21 December 2007

A Christmas Adventure

Editor’s note: The image of Saint Nicholas has evolved through the years, from a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ helping those in need to today’s somewhat silly image of a jolly old elf who fulfills our children’s greediest desires with materialistic abandon.  This story powerfully illustrates that being on “Santa’s team” ultimately means honoring in our actions the One whose birth we will soon celebrate.   

 

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma when I was just a kid.  I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered. "Even dummies know that!!”

 

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been.  I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.  I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her “world-famous” cinnamon buns.  I knew they were world-famous because Grandma said so.  It had to be true.

 

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm.  Between bites, I told her everything.  She was ready for me.  “No Santa Claus?” she snorted, “Ridiculous!  Don’t believe it.  That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad…plain mad!!  Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.”  “Go?  Go where, Grandma?” I asked.  I hadn’t even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.  “Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

 

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.  That was a bundle in those days.  “Take this money,” she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it.  I’ll wait for you in the car.”  Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s.  I was only eight years old.  I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.  The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.  For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and whom on earth to buy it for.

 

I thought of everybody I knew: myself, my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.  I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker.  He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s second grade class.  Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat.  I knew that because he never went out to recess during winter.  His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough; but all of us kids knew that Bobby Decker didn’t have a cough; he didn’t have a good coat.  I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.  I would get Bobby Decker a coat!

 

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it.  It looked warm, and he would like that.  “Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid ten dollars down.  “Yes, ma’am,” I replied shyly.  “It’s for Bobby.”  The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat.  I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

 

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, “To Bobby, From Santa Claus” on it.  Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.  Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa’s helpers.  Grandma parked down the street from Bobby’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.  Then Grandma gave me a nudge.  “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “Get going.”  I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded on his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.  Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.  Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

 

Fifty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering in the dark beside Grandma, in Bobby Decker’s bushes.  That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were – ridiculous.  Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.  And I still have the Bible with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

 

 

 

Around Beloved…This Sunday, December 23, Bishop Gregg will join us for Eucharist and the traditional “Hanging of the Greens and Chili Potluck Lunch.”  Following worship with our bishop on this day, we’ll begin decorating with greenery, poinsettias and a special outdoor Christmas tree with treats for the birds before sharing a potluck meal.  If you did not sign up on Sunday for the pot luck, click here to let us know how many will be attending and whether you will be bringing chili, salad or dessert.   

Christmas is, before and above everything else, the Christ Mass (the Holy Eucharist celebrated on Christmas Eve and, in some congregations, on Christmas Day).   Beloved’s 7pm candlelight December 24^th Christmas Eve Christ mass Celebration begins with pre-service music @ 6:30pm and is followed by Hot Cider, Hot Chocolate and Christmas cookies.  Plan to make this a meaningful beginning to your 12-day Yuletide celebration!   In a growing city where so many find themselves alone or apart from family or friends, take the initiative to tell family, friends and strangers alike that each has someplace to go for Christmas, a place at the best Table of all.

 

Giving to Christ at Christmas is based on a simple idea.  It’s Jesus’ birthday.  That’s why we give gifts to each other.  Let’s have our gift giving begin with a gift to him.  Ninety percent of our Christmas gift this year is designated to assist Canon Andrew White’s ministry among the survivors of Baghdad’s Sunni/Shiite ethnic cleansing against Christians.  Ten percent goes to further the evangelistic efforts of Beloved in our own community.  Place your gifts in the offering basket at the Christ Mass, during Christmastide or mail them to the Development Office.  Please note on your check “Giving to Christ @ Christmas.”  To learn more about the plight of our Christian sisters and brothers in Iraq, see last week’s eNews and click here. 

 

Looking for an opportunity to serve others in the name of Jesus this Christmastide and beyond?  Click here to see a list of opportunities created by Deacon Deb in response to inquiries by folks from Beloved.  

 

 

12.29.07 Saturday Orientation opportunity for those who travel and have crazy schedules.  Participate in a marathon Orientation combining all three sessions in one day.  Register here and note if three hours in the morning or afternoon is your preference.

 

 

12.30.07 On this Sunday before New Year’s Day, bring your Calendars and PDAs to be blessed at a special 6^th Day of Christmas celebration for all ages

 

 

12.30.07 Party with the Beloved Community at the Sixth Day of Christmas Open House at the Harbin home from 4-7pm.

 

 

01.06.08 Finish the holiday season with a festive Epiphany Pageant and celebration for all ages.  Speaking and non-speaking roles are available for adults and children of all ages; contact the Development Office to participate and learn the rehearsal schedule.

 

 

Beloved eNews publishes each Thursday.  News and calendar information should be submitted via email by Monday.

 

 

December 9…Attendance: 86; Worship Offering: $1,429.  Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500 (fully funded) à $4,400 (requiring other funding sources i.e. fundraising events).  The financial goal of Church of the Beloved is to reach self-sufficiency (i.e. pay all expenses without income from outside sources) by 12/31/2008.

 

Scripture Readings for December 23…Isaiah 7:10-16 & Matthew 1:18-25

 

Serving at God’s Altar on December 23…Complete setup/minor cleanup: Angel Army Team #5; Acolytes: Cecilia Atwood, Trinity Atwood, Briana Robinson, Nykeria Thomas; Offering Basket Passers: Joseph Elyea, Clare Harbin, Emma Ryan, Sam Ryan; Offering Tellers: Liz Wilson (head) & Roey Southard (assistant); Presenters: Dave and Mary Ann Cash; Altar Bread Baker: Janis Conlon; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Anna Moore & Janis Conlon; PowerPoint: Mitchell Harbin; Reader: Al Krantz.

 

 

Scripture Readings for Christ Mass (December 24)…Isaiah 9:2-4,6-7 & Luke 2:1-14

 

Serving at God’s Altar for Christ Mass (December 24)…Minor cleanup: Volunteers; Acolytes: Garreth Floyd, Victoria Floyd, Morgan Wynn, Jack Sanniota; Offering Basket Passers: Ben Heckmann, Owen Heckmann, Katie Sanniota, Ceci Atwood; Offering Tellers: Liz Wilson (head) & Roey Southard (assistant); Presenters: Miles, Mitchell & Clare Harbin; Altar Bread Baker: Kris Leinenkugel; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Brian McCarthy & Dick Reif; PowerPoint: Miles Harbin; Reader: Lexi Leinenkugel.

 

 

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Upcoming Calendar…click here