Sometimes clichés say it all. It is certainly the case regarding “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing” and Christmas. Even during a Christmas season that has slowed us down with a tenaciously stubborn pandemic and an irritating supply chain breakdown, still most Americans seem to be hyperventilating with Christmas season energy that has to do with everything but the main thing.
And the main thing? No, not the eggnog, no matter which variety. Nor the presents, we all know most of them will be forgotten within a week. Not even the family get togethers, for as good as they sometimes are. The main thing has got to be the quietest thing about Christmas – the Nativity scene. Take away the Christ from Christmas and all that is left is a midwestern form of Mardi Gras!
With Christ, however, everything we celebrate at this time of year changes. If the baby in the manger is God with us (God in human form) and God for us (he will rescue us from our evil), then suddenly all the other activities begin to fade into the background as we take seriously how these truths will affect how we live, our priorities and what happens when we die. These are questions whose answers serve as the foundation of all we are and do.
If we don’t fix our attention on the main thing, it will be just another Christmas of many. If we do keep the main thing the main thing, we won’t forget this Christmas…ever!
Christmas
and New Year Worship Services
Friday,
December 24 - Christmas Eve – 7:00 pm
Saturday,
December 25 - Christmas Day – 11:00 am (Potluck dinner after)
Sunday,
December 26 – Sunday worship
Saturday,
January 1 - New Year’s Day – 6:00 pm with Communion
Sunday,
January 2 – 10:00 am worship with Communion
