Friday’s thoughts
Turkey Day
When we are apt to ‘think thin’ we are awakened to the importance of ‘thinking thanks’
Black Friday
At its best the day after Thanksgiving is not primarily about shopping; it’s about giving back because so much has been given to us.
Advent
At its most critical point Advent(four Sundays before Christmas) is waiting for the birth of the Christ Child when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The most important part of this is the realization that Christmas is not about the birth of a child in Bethlehem; it’s about the realization that the God we worship is like the child whose birth we celebrate as being born in Bethlehem.
Advent is the coming of a new concept about God. It is not the omnipotent God; it is the mangered God in the Inn that was too busy. It is not about the power for force; it is about the power of love.
If we are truly celebrating the birth of this child as God to us, then we have been awakened to a sense of compassion for all people. A display that celebrates his birth, to be consistent, requires sensitivity to others–all others. Some might call this being ‘politically correct’. I think it is being Christologically consistent. My understanding of Jesus calls for an approach to people of other faith traditions that is respectful, and call for followers of Christ to be advocates of tolerance and peace.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net (click on the space to the left and my email address will appear. If you are willing to share your thought click on the comments box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
