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Pastor's Page |
JOHN ROTHFUSZ, PASTOR - Phone 779-901-0803; email:
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we enter the Advent season, it is good to take a moment to slow down and remember what we are waiting for. It is too easy to get caught up in the frenzied busyness of the season and to forget the wonder of the moment as God breaks in among us. We remember the wonder of the babe born in Bethlehem, when God came to live as one of us, and we look forward to the day when Jesus will come again, to be with us forevermore. Since God's hand touched the world at Bethlehem, the world has never been the same. The following poem reminds us of God's presence in our frenzied lives.
Toward the Light
Too often our answer to the darkness is not running toward Bethlehem, but running away.
We ought to know by now that we can't see where we are going in the dark.
Running away is rampant... separation is stylish: separation from mates, from friends, from self.
Run and tranquilize, don't talk about it, avoid.
Run away and join the army of those who have already run away.
When are we going to learn that Christmas Peace comes only when we turn and face the darkness?
Only then will we be able to see the Light of the World.
(From Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems)
Our generation has mastered the skill of running very well, but we so often forget where we are running to. We often hope that if we run fast enough, we will leave behind all of our problems, all of our broken promises and hopes. And so we run, fearing our darkness, but never facing it, never finding the strength to mend our broken world.
Yet God comes quietly in the midst of our dark and broken world. As a baby in a manger, Jesus may not seem like an answer to our endless race from our fears. But God in Jesus knows what it is to be human, to face all of the fears, temptations, and struggles that we face. In Jesus, there is a light breaking through the darkness, a hope that there can be a finish to our endless running. With Jesus we can face the darkness in our lives and our world. Only he can show us the way to Bethlehem, the way to lighten our darkness.
The baby born in Bethlehem so long ago brought the promise of light to a world lost in darkness. We live in that promised light even today. It helps to guide and comfort us as we make our way on our long pilgrim journey through this world. But in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us, we have the promise of a light that will one day fill every dark corner of our world. Jesus will come again, and as the light of the world he will make our darkness light forevermore. He will come to reign and to judge, and to bring all who believe to be with him.
So as we run on our way toward Bethlehem, we are racing not just toward a dim memory of a baby in a manger. We run toward a future where Christ is coming soon, and where all our darkness will be made light. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
