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Let me be clear: I have NOT been a good boy this year! I have indulged myself with every book, musical instrument and article of clothing my heart desired. I have gorged myself on all of the lavish food at every generous feast we've had this year -- and that's more than twice a week! I spent church funds on a gently-used computer -- with Governing Board approval, of course. Therefore, I deserve to be stricken from Santa's list this year -- for the third year in a row.
Or, to put it less dramatically, I stepped off the Christmas Rush Merry-Go-Round when I became senior pastor. You don't have to wonder what I'll be giving you for Christmas this year -- I won't be giving you anything except my prayers for success, good wishes and hopefully a decent sermon or two. And you don't have to wonder what I want for Christmas, either -- because I don't want anything.
I'm not telling any of you how to spend your time and money, mind you. Like Jesus said, "Use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves." (Luke 18:9) Be as generous with one another, your friends and relatives, as you like. But please strike me off your Christmas list.
Frankly, the one of the greatest Christmas gifts I have given myself is freedom from the Christmas shopping spree. For years, I would max out my credit cards trying to give my children and friends an inkling of how much I cared for them. It was a lazy way out. I discovered that I can't bribe people into thinking I care if I don't take time to fellowship with them. Time is money -- no, time is better than money!
You might have noticed that I'm not good at sending cards and letters, either. This congregation has the wonderful tradition of bringing a single Christmas card in to display on ribbons in the hallway outside the sanctuary. We then take all the money we would have spent on cards and postage and instead give it to the Christmas offering.
That being said, let me also apologize for breaking with that tradition my first year as senior pastor. I've regretted it ever since. It put me on a number of Christmas card lists and set a bad example for the rest of you. I repent! Bring one card for the entire congregation, and let's all enjoy the simple pleasure of one another's company and good wishes. I really don't want to come across as a Scrooge. I love Christmas! It is our opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, at a time when the whole world, Christian and otherwise, celebrates the same miraculous event. I want our decorations to be beautiful and festive. I want our music to be cheerful and seasonal. I want every guest to be greeted with a smile, a decorative Christmas cookie and a glass of cool punch or warm cider -- and an invitation to keep coming back. I pray that we will use this season to express our gratitude through generosity -- not to ourselves, but to our community. Let's be generous with our time, our talent, our company, our community outreach. I pray that our spirit of Christmas is the Holy Spirit, inspiring us to share the love of Christ all year long.— Pastor Joel Tucker
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