FROM THE PASTOR

  

 

You are probably familiar with the expression "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." Its origin derives from a German proverb and can be traced  back to as early as 1512. This common German catchphrase was used in works by Martin Luther, Johannes Kepler, Johann Wonfgang von Goethe, Otto von Bismark,  Thomas Mann, and Gunter Grass. What this expression  means is that we must take care when attempting to get rid of something bad, undesirable, or inessential so that we don’t accidently get rid of something good, desirable, and essential along with it.   As we say, "Goodbye" to the year 2011 and,  "Hello" to 2012, there are some appropriate things we  should leave behind, any hurts, heartaches, chips on our  shoulder, or ill feelings that will inhibit our joy in the new year yet to be determined. What we don’t want to  leave behind is Jesus packed away with the nativity.

Even though real trees will make their way to the curb shortly after December 25 will come down around New Year’s Day, give or take, Christmas, for the church, is not officially over until January 6th

January 6th is Epiphany, the day Jesus  is officially revealed to the world via the visit of the  wise men from afar.  If we pack Jesus away with the rest of the  Christmas decorations, or we keep him as a babe in the  manger, he cannot be of any help to us or anyone else.  Jesus must grow to adulthood so he can become our  teacher, our example, our mentor. He must grow to  adulthood so that he can become our Good Shepherd,  the one who walks with us and talks with us and tells us we are God’s own. Jesus must fulfill God’s mission so  that the Holy Spirit will come to be our advocate and help us to remember all Jesus said and did when he walked the earth. Jesus must go to the cross so that through his death and resurrection, he will do for us  what we cannot do for ourselves, save us from sin and death.     As we turn the calendar page and begin 2012, let  us be intentional about walking into our future with the Son of God who will guide us into a new tomorrow just as the star guided the wise men to the manger. Remember,  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Happy New Year. Pastor McGary