BETHANY NOTES Christmas Light One of the key words in most faith traditions is “light.” Buddhist thought is often translated into English as “enlightened.” The Buddha was the “Enlightened One” and he offered that pathway to his followers. In many ways, the great spiritual leaders of history have all offered a pathway to enlightenment. Certainly this is true of the Christian tradition. One New Testament author testified of Jesus that, “in him was life,* and the life was the light of all people.” (John 1:4NRSV) Enlightenment can also be translated “awakened.” The Buddha was the “awakened one.” I like this interpretation with regard to the Christian faith as well. The Advent season offers a wake-up call: “Sleepers, wake up and get ready for Christ! Christians are encouraged to wake up in order to greet the coming of Christ who is the awakened one. In 2014, we are all called to “wake up” to the Christ presence that is not only all around us, but also in us and through us. Christmas is a reminder for all people to wake up to what is ultimately valuable in life. How many of us spend our efforts on what can never satisfy our need for meaning and community? How often do we invest our time and energy trying to find acceptance or earn love. Jesus taught that God already loves us fully and absolutely. We are one with God and with each other. The Christmas story is a reminder for all of us of the primacy of loving God, loving self, and loving others. So this holiday season, let’s all wake up and start living by what is most important. Thanks for continuing to bless me as we journey together. Jack F. Price Update As we approach the ending of 2014, we are thankful for its blessings and challenges (often the same events) and mindful that, even as we look forward to the possibilities for the new year, we only really have today. Through the days of Advent, Christmas, and New Year, live the life you have and give thanks in all things. May God continue to bless you. Thanks for blessing me and my family. --Jack What’s Happening at Bethany? Each Sunday, there a lot of excitement at Bethany! Come join us next Sunday for worship (“The Mission” of Jesus), and for the excitement of the vote on my candidacy to become your installed/settled pastor, the joy of our annual Christmas Party after worship, and the ministry of caroling at PPh. With all that is going on, we will not meet early for the Rising SON Café this Sunday. We’ll resume it again in January!
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 04:19:12 +0000
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