The Brethren Church

December 1, 2008 NEWSLETTER

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
“PEACE to all men and women on earth who please him.
(Luke 2:14 - The Message)

 

 

 

“Are you ready for Christmas?”

by Jean Lersch

What do people mean by that? Is the tree up? Are the lights strung? Are your decorations in place? Have you ordered your turkey? Are your gifts wrapped? Does all of that make one ready for Christmas? I wonder.
Christmas is really an intrusion. It interrupts our ordinary way of looking at life. God turned things upside down by instituting Christmas, sent a vulnerable baby to do the job of a conquering army. No one was expecting that. No one expects that today. We’re still looking for armies to solve our problems.
Are we ready for Christmas? It just doesn’t make any sense. The people who had been oppressed, conquered by Rome, were looking for a Savior, someone to deliver them. And whom did God send? Not a general leading troops, not insurgents equipped with arms to overtake those in power. None of that. Instead, God sent a baby born to an unwed mother in a barn.
It just isn’t logical. God sent the weak to overcome the strong. That’s why Christmas is such a nuisance. We don’t want to deal with that. We would rather have it the other way. Babies don’t win battles. Guns and bombs and bullets win battles. Sometimes you have to use evil means to overcome evil. Or so we think. And it seems to work, at least for the short term.
We’re not ready for Christmas. Christmas means taking the long view. Overcoming evil, ridding the world of oppression and injustice, really overcoming it takes time and commitment. It doesn’t happen overnight.
The baby God sent was a prince, the Prince of Peace. He tried to teach people how to live and it cost him his life to accomplish his mission. Are we ready for Christmas?
Christmas is the beginning of a new way of living. The source of ultimate power is not in possessions or weapons but in giving them up. Love has the greatest potential for overcoming evil. God showed us by sending Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Are we ready for Christmas? Will we ever be ready?

 

 

 

May you each, in your own way, discourage the purchase of guns, other war toys,
and violent games as Christmas gifts this year!

 

 

 

WITH DONATIONS from 5 households thus far, and some of the matching funds Jean and I promised, we now have a total of $745 to work with in the Brethren Peace Fund.
If you would like to contribute, just send your check to the “Brethren Peace Fund” in care of Stan Gentle, 524 College Avenue, Ashland, OH 44807. We promise our thanks to you!

QUOTE:

“Shalom is not only an incredible gift;
it is a most demanding mission.”

Walter Brueggeman

Other Parting Thoughts: Especially during these Advent days of difficult decisions, especially with the economy so weak, may your giving and receiving of gifts this Christmas bring you GREAT PEACE.
When regularly praying for peace this Advent Season, please pray for Brethren Peace Initiative and the Brethren Peace Leadership Team too. Thanks!
Phil Lersch, Facilitator
Jason Barnhart, Rich and Carolyn Hagopian, Matt Black, Wende Lance

Phil Lersch, Facilitator - PhilLersch@verizon.net - (727) 544-2911 - KEEP PEACE IN MIND

Financial Support:
Please send your checks for Brethren Peace Fund to:
Stan Gentle,
524 College Avenue,
Ashland, OH 44805.
Gifts small and large, our only income, are much appreciated.

Brethren Peace Initiative now appears, on page 4, in the Brethren Church Directory (online) with other denominational organizations. Current members of the Peace Leadership Team are Jason Barnhart, Matt Black, Rich and Carolyn Hagopian, Wende Lance, and Phil Lersch.