Smoky Mountain Reflections
December 2017 #187
(Warning:
German contained in the following sentence:)
Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt. Erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann
vier. dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.
Translation: Advent,
Advent, one candle burns. First one, then two, then three, then four. Then
stands the Christ child before the door.
Translation is not one of my
better skills, so I will claim poetic license in my translation. This is a poem that is often heard about this
time of year in Bavaria Bethlehem
The
retailors bypassed Halloween & Thanksgiving this year and kicked off the
Christmas shopping before fall even
arrived. The full commercialization of
Christmas on an American scale has never taken a complete foothold in the
European culture. But there is a sad
reality in the backdrop of this beautiful cultural story. Europe with
its rich Christian heritage is referred to by most experts today as a post
Christian society. By some estimates,
less than 5% of Europe’s population attends church on a regular basis. Why do I share this sad truth with you at
such a joyous time of anticipation? As
we prepare for Christmas during this Advent season, we should keep all of God’s
creation in our prayers. There are some scary
similarities between the America of today and the Europe of only 20 or 30 years
ago. If you look at Europe ’s
church attendance numbers from the 1950’s, you will find over 50% attended
church regularly. Currently a little
over 50% of Americans claim to attend church somewhat regularly if you include
the CME's (Christmas, Mother's Day & Easter). The actual numbers float
under less than 20% of Americans attend church on any given Sunday. But we, like Europe, are on the decline and reasons
for the decline are many and various. However,
we need not fret over these sad truths—just be aware and pray about them. And
remember that God is in charge.
Advent is a
time of preparation, and prepare we will this year. We will enjoy an Advent series produced by
Pastor Dettmer Beginning November the 29th @ 7 PM with the theme of Hope and Colossians 1:3-14, Then Dec
the 6th Peace and Isiah
66: 1-14, Then Dec 13th Joy and Isaiah 55: 1-11, and Finally Dec 20th
Love and Micah 6:6-8. Make time in
your busy schedule to attend this year. As we venture back in time to celebrate
the birth of our Lord and savior.
So, as you
prepare your hearts during this blessed Advent season, make use of some form of
daily devotion. It will enrich your Advent
experience. During your daily devotion,
pray that your family, your friends, your neighbors, our fellow citizens, and
people of all nations, who don’t know and who linger in darkness, that the
scales which block faith would fall from their eyes and they would be blessed
with the promise that the Christ child came to fulfill, and be filled with the
assurance of eternal salvation that only faith in the promised Christ Child can
provide.
For anyone who
reads this reflection outside of a certain understanding of your eternal
existence, I invite you specially to receive this Christmas, the gift that the
Christ child came to give you.
In Christ, Pastor Portier
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