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LCH E-News—December 19, 2007From Pastor Jeff
“Happy Birthday Jesus!” shout the children as they practiced their Christmas program. Sitting on the chancel in the nave at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Our Redeemer Preschool children practice telling the story about the birth of the Christ child. It is a classic Christmas pageant. The sheep are playing with their cotton-covered ears, and the angels are getting rowdy. The “back row kids” have decided that a quick wrestling match is more fun than the play, and they squeal as the teacher pulls them apart. The natal star is a distraction with its long tail and silver glitter. Joseph sits solemnly with a shepherd’s crook twice his height. Baby Jesus has a cabbage patch look as he lies blanket-less in the wooden manger while Mary looks on adoringly. Pretty soon the sheep have had enough and are herded into a front pew until practice concludes. Sheep are boring, and they know it. Joseph sniffs at them disapprovingly. Josephs are chosen for their calm demeanor and Zen-like ability to sit still for long periods of time. Hyperactive kids never get to be Joseph. Three times they practice the pageant which will be performed in a few hours for doting grandparents and beaming mom and dads. Joseph’s father will have a video camera rolling even though Joseph, for the 2007th year in a row, will say absolutely nothing. Mary’s mom will remember how wonderful it was she got to be Mary all those years ago. Sheep will squirm and someone will have to go to the bathroom halfway through the show, but the story will get told. Despite all the cacophony and confusion, the message of God’s wonderful gift will come through. It is a story we need to hear in a world where war, hunger, economic failure , and tragic automobile accidents top the headlines. And we need to hear it in a child’s voice. Despite their short attention spans, kids have a rare capacity for unfettered joy. They get the wonder of the season and are not afraid to share it in off-key praise and silliness. Maybe we all need to let go a little and shout, “Happy Birthday Jesus!” this year. The star is brightly shining, its long tail flowing and a gentle shower of glitter falling onto the angel’s head. This is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Amen. Amen. Amen. Pastor Jeff
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“O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. This is the night of our dear Savior’s birth”
Worship Schedule for Christmas and New Years