I love Christmas as a pastor, I really do. Much of what happens is entirely independent of my efforts or skill. Last night was an amazing case in point. It was our annual Music Fest, a programmatic brainchild of my predecessor. Rather than have all of our musical groups hold separate Christmas performances, they are gathered into one program for an great evening of music. Even better, soup (prepared by the UMW) and chili (prepared by the UMM) are served, with tables set up in the sanctuary. People could eat, mingle, and come and go as they listened to some great music. Besides the outstanding music, the best part of the evening from where I was sitting was that I was not necessary to the proceedings at all.
Much of the Advent season is like that. Carols are sung, parties are held, and good cheer is held by all, with or without the pastors. I remember one December over a dozen years ago when I had a sick child, hospitalized for all sorts of testing that revealed no answer to the mysterious symptoms. My attention was not focused on church that year, and that was okay. I knew that Christmas would arrive even without my daily input, and it did. It is the season of music and lights and lessons and carols.
Yes, I still can count 5 different sermons that I will preach (a total of 10 different times) between now and New Year’s Day. I have plenty of planning and writing yet to do, in addition to other pastoral duties. The gift of this time of year is that it reminds me that, ultimately, Christ comes regardless of my efforts or preparation. Christ comes, and it’s not up to me to do anything besides get out of the way and watch with wondering eyes and listen with open ears and heart. Christ comes, and sometimes all we need to do is stop our doing and pay attention.
