Christmas Eve 2009 – WOW! What an exciting time of year. A few years ago I wasn’t saying that at this time of year, but I am so thankful for the grace that has been shown me and for the work God has done in my life that I am both able to be excited about Christmas the holiday as well as celebrating the Advent of my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ and also anticipating His second Advent!
This is the first year, that I can think of where all the cards have been sent, the presents are bought and wrapped, the house has been decorated for a while now and we are simply waiting and anticipating Christmas morning.
I have so much to be thankful for and I am blessed far more than what I deserve.
If you know me, then you know that I am not about the “stuff” of Christmas. I’ve seen more people this year excited about the “stuff” of Christmas than ever before.
If the presents and the parties and the bragging on the 4.0 really make you happy, then good for you. Quite frankly, does nothing for me. Never has, never will.
For me, it’s all about Jesus and second to that is spending time with people I love and care about.
Christmas is a time for sharing the presence of Christ with others.
This is my second Christmas without my dad and oddly enough, this one is far more difficult than was the first. So many times this year I’ve wanted to pick up the phone and call him, a few times, waking out of a dream, I have actually picked up my cell phone and dialed the number.
I don’t mourn for my dad, he’s been in Heaven with Jesus since September 2008, going on hunts that he could only dream about in this lifetime and experiencing amazing fellowship with His Savior and Lord and no doubt with my mom. I hope in the 22 years she’s been there that by now, she has learned to cut him some slack. 
What I’ve learned in the past year, more than ever before, is how much I am just like my dad. To those who truly knew my dad, they may wonder if that’s good or bad, but it is by far a very good thing.
My dad was a man of principle who maintained high ethical and moral standards, not to mention the highest of Spiritual standards. I was the only one of my dad’s children to ever spend time talking to him about matters of faith, and oddly enough he would bring them up.
My dad loved the Lord and that was evident in his life. I loved those moments when I would hear my dad praying and he didn’t even know I was there. I loved hearing him express his faith in and love for God. So many times I would come home late at night and Dad always slept in his chair and he’d be sleeping and in his sleep talking to God and telling God how much he loved him. That was just awesome!
My dad would say “Don’t ever be afraid to pray” and that is so very true. He often confessed that God was the best friend he ever had and I knew my dad’s best friends in life and they were some fine people to say the least.
My dad would not back down when it came to standing for what was honorable and right and I am the same way. I refuse to compromise on my principles and especially my faith and God’s word.
My dad left me a rich spiritual heritage and also a heritage of what kind of man to be and did so by example.
What more could I have asked for in a dad?
I’ve been so very blessed this year to be back in full-time pastoral ministry. God brought us to a really great church with some really great people who love Him and while there are challenging times, and while there are sad times, like watching a family spend Christmas in the ICU waiting room while their loved one is dying….God is good and He reigns on high and the Bible says all these things happen for our benefit and I truly believe that. God uses all these things to grow us and shape us and make us into the people He wants us to be for His glory and praise.
Being a pastor is my life. It’s not a job, it’s not a vocation, it is a life to be lived out in the presence of and for the glory of God and how blessed I am that God allows me the amazing opportunity to not just be a Shepherd leader, but to just hang out with folks and build relationships and eat cookies and drink coffee.
Indeed we are preparing for our eternity in Heaven!
To all of my family, friends, those I love and care for, Merry Christmas! God loves you and so do I!
yards for a touchdown. This was not just your average kickoff return for a touchdown, this was a game changing, momentum shifting kickoff return for a touchdown.
