Christmas is one of those seasons that we have trouble waiting for. People start decorating for Christmas, I’m told before October is even over. The lights, the Christmas music, the Hallmark movies - we want it, now. Waiting is hard.
On top of that, it’s hard to wait both to give and to receive gifts. There are gifts we long to give away. It is such an amazing gift that we can’t wait to share it with our loved ones. Then there are the gifts we can’t wait to open. Those gifts wrapped under the tree. The gifts housed in the brown Amazon box. If it has our name on it - or even if we think it does - the anticipation is more than we can handle. Waiting is hard.
It is even more difficult when we’re waiting in hard, painful, or even challenging circumstances. This Sunday, as we walk through the emotions of Christmas, we hear James tell us: “Be patient! Wait for it…” But as he says these things, he’s talking to Christians who are embattled. They are warring against a divided heart; they love Jesus and are also pulled after other things. They want to do what is right but often do what is wrong. They suffer for doing right. They are like farmers waiting for rain. They are like prophets persevering against persecution. They are Job standing firm beneath the loss of everything.
“Be patient.” That’s what James says. “Persevere!” But he gives us more than a call to action and a call to be something. He also empowers us with promises from Jesus, with power from above. We hope you’ll join us this weekend as we look at James 5:7-11.
On top of this, it is Baptism Sunday at Mount Lebanon. We’re so excited to share the gift of baptism with so many of our family and friends. We hope you’ll be able to join us for this special service.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Nate