Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                                                        Pastor Tom Joyce

December 18, 2020

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”  John 3:16

As this note is written, there are seven days left until the Christmas celebration. Some mark these as “shopping days,” others as days of final preparations that would include baking, cleaning, and mailing. This year is different but still profoundly blessed by God, who so loved us that Jesus was born, incarnate of the Holy Spirit, and witnessed what it is to be part of an eternal kingdom. The pandemic did not put a halt to Christmas, only magnified its importance. It is not about the shopping, nor even the traditions we hold dear; though these things are indeed fun we see even more clearly Christmas is all about God’s love, pure love for you and for me. As John Lennon sang, “So this is Christmas…” God is still with us, Christmas cries out. God is still with us and continues to love us even and especially through times such as these. Walking side by side with Jesus this morning, I sensed the blessing of the season of Christmas; the memories of Christmas past, the witness of so many that liven my faith and loved me not caring about my shortcomings, and those who just witnessed the love that could have only come from God. Yet with all those cherished memories and thoughts of those in my life that share the indescribable gift of love comes the acknowledgement that God does not confer grace on the past nor the future, but the present, the here and now. Traditions and memories are both part of the witness of God’s love shared at Christmas, yet God’s love that came through the birth of Jesus the Christ cannot be confined to tradition or even to the past. God’s love is to be opened as soon as it is received, disregard any tradition that says, “do not open until Christmas;” those words do not apply to Jesus, born to us at Christmas. So maybe this Christmas is even more about God than any time in history; we have a historic pandemic, an uncertain time, and an ever-changing world. The gift we have received reaches beyond history, time, and the reality of living in a changing world. The gift is Jesus; has been, is and will be forever with you. This is Christmas, this is hope, peace, joy, and love wrapped up and placed in a manger; “to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Live the love of Jesus, give the love of Jesus; know the gift that has no end…

Rev. Tom Joyce