcision (who Paul addressed in Galatians), rather than a symbol of God's grace and love.

We believe that God's love is continually reaching out to all of us--that Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to be in a loving relationship with God and our neighbor--and that nothing can defeat the power of that love . . . not even death. The Christian faith is about ongoing, loving relationship and the power of God's love to make that relationship possible and flourish.

To boil eternity and the power of this relationship down to the ritual of baptism is like saying as long as you take a multivitamin, you can eat McDonalds for every meal and your physical health will be just fine.

I put so much hope and trust in God's love for us that I pray that no one is ever left out, no matter how long God must strive to reach them--even to the ends of eternity (that's why the title says, "If there is a hell." There's more in Scripture against me than for me on that point because God will never force himself on us if we want to turn away eternally, but I also see the relentlessness of God's love as an overall theme throughout the Scriptures.

Either way, let's give up the hocus pocus , the superstitious, cultic tendencies that we cling to and pretend are Christian. They cheapen the power of the Gospel and God's grace. Let's instead cling to the love and grace of Jesus Christ that will never stop pursuing us or those we love.

Amazing Grace

If you haven't seen it, go out and rent the movie "Amazing Grace," and watch the special features.

Easter, Human Trafficking, and Modern Day Slavery

Many people decide to give up something for Lent. One of the most popular things to give up is sweets, especially chocolate. At the end of this 40 day season, there is a quick reprieve as Easter Baskets are filled with chocolate bunnies, eggs, and even crosses. But, did you know that if you celebrate Easter with chocolate you may be unknowingly supporting human trafficking, child labor, and child slavery.

You see, over 40% of the world's Cocoa comes from the Ivory Coast in Africa. The market prices are controlled, in large part by the large chocolate companies. For every $1.00 spent on chocolate these companies get 70 cents and the farmers get a nickel. The farmers then use child labor and children who've been stolen from their homes as slave laborers in order to sustain their operations. This has not been a secret from these corporations making their profits on the backs of these children.

From what I've read, while most large chocolate companies are complicit in this practice, Hershey and M&M/Mars are two of the biggest benefactors of this system. And so when we buy candy, especially chocolate from these companies, we're supporting these business practices with our patronage.

What is especially disturbing to me is that we proclaim Christ rose from the grave to set us free from bondage to sin and death--and filling Easter baskets with these products brings people into and keeps them in literal bondage. We end up working against the very Gospel we proclaim and celebrate.

And so I urge everyone to fill their Easter baskets with Fair Trade Chocolate. Yes, it will be more expensive than what you will find in Walmart, Target, and the grocery store. And that's something we will feel in our pocket, even if it's a small pinch, during tough times for some. However, if we do not change our buying practices, there are children who will live lives of bondage, fear, hopelessness and degradation. We may never meet them, but I personally don't want to be any part of this system.

If you want to go further, write to the VP of Marketing for Hershey and Mars/M&M. They concerned about your dollar and your dollar walking out the door. These companies have handshake agreements to work on changing these practices, but continue to delay putting them into action (the first handshake agreement/protocol in 2001 and continues to be kicked down the road).

As the largest chocolate consuming country in the world, let's celebrate this Easter by proclaiming and living out the freedom Christ offers not only in our churches, but throughout the world by standing up for those who cannot do so for themselves.

For more information see:

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/mmfaq.html

http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/06/the-dark-side-of-chocolate/?hpt=Sbin

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2952659&ct=7491087&notoc=1

A God of Abundance

A young child wrote this note to his pastor.

"Dear minister, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate Sunday, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you give a sermon about a raise in my allowance? It would help the church get more money."

As funny as this is, many of us approach giving in this way, whether it's to the church or to any other organization that helps those in need. We'd give more if only we had a little more to give. We just need that raise and everything will be so much easier. There's only so much to go around and there's just not enough right now.

Unfortunately, this paints a false picture of God. Our world tells us over and over that resources are scarce. There's only so much to go around. And so we can only give so much because otherwise there won't be enough left for us. We spend so much time and energy acquiring and worrying about what we don't have and often are so measured and cautious with what give because we believe there isn't going to be enough. This is the myth of scarcity. That God hasn't given his children enough to go around. This is not the God we worship.

The truth is, we believe that the God we worship has given to us abundantly! Not only is there enough to go around, there's more than enough. And therefore, we give in response to the abundance God continually provides us with.

I have heard people say that the more they have given the more God has given them. From my experience, I don't think God gives more to the generous and less to misers. I have found that the more I give the more I recognize how much God has already blessed me with. It's not that God has given me more in a "quid pro quo" arrangement. In giving I am transformed. I can see the gifts I have more clearly. I am able to give thanks more fully. I am able to give more joyously. Thank God for the many abundances he has given to us.

A Letter From Jesus About Christmas

This has been around on the internet for a few years, but is always good to read again this time of year.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of this season. Maybe you've forgotten that history isn’t really sure of the date of my birth. It was some of your ancestors who decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of a pagan festival. Of course, I do appreciate being remembered anytime!

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of their own. I don't care what you call the day: if you want to celebrate my birth, just get along and love one another!

Now, having said that, let me go on. If it bothers you that the town where you live doesn't allow a scene depicting my birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen on your own front lawns and put up a small Nativity scene in their place. If all my followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a “holiday tree” instead of a Christmas tree. Don't forget: it was I who made all the trees. You can remember me any time you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish! (You might remember I used that image once myself when I was explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.)

If you want to give me a present in remembrance of my birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are lonely and afraid at this time of year. I know: they tell me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. It might be someone you know - or perhaps someone you don't know. Those folks just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President to complain about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family and the decisions he makes in the new year. Then follow up with other concerns you have as they come along.

4. Instead of (at least in addition to) giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need - spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you down there. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. Tell them how much you depend on me and how you want them to learn to trust me, too.

5. Think of some persons who have hurt you in the past and really work at forgiving them – and, if possible and helpful, let them know you’ve forgiven them.

6. Did you know that some in your town are so lonely in this season that they feel hopeless? Since you may not know who they are, try givingeveryone you meet a warm smile, a kind word: it could make the difference...

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailers in your town calls “the holiday,” be patient with the people who work in their stores. (They deal with all kinds of customers all day long!) Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who brings my love and the good news of the Gospel to those who have never heard my name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to your church or the Salvation Army or some other charity who will know how to get those gifts and food to those who need them the most. (Actually you could do this in any month of the year - even in every month of the year!)

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in me, your loyalty to me, then live like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your words and deeds that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love me and love one another and do what I’ve told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work - time is short! I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love…

And remember:

I LOVE YOU!

Jesus

Love is . . .

Love is a verb, not a noun. Live it today!