Christmas Celebration

This was our second Christmas here in Alberta. Last year we were invited to a family's house to celebrate Christmas with them. Last year, we were by far the youngest people there. It was still a lot of fun as we were out at the ranch. This year we had a few more invitations from other people. It is always hard to say no to someone. But, we decided to go back to the ranch for Christmas.

This year however, their entire family were able to be home for Christmas. It was a really neat experience. Around Christmas time we miss our families in Ontario and in California. We would love to celebrate with them. Since that is not possible, it was really nice to feel as if we were a part of the family for Christmas.

My wife and I said we weren't going to stay too long, because we wanted to have time alone and open our gifts together. Well, we were having such a good time, our plan of not staying long didn't work. We had a really good time and we felt welcomed as if we were a part of their family. What a neat way to celebrate Christmas this year!

Christmas Program

Last night we had the annual Sunday School program. It was a lot of fun to watch the little kids as they recited their lines and sang different songs. For me it is really neat to see the kids excited about being up front and singing. At what age is it no longer cool to stand up front and participate?

Anyway, my last post I said I was going to maybe push the limits a bit. Well, I think it went over pretty well. What I did was at the beginning of my meditation, I had someone call my cell phone. At first I looked out like whose phone is that? I should have let it ring longer to make people more uncomfortable as they looked for theirs, but I didnt. Anyway, I answered the phone and acted embarrassed that my phone would ring in the service. Then I reacted all excited about something happening right then and there. So, I ran out of the sanctuary. I came back in after a few minutes talking about how amazing it was to see a brand new baby.

The point I was making was how would we react to an important message like the birth of your own child. Or even more, if it was the birth of the Savior. The Shepherds left their work to go and see what the Angel had told them about. They returned glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard. The shepherds were excited about seeing the savior. I wondered then with the congregation if we too share in this excitement? Or are we too tired and worn out from all the busyness of the season? At one point when I asked if we are just too tired, one of the kids answered out loud, "YES!" It shows he was listening, and it shows how honest he was, and how we might need to be more honest with ourselves.

The story is the same story each and every year. For many people it is old and tired. But the excitement of the savior being born should never leave us. We should want to share it with everyone! God himself became flesh to dwell among us! He came to redeem his people. What could be any more exciting??

Pushing the limits??

Sunday night is our annual Sunday School Christmas program. It is quite the big thing around here. Last year was one of my first services here, and I remember that church was the fullest I have ever seen it. It seems as if it is a highlight for everyone to come. Which in my opinion is great. I love the fact that people want to encourage the kids in the Sunday school and hopefully they are excited about Christmas.

During the service there is a spot that is given to me to give a meditation of sorts, not a full blown sermon, because then we would be there until 9 pm. This year as I am thinking about what I am going to do, I think I want to push the limits a bit. I want to stretch people's comfort zone. Hopefully it will be something that will make people remember and think about for a while.

For those who read this and go to our church, well, you will just have to wait and see on Sunday evening what will happen. I am looking forward to it. I hope everyone else is too!

Too busy to work

As I said before this is really my first full Christmas season as a pastor of a church. It is a busy time of year. The thing that I am finding, at least in this week is that there is so much going on, it is hard to keep my mind focused. There is a lot that I need to do, but it is as if I am too busy to work. My mind is on what I need to do next, and I cant seem to focus on what I need to do now. This isnt a good thing as I need to get the sermons written, I need to get the services planned, I need to call people to line them up for readings, I need to...it seems as if it keeps going and going.

I am looking forward to Christmas, I really am. But, the time between now and then doesnt seem to be long enough! I guess that is the life of a pastor. IT is a fun time of year, I just dont want to get lost in the busyness of it all.

I might be Sick

Could someone recommend a good psychologist? I think I need to be examined. I have said a couple of times today, "It is really nice outside." You might be wondering why this might mean that I am sick. Well, it is -10 C (14 F) outside. Growing up in California it rarely dropped below 10 C (50 F) during the winter, if it did, it was usually at night. Sure we would spend some time up in the mountains at the snow, but that would only be for a few days. But I cant believe I actually think that -10 is nice.

Not only that, I voluntarily went for a walk/hike over an hour on Saturday in -40, at this point, Celsius and Fahrenheit dont really matter, it is COLD!! It was a nice time actually. We walked in the river bottom and were looking for Coyotes but never saw any. We did see a herd of Mule deer, which was pretty awesome. Walking in the trees was actually nice, until we reached an opening, then it was really cold. But it was really enjoyable.

The reason -10 feels good is because after 3 days of -40 to -50 degree wind chill, it is really nice. It was great to take the dog out for a walk, she seemed to have a lot of fun, rather than the last three days of sitting and shivering the whole time. As they said last year at my ordination service, global warming hasnt really hit Alberta yet!!

White Christmas

In the 10 years since I have moved from California, I have not had a white Christmas yet. The main reason was that each Christmas I still went home, so of course there was no snow. But this is the third year that I am in an area where it is possible to have a white Christmas. I guess the questions I am asking is, what constitutes a white Christmas?

What I mean is this, does it have to actually be snowing on Christmas day for it to be considered a white Christmas? Or does it mean that there has to be snow around, like on the ground for it to be considered a white Christmas? If the answer is the latter, then I think I am guaranteed my first white Christmas ever. If it is the former, then that will have to be determined yet. The way the weather is now, I think we are guaranteed snow on the ground at least. So, I guess I will see if it is worth all the hype...finally.

Christmas mood

This year is my first year of leading Advent services and really preparing for Christmas and New Years Eve. Last year we were in the middle of a move and everything seemed so out of place and it was just a blur for the most part. This year is a little different. We are settled in and have been here for a while and we know the area pretty well.

With that being said, I still feel that it is hard to get in the "Christmas mood." This morning as I am preparing for the third Sunday of Advent, I was thinking about how I need to really reflect on what Christmas is all about. You would think it is easy to do this when you are in ministry. But I think that since there is a lot on my mind about the upcoming services, it makes it difficult to really get in the Christmas mood.

As I prepare for Christmas and advent, I think I need to take some time to do more reflecting on the meaning of Christmas and advent. It is something that many people can go into auto pilot when they think about Christmas. How can we make the Christmas story new and exciting? Do we need to? Should we use the K.I.S.S model (Keep It Simple, Stupid) during this time of year? Do we need to get back to basics when it comes to Christmas? We celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord. We celebrate his coming, and we wait his coming again. Hopefully we arent too wrapped up in our own things that we take this for granted. Hopefully we can honestly say as John says in Revelation 22:20, "Come, Lord Jesus"

Energizing

A few posts ago I asked the question what wears us out. In that, I think I talked about what energizes us as well. For me playing sports has always been the best way for me to get energy. The last few weeks I have been driving to Lethbridge to play basketball on Wednesday nights. After the first week I said to my wife, "I really miss playing." At Seminary I was able to play basketball 3 mornings a week at 6:30, plus I was able to play on intramurals as well as volleyball with friends.

I was noticing again last night that I really enjoy getting out there and playing. Life in the ministry can be lonely at points. Especially when we get close to the holidays you really begin to miss your family. That last number of years we were able to be with some family during the holidays. But now is the second time that we arent able to be at home with our families. It is a busy time of year for me, but I realize that playing basketball has really helped me.

I find that I can have a good time with a bunch of guys that I really dont know, but am getting to know over time. It is a lot of fun to play hard and competitively, but also to respect each other. I am finally getting in to shape, at least a little bit.

On a different note, I am not looking forward to this weekend. Not that there is anything that makes it extra busy or anything, it is just the fact that they are forecasting a high -25 celsius (-13 Farenheit) as a high on Monday! Saturday and Sunday arent much better. I was thinking of going skiing on Monday to practice a bit, but not in -25 thank you very much!!

Walking in the cold

Coming from a native Southern Californian, this might sound strange. I just enjoyed my walk outside in the cold. It sounds especially strange since I am not a fan of walking for exercise. However, since getting the puppy it has forced me to go on longer walks then I ever would have done before. I am actually starting to enjoy them.

As I was on my walk, even though Pepper wasnt really following me that well, I was thinking about how much I enjoyed it. It is -7 Celsius or 19 Fahrenheit, growing up I dont think I could have ever imagined that cold of weather. But having lived in cold weather country for the past 10 years, you start to get used to it, or not mind it as much. (That is what I say now in December, talk to me in February or March, see how I feel then.) I was thinking about the fact that there was no wind and it wasnt so bad. It is a bit invigorating to walk out in the cold.

Not only is it healthy to walk every day, but I am finding that I think about God's creation as I am on my walk. Today again is different than yesterday, but both were beautiful days in their own way. It is amazing to me to see God's creation and all the minute little details that he has made. Yet, he gave it to us. Often times we take it for granted. I know for myself, I am being reminded of how great a God we have.

I can't believe it

I was/am sick to my stomach. Yesterday I did something that I cant simply believe. I went to the local ice arena where I can skate for a while, usually, by myself as I am still learning. While I was there, I decided it would be a good idea to put my wedding ring in my pocket while I mess around with the hockey puck and stick.

Well, I put it in my pocket thinking that was the best place for it. Do you think I remembered right away to put it back on my finger? No, it didnt occur to me until later last night that I didnt have my ring. In a panic I reached in my pocket and my ring was not there. I didnt search too much, maybe I will later, but I think the thing that happened was it fell out of my pocket when I reached for my keys either at the Ice arena or the grocery store since I stopped there next. I dont remember hearing it, but, that is the only thing I can think of.

I felt so terrible I didnt know how to tell my wife last night until we were in bed. We thought we had purchased some sort of insurance with the ring when we bought it. But, of course it doesnt cover loss, it covers re-sizing and things like that, but not replacement. Anyway, I still cant believe it and feel terrible. But, what can I do?