Thought for Today
Psalm 119:59 When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees 60 I hurry and do not delay to keep your commandments.
Haggai 1:9 Why? says the LORD of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses.
Nahum 2:4 The chariots race madly through the streets, they rush to and fro through the squares; their appearance is like torches, they dart like lightning.
Acts 22:17 . . . I fell into a trance 18 and saw Jesus saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'
Last week, I wrote, “Hurry scurry! Hustle bustle! Buy! Is there joy in all of the hullaballoo associated in our modern Christmas ‘celebration?” In case you missed the memo, Christmas is almost here. Christmas Day is one week from yesterday. Have you found that one, single most important “have to have it” present yet? You’re almost out of time.
In our society today, it is hard to escape that sense of urgency associated with Christmas, the commercial pressure to engage in ostentatious, excessive consumerism. Success or failure is measured by ‘how much?’ and ‘how many?’ Not just quantity and cost, but also the supplier-determined quality of the gifts we purchase for each other. Just as we view our careers as a competition, just as we determine the worth of our towns and cities by the success of their athletic teams, we determine the success of our Christmas season by the invoices that come due in January.
As the days count down, it is almost obligatory to become swamped under a rising tide of “hurry up” and “rush, rush.” I watch the advertisements on television, I hear the rising note of panic-inducing stridency in the voices of all the prognosticators warning me that I will not be able to find that (fill in the blank) and that my Christmas will be a total disaster.
Yet, when I read in the Bible about the birth of Jesus, I don’t find any commercial metrics requiring my buying anything! The birth narratives, especially Luke’s, do convey some of the drama, some of the worry, care and concern. Anyone who has ever taken a trip and not made advanced reservations for a place to stay can understand Joseph’s panic at, “Luke 2:7 there was no place for them in the inn.” But, nowhere in the Bible could I find the words ‘scurry,’ ‘hustle,’ or ‘bustle.’ The other words, ‘buy,’ ‘hurry,’ and ‘rush,’ do appear in scripture. But not associated with the birth of our savior. I have to admit, having had occasion to drive into downtown Boston yesterday, I did find Nahum’s words applicable to this season, especially if I substitute “cars” for “chariots.” Regrettably, traffic in downtown Boston always seems like that to me.
There are times, issues and events in the Bible that do carry a sense of emergency, immediacy and concern, e.g., “1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” and “2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.”
Those verses and others dealing with urgency and immediacy are not addressing anything to do with buying or commercialism They are dealing with our faith, our relationship with our Creator God. Not merely during Advent nor Christmas, but throughout the year, we need to focus on our own faith.
Are there any reasons for urgency during Advent and Christmas? Yesterday, I wrote about a wonderful Christmas program at Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital. Trying to bring joy to children any time, and especially at Christmas, is a reason for urgency, maybe even for hustle, bustle and buying. I often mention the First Parish Community Food Pantry and its herculean efforts to combat food insecurity. Trying to help those facing food insecurity or housing insecurity is a reason for urgency, maybe even for hustle, bustle and buying.
Don’t worry, don’t fret this season about how many presents are under the tree. Don’t worry about whether the perfect meal is being served on Christmas Day. Instead, think more about what we celebrate this season. This is a time to remember that our Creator God loved us so much that he sent his only Son to show us the way back home. Remember that it is our faith in that Son that is our pathway to salvation. That Son, that salvation are our gifts from God. That is important!
Stay safe, avoid those madly racing chariots, trust God,
Pastor Ray