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The Season of Christ

Br. John Ogle, FBC

This morning’s Gospel Reading is one of my favorites. Not only is the language majestic and forceful ..but the message is presented in a way that almost makes you think St. John knew about  ‘low Sunday.’

In many churches the same pews that were in such high demand on the 24^th ..immediately lost value when the church was locked up that night. I serve a very large parish ..we used the Chapel on Christmas Day.

The wise men aren’t even at the manger yet and so many people have lost interest in the story of the birth of the Savior of the World. 

St. John saw it coming ..he tells us the essentials of what happened ..how the all too brief ..but earth shaking ministry of Christ began ..with brilliant economy of language.  He establishes the pedigree of the man he’s talking about ..the Man is God.  

There isn’t another book in all literature that has a beginning like this. It’s breath taking. So much information ..so many claims made ..so much to look forward to ..written with such absolute confidence. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  The point is made right off the bat ..Jesus Christ is God made man.

God ..we’re reminded ..made everything ..including us ..and loved us so much that he sent His Son.  He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.

The world was busy with other things. Though he was of humble earthly origin the ministry of Jesus was so powerful it threatened the religious status quo ..the haves were devalued ..the have nots had equal value ..there was a perceived threat to the government.

Two thousand three years later the story is still told ..the Faith is still alive.  The light still shines. 

Our job, as children of the light ..is clear. We need to keep telling this story. We need to focus on the person of Christ.  Santa is all fine and good but remember who’s birthday those presents are for.  Remember Santa has his origins in St. Nicholas who behaved in a Christ like way. Think about it. God loves us so much he has a birthday party for His Son and we get the presents.

This is not the Holiday Season.  For us ..CHRIST ians ..this is the Season of Christmas.    St. John tells us that many people closed their eyes ..covered their ears ..didn’t want to hear about it..the Light overcame the darkness in many more.

So during these 12 days of Christmas ..light the CHRIST candle in your Advent Wreath ..turn on the lights on your CHRISTmas tree ..enjoy the presents ..the family time.  Use the Daily Office in your prayer book ..this is YEAR ONE ..there are readings and psalms for every day ..the prayer book has a form for family devotions.

Embrace the Light of Christ in your life ..shine it on your children ..on your friends ..on people you don’t know.  
Be warned. Loving Christ with all of your heart can lead to  …

A COMPLETE LIFE CHANGE.  Remember Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners. HE is here now ..the whole world watched just a few days ago as we proclaimed it. 

Maybe there aren’t as many watching today. What can we do about that? Billionaire Warren Buffett was asked once what he would leave his children. Buffett said he’d leave them enough so they can do ANYTHING ..but not enough so they can do NOTHING.

We are here in church and that’s important ..but AS important is getting other people to be here with us for the reasons we‘re here ..to fill the world with the knowledge and love of Christ.   We cannot do NOTHING.  We can never do too much.

St. John tells us the Word was made Flesh. Christ was born into the world as a man to make God known to man. 

So what do you want to know? 

As much as you can learn? Do you want the light to shine  ON and then IN your life ..or do you want to hide from the light?  Oh sure ..the light will shine on some things you may need to throw away ..but once they’re gone ..they’re gone.  As you live and grow as a Christian the light of Christ will shine FROM you.

St. Francis said “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words.” 

Let the light of Christ shine forth in your life ..this Christmas season ..and all through ..what I pray will be a safe ..joyous ..and Christ filled New Year.    AMEN