Dear people of Bethlehem,
Blessed New Year. As the warmth of Christmas and its joy still hangs in the air, a new year stands before us. But, it feels as if we are facing this new year differently than in the past. It could be just me, but unbridled optimism for a magnificent new year, seems to have settled recently into, “I wonder what this year will bring?” And who can blame us. Since 2019, each new year has indeed been “interesting”. And yet, I think this might actually be a more authentic place to stand — a more human place, and certainly a more faith filled place. The human condition has never been without pathos, pain and joy. And as people of faith, we continue to tell a story of wandering hope, of a star in a night sky, and of death turned to life. Abject optimism is wishful thinking, and wishful thinking is not faith.
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Faith is holding it all — the good and the bad, and seeing it all — the blessed and the broken, and still believing in a hopeful tomorrow. A few weeks ago, our children’s Christmas program included a frog. I still love that! Nathan the frog reminds us that the story of the manger is grounded and very earth bound. Angels, camels, wisemen, and stars speak of the other worldly and of miracle. But frogs speak of the everyday, and the everybody. They remind us of the regularity of faith. And at the center of our program was baby Cleo in her first stage role, cast as the baby Jesus. As I watched the program unfold, both in Nathan and in Cleo, and in all the other children, I felt the sweet reality of today. Kids dressed as wisemen and donkeys, telling the old, old story, but deeply grounded in today. The new year is ours and theirs. Beautiful and terrible things will happen, and all of it will be woven into tapestry of faith and hope.
Faith is the knowledge, that the child in the manger and the cross, are both possible. Angels can sing of peace on earth, while the world still waits painfully for the fulfillment of that promise. Our hearts can be broken by the pain we see in the world, and healed by the promise of God’s love, all at the same time. This new year can fill us with both trepidation and hope, and that is as it should be. For we are people of faith who will not be scattered by the winds of the day, but grounded in the hope of tomorrow, and rooted in all the promises of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, joined our humanity, and that is why there should always be a frog in the manger.
Blessed New Year, Pastor Laura
My deepest gratitude to all of you for your gifts and cards and good wishes. My particular thanks for the gift of money from the congregation. This particular Christmas, my daughter Emily was unable to travel due to a medial issue and your kindness allowed me to gain lodging near her, so that we could be together for Christmas. I am so grateful for your kindness.
God bless you all, Pastor Laura