Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-12-17
A weekday e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
A Christmas Reflection
by Nancy MacGregor
When someone suggested I write a memory of my most memorable Christmas, it seemed an easy piece to write. However, after a week of reminiscing, I realized it was a truly daunting task. Looking back over 3/4 of a century of Christmases, it was impossible to single out one special time: they’ve all been memorable for one reason or another. Should I write about the Christmases we were snowbound? The Christmas my cousin was in Viet Nam and we stopped when it was his turn to open gifts to pray? Perhaps when we moved to Florida in 1978 and for the first time didn’t celebrate Christmas with my mother’s family. It was impossible to choose one out of so many memories. And that’s when I had an epiphany: the reason my Christmases are all memorable is because they are all connected with family and family traditions.
I love Christmas. I love the traditions. I love the smells of the foods we only eat at Christmas. I love the sight of children in their jammies hanging stockings on Christmas Eve. I love the memories of Christmases past. Although we celebrated wonderful Christmas Days with my father’s family, Christmas Eve was always spent with my mother’s family. Christmas Eve was something out of a holiday storybook. There was mistletoe sent by my uncle in South Carolina, my mother and my uncle playing the organ – my mother on her stomach on the floor working the pedals and my uncle playing the keyboard arguing with about tempo and chords while we sang Christmas carols, ten little children looking out the window waiting for Santa and Rudolph, and the table groaning with all the Swedish foods we loved. But what stands out most my mind is my mother sitting in a chair holding a lighted candle as she read the Christmas story from the King James Bible – all of us children sitting at her feet, most of us knowing the story so well we were able to say the words with her.
Despite all the wonderful memories, I think this year will be the most memorable, not because of what won’t be, but because I am able to look back and rejoice at what was and look forward to what will be. Ordinarily at this time, I’m rushing to grade papers and record grades [and I am this year as well], decorating the house, racing to finish Christmas shopping, addressing Christmas cards, planning Christmas celebrations with family and friends, attending Christmas Eve services; then scrambling to “undecorate” the house in order to be ready to spend the rest of the break in Florida. And sometimes I wonder where Christmas has gone!
You see, like many people, I often become so involved with the “busyness” of the season, that I don’t take to take enough time to focus on the meaning of Advent. This year I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the significance of these weeks leading up to Christmas. Reading Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and the beautiful beginning of John remind me that Jesus did not come wrapped in holiday paper; rather he came wrapped in God’s promise of salvation. And I feel joy.
So this year on Christmas Eve, I will zoom with my family instead of sitting together with them at a festive table. I will sit in a chair holding a lighted candle and read the Christmas story to my children and grandchildren as my mother did. And I will rejoice and be glad, “For unto us is born this day in city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
God Jul [Merry Christmas].
* * *
Daily Advent Devotion Thursday Habakkuk 1:1-5
The writer of Habakkuk calls God to account, wanting to
know why God does not set things right, bring justice and
vindicate the righteous. God answers in verse 5: Look and
see; wonder and be astounded. God is at work in ways that
human beings would not believe even if told directly. Can
you relate to Habakkuk’s frustration? Where is God telling
you to look and see, wonder and be astounded at what God
is doing right now?
Loving God, you hear our cries of frustration, our pleas for
your intervention and tell us to look and see, wonder and be
astounded at the work you are doing in the world. When we
are unable to see your providence and power, remind us yet
again to wonder, to have holy curiosity, to remember that the
kingdom is near, and Jesus is surely coming. Amen.
News
Mark your calendar for December 22nd at 7 pm
The Nurture Committee invite you to a Christmas Dessert gathering via Zoom
Wear your favorite or “ugly” Christmas Sweater.
* * *
The FPCC Community Mission Deacons Champaign County Food Insecurity Drive/ aka The 2020 Angel Tree: Food insecurity is the dry technical term for American households going hungry at least some of the time. It is at crisis levels all over America and very much so in Champaign County. According to Census Bureau data, currently, over 1 in 10 American adults did not have enough to eat last week. And, worse, for families with children, approximately 1 in 4 such families did not have enough food for their children last week! In Champaign County, rates are similar, and Food Stamps, Eastern Illinois Food Bank, and others are unable to meet the increasing need. For people of color the statistics are considerably worse. Help is desperately needed now.
The FPCC Mission perspective emphasizes supporting programs that actually help people lift themselves out of poverty. But, critically, FPCC also firmly believes that crises demand immediate responding. Therefore, CMD invites you to join in responding to this crisis.
Our fund provides an opportunity for FPCC to reach out to struggling Champaign County brothers and sisters who, through no fault of their own, are caught up in this crisis. The Eastern Illinois Food Bank has more information at this web site:
https://www.cu-citizenaccess.
So, if you are able to contribute to this fund, that would be wonderful. The amount collected will be contributed to Eastern Illinois Food Bank and hence put to good use via an organization expert in food distribution! As an encouragement, CMD has contributed $4000 and a member family has contributed an additional $1000. Because the need is so overwhelming and many of us have resources that can make a difference, we are optimistic that our church can contribute a substantial amount that will help relieve the hunger issue in Champaign County. You may give securely online at https://firstpres.church/giving
Thank you for your consideration and your generosity.
* * *
Humor (Hard times really need godly laughter):
From Tom Gilmore: What did the snail sitting on top of the turtle say? Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Another of what Bill Gamble calls a “bad joke,” his words, not mine. I think it works: There was this guy who had two girlfriends, and he could not decide which one he wanted to marry. A friend finally said to him, “Make up your mind. You can’t have your Kate and Edith too.”
Good Word: (Mary sings a celebration song.)
Luke 1:46b-55
46b My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
LET US PRAY:
There are those whose road is more difficult than ours, O God. Some have not been able to pay bills in a long time. Some face eviction in January or February; their landlords need to make a living, too. A grandfather raising three beloved grandchildren can’t afford presents, and his drug-addled daughter is costing him a fortune.
Those of us with lesser worries are glad that our concerns matter to you, also. If you need help, O God, ask us. Send us a star, a host of angels, a messiah. And like wise magi, might we make our way to our neighbors in need bearing gifts.
AMEN.
* * *
Much, much love to you all.
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
