Pastor’s Corner – December 2020

Dear friends, as we enter into the Season of Advent, preparing for the coming of the Christ-child, can we resist the temptation to cram as many activities, parties, shopping, etc…while leaving little time for God.
Our excuse is always (not just during Advent) I just don’t have the time.

The New Testament uses two different words for time. God operates in kairos, a Greek word which means the “fullness of time.” We operate in chronos, the Greek word which means the passage of minutes, days, years, centuries, and even millenniums.

For example: Mary did not give birth to Jesus on December 25 at 12:06 a.m. (chronos) as we are prone to say in our society when a baby is born. Rather, the Bible says it happened when (kairos) “the time came for her to be delivered” (i.e., the “fullness of time” for her pregnancy).

The opening words of John’s Gospel couldn’t be more appropriate for the first Sunday of a new year. If our New Year celebrations are about finding meaning in the passage of time, John starts his Gospel by taking us back to the beginning of time.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

I found a version of the 23rd Psalm that ought to be mandatory reading each day of Advent, and a unison reading each Advent Sunday.

The Lord is my pace setter . . .I shall not rush

He makes me stop for quiet intervals

He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity

He leads me in the way of efficiency through calmness of mind and his guidance is peace

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day, I will not fret, for his presence is here

His timelessness, his all importance will keep me in balance

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility

My cup of joyous energy overflows

Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk in the Pace of my Lord and dwell in his house for ever.

I was often reminded by a Pastor/Mentor/Friend of mine that time isn’t something we “have” or “don’t have,” rather it is something we take. It all depends on our priorities. This Advent season, as we prepare ourselves for Jesus’ miraculous birth, simply give others a bit of yourself; a thoughtful act, a helpful idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense of understanding, a timely suggestion. We all have time for that. Take something out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart, and put it
into the other fellow’s mind and heart. Take time to share God’s love.

Pastor Cory