Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - THREE
Christmas messages from area pastors
It s not just a holiday or memorial,
it's a birthday celebration
“Keep Christ in Christmas” is a message that our
modem world needs to hear. Over and over again we are
hearing the bland greeting “Happy Holidays.” Some na
tional stores are hav ing “holiday sales,” “holiday bargains”
and are refusing to use the word “Christmas” even in their
advertising. However, this is not just a holiday, it is not
just a memorial, it is a birthday celebration, the birthday
o f Jesus Christ. For those o f us who are Christian, Jesus is
the Son of God. Consequently, His birthday has a profound
significance.
It is up to us to proclaim this message to our cul
ture. Jesus Christ must be the center o f our teaching, o f our
worship, o f our serv ice, o f our lives. He is the center of
the Gospels. Those Gospels refer to His identity as God’s
Son who became man, and to His teaching, and His saving
work. There He teaches us what it means to be an adopted
son or daughter o f the Heavenly Father.
Personal holiness does not come from simply wish
ing each other “Happy Christmas.” It comes from allowing
the Savior into our lives. As we celebrate the birthday of
the Savior, it is good for us to remember that His birth
was an historical event. It was an event that changed the
history o f mankind forever. For some two thousand years
people have been inspired by the life, teaching, death and
resurrection o f Jesus. There have been those who have
sacrificed their very lives for the truths that He taught.
There have been those who achieved great holiness by
living by his principles. There have been those who have
found comfort from His words in their times o f tribulation
and distress.
His great teaching can be summed up in a few
words: love God, love neighbor. It is up to each one of us
to make a compelling response by the witness o f our lives.
As we live his vision o f justice and peace, we will be of
fering hope to our world, and keeping Christ in Christmas.
Perhaps we can go further than that, and share Him with
someone else. And that could be the greatest gift they will
ever receive.
Fr. Gerry Condon
St. Patrick s Catholic Church
May we reach out to our neighbors
this season and all of the year
We’re still singing because
we’re singing for a King
Love came down at Christmas
“Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely,
love divine;
love was bom at Christmas: star and angels gave
the sign.
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love
be mine,
love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift
and sign.”
Christina Rosetti
The message o f Christmas is that of an ever-present
and gentle love made flesh in Jesus Christ. This love is not
in the form o f a mushy Hallmark card or a warm fuzzy.
This Love is a person, who walked among u s.. .Emmanuel,
which means “God present with us.”
If you have attended a wedding recently, you have
seen two people who are not ashamed to say they love
each other. Their “token” o f love is a ring that symbolizes
commitment, faithfulness, and the promise to grow more
deeply in love as the years progress.
Our “token” from this amazing birth o f God into
our world is Love. It is the sign that God is still with us.
And because Jesus remains within us, Love allows us to
extend His gift to those that may be the most difficult...
neighbors, coworkers, even challenging family members.
At this time of year we often need an extra amount of Love,
and that may be our ’plea” . . .that God would help us to love
as Jesus did. Finding out that God does supply that need
in Christ Jesus is the “gift” that can never be wrapped up
neatly and placed under a tree, for it is alive.
The “sign” o f G od’s gift to us that first Christ
mas morning was the baby Jesus in the manger. Perhaps
the sign to us o f God’s gift this Christmas is not just the
empty tomb and the risen Lord, but the profound sense of
gratitude we experience when we ask and then allow God
to transform our relationships by teaching us how to love
more deeply.
When you wonder as you wander this Christmas
out under the skies o f Morrow- County, may you be filled
with the Love o f Jesus, the “token” that is to be shared.
May you find the gift of extending Love to those who need
it most. May gratitude and joy be the sign of that experi
ence. May your life in Love be as apparent as the couple
getting married. May you glow with the plea, the gift and
the sign o f Jesus Christ, ever present to you and to me.
Wishing God’s Love (Jesus) to each of you.
Rev. Janis Johnson
All Saints Episcopal and Hope Lutheran Churches
As we once again participate in the Christmas
season I hope that we may remember Him who came as a
babe to bless the world with Hope, Love and Peace. May
each of us reach out to our neighbors, friends and even
those who may not be counted such, is my hope for this
season and all o f the year.
The Savior himself showed us the way. He taught
through His example and ultimately by the great sacrifice
o f His perfect life that Love conquers all. He invited all
to “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn
o f me; for I am meek and lowly at heart: and ye shall find
rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden
is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
We live in a wonderful community where neigh
bors truly look out for one another and people have not
forgotten others in the rush of day to day liv ing. 1 am so
grateful for the wonderful feeling o f unity and concern
expressed by those with whom 1 have the blessing o f
working and living.
There is no better time than now to mend a fence,
salve a wound, comfort the cheerless or lift those with
broken hearts by our acts o f kindness and love. I know
with that love of the Lord, Jesus Christ in our hearts we
can come to know Him. By following in His footsteps we
can raise ourselves and those around us to a better more
peaceful existence.
He lives! He loves us! We can share His love and
You are cordially invited to a birthday celebra
feel His love each day as we follow Him in word and deed.
tion.
Let us come unto Christ this season and always I pray.
Guest o f Honor: Jesus Christ
Dieter E. Waite
Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but
President. Willow Creek Branch
He’s always around, so the date is flexible....
The Church o f Jesus Christ o f Latter-day Saints
Time: Whepever you’re ready. (Please don’t be
late, though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun.)
M u rray's D rug is cu rre n tly a
Place: In your heart. He’ll meet you there. (You’ll
p h arm a cy p ro vid er for the follow ing
hear Him knock.)
Attire: Come as you are, grubbies are okay. He’ll
M e d ica re Part " D " plans:
be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till
Member Health (CommunityCare Rx)
the last.
Asuris Northwest Health
Tickets: Admission is free. He’s already paid for
everyone. (He says you wouldn’t have been able to afford
Premiere Care
it anyway, it cost Him everything He had. But you do need
AdvantraRX
to accept the ticket.
O D S Advantage
Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out
drink
He
calls “Living Water,” followed by a supper that
SilverScript
promises to be out o f this world.
Sterling Plus RX
Gift Suggestions: Your life. H e’s one o f those
Fox Rx Care
people who already has everything else. (H e’s very gener
ous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has
Mutual of Omaha
for you.)
First Health
Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love,
Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness,
RX America
Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Content
For detailed information on these plans,
ment, and much more. (All “G” rated, so bring your family
visit www.medicare.gov
and friends.)
R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead
so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, He’s
keeping a list o f His friends for future reference. He calls
217 North Main, Heppner
it the “Lamb's Book o f Life.”
676-9158 • www.heppner.net/murrays
Party being given by His kids (that's us). Hope
to see you there! For those o f you whom I will see at the
Iru otcd ¿local (fa n Since 1959
party, share this w ith someone today.
-Lexington
Baptist Church
We would be happy to visit with you about
A special invitation to a
birthday celebration
WtuvuujA Vuig,
these plans or our services. Additional
information will be made as it is received.
Christmas is a story told in song. There’s no other
holiday quite like it for bringing music into our lives.
Carolers, concerts, TV specials, radio stations dedicated
entirely to seasonal music, the shopping malls o f course,
but even at the grocery store our ears have been filled with
a month o f music inspired by the story and traditions of
Christmas. Perhaps this is as it should be, for an event of
earth-shattering importance first announced through prais
ing angels: “To you is bom this day in the City of David
a Savior. . .Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:11,
14). Angels and shepherds began the Christmas singing
and w e’re singing still, because w e’re singing for a king.
Perhaps this king is a little hard to recognize in a baby
bom into humble circumstances in a relatively insignificant
Middle Eastern village. But this particular infant king has
turned the world upside down, doing just the opposite of
what we might expect— lifting up the lowly, scattering
the proud, filling the hungry with good things, and, o f all
things, dying on a cross to repair our broken relationship
with God. It’s that death and resurrection from death that
ultimately put the song into Christmas, because without
that death and resurrection, this obscure Bethlehem birth
would mean nothing. And precisely because o f that resur
rection, there will be no end to our song.
In a little known Christmas hymn written by a pair
o f contemporary Lutherans (Jaroslav Vajda, theologian,
and Paul Manz, organist), the message is beautifully retold:
Peace came to earth at last that chosen night when angels
clove the sky with song and light and God embodied love
and sheathed his might - Who could but gasp: Immanuel!
Who could but sing: Immanuel!
And who could be the same for having held the
infant in their arms, and later felt the wounded hands and
side, all doubts dispelled - Who could but sigh: Immanuel!
Who could but shout: Immanuel!
You show the Father none has ever seen, in flesh
and blood you bore our griefs and pains, in bread and wine
you visit us again - Who could but see Immanuel! Who
could but thrill: Immanuel!
How else could I have known you, O my God!
How else could I have loved you, O my God! How else
could I embrace you, O my God! Who could but pray:
Immanuel! Who could but praise Immanuel! (Text c 1984
Jaroslav J. Vajda)
Sing on!
Katy Anderson
Intern Pastor. Valby Lutheran Church
Area Christmas Services
St. Patrick’s and St. W illiam’s Schedule
Monday, December 24: Christmas vigil at 8:30
p.m. and Christmas Carols at 9 p.m. A candlelight
procession for the blessing of the Nativity Scene vigil
mass will be held.
Tuesday, December 25: Christmas mass will
be held at 11 a.m. (Heppner).
Tuesday, December 25: Blessing o f the Nativ
ity Scene at 8:45 a.m. along with Christmas carols and
Christmas mass (lone).
Monday, December 31: Vigil mass will be held
at 5 p.m. in Heppner.
Tuesday, January 1: Mass in lone at 8:45
a.m.
Tuesday, January 1: Mass in Heppner at 11
a.m.
Valby to hold candlelight service
Valby Lutheran Church will celebrate Christ
mas with a candlelight service on Monday, December
24, at 6 p.m. Sunday worship continues weekly at 9
a.m. All are welcome.
Lexington Baptist C h u rch to hold
C h ristm as Eve Services
Lexington Baptist Church would like to invite
the community to a Christmas Eve Service at 6 p.m.
on Monday, December 24. A time o f Fellowship in
cluding hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies will be held
immediately following the serv ice.
HEPPNER ELKS 358
676-9181
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"W here Friends M eet”
142 North M ain
Saturday, Pec. 2 9 tb
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Tom «V J e r r y P a rty
sta rti a y a t fi p.m .
- MONDAY. DECEMBER 3 /st -
JVeic Y ea r's E r e
C ra b F e e d
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sta rti a y a t fi p.m .