Church of the Redeemer Update

Tuesday night I was home while the snow was beautifully descending—soft and quiet, the perfect picture of the days approaching Christmas. Meanwhile, thousands of motorists (perhaps you were one of them) were trapped in rush hour traffic that saw travel times extend to maddening levels. Most of them likely failed to appreciate the finer points of this powdery, late autumn snowfall. For them I'm sure it was 'Bah, humbug!'

In many ways I believe our expectations for Advent and Christmas are similar. We have an ideal, largely created for us by marketing influences over the decades that this season should be full of familial harmony, tranquility and warmth, yet it is often anything but. Beginning with Charles Dickens and illustrator Thomas Nast (who gave us a famous visual remaking of Santa Claus) we have adopted a cultural view of Christmas that is increasingly disconnected from its source, and unfortunately, we sometimes lose our ability, even in the Christian community, to note the differences. We may want a Hallmark, Currier and Ives sentimental experience of the Lord's birth, but we're living in a 'film at 11' kind of world—marked by discord, tension and a numbing busyness. That's in a usual December—this year we have the added uncertainty of a global economic crisis. This disconnect between the 'warm, fuzzy' unrealistic emotional expectations and what 'really is' can release guilt, physical symptoms and depression.

We need to seriously re-think our expectations in light of the Story—the real Story. We observe Advent in order to prepare for the Lord's arrival, to walk in the steps of those who waited for the promised Messiah. Their waiting was extended—hundreds of years, and in desperate times. Dr. Ben Mitchell recently outlined in a sermon some of the political realities of the four hundred year period between the Old and New Testaments. It was not entirely a stable, peaceful era but one marked by overthrow and competition in world powers that greatly influenced the lives of God's people in the small land of Palestine. From Persia, to Alexander and his Greeks, to the Romans, as well as other local and regional rulers who often stomped on the Jews sacred worship, life was often hard and oppressive. By the time Mary and Joseph made the difficult trek to Bethlehem their lives, and those of millions of others, were in the grip of Rome, whose emperor was demanding registration and taxation of everyone, primarily to support his military throughout the empire. This meant they were being taxed to pay for the soldiers who were occupying their land. We can understand the longing and desire for the promised deliverer in such days.

As Jesus came he didn't slip into a peaceful, precious scene marked by gently falling snow and the hush of a baby's low cry, but into a town overcrowded with the press of unwilling humanity, compelled by the threat of force to make their mark and pay taxes from their meager incomes to support those who oppressed them. They were hard and uncertain days. Not the kind of days, we might say, to bring a child into the world. Yet the timing was crucial, and without flaw. God stepped physically into our world at a moment of greatest need, to rescue us from spiritual oppression and bondage, to set us free not from political rulers and taxes, but from sin; from ourselves. The day of Jesus' arrival, which went by largely unnoticed, sets God's hope against the backdrop of our struggling and desperate situation. It's a paradox that shouts out its truthfulness.

This December we are waiting once again in a world marked by ongoing tensions, wars and economic calamity. Advertisers and those 'selling' Christmas encourage us to escape from this reality by spending, or indulging, or rushing to some hidden, inner memory. They urge us, on an emotional level, to embrace the airbrushed scenes on Christmas cards. We may want to believe that we can ignore all that is happening around us to find an 'old fashioned Christmas', one that is warm and sentimental, but the Truth is deeper, and far better. Just as Jesus came into the troubled world of first century Palestine, he comes to us in our world, born into our lives and our situation. He does not offer a gloss—a way to ignore the deep pains of the world, but the way to heal them. The incarnation does not hide the pain and vicissitudes of life, but asks us to lift up the truth of our situations, and that of the world, into the transforming reality of the Gospel. We do this each week as we end our liturgy—proclaiming the victory of the cross and resurrection for the sin and darkness of our time. This is what we wait for during this Advent—what we wait for in our own lives and what we step into and claim with God's grace as we approach Christmas.

I pray for us that we would know the real, deep and transforming beauty of the incarnation. May our lives be filled with that Peace.

I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday—the final week of Advent, and on Christmas Eve.

Blessings,

Jay

The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org

Redeemer Youth recently participated in a progressive dinner, as well as some impromptu caroling. Some comments from Ryan:

Caroling at Rem's

"Well, I just wanted to give a brief description and reflection of our time together. We started at the Bob and Joanne Decker's house with a wonderful meal and a couple of games. Then, we hopped in our cars and caroled at two places along the way. First, we stopped at Dee Dee MacLean's house who was wonderfully waiting for us with candy canes and warm smiles. Then, we visited with Rem Henry and sang to him and a couple of his neighbors. To conclude the evening, we landed at the Battaglia's for some hot chocolate, dessert and more games.

One of the strengths of being a smaller church is that we can foster and experience intergenerational relationships. Two things happened that night that really stood out to me. One was seeing the joy and smiles on Dee Dee's face as she so graciously received us along with watching all the students give her a hug on the way out. Secondly, after Rem had listening to us sing, he asked if he could pray for us before we left. Seeing a picture of the different generations serve and love each other in our congregation has caused me to wonder how we can continue to be intentional about brining the generations together? Thank you to the Deckers, Rem Henry, Dee Dee MacLean, and the Battaglia's for a wonderful evening!

— Ryan

This week will wrap up our current Discover Redeemer class. In our final time together we'll talk about how you can get better connected at Redeemer. Even if you have not been a part of the class, but would like to make connections or find out how to get involved in ministry here, then join us at 9am this Sunday.

There are many needs around us, not only at this time of the year, but in the cold of winter and in the shadow of Christmas expectations want is even more keenly felt. We may not be able to meet every need, but there are things we can do. Because of that we are currently engaged in a coat drive with Love Inc in Lake County, and we encourage everyone to do what they can. Even our children's classes are collecting good mittens and gloves to donate.

The coat drive continues through the last Sunday of Advent. Please consider donating "gently used" items (for example, no broken zippers, unrepaired tears, or noticeable stains). Items most needed are large-size women's coats and children's and men's coats of all sizes, though all donations will be accepted and appreciated.

Danielle Miller and Dan Babarik will be points of contact for the coat, winter cap, scarf, glove/mitten drive. Items may be placed in the foyer prior to or after services on upcoming Sundays or you may make arrangements to give the items to Danielle or Dan. Feel free to contact Danielle or Dan.

As you wrap up the buying Christmas gifts and prepare for the holidays over the next week or so, please don't forget to include Church of the Redeemer in your giving. It's been an exciting year as God has continued to released vitality and renewed connection into our community. We have seen growth, various outreaches to our communities, and a great fall Alpha course, which is just the beginning. Your prayerful support enables the ministry to happen, along with the gifts of time and talent that are offered, as well. We have made great progress since on our end of year goal, and we are now just days from 2009. Thank you for ensuring that Church of the Redeemer finishes the year well, and has the ability to step into new ventures of ministry in the coming year.

Amount needed to reach goal: $47,221

Advent doesn't last forever—soon it will be Christmas, and we will be celebrating the birth of the long awaited Christ child. Since we have taken the time to get ready during Advent, we don't observe Christmas for only a day, but a season. In fact, the Church celebrates Christmas until January 6th, so there will be plenty of time to sing those well-loved carols that we have not included in our Advent worship.

There will be a family worship service on Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 6:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church. This will be a communion service, and it will be preceded by the singing of Christmas carols, starting around 6pm. This is our main Christmas service, as we do not usually schedule a service on Christmas Day so that our staff may be with their families.

Wednesday noon services will not be held on the 24th and the 31st.

— We're currently working on a new church directory and hope to have it out to you in the New Year. Though we started this earlier in the year, our office transition and our growth over the summer/fall made it necessary to wait a little. But it's coming soon, so thanks for responding to any requests for information from our office.

— The Anglican Mission in the Americas' Winter Conference will be in Greensboro, NC from Jan. 28-31. This is the best time to learn about the AMiA's unique mission, and to be recharged and encouraged by inspiring speakers and worship. To learn more, visit the website, www.theamia.org — the Deerfield/ Highland Park Redeemer small group will be caroling Monday night at the VA hospital in North Chicago. Please join us....email rikbay [at] aol.com for details.