Christmas, Oprah, and Stuff

So it's February and I haven't posted since December. I drive around the State of Michigan a lot and drive by a lot of churches. As January 1 turned into late January, I was irritated by a slew of signs in front of churches.

"Join us for Christmas Eve Services"
"Join us for Advent Services"
"Celebrate Christmas with us"

"All right", I think, "Who is the dumbell in charge of changing the sign? Man it's almost Ground Hog day, and they're still pushing Christmas". So then I remember a story of my own...

Our church is in an area that is close to Woodward Avenue, site of the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, where thousands of classic cars assemble for a week of fun. Actually, it's a single Saturday in August, but lasts about a week or more. So, the church puts on a Cruise Fest party with inflatables, bands, food, games, etc. Well, of course the sign outside the church says, "Join Us for Cruise Fest August.." So, here comes September, and I'm driving by the church, and the August Cruise Fest sign is still up. Now,we've past Labor Day, the kids are back in school and the leaves are beginning to turn....but the August Cruise Fest sign is still up!

I decide, being a good Christian and model congregant, to call the church and say, "Hey! We got three pastors, a couple of secretaries and you think somebody could change the sign?" Except when Pastor Jennifer answered, God spoke for me or something, and what came out was, "Hey, do you guys need help changing the sign out front?" So, from that September until a heart attack a year later, I was the dumbell changing the sign. See it's easy to point out faults, but tough to commit to help fix them. I sure didn't want to do that sign, but it was a way to quietly serve the Lord and our church. No fanfare, no glamour job, just change the sign.

So as I passed another "Christmas Eve Service 11:00 PM" in that late January morning, another thought crossed my mind. "I should just call every church that hasn't changed their sign and ask if they need help." So today, I'm changing four dozen church signs regularly around the Detroit Metro area.....NO, I'm not. That's a lie. What did come to mind was how cool it would be if everyone of us would get up every morning and remember Christmas, every day, all year around.

NO,not just the presents,food and stress, but the love of a God who decided to come not in pomp and circumstance, but humbly, to show people His humanity and true nature. Not just figgy pudding and spiked egg nog, but the understanding that each Christmas brings us closer to His return (probably not May 21, 2011 but you never know).

Oh, about Oprah. I was on a sales trip and finished my day a bit early. I turned on the TV in my hotel room, and there's Oprah in Australia handing out some kind of huge pearl necklace to everybody in the audience. They were excited of course. And thenI thought if all these Oprahites would be as excited to see Jesus if he was "only" promising peace, hope, love and eternity in the presence of the Father. Then I wondered if He'd have to give everyone a car, or an Oscar goodie-bag.

Try spreading hope today, a little love and creating peace where you are today....and Merry Christmas.