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Big Church Genesis Style

Just a reminder- this Sunday is Big Church Genesis Style. So we'll be meeting at our regular time in the main santuary to show Big Church a thing or two about Genesis and our new series, "Collide".

Also I just wanted an excuse to post this awesome Collide banner here...

It's like a freeze frame from Carrie Underwood's "Love is all that Matters" video (you know you love her).

Give Childlike Faith a Chance

Now that most of us have digested the holiday festivities, I could use this time to expand on Charlie’s Christmas message from the Christmas Eve service. I could intertwine relevant examples of excitement, expectation, and hope. Once I come down from this sugar high I could probably even think up a few illustrations to go along with the topic of Childlike Faith. But I don’t want to do that now.
I didn’t plan on going to the Genesis Christmas Eve service for a number of reasons. I already had something planned that night. I was tired. I heard the message on Sunday morning, so…? I didn’t expect there would be very many people going since it was midnight and all. Figured maybe twenty. But I couldn’t sleep and I decided to go anyway, and I am so glad I did.
I was astonished to see so many people at Genesis, many of whom I’ve never seen before. I took a step back for a moment just to watch the crowd assemble and to feel the muted excitement quivering overhead. Even in the dim light I could see families huddled together in thick coats, sitting or standing closer together than they normally would on any other evening.
And to stand amidst a crowd worshipping Jesus together, remembering His birth, lent a tranquility to this season that seems to scream past us at 120 miles per hour. I wanted to climb a ladder to stare across the clusters of people. I felt frustratingly short. But when everyone lit their candles and held them up I suddenly wanted to curl up deep in the warm, euphoric glow. It felt like maybe what Heaven is like; surrounded by worshippers lit by a pure-burning light and God dwelling among us. The strangers sitting next to us not really strangers- unified and presently safe from distraction.
And later I caught my reflection in a little boy’s eyes.

It's the most WONDERful time of the year

to run out of batteries in my camera.

I saw the Twin Lakes Christmas Concert for the first time in my life. I can't believe they let me in for free. I was completely stunned, expecting a quaint-yet-didactic skit performed by second graders. Everyone told me it was AMAZING, but I always thought it was pretty AMAZING when fourth graders remember every verse of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman". So I'm not too hard to please, I guess. Give me a fog machine and sequined gowns and I'm happy. I knew I was in for a real show when I spotted a temporary orchestra pit nestled against the stage.
But, no, this show- this spectacular show- exceeded expectations. All of it was amazing. A phantasmagoria of voices and drum beats and strings and lights and costumes and seamless transitions. Plus a nonpareil Stomp act that made the Blue Man Group seem languid.

I apologize for lack of visuals.

Also lacking in visuals is the fun Genesis Christmas Party. Who doesn't love Pictionary? (Usually I don't, but it was so much fun!)

Give Servanthood a Chance

Yesterday morning Eric spoke on serving one another intentionally as a way of honoring Christ. We are challenged each year to make Christmas about Christ and His birth. When we celebrate a close friend's birthday, don't we make the attempt to bless them in some special way? Don't we contemplate ways of honoring who they are and expressing why we love them? Some of us know people who insist that they don't want personal gifts for themselves, but would instead prefer a donation to their favorite charity. And they are honored when someone actually heeds their request. I believe Jesus is honored when we serve one another in His name, but not just serving for the sake of fulfilling a request. We should serve intentionally, keeping the other person's needs in mind, whether it be through material or intangible gifts.
I love that Genesis is participating together in the Give Hope project this year by giving tenants at the River Street Shelter thoughtful items that most people take for granted. Things like deodorant, nail polish, perfume, shaving cream, etcetera, that may not be needs for survival but are often overlooked in donations to shelters. It's going a step beyond the survival needs and showing a person, "I know you are more than a mouth to feed, or a body to clothe. You are also beautiful and insecure of the same things that I am sometimes." It's remembering them as real people.
I also love the idea of setting aside time with another person, free of distraction, to discuss life and Christ beyond the safe topics. Eric's story of his dad was beautiful because it revealed our humanity and our inherent neediness, and our desire to give ourselves to the ones we love.
But it needs to be heartfelt, or else it isn't a sacrifice.

This year I get a wedding ring. I've been married for 5 years but for the first time since I've known him my husband can afford to buy me a ring. My husband also likes to read books. But reading them is not always as important as owning them, for some reason, and seeing his treasures lined up on a bookshelf really does something for him- the way other men like to see their trophies glistening on the mantle, or their interest in taxidermy displayed in the "den".
In order to pay for my wedding ring, my husband sold all of his books on eBay.
This ring is not just meaningful for conventional reasons. It is meaningful because I know what he sacrificed to buy me that ring, and we're getting rid of that ugly bookcase. And instead of just one diamond I get five (pictures forthcoming)!

What I learned from my husband was that he was willing to serve me with humility. He did not reach this goal with his own interest in mind. Philippians 2:1-11 is one of my absolute favorite passages because it is such a great reminder of how we should serve God and each other. And Christmas is an excellent time for this reminder.

Give Scripture a Chance

Christmastime is my favorite time of year besides Autumn and Valentine's Day, and summer when I get off work early every Friday. Oh, and Cabrillo's bi-annual Pottery Sale in the parking garage.
But Christmas definitely tops the list, if I had to choose Number 1.
The problem is, I get just as distracted by shopping lists and mailing Christmas cards as anyone else.
Last Friday I spent the entire afternoon at work with some friends taping $5 Starbucks cards inside giant Christmas cards and mailing them to 75 business contacts all over the country. And I let myself get stressed about it getting finished "on time" so it stopped being fun at one point- and it wasn't officially December yet.
I've decided this year to minimize the holiday stress by just saying no and prioritizing my to-do list. For instance, I put lights on the outside of my house. But I'm leaving the inside of my house unadorned. I'm not getting a Christmas tree this year because my cat is still crazy. (We thought he would have outgrown this phase by now). I am almost completely finished with Christmas shopping except for one family member who is rich and won't tell me what he wants for Christmas (because he probably already has it). I will not send out personal Christmas cards this year but I will bake Christmas cookies. I plan to wrap a co-worker's entire workspace and personal belongings in wrapping paper while he is on sabbatical and hiding a small gift that he has to find by unwrapping everything he already owns.
Aside from all of that, I really just want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I know I say that every year, but I don't want to be distracted by getting the traditions right. I want to reflect on the Father's tremendous act of Love by sending his Son to fulfill a promise. I want to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving throughout the season as I ponder Jesus' willingness to come to us in human form.
But above all, I want to reflect on God's word and grow nearer to him. Not that mailing Christmas cards is bad. I just don't feel like doing it. And I don't feel the least bit guilty.
Charlie's challenge this week is to spend 20 minutes reflecting on Scripture, twice. This is exciting because we can choose a passage ourselves and devote our full attention to waiting on God.
This will be challenging for me because I don't like to wait for anything. I don't wait to open my Christmas gifts and I make others open their gifts long before Christmas Day. So unwrapping God's word slowly is going to be an exercise in patience for me.