Kissing the Season

by Bob Setzer, Jr.
Christmas always comes early for me on a Friday night in December. That’s the night the Douglass Theater hosts two guitar maestros playing Christmas carols. The two musicians--Robin Bullock and Steve Baughman--play a unique blend of Celtic and Appalachian music on guitars, mandolins, and dulcimers. This dynamic duo rarely sings, offering up instead the pure, sweet sounds of acoustical music. Most years, Christmas descends for me in all of its joy and power as I hear Robin and Steve pluck and strum “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” or “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

Part of what makes this music so special is that Robin and Steve never do any sentimental, schmalzy Christmas music, just proven hymns and carols that have moved audiences for generations. As Robin Bullock asked at this year’s concert after introducing, “Good King Wenceslas”--a tune he said dated from the 13th century --“Does anyone really think people will be singing Brittany Spears tunes eight centuries from now?”

The laughter rippling through the crowd answered the question.

But this year, there was an especially magical moment at the concert. It was during intermission when the Master of Ceremonies was giving out door prizes. Among the prizes were several bags of Hershey’s Kisses, the gold-wrapped ones with an almond inside. Upon learning of this delectable offering, I sat forward in my seat. I listened in rapt attention as the winning numbers from the ticket stubs were called. My mouth watered in anticipation. I had to win those Hershey’s Kisses. What a thrill it would be to soak up the Celtic Guitar Summit while wolfing down all that chocolate laced with nuts!

One by one, the winning numbers were called. One by one, my hopes faded as the Hershey’s kisses were handed out to the winners. Finally, all the numbers were called and I was destitute, forlorn, defeated. No Hershey’s kisses for me.

The concert resumed, and I listened as best I could, distracted by my unfulfilled chocolate cravings. I was not feeling festive.

As Robin and Steve delivered up a bright, airy version of “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” the person to my left gave me a little nudge. She then handed me an open bag of Hershey’s Kisses. One of the winners, several seats away--far more overwhelmed by the Christmas spirit than I--had chosen to share his or her windfall with others. I took my two Hershey’s kisses (OK, three) and passed the bag on to the person at my right. The bag made its way on down the row, surprising and delighting one person after another.

I popped the Hershey’s kisses in my mouth and smiled at the burst of flavor. My earlier selfish, greedy grasping had been vanquished by some selfless soul’s spontaneous generosity. So there, in a darkened theater one Friday night in December, for me Christmas happened.

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Chronos and Kairos

by Bob Setzer, Jr.
The Advent wreath that graces our sanctuary is a gift to our church and the great Church from the Lutherans of 16th century Germany. They first began the custom of twisting fir or spruce branches into a wreath graced by candles. The Advent wreath came to America by way of German immigrants. It was and is a special way to mark the passage of sacred time.

The New Testament uses two Greek words for time: Chronos and Kairos. Chronos is the ticktock time of a clock; it is the seconds and minutes of the day marching resolutely on. Our words "chronology" and “chronograph” derive from this root.

The other New Testament word for time is Kairos. Kairos time is time brimming with significance. It is the kind of time embodied in the phrase, "I had the time of my life!" Kairos time is precious. Chronos time is monotonous, forgettable, and fleeting.

The Advent wreath marks chronos time, even as it invites us to experience kairos time. On the one hand, there is the routine of lighting a candle, Sunday by Sunday. But on the other, the glittering gold stand holding the wreath, the candles' flickering flames, the singing of "O Come Let Us Adore Him," all awaken us to the holiness of the season. During Advent, the church is not just marking time or "killing" time. The church is on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem.

This Sunday, the fourth Advent candle will be lit, meaning the holiest of nights is drawing near. The fourth Advent banner, "Love," will bear its silent witness as will the poinsettias, signifying the blood red love of God. Then the congregation will erupt in singing, "Joy to the World!" The children will rush forward for the children's sermon with more than their usual anticipation. The chancel choir, still basking in the glow of last Sunday’s glorious Cantata, will offer its heartfelt Alleluias. And Jonathan Johnson will raise the roof with his stirring rendition of “O Holy Night!”

Yes, this Sunday, the Advent journey will draw near its end. Then on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m., friends and family will come to the top of Poplar one last time this Advent season. For that night, the candle of candles will be lit, the Christ candle signifying the Light of the World. And at last, all the waiting and watching will bear fruit as we hold our candles aloft and sing, "Silent Night." As twinkling light and sweet song fill the sanctuary, the faithful will feel in their hearts and souls and in the very marrow of their bones, that at last, the moment of kairos has come: "For in the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son, born of woman" (Galatians 4:4). And in the wonder of that moment, the dull monotony of ordinary time will be consumed by the glory of the Eternal One, coming to dwell among us.

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Christmas Blues

by Bob Setzer
Here’s a dirty little secret about Christmas: amid all the gala and festivities, the parties and the laughter, the back-slapping and the smiles, a lot of people are sad. Most strive to hide their heaviness of heart, not wishing to impose their grief on others. But deep inside, where only dear friends and God can see, such bereaved souls are nursing a broken heart. And at Christmas, especially, they wonder if it will ever heal.

The first Christmas after the death of a loved one is the hardest. All the familiar rituals are upset by the looming absence: the empty seat at the Christmas table; the missing hug; the aroma of a loved one’s aftershave or perfume, now gone; the poignant realization there is one less gift to give or receive. And the worst part is all this happens when gaiety is at a premium and the culture declares a moratorium on grief.

For others, the burden of grief takes a different form. Some are facing the loss of a marriage and the challenge of waking up on Christmas morning without a familiar presence at one’s side. Others are dreading trying to explain why Santa’s rounds were so skimpy this year, in light of a parent’s unemployment. Still others are hoping against hope their chronic illness will not suck the joy out of the family’s Christmas cheer.

In his moving memoir, Lament for a Son, Nicholas Wolterstorff writes, "Another's tears are salve on our wounds." There is healing power in having one’s grief acknowledged in a deeply feeling way. When Jesus show up at the tomb of our lost brother or loved one, our lost marriage or shattered dream--his face streaked by tears--it helps us feel not so hopeless and alone (John 11:33-35). Most often Jesus shows up at such times in a fellow pilgrim who is not frightened away by our tears, but who loves us enough to share them.

On Sunday night, December 20 at 6 p.m., our church will host a “Christmas Service for Grieving Persons.” This service is open to all; indeed, just about everyone is carrying around a load of grief about something. But this service is especially intended for those who have lost a loved one in the last year, or are facing another kind of crushing loss this Christmas. The service is a simple one, featuring Bible readings, quiet, reflective music, a brief meditation by the pastor, and prayers. The sanctuary is darkened and illuminated by candles, creating a private, intimate setting. There will be no pressure and no embarrassment, just a sanctuary--a safe place--where it is okay to be sad at Christmas.

The wonder of Christmas is not just the angel’s glad shout, “Good News of Great Joy for All People!” The wonder of Christmas is also that in God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we have an ever present companion and friend is who “acquainted with grief” in a deeply personal way. Some Christmases, that is the best news of all.

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The Main Thing

by Bob Setzer, Jr.
According to a recent report, this Christmas Americans will use over 28,497,464 rolls and sheets of wrapping paper, 16,826,362 packages of tags and bows, 372,430,684 greeting cards, and 35,200,000 Christmas trees.

If as E. B White observed, “To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year,” trying to find Christmas beneath that much stuff is going to be a problem.

Meanwhile, the little book, Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Presents for the Holidays, has become quite the rage. Essentially, the author argues Christmas is the ultimate bait-and-switch in which we spend gazillions of dollars on gifts that don’t bring any lasting satisfaction.

We all know this of course. And we’ve come to expect the familiar dressing down from the pastor or some other pulpiteer or editorialist about the need to put “Christ back into Christmas.” Still, nothing much changes. The preacher says the same predictable stuff while he, she, and we keep doing what we’ve always done.

How ‘bout another approach, a savvy both/and instead of a stern and sober, either/or? If you’ve got the discretionary income, buy the people you love something special. Me? I’ve always been a sucker for Santa Claus. There are worse things than lavishing special gifts on the kids and grandkids, especially if you help them understand this kind of lavish grace is because of Jesus. Just keep the credit cards on ice, remembering the wisdom of Proverbs, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender” (22:7).

Further, spread some Christmas cheer by giving generously to the Salvation Army ringer and the Crisis Closet, making a gift to Global Missions, and catching up your year-end giving to the church. Make sure you spend at least as much on Christ, his church, and his causes as on everybody else. It is his birthday after all.

But amid all the festive buying and giving, do the other thing too. Bring the family to worship during Advent. Let the children sit in spell-bound wonder before the twinkling Advent wreath and Chrismon tree. Delight to the pure, sweet sounds of the Children’s Choirs singing their Alleluias! Reel with joy as a world-class church choir presents a heartfelt Cantata. Gather on Christmas Eve to form a circle in the sanctuary, raise your lighted candle, and sing, “Silent Night.” And better yet, bring an unchurched friend or neighbor with you, someone who really needs him who is the Hope of the World.

Christmas is a blessed time for celebrating God’s indescribable gift, the gift of God’s one and only Son (2 Cor. 9:15; John 3:16). Amid the festivities and the fun, just work at keeping the main thing, the Main Thing!

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