Short Beach Union Church Reflects: 'Tis The Season

Much focus this season is spent on hitting all the right notes.  We all have that list of holiday to do’s guaranteed to make our season bright – enough time with family and friends, check; thoughtful gifts and stockings hung by the chimney with care, check; help for the poor, check.  We all know it is more blessed to give than to receive, which is why we are standing in lines at the grocery store, battling crowds at the mall, and volunteering our time to the needy. 

Why is it, with our list complete, yet we are left feeling let down, not buoyed by that sense of joy that we expected to come from all our holiday generosity and preparations.  It is confusing at best, and often downright disconcerting, to feel like Santa who got run over by the reindeer.

The Reason for the Season, God’s gift to mankind, gave us two parables about living life enterprisinly using the gifts He has left us.  In the parable of the Master who left his fortune to his three servants to manage until his return; we are given a pattern for a life that attends the Celebration.  When arriving home, the master commended his servant with whom he had entrusted two million dollars, as he had used his time and talent to earn two million more.  Also to the second servant who earned an additional one million on his million.  But to the servant who buried his half million in accordance with accepted practices of the time—holding up his end of the bargain, but not investing himself--only doing “what was expected of him”, making his list and checking it off—he was doomed to a life that knew no real joy, only disappointment.

Jesus also spoke of the bridesmaids who waiting for the groom to begin the festivities.  The bridesmaids who prepared by bringing only the amount of lamp oil they felt would be expected to fulfill their duties, had not brought enough for light to allow them the join the celebration.  They were left behind, deceived that being 'prepared enough' would do. 

Both the servants and the bridesmaids as well as modern day believers feel that if they fulfill their duty, in essence being responsible and doing noone harm, they will earn a life of joy and the hope of joining the Celebration.  But the gifts that Jesus has left behind for us to steward are too wonderful, immense and abundant to "parcel out"--even responsibly and generously.  What I think Jesus is asking us to do is to recognize the power of giving His gifts and with faith that Christ will show us how to make the same difference in people’s lives that He did—join the Celebration.