Christmas Eve
The Word was first,
the Word present to God,
God present to the Word.
The Word was God,
in readiness from day one.
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
(John 1:1-2; 1:14 The Message)
I have heard a lot about what the meaning of Christmas really is the last few days. To believe what you hear, is to believe that Christmas is about friends, family, presents, football or Kobe Bryant. I was struck reading today that Christmas is really about God's glory "moving into the neighborhood". This season, drink your eggnog, enjoy your toys and eat a lot of good food, but please don't forget this miracle. The glory of God has entered our neighborhood and our lives. The Lord, who was set apart since Eden, moved in next door. Revealed His glory to our hearts. No gift can compare to that. No politically correct saying can compete. No glorification of man, can ever compare with that glory.
Let Jesus be glorified!
And have a very Merry Christmas.
Love,
Jeremiah
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Quick Hit Thoughts
Sorry, no Advent reflection today. For the record, I have not grown bored with the season, I am just full of non-Christmas thoughts today, and I kind of just need to get them out. Nothing serious mind you, just thoughts. So here we go, in no particular order:
Narnia
If you know me, I am a huge fan of the Narnia series. Such a big fan that I read all the books yearly. Such a big fan that if you ever email me you are required to use the word Aslan. Such a big fan that I once led a small group time that generally is used for Bible study, to instead study an important section from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I say all of this not to sound impressive (or for that matter, really pathetic), but instead so that all of my cyber friends can know just how seriously I took the new The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, flick. So on Saturday night, I sat down with a group of high schoolers ready to be blown away by a movie that I have anxiously waited since it was announced about a year ago.
I was not blown away.
It wasn't a bad movie mind you. The CG was fantastic. And not fantastic in that "wow that was an awesome effect" sense, but fantastic in the "I totally forgot that those aren't real beavers talking sense". Exactly the kind of realism that makes one wish that more directors knew how to use a computer as a tool instead of a crutch. The Narnia of the film was really a magical land, no faun, dwarf looked as though it didn't belong. Even Aslan, the most important CG character looked real and majestic enough (though I should point out, that he inherited some of the weird glow from the art depicting Jesus. Urg). The acting was solid as well. So was the casting.
So what was this film missing? I have struggled to sum that up myself. I can give you specific complaints. Mr and Mrs Beaver lost way too much screen time. There was an unnecessary scene with the children being chased across a frozen river. Peter was kind of mean. But these are only symptoms of what hurt the movie. What I believe really damaged this film was that it was missing the correct tone. It looked right, but didn't feel right. We are told that Aslan is really important. We are told that he is powerful, but when we meet him, no emotional impact is made (in spite of that glow). When he (minor spoiler if you have never read the book) sacrifices himself, it is noble, but not gut-wrenchingly tragic. The entire film HAS to build to his moment of sacrifice, but the film is so busy throwing new tension at us, that it is simply something else that happens. The movie just moves to fast to develop any real emotion for any character. In fact, the only character that the film (as opposed to my fond memories of the book) makes care about is Tumnus the faun. Tumnus and Lucy's interaction is almost verbatim from the book. Much time is given to their meeting and tea. When Lucy and her siblings come to his broken into house, I was saddened by his arrest. Its a shame that the LION doesn't get such a fine treatment.
I could speculate all day about what happened in production or why certain decisions were made. Ultimately though, I felt like a book written in the 50's was made into a 21st century movie. That means that great gains were made visually, over any other adaptation before. It also means that the movie was given too much attitude and action for this guy's taste. Ultimately though, this is a great story. No one has ever weaved Biblical narrative and human fantasy in such a compelling and intelligent way as CS Lewis did. This movie doesn't lose everything in translation. And this story is still utterly enjoyable and rich. I am glad that I saw it come to life and wouldn't hesitate to catch it again on DVD and I highly recommend that you catch a matinee. If you have been lost in Narnia even once, I guarantee that seeing the lamppost will give you chills.
Seattle Sports Quick Hits
Sorry, no Advent reflection today. For the record, I have not grown bored with the season, I am just full of non-Christmas thoughts today, and I kind of just need to get them out. Nothing serious mind you, just thoughts. So here we go, in no particular order:
Narnia
If you know me, I am a huge fan of the Narnia series. Such a big fan that I read all the books yearly. Such a big fan that if you ever email me you are required to use the word Aslan. Such a big fan that I once led a small group time that generally is used for Bible study, to instead study an important section from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I say all of this not to sound impressive (or for that matter, really pathetic), but instead so that all of my cyber friends can know just how seriously I took the new The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, flick. So on Saturday night, I sat down with a group of high schoolers ready to be blown away by a movie that I have anxiously waited since it was announced about a year ago.
I was not blown away.
It wasn't a bad movie mind you. The CG was fantastic. And not fantastic in that "wow that was an awesome effect" sense, but fantastic in the "I totally forgot that those aren't real beavers talking sense". Exactly the kind of realism that makes one wish that more directors knew how to use a computer as a tool instead of a crutch. The Narnia of the film was really a magical land, no faun, dwarf looked as though it didn't belong. Even Aslan, the most important CG character looked real and majestic enough (though I should point out, that he inherited some of the weird glow from the art depicting Jesus. Urg). The acting was solid as well. So was the casting.
So what was this film missing? I have struggled to sum that up myself. I can give you specific complaints. Mr and Mrs Beaver lost way too much screen time. There was an unnecessary scene with the children being chased across a frozen river. Peter was kind of mean. But these are only symptoms of what hurt the movie. What I believe really damaged this film was that it was missing the correct tone. It looked right, but didn't feel right. We are told that Aslan is really important. We are told that he is powerful, but when we meet him, no emotional impact is made (in spite of that glow). When he (minor spoiler if you have never read the book) sacrifices himself, it is noble, but not gut-wrenchingly tragic. The entire film HAS to build to his moment of sacrifice, but the film is so busy throwing new tension at us, that it is simply something else that happens. The movie just moves to fast to develop any real emotion for any character. In fact, the only character that the film (as opposed to my fond memories of the book) makes care about is Tumnus the faun. Tumnus and Lucy's interaction is almost verbatim from the book. Much time is given to their meeting and tea. When Lucy and her siblings come to his broken into house, I was saddened by his arrest. Its a shame that the LION doesn't get such a fine treatment.
I could speculate all day about what happened in production or why certain decisions were made. Ultimately though, I felt like a book written in the 50's was made into a 21st century movie. That means that great gains were made visually, over any other adaptation before. It also means that the movie was given too much attitude and action for this guy's taste. Ultimately though, this is a great story. No one has ever weaved Biblical narrative and human fantasy in such a compelling and intelligent way as CS Lewis did. This movie doesn't lose everything in translation. And this story is still utterly enjoyable and rich. I am glad that I saw it come to life and wouldn't hesitate to catch it again on DVD and I highly recommend that you catch a matinee. If you have been lost in Narnia even once, I guarantee that seeing the lamppost will give you chills.
Seattle Sports Quick Hits
- In spite of my better judgment, I have caught Seahawks fever. Despite twenty four years of heartbreak, my heart is already invested in seeing my boys in the Super Bowl. I feel like Matt Hasselbeck is my personal friend, whom only I believed would be able to rise to this level. Shaun Alexander is my always smiling younger brother, so talented, but I wish that I could tell him not too dance so much. Lofa Tatupu is the new kid on the block, I am insecure about too many people knowing who he is, for fear that it will spoil our friendship. Yes I have caught the fever. I know that if the fall in the playoffs, that I will also fall. And fall hard at that. I can't help it though. The last two years I have believed while others have sneered. Now I believe and people are starting to finally come to my side. Being on a full bandwagon is actually more fun, but I fear that if they fall I will be lonely again. Oh well, whatever happens, I will always be able to hear my beloved wife saying "Run Shaun Run!" in my head.
- The Mariners signed Carl Everett and Jarrod Washburn last week. Not sure what to say about those moves. Washburn is not as good as he once was and Everett is psycho. But I'd rather have Washburn pitching than Ryan Franklin and Everett may be the first Mariner since Mike Cameron to act like he has pulse. Of course neither of these guys will determine much for next year. If Beltre hits, Felix pitches all year, and guys like Betencourt (sp?), Reed, Soriano and Lopez grow up quick, then Washburn, Everett and Kanji will be great role players. If not, then we will still suck. Can't wait for March!
- The Sonics can't play defense. Yes, Wiess' scheme is bad, but the players are not defensive stoppers either. My solution? Do what Nate did last year, have the big guys use every single one of their fouls. If point guard goes in the paint, they get knocked on their butt. If he goes again he gets knocked on his butt again. Roll the dice and hope that they decide getting knocked on your butt 15 times a game isn't worth it. Nuf said.
The Big Finish
In about 24 hours I get to pet my dog Maxine. She is the cutest dog on earth, which means yes, she is cuter than your dog. I am stoked about that. I thought you should know.
Stay classy.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Authentic
Sorry to break from the Advent theme, but my mind is racing in another direction today. Please bear with me and my tangential brain.
Authenticity. This word represents half of the debates that I get into. Every one seems to be looking for it. However, it is an elusive thing to get a hold of. One day your desire for something (a good grade, your friends, God, whatever that "something" is) can be so real. That desire can consume you. It can be difficult to even think of something else. Then the next day comes and your desire is all a show. You show up or class to be seen by the professor, not for knowledge. You raise your hands at church because it seems like the appropriate time, not out of a heartfelt response. Just like that, authenticity is gone. When you search your heart, you feel like a fraud.
Is it any wonder that we doubt the sincerity of others so often? Our problem is that we know ourselves far too well. If we somehow could only deny our own fickleness, maybe we could trust others passion. Maybe we could believe that the love others show us is authentic. Maybe.
Maybe I don't really debate with others about authenticity, as much as I debate with others about the symptoms of an unauthentic belief. At my church, I cannot understand how a pre-written and edited prayer can be authentic. In my mind I can't get past the image of a person sitting at their desk mumbling to themselves; "should I be thankful for His faithfulness or thy faithfulness?". The image slays my trust in the authenticity of the prayer. Others at the church doubt the sincerity of people like me, you know those young people with their hands in the air while singing and dancing to that rock music. Am I trying to impress God with my radical expression? And when my authenticity is challenged I get angry and defensive, not because I am so confident in my worship, but because I am so insecure about it. I know that as many times as I have truly encountered God in worship, I have faked it. I have gotten lost in the moment, while worrying about being in tune, or thinking about how tired my arms are getting. I feel like a fraud, so I ready at a moment to deny being one. I sense it is the same for the prayer readers/writers. They have been pierced by plenty of prayers, and written plenty of others out of the pre-established pattern.
Where is authenticity?
It's on the other side of worship. I firmly believe that God, His words to us, in scripture and now through the Holy Spirit, are the only source of authenticity we are ever going to encounter. We are up and down. Our desire peaks and wanes, but God's desire for us to come near to Him, never falters. If we are to believe scripture, then God's desire to have an relationship with us was authentic enough to drive Him to be born as a human and die as a criminal. His desire to have an authentic relationship with us was such that He would actually promise to be with us when we gather in His name. That is authenticity. That is sacrificial. That is above and beyond anything we could ever dream to expect.
So what is my current view of authenticity? It is this, whether you are going to lift your hand or sit on them, authentic worship is one that recognizes that God is consistent and steadfast in His commitment to you and that you need Him to teach you a lot about worship.
Sorry to break from the Advent theme, but my mind is racing in another direction today. Please bear with me and my tangential brain.
Authenticity. This word represents half of the debates that I get into. Every one seems to be looking for it. However, it is an elusive thing to get a hold of. One day your desire for something (a good grade, your friends, God, whatever that "something" is) can be so real. That desire can consume you. It can be difficult to even think of something else. Then the next day comes and your desire is all a show. You show up or class to be seen by the professor, not for knowledge. You raise your hands at church because it seems like the appropriate time, not out of a heartfelt response. Just like that, authenticity is gone. When you search your heart, you feel like a fraud.
Is it any wonder that we doubt the sincerity of others so often? Our problem is that we know ourselves far too well. If we somehow could only deny our own fickleness, maybe we could trust others passion. Maybe we could believe that the love others show us is authentic. Maybe.
Maybe I don't really debate with others about authenticity, as much as I debate with others about the symptoms of an unauthentic belief. At my church, I cannot understand how a pre-written and edited prayer can be authentic. In my mind I can't get past the image of a person sitting at their desk mumbling to themselves; "should I be thankful for His faithfulness or thy faithfulness?". The image slays my trust in the authenticity of the prayer. Others at the church doubt the sincerity of people like me, you know those young people with their hands in the air while singing and dancing to that rock music. Am I trying to impress God with my radical expression? And when my authenticity is challenged I get angry and defensive, not because I am so confident in my worship, but because I am so insecure about it. I know that as many times as I have truly encountered God in worship, I have faked it. I have gotten lost in the moment, while worrying about being in tune, or thinking about how tired my arms are getting. I feel like a fraud, so I ready at a moment to deny being one. I sense it is the same for the prayer readers/writers. They have been pierced by plenty of prayers, and written plenty of others out of the pre-established pattern.
Where is authenticity?
It's on the other side of worship. I firmly believe that God, His words to us, in scripture and now through the Holy Spirit, are the only source of authenticity we are ever going to encounter. We are up and down. Our desire peaks and wanes, but God's desire for us to come near to Him, never falters. If we are to believe scripture, then God's desire to have an relationship with us was authentic enough to drive Him to be born as a human and die as a criminal. His desire to have an authentic relationship with us was such that He would actually promise to be with us when we gather in His name. That is authenticity. That is sacrificial. That is above and beyond anything we could ever dream to expect.
So what is my current view of authenticity? It is this, whether you are going to lift your hand or sit on them, authentic worship is one that recognizes that God is consistent and steadfast in His commitment to you and that you need Him to teach you a lot about worship.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Advent Devotional: Humble or Mighty?
A short post today as a result of a large stack of Christmas cards. Still a decent thought will hopefully emerge.
If we are to believe gospel authors Luke and Matthew (which I will do) Jesus' birth was at one time the most humble and the most amazing spectacle one could imagine. Think about it, Mary and Joseph had to ride on a donkey to take part in something as silly as census. And as a result of no money and a packed town, Mary would perform the first virgin birth in a barn. We can only presume that the first smells that Jesus encountered were not the most pleasant. It is almost comical to think of this scene. Are society makes jokes about giving birth on the way to the hospital. Places like cabs or elevators seem to work for our backdrops. But a barn? Complete with hay? And donkey's? There is humble, and there is camel poop. This almost seems a little excessive.
This though is not the end of our story. We have some shepherds sleeping with their sheep. Typical people, typical night. Right up until they see an angel and approbation hit the deck waiting to die (gotta love the response angels get). After the formality of being assured this is a good visit, the angel tells them that Savior has been born. We know all of this. The exciting part is what follows. They get to see the party in heaven. WHOA! They get to see the celebration the Father is throwing for the birth of His son (I am guessing there is no camel poop up there).
Those Christmas cards are calling me, so I will make this brief and direct. I am beginning to see that Advent is not as straight forward we would have it. Some churches are more simple in their celebration. Acoustic worship. Candlelight. After all, Jesus was so simple. Some churches sound the trumpet, bring out the choir or the bells, this is a time to celebrate! My conviction is neither response is wrong. Jesus deserves the best of our worship, the fullness of our love, all that we have to give. However, He also came to SHOW US HOW TO LIVE. He came into this world humbly. He lived the same way. We must be reminded of His humility this season and we must feel convicted of the lack of our own.
In short: Let's learn to hear trumpets and smell camel poop.
A short post today as a result of a large stack of Christmas cards. Still a decent thought will hopefully emerge.
If we are to believe gospel authors Luke and Matthew (which I will do) Jesus' birth was at one time the most humble and the most amazing spectacle one could imagine. Think about it, Mary and Joseph had to ride on a donkey to take part in something as silly as census. And as a result of no money and a packed town, Mary would perform the first virgin birth in a barn. We can only presume that the first smells that Jesus encountered were not the most pleasant. It is almost comical to think of this scene. Are society makes jokes about giving birth on the way to the hospital. Places like cabs or elevators seem to work for our backdrops. But a barn? Complete with hay? And donkey's? There is humble, and there is camel poop. This almost seems a little excessive.
This though is not the end of our story. We have some shepherds sleeping with their sheep. Typical people, typical night. Right up until they see an angel and approbation hit the deck waiting to die (gotta love the response angels get). After the formality of being assured this is a good visit, the angel tells them that Savior has been born. We know all of this. The exciting part is what follows. They get to see the party in heaven. WHOA! They get to see the celebration the Father is throwing for the birth of His son (I am guessing there is no camel poop up there).
Those Christmas cards are calling me, so I will make this brief and direct. I am beginning to see that Advent is not as straight forward we would have it. Some churches are more simple in their celebration. Acoustic worship. Candlelight. After all, Jesus was so simple. Some churches sound the trumpet, bring out the choir or the bells, this is a time to celebrate! My conviction is neither response is wrong. Jesus deserves the best of our worship, the fullness of our love, all that we have to give. However, He also came to SHOW US HOW TO LIVE. He came into this world humbly. He lived the same way. We must be reminded of His humility this season and we must feel convicted of the lack of our own.
In short: Let's learn to hear trumpets and smell camel poop.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Advent Reflection: Change
My church has single word theme for every week in Advent. Hope, Peace, Love and the fourth is actually escaping me right now (like I said I am new at this whole Advent thing!). I think that "change" needs to be one. When I think about what Jesus coming into our world means, "change" is becoming my new favorite word. When Jesus came into this world everything changed. When a person becomes a Christian everything changes. Take Jesus, add faith and boom, instant chaos and change enters your life. Its the nature of our Lord.
Take a look at Mary. Now listen, I got married last year, and during that wedding planning time, nothing was ever allowed to change. The church was booked. So was the reception hall. The food? Booked. Guest list? Set. Everything was planned, nothing was allowed to change. Now I realize that Mary was in a different culture and time, but I think that being engaged and getting married has been a constant "high stress and control zone" since time began. So it is in this season of her life that God chooses her to become the mother of the savior of the world. Six months later, things would've been easier, but that is not the way that God works. God is not interested in what is the opportune time. Mary's whole life gets blown up by one little visit from an angel. Everything changes.
So after everything gets staightened out with Joseph, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Surely this is going to be when Mary starts venting. This is where she is going to whine about not fitting in her wedding dress. This is going to be when the "why me's?" are going to start. Right?
Wrong.
Instead we get a song. We get a song of praise. Luke 1:46-55 is the most remarkable song of praise in all of scripture. Mary is HONORED to have her life changed. She believes that she is the most blessed woman in the world. She is absolutely stoked to be used by God, to have her womb blessed by His presence. Instead of mourning her lost plans, she rejoices to be art of God's plan.
Jesus would spend the rest of His life changing people's plans. Twelve men, left their previous lives to follow Him. Several women would do the same. Blind would see. Dead would live. People with authority would feel it deteriorating. While many without authority would feel empowered.
When Jesus shows up, things change.
If you will allow to go to Narnia for a second, I believe that "the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" illustrates this best. After many, many years of constant winter, without Christmas, Aslan the great Lion returns. What happens? Santa Claus comes. The snow melts. Spring comes! Things change.
To follow Jesus in the season of Advent (or any season), is to embrace change. You cannot say "yes" to Jesus and "no" to change at the same time. Jesus will mess up your life. It will become an unrecognizable version of its former self. So we get to choose. We can be like the Pharisee's clinging to what we know and fighting keep what we understand. Or we can be like Mary. We can see our fortune for being part of God's plan and see where it takes us.
My church has single word theme for every week in Advent. Hope, Peace, Love and the fourth is actually escaping me right now (like I said I am new at this whole Advent thing!). I think that "change" needs to be one. When I think about what Jesus coming into our world means, "change" is becoming my new favorite word. When Jesus came into this world everything changed. When a person becomes a Christian everything changes. Take Jesus, add faith and boom, instant chaos and change enters your life. Its the nature of our Lord.
Take a look at Mary. Now listen, I got married last year, and during that wedding planning time, nothing was ever allowed to change. The church was booked. So was the reception hall. The food? Booked. Guest list? Set. Everything was planned, nothing was allowed to change. Now I realize that Mary was in a different culture and time, but I think that being engaged and getting married has been a constant "high stress and control zone" since time began. So it is in this season of her life that God chooses her to become the mother of the savior of the world. Six months later, things would've been easier, but that is not the way that God works. God is not interested in what is the opportune time. Mary's whole life gets blown up by one little visit from an angel. Everything changes.
So after everything gets staightened out with Joseph, Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Surely this is going to be when Mary starts venting. This is where she is going to whine about not fitting in her wedding dress. This is going to be when the "why me's?" are going to start. Right?
Wrong.
Instead we get a song. We get a song of praise. Luke 1:46-55 is the most remarkable song of praise in all of scripture. Mary is HONORED to have her life changed. She believes that she is the most blessed woman in the world. She is absolutely stoked to be used by God, to have her womb blessed by His presence. Instead of mourning her lost plans, she rejoices to be art of God's plan.
Jesus would spend the rest of His life changing people's plans. Twelve men, left their previous lives to follow Him. Several women would do the same. Blind would see. Dead would live. People with authority would feel it deteriorating. While many without authority would feel empowered.
When Jesus shows up, things change.
If you will allow to go to Narnia for a second, I believe that "the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" illustrates this best. After many, many years of constant winter, without Christmas, Aslan the great Lion returns. What happens? Santa Claus comes. The snow melts. Spring comes! Things change.
To follow Jesus in the season of Advent (or any season), is to embrace change. You cannot say "yes" to Jesus and "no" to change at the same time. Jesus will mess up your life. It will become an unrecognizable version of its former self. So we get to choose. We can be like the Pharisee's clinging to what we know and fighting keep what we understand. Or we can be like Mary. We can see our fortune for being part of God's plan and see where it takes us.
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