FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 23,1998
The True Meaning o f
Christmas, inspirational
messages from local pastors
God is with us in good times and bad
A recent letter I received discussed three Old Testam ent
p eop le (they lived around 800-1,000 years before Jesus was
bom ) w hose lives were highlighted by encounters and victories
against overwhelm ing odds.
David, as a young man, came face to face on the field o f battle
with die giant Philistine warrior, Goliath. And David prevailed
using only a stone and his shepherd's sling to fell the m ighty
warrior. And David's cry before he went into combat? "This
day the Lord w ill deliver you up into my hands." (1 Samuel
17:46) And G oliath fell.
Jehosphat, King o f Judah, was surrounded by fierce armies.
V astly outnumbered, the king turned to the Lord and heard this
prophesy: "Do not fear or be dism ayed because o f this great
m ultitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." (2 Chronicles
20:15.) And the enem y o f Judah was routed, and King Jehosphat
won a great victory.
K ing H ezekiah found him self under siege by an Assyrian
army. Confronted with potential disaster, he used these words to
encourage his workers as they fortified Jerusalem: "Assyrian
K ing Sennacherib is only an arm o f flesh, but with us is the Lord
our God to help us and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:8.)
And H ezekiah prevailed.
W hen w e read stories such as these it is easy to get the idea
that i f you are in trouble or want a certain outcom e in one o f
life's "situations", all you have to do is believe in God and
everything com es out great. In fact, I have heard televangelists
bringing that m essage in their broadcasts: Do you want financial
su ccess and security? Go to God. Do you want a life o f ease
where you don't face problem s and disappointm ents like
everyone else? Becom e a Christian and see everything "come up
roses."
But it seem s to m e reality is very different. Life is exactly as
w e read in the G ospel o f Matthew: "For He makes H is sun rise
on the evil and on die good, and sends rain on the righteous and
on the unrighteous." (5:44) Bad things happen to good people
and vice versa. So what is the point?
The pdint is you don't have to be a great leader like David or
a king like Jehosphat or Hezekiah to have God's gif! o f presence
and help in your life. The answer is found in the angel's
announcement to the shepherds o f Bethlehem on Christmas Day
(shepherds were on the bottom o f the totem pole in their
society). T he first words the angel spoke were to these low ly
shepherds: "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good
new s o f great jo y for all the people: 11 to you is bom this day
in the city o f D avid a Savior, who is the M essiah, the Lord."
(Luke 2: *10b-11.)
The angel announced the com ing o f "Emmanuel - God with
us." Life is filled with challenges and difficulties, and they com e
to all o f us - Christian or not. But the angel's pronouncement is
o f a Savior who com es to us when we are exhausted, frustrated,
facing seem ingly insurmountable difficulties, and says "Do not
be afraid", I am with you.
That is what the Christmas m essage is all about at its core. A
God who loved each and every person in the world so much, that
he cam e into the world to bring us peace and strength,
forgiveness and confidence for our daily lives.
In the 10th chapter o f the Gospel o f John, the purpose for
God's incarnation - becom ing man in Jesus - is beautifully
described. "I cam e that they may have life, and have it
abundantly." (John 10:10.)
This is hope for living that is a gift o f grace to us through the
Christ Child. May God bless you ¿his holiday season, and in the
days and years ahead.
Merry Christmas to you all.
- The Rev. R.G. "Dick" Metz,
Pastor, Hope and Valby Lutheran
Parish
A savior fo r all times
The chosen people had hope. Their hope was for a redeemer.
A lm ighty God had prom ised that he would send a redeemer.
They never forgot that. So when God sent them prophets and
kings the people knew that they were m essengers o f God. The
prophets often brought them m essages o f hope. The kings were
God's ambassadors on earth. W hen M oses led them out o f
slavery, and when David was victorious, they knew that the
pow er o f God was at work. Since the kings and prophets were
anointed, the people considered them as chosen by God, and a
sign o f God's presence with them.
H ow ever, their expectation o f the M essiah was colored by
their own w ishful thinking. They wanted and expected a
powerful M essiah but not a divine one. They expected a M essiah
w ho w ould be an instrument o f God's power, but they did not
expect a M essiah who w as God incarnate. It was only after the
resurrection o f Jesus that his contemporaries cam e to recognize
his divinity. Jesus even had to explain to two o f his d isciples as
they made their way to Emmaus how the words o f the prophets
were fu lfilled in him.
S t Paul, in his letter to the Romans, makes it clear that Jesus
was die Son o f God when he states: "..but established as Son o f
G od in power according to the spirit o f holiness through
resurrection from the dead, Jesus Chnst our Lord." Rom. 1,4. St.
Matthew also indicated the divinity o f Christ when he tells o f the
angel speaking to Joseph: "For it is through the H oly Spirit that
this child has been conceived in her. She w ill bear a son and you
are to name him Jesus." Matt. 1,20.
In our world today there are those who struggle with their
concept o f the M essiah. They, too, would like to see a powerful
leader rather than a tiny baby. Y et that baby grew into the m ost
powerful spiritual leader o f all time. He did not com e to conquer
but to convert: he did not com e to rule but to serve; he did not
com e to oppress but to free. So, for those who wish to find inner
happiness even in this world, he is there waiting for them. He
w ill be as precious a gift to them as he was to the shepherds, and
as he was to the Magi. Come to him as w e celebrate his birth. He
m ay be waiting just for you.
-
Fr. Gerry Condon
SL Patrick's and S i William's
Catholic churches
The greatest Christmas gift
How well do you know the Christmas story?
On July 29, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong climbed down an
aluminum ladder and put his feet on the surface of the moon. In
an address to the nation President Richard Nixon said, "The
greatest event in human history occurred when man first put his
foot on the moon."
I disagree with that statement. I believe the greatest event in
human history was when God put His foot on the earth. He
stepped out of heaven through the womb of a Jewish virgin. He
was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lqid in a manger. His
name was Jesus.
Once again it is Christmas time. We realize this is the occasion
when the Son of God became the Son of Man, and the God of
Genesis became the Babe of Bethlehem.
What does Christmas mean to you? Family gatherings,
decorated trees, bright colorful lights, giving and receiving gifts,
wonderful food, beautiful holiday music, Santa Claus, fruitcake,
eggnog, cards and friends? We each have our own special
memories of Christmas. I hope your Christmas takes in the true
reason for the season.
Imagine if you will, what enormous joy God the Father must
have felt as he gave to the world, the greatest gift ever given, His
Son, Jesus. Imagine Him looking down on the scene at the
stable, with a huge smile on His face, wondering who, if anyone,
had any idea of the importance of this child, this gift. Think
about all those who were present at the time, the shepherds, the
innkeeper, the wisemen, and the townsfolk. Who knew the
meaning of this gift? How was the gift received? How would
you have received the gift had you been there?
As you give and receive gifts this Christmas, remember the
first Christmas gift ever given. Remember that the Christ Child
was given to all mankind. May you experience the gift of Jesus
Christ this Christmas by accepting him into your life. Don't
allow another Christmas to go by, without Christ in you, the
hope of glory.
Have a very Merry Christmas and New Year.
•Pastor Tim Van Cleave
Christian Life Center
Jesus sent to be in our hearts
Dear Friends,
A cartoon from a few years ago showed a woman saying to her
husband, "Good grief, Henry. Here's Christmas at our throats
again!"
Amid the preparations for Christmas each year, there always
seem to be a few voices like hers, proclaiming a "Bah, humbug!"
on the whole business. And if the truth be known, some of us
may feel less than excited about Christmas ourselves. The
expense, the crowds, the overindulgence, the hurried schedules
and all the other trappings of modem Christmas celebrations are
enough to make all o f us take a jaundiced look at the season.
In the face of the humbug state of affairs, it is helpful to
remember that God did not send Jesus to be "at our throats," but
to be "in our hearts." The difference between those two concepts
defines the gap between gloom and glory. There's a reason we
call the gospel good news. As John so aptly put it, "For God
sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that
the world might be saved through him" (3:17).
Jesus is God's gift to our world — and to our hearts. When
Jesus resides within, whether we enjoy or merely tolerate the
flurry o f seasonal preparations, Christmas itself is a grand
opportunity to say thank you to God for the gift of the Son.
Please join us as we seek to celebrate Christmas in our hearts.
In God's peace,
-Pastor Andrew Johnson
First Christian Church
Area churches plan
Christmas services
Christmas Church Services
First Christian Church
The Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held Thursday, Dec.
24. beginning at 7 p.m.
Everyone is invited to attend.
Hope Lutheran Church
The Christmas Eve candlelight worship with Holy Communion
will be held Thursday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m.
Valby Lutheran Church
The Christmas Eve candlelight worship with Holy Communion is
planned for Thursday, Dec. 24, at 9 p.m.
St. Patrick's Church
The Christmas Eve Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Heppner,
Thursday, Dec. 24, will begin with a procession of lights at 9 p.m.
with the blessing of the nativity scene and the Vigil Mass.
Friday, December 25, the Christmas Mass with the singing of
Christmas carols will begin at 11 a.m.
Everyone is invited to attend.
St. William's Church
Christmas Mass with the singing of Christmas carols will be held
at St. William's Church in lone beginning at 8:45 a.m. Christmas
day, Friday, December 25.
Everyone is invited to attend.
"Jesus is the Reason for the Season." Most people have seen
this statement before. Sadly, though, many people do not know,
or do not remember, the details and origin of the first,
Christmas. The following quiz will help one learn or recall many
events o f the biblical story about the birth of Jesus:
1) As long as Christmas has been celebrated, it has been on
December 25 (true or false).
2) Joseph was from: A-Bethlehem; B-Jerusalem; C-Nazareth;
D-Egypt; E-Minnesota; F-None of the above.
3) How did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem? A-Camel;
B-Donkey; C-Joseph walked, Mary rode a donkey; D-Taxi; E-
Who knows?
4)
Mary and Joseph were married when Mary became
pregnant (true or false).
5) Mary and Joseph were married when Jesus was bom (true
or false).
6) Mary was a virgin when she delivered Jesus (true or false).
7) What did the innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph? A-"There is
no room for you in this inn;" B-"I have a stable you can use;" C-
"Come back after the Christmas rush and I should have some
vacancies;" D-Both A and B; E-None of the above.
8)
A "manger" is a: A-Stable for domestic animals; B-
Wooden hay storage bin; C-Feeding trough; D-bam.
9) Which animals does the Bible say were present at Jesus'
birth? A-Cows, sheep, goats; B-Cows, donkeys, sheep; C-Sheep
and goats only; D-Miscellaneous barnyard animals; E-unknown.
10) Who saw the "star in the East"? A-Shepherds; B-Mary and
Joseph; C-Three kings; D-Both A and C; E-None of the above.
11) How many angels spoke to the shepherds? A-One; B-
Three; C-A "multitude"; D-None of the above.
12) What "sign” did the angels tell the shepherds to look for?
A-"This way to baby Jesus;" B-A star over Bethlehem; C-A
baby that doesn't cry; D-A house with a Christmas tree; E-A
baby in a stable; F-None of the above.
13) What did the angels sing? A-"Joy to the World, the Lord
is Come;" B-"Alleluia;" C-"Unto us a child is bom, unto to us a
child is given;" D-"Glory to God in the Highest;" E-"Glory to
the newborn King;" F-"My Sweet Lord."
14) What is "frankincense"? A-A precious metal; B-A
precious fabric; C-A precious perfume; D-An Eastern monster
story; E-None of the above.
15) What is "myrrh"? A-An easily shaped metal; B-A spice
used for burying people; C-A drink; D-After-shave lotion; E-
None o f the above.
16) The wise men found Jesus in a: A-Manger, B-Stable; C-
House; D-Holiday Inn; E-Good mood.
17) Why did the wise men stop in Jerusalem? A-To inform
Herod about Jesus; B-To find out where Jesus was; C-To ask
about the star they saw; D-To buy gas; E-To buy presents for
Jesus.
18) Who told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem? A-The
angel; B-Mary's mother; C-Herod; D-Caesar Augustus; E-
Alexander the Great.
19) Where do we find the Christmas story in order to check up
on all these questions? A-Matthew; B-Mark; C-Luke; D-John;
E-All of the above; F-Only A and C; G-Only B and D.
20) I think that this quiz was: A-Super; B-Great; C-Fantastic;
D-All of the above.
Answers: 1) False. (Not until the fourth century did it settle on
the 25th.) 2) A. (See Luke 2:3-4.) 3) E. (The Bible doesn't say.)
4) False. (See Matthew 1:18.) 5) False. (See Luke 2:5.) 6) True.
(See Matthew 1:25). 7) False. (There was no word on the
innkeeper. See Luke 2:7.) 8) C. 9) E. (The Bible doesn't specify.)
10) E. (The wise men did (they were not kings)). See Matthew
2:2.) 11) A. (See Luke 2:9.) 12) F. (See Luke 2:12.) 13) D. (See
Luke 2:14.) 14) C. (See Exodus 30:34.) 15) B. (See John 19:39.)
16) C. (See Matthew 2:11.) 17) B. (See Matthew 2:1-12.) 18) D.
(See Luke 2:1,4.) 19) G. 20) D, of course.
-Pastor Duane Jones
Church o f the Nazarene
lo n e S ite C o u n c il m e e ts
The lone Site Council met on
Dec. 9 for their monthly meeting.
Steve Schaber reported that he
had talked with Barbara Stefani-
Peterson about the middle school
student government taking over
Positive School Action Commit
tee activities. She indicated that
they would take over those duties.
The high school girls’ volley
ball team was recognized for their
league, district and state champi
onship victories. Also, Jessica
Krebs was honored for earning a
trip to 4-H Congress in Atlanta,
GA for leadership.
Becky Hunt passed out copies
of the criteria for the President’s
Award for Educational Excellence
for students in elementary, middle
and high school. Students meet
ing criteria can receive a signed
award from the President of the
United States. The council was in
favor of the program. Hunt will
give the information to principal
Dick Allen and will report further
at the next meeting.
Dale Holland reported that the
Honor Society would like to give
out academic letters twice a year,
in the fall for the previous spring
and again in the spring for letters
earned in the fall.
Schaber asked that the council
approve a request from Allen to
apply for a grant for the Oregon
Dept, of Education. The grant is
based on state math assessment
scores and, if successful, each
teacher could receive $ 1,000 to be
used in the classroom. The coun
cil approved the request.
The next meeting of the site
council will be held on Wednes
day, Jan. 13, beginning at 5 p.m.
in room one of the lone High
School.
St. Patrick's Senior Center
Bulletin Board
All Saints Episcopal Church
A Christmas Eve service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church
Dec. 24 at 8 p.m.
Holy Eucharist will be presided over by the Rt. Rev. Rustin Kimsey,
bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Oregon.
“We welcome everyone to be with us on this special evening,” said
a church spokesperson.
Births
COPY • COPY • COPY • COPY • COPY • COPY • COPY • COPY • COPY
WE MAKE COPIES • HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES • WE MAKE COPIES
L isandro V era C hairez-a son
Lisandro Vera was bom to Maria
and Camilo Vera of Irrigon on
December 9,1998 at Good Shep
herd Community Hospital in
Hermiston. The baby weighed 7
lbs. 1 oz.
Eighty-five people were present for the senior Christmas dinner
Dec. 16. Members of the Christian Missionary Fellowship Church
served. A large group of home schooled children from Heppner,
Lexington lone sang Christmas carols in the sitting room and the
dining room. They were accompanied on the piano by Myma
VanCleave. The Seniors really appreciate their beautiful voices and
smiling faces.
T he menu for December 30 will be sweet and sour chicken, chow
mien noodles, fried rice, oriental vegetables, apricots and carrot cake
with frosting. Members of the Episcopal Church will serve.
Exercise class was held Tuesday and Thursday. Pinochle was
played Tuesday and Friday afternoon and Bingo played Friday
evening. Bingo was preceded by a Christmas buffet.
Irene Anhom fell Wednesdy, breaking her hip. She had surgery in
Hermiston and is now at the hospital here in Heppner.
M erry C hristm as, everyon e.