Words from Pastor Merlin

Click to read Pastor Merlin's Blog
More About Pastor Merlin

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Lots of folks seem to get really twisted this time of year when they hear "Happy Holidays" rather than Merry Christmas. While I do prefer Merry Christmas, I am cognizant of our Jewish Brothers and Sisters who meet at Cherry Hill UMC who celebrate Hanukah, the Festival of Lights. Hanukah is a celebration of Independence; a remembrance of when for a season the Jewish People were a free and independent people, delivered by the Hand of God and a band of brave men led by Judas Maccabeus (The Book of Maccabees). Hanukah also celebrates the "Miracle of Lights". After defeating the Seleucids who had desecrated the Temple and the altar by butchering hogs on it, the temple and altar were cleansed and the menorah which had been carried from ancient times relit. (You can read about the Menorah in Exodus 37:17-24) They only had one day's supply of oil but it burned for eight days which is the time it takes to press, purify and consecrate a new batch of oil for the "eternal" flame. The community to which Jesus was born into would have celebrated this Festival or Holiday or Holy Day.

As a Christian, I enjoy celebrating Hanukah as it enriches my journey with God and his chosen people, the Jews.

For certain "Happy Holidays" is not sufficient if one is talking of Christmas; the commemoration of the birth of the Jesus Christ, Emmanuel; God with us. While I love the giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas, I am always saddened that Jesus gets left out of so many people's lives and that the frenzied buying for the most part has nothing at all to do with the real reason for the season. Christmas should not only remind us that Jesus was born but that he was born to save us from ourselves and sin's dark stain on our souls.

Ever since the beginning when God chose to put within the nature of humanity a gift called "free will," humankind has struggled with their walk with God. While the heart cries out for intimacy with God, free will allows us to make choices; choices whether to walk with God or try life on our own.

God gave us free will so that the relationship between him and us wouldn't be out of compulsion but rather a choice on our behalf; choosing a relationship based on love or to walk away altogether. History clearly shows that for the most part, we have chosen poorly, even with contempt.

The prophet Isaiah, centuries before God left his glory above to sojourn with us as Jesus, spoke about God's love and willingness to seek us out; to redeem us from our bondage brought on by a wayward heart.

This morning I was listening to Handel's Messiah and Isaiah's words, taken from Chapters 40, 52 and 53, rushed over me.

"You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power!"
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed by our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him."

As Advent wanes and the Christmas Season approaches, I invite you to take the time to ponder the amazing gift of our salvation brought to us in the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus was and is the fulfillment of the ages -- God reconciling the world unto Himself.

May the Peace and Joy of Christmas bless and enliven your journey with Christ.

Pastor Merlin

Our pastor can be reached at either (734)495-0035 or at (734)233-4065. His email is cowtownpreacher@hotmail.com.