by Dale Reeves
Story Pastor
This past Monday I was singing this Christmas carol with a new twist . . .
Deck the halls with mirth and gladness, Fa la la la la la la la la,
Chase away our sin-sick sadness, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Hang we now the decorations, Fa la la la la la la la la,
All because of our salvation, Fa la la la la la la la la.
See the wreaths and trees before us, Fa la la la la la la la la,
As they speak that Christ is for us, Fa la la la la la la la la.
Boughs and garlands welcome all, Fa la la la la la la la la,
Saints and sinners hear the call, Fa la la la la la la la la.
This week a good number of our Difference Makers and church staff gathered together to deck the halls of our church building as we prepare for the Advent season. Is it just all about the decorations? A resounding No! In the words of our First Impressions coordinator at Christ’s Church, Jenne Kennard, “I am extremely thankful for all the difference makers who showed up to help today. It was very cool to see it all coming together in such a short time. Why do we do this? I want people who are new to their faith to be able to come to our church and see this place as welcoming!”
In the church where I grew up, we called this Christmas decorating party, “The Hanging of the Greens.” I love this event for several reasons as we anticipate the arrival of the Messiah’s birth—over 2,000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem—but also in our hearts anew this year. Just as the prophet Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Messiah’s birth that there would be no end to his reign, we hang the evergreen wreaths and garlands, and put up Christmas trees, to symbolize the ever-living presence of our Lord and Messiah.
In the words of George Frideric Handel from John’s Revelation, “And he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).
Reason #1, Symbols
I love the sights and smells of Christmas, don’t you? And, I love the symbols that our decorations represent. Fir and pine boughs are natural signs of everlasting life, persisting in summer and winter and retaining their color even as leaves change and fall. Cedar wood is associated with royalty. The green leaf of the holly and its red berries vividly remind us of the crown of thorns our Savior wore on our behalf and the blood he sacrificially shed for our salvation.
When I think about the Christmas tree, I am reminded that our Lord came through the root of King David, through the tribe of Judah. As Isaiah the prophet foretold, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples” (Isaiah 11:10, NIV). Jesse, a farmer and sheep breeder from Bethlehem, was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth in the Bible, and the father of King David. As Jesus declares in the last book of the Bible, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16, NIV).
And, O, how I love to sit and reflect in the solitude of the early morning or late night as I soak in the ambience of beautiful Christmas lights. When I think of Christmas lights I think of Jesus as the light of the world (John 8:12). And, then my mind goes to the place where I meditate on what it means for the followers of Jesus to reflect his light wherever we can. The apostle Paul challenges us with these words: “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:8, 9, NLT).
One of our difference makers, Michele Ellis, helped us decorate the place this past week. I love what she said when I asked her why she was here to help . . .
“I just finished the Red Letter Challenge and I am called to serve. I have a desire to serve wherever I can. I want to be a disciple of Jesus, not just a follower!”
Reason #2, Community
I asked several of our difference makers why they showed up to help us deck the halls at church this week. A common theme was community! One of our elders, Larry Collins, has helped for many years. He commented, “I love the community aspect of this, meeting new people . . . it’s a great time of the year to serve Jesus. He’s so worth it!”
Katie Davis shared, “I loved decorating the Chrismon tree at our church as a kid, and seeing who would get to put the crown on top. That memory has always stayed with me. Basically, I’m trying to relive my childhood.” Doesn’t Christmas bring out the child in all of us?
Tressa Darbro has only been attending our church since this last Easter. She showed up to help because “I’m venturing out and volunteering for a lot of things. I wanna serve like Jesus did and I love doing it alongside my brothers and sisters.”
Dave Moeggenberg responded, “It’s a great way to start the Christmas season. I love the community involvement.” His wife Anita added, “Because Scrooge won’t do it, and somebody has to! . . . Seriously, there’s no better way to serve and sparkle at the same time!”
Michelle Weiss was also a first-time decorator this year. She beamed, “I enjoy serving and volunteering, and my kids are at school right now. I haven’t even decorated my house yet, but I love what is happening here!”
Lyn Fulcher has just been attending our church with her family for a few years. She has been involved in leading groups and she says, “I just want to be more involved with the church and meet new people.”
Patty Bythewood shared, “I love working with others, getting to know others, and feeling the excitement of the season.”
Longtime member of Christ’s Church, Karen Gambill, stated, “I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines. After I went to the women’s Bible study in the spring, I met some wonderful ladies and got reconnected. That’s why I’m here today.”
Reason #3, Hope
The apostle Peter challenges us with these words, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).
Not only is Jesus the reason for the season, he is the “reason for the hope that we have!” We are called to be hope dispensers in a world that so desperately needs it. As a community of faith, we loved getting to know one another as we decorated our church building, but even more we look forward to sharing the hope with others who will come to our church building over the next several weeks. Dan Taylor points out, “The church has to look like Christmas for people. It’s one of our time-honored traditions!” His wife, Becky, who is deeply involved in our women’s ministry, states, “I’ve done this too many times to count, but I love Christmas! It’s a month-long anticipation of the arrival of our King. I love passing on the traditions to our grandkids, to see them get so excited about the coming of Jesus.”
The psalmist bids us to harken to his words:
“Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—he is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:9, 10, NLT).
In the midst of our busy lives and preparations, slow us down, O God, as you call us to anticipate the coming of the King of glory, the child of promise. With hope we await the coming of your kingdom.
“O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray,
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.”