Child's Excitement

I was in the cafeteria at school getting my lunch. For some reason instead of the usual separate plastic utensils, a wrapped spork, napkin, and straw were provided. As I walked past the first grade students, I heard one of them call down the table to a friend, "WE GOT A SPORK!!" The awe and excitement were obvious. I chuckled to myself. It's funny what a child finds exciting. Simple thing can make children happy.

What simple things in our lives can make us happy? For a long time I thought Christmas was about what presents I got. When I got older and presents didn't make me happy, I had a few miserable Christmases. When I finally stopped expecting gifts, I enjoyed Christmas more. I would get my hopes up for some great presents and when I didn't get them, I felt a huge let down. My whole Christmas was built around my expectations of great gifts.

Finally I started to figure out that I would find happier times looking forward to the little things. Sitting in the living room with my family after dinner is one thing I flash on when thinking of Christmas. Mom working in the kitchen in her church clothes and house slippers. I smile when I think of being with my church family as Christmas Eve turns to Christmas morning. Time with friends and families make my holidays much more joyful.

Do you look at Christmas with jaded eyes and a closed heart or do you see it that it is as exciting as a spork?

Oh Come, Oh Come

Last Sunday was Advent Sunday, the season of preparation and waiting for the Nativity of Jesus. I was responsible for lighting the altar candles.

When I was trained to perform this duty, Jean, then the worship coordinator, explained how I could remember which candle to light first. When facing the altar, the candle on the right represents Jesus and it is always lit first. AND when extinguishing the candles, I was to relight the candle lighter off of the Christ candle and then process out of the sanctuary. I would be symbolically carrying Jesus out into the world.

As I started down the aisle with the lit candle lighter, I listened to the congregation sing, "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel."

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

I watched the flame as I walked. The words "the Son of God appear" struck a chord with me. Each time someone brings the flame in s/he is symbolically saying that God is present with us.

Do we have to wait for Christmas to feel like God is with us? All year long do we embrace the idea that God is with us? I'm not against Christmas. I think it can be a reminder that we are not alone and that God is with us. REJOICE! REJOICE!