I’ve been enjoying the daily Christmas Readings which Bryn Athyn Church prints out each December. These are available to anyone for free at the church office and at the Cathedral, the text and template of which is kindly offered to General Church congregations around the world each year by Rev. Mark Pendleton and the Glenview New Church. There’s something peaceful and satisfying about trying to get in the habit of reading something from the Lord’s Word each day. This was the impetus behind my 365 daily reading book that I published back in 2017 titled, Daily Bread (also available for purchase at the Cathedral Book Room). Just for fun, I thought I’d cut and paste today’s (December 9) entry from my book. This day’s reading was inspired by a sermon Rev. N. Bruce Roger’s gave a number of years ago in which he challenged his listeners to re-think their view of the commercial, secular aspects of this festive season. It was just what I needed to hear at the time since I was feeling particularly grumpy about the hustle and bustle of the season. Enjoy!
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward people.” (Luke 2:14)
Question: How do I get into the Christmas spirit?
Answer: Love your neighbor.
The “Scrooge” in us may scoff at the superficial trappings of the Christmas season. We may ask, what does all this commercial activity, the buying and selling, the parades, Santa Claus and his reindeers, the cartoons, the lights, the trees, the secular carols—what do these things have to do with the Lord’s Advent? A lot actually, for no season is marked with as much good cheer and goodwill as the Christmas season. This is because the spirit of Christmas rests on the second Great Commandment—loving our neighbor (John 13:34-35). The “Christmas spirit” can be sustained in us indefinitely so long as we have charity (God’s love) in our hearts. And what is charity but the wish to bring to another a little bit of joy and happiness? To the degree we can “get out of ourselves” and think of others we enter the Christmas spirit. Have fun, and think of the millions and millions of good people around the world who will be joining you in sharing the magical gift of “goodwill.”