Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

Some years ago, a ten-year-old boy named Johnny was sitting alone on a park bench one afternoon. It was a beautiful spring day and Johnny was watching some other kids play baseball. An older man happened by, saw Johnny sitting there, and sat down beside him. They entered into a conversation. They talked about the gorgeous weather, sports, and their families. Finally, the older man said, “Johnny, I want to ask you a question. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?” Johnny thought for a moment and then said, “First, I would wish for peace and happiness in the world. Second, I would wish everybody would join a church. And third, I would wish that my best friend Billy, who is blind, would be able to see. That’s what I would wish for.”

The older man seemed amazed by little Johnny’s answer, and with a look of perplexity, he said goodbye and walked away. Johnny didn’t understand why the man was confused by the answer. He sat there for a moment, and then picked up his crutches and hobbled home! Now you know where Johnny got that gracious, loving spirit, don’t you? He got it from Jesus. He got it from the one who went to the cross for you and me.

On the cross, God showed us how much he loved us and how much he wants us to love one another. Faith, hope, love – that’s what the cross is about. Whether you are receiving chemotherapy, or radiation, facing the loss of a loved one, whether you are calling from Baghdad, whether you are depressed and lonely, whether you are a teenager or a child, remember – God loves you! And you are blessed to be a blessing to others.

Let us pray: Loving God, who has given us a mentor and example of living in Jesus, we pray that you will give us the courage and will to see more clearly, love more dearly, and follow more nearly the Christ, day by day. Today, may we reflect the image and spirit of Jesus who was called “The one for others” because he sought to serve rather than be served. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the book of Acts (1:6-8), after Jesus has been raised from the dead, he is with his disciples in person for the very last time. They ask him, “Lord is the the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?

It was widely believed that when the Messiah came, he would free Israel from foreign military occupation, which at that time was the Roman Empire. But restoring Israel was only a part of it. The messiah was going to usher in God’s reign – a time of peace and restoration.

So their question was really getting at something deeper. Jesus, when are you going to set things right? When will there be no more hungry children in our community; no more violence; no more destructive addictions; no more broken relationships, no more war?

It’s interesting how Jesus answers: “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.”

And then he turns their question around: It’s not for you to know when, but… you are going to have a hand in it. He says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;” You want things set right, just wait. God’s going to give you the power to be a part of it. He adds, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

At the end of his time on earth, Jesus is saying to his disciples: You’re asking about the healing and restoration of the world – that’s what God’s been about in me – and now – that’s what God’s going to be about in you.

I wonder in what small ways you might feel led to be a part of the healing and restoration of the world… I wonder, close to home, how you personally might have influence… I wonder in what ways God may be tugging on your heart and even empowering you to show his love.

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for your call on our lives. We pray for healing and restoration first in our own hearts. But even as we are being healed and restored, may we be instruments of your love and grace; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Roger Kunkel

In one of the “Peanuts” cartoons, Lucy is terribly frightened because it has been raining and raining and raining. She begins to wonder aloud if there might be a repetition of Noah’s flood. But Charlie Brown reassures her. He tells her about God’s promise and the meaning of the rainbow and the covenant. Much relieved, Lucy says, “Thanks, Charlie Brown, you’ve taken a load off my mind!” To which, Charlie Brown replies, “Good theology has a way of doing that!”

The theology of the Christian faith is especially helpful here. It takes a load off our minds by showing us that God is love, God is good, and that Jesus comes to us with healing, forgiveness, hope, and grace. Jesus comes in love to bring us home to him.

Let us pray: O God, forgive our feverish ways. Forgive our mixed-up priorities. Forgive our hectic schedules that sometimes crowd you out of our lives. Give to us, as never before, your healing, redemptive love in Christ Jesus. Help us now to make this day a masterpiece. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord… (Psalm 98:4-5)

Then an angel of the Lord… said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-10)

Today is indeed a day of great joy and thanksgiving! We remember today that God broke into our world in the person of Jesus – born as we all are – as a helpless baby. In Jesus, God entered into the fray, the brokenness and beauty, the heartache, and the majesty of human existence. All of this to show us the depth of his love and to lead us in a better way.

Many of you will celebrate with family or friends, gifts, and food. Some of you are traveling. Others of you may be alone. I pray today that wherever you are on the journey of life; whatever your circumstances, whatever this day holds for you, may God’s Christmas Love, Love that holds nothing back, Love that goes to extremes to reach us, may that Love embrace you fully. And, may that Love break open your heart again and lead you to respond.

Let us pray: On this Holy Day, Loving God, we worship you, we adore you, we praise you. We remember today that Christmas is about a birth. It is a beginning, a new start. We see the light overtaking the darkness, and so we hope, and so we follow. Fill each of us, this day, with the mystery of your Word made flesh until our hearts overflow with praise and joy. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today I share as a message, a prayer written by my friend and mentor, the late Rev. Dr. Herb Meza.

Please pray with me:

Eternal God, you invaded our world in the form of an infant. Omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God, all bound up in swaddling close and lying in a manger. It staggers our imagination, it overwhelms our logic, it scandalizes our way of doing things. Why give up all that power, all that privilege? Something escapes us. Is there something we are missing? Why this fascination with your incarnation?

And yet, it hasn’t all been overlooked, you know. We date our years from that event, suggesting that it was a new beginning. Some folks date their beginning from your presence in their conscience and sub-conscience and call themselves “born anew.” There are hospitals, schools, orphanages, and countless other institutions that can be traced to your intrusion in baby form. There have been decrees of emancipations and theologies of liberation all giving you as their inspiration. And of musicians, Bach’s sonatas and Beethoven’s Appassionata, Handel’s Oratorio and Jesus Christ Superstar, all claiming your praise as their motivation. And churches and choirs and sanctuaries devoted to your glory. What have you done with that bundle of flesh and divinity so innocently nurtured in Bethlehem’s vicinity?

Our minds are boggled by that infant’s struggle where darkness seeking to prevail becomes of no avail; our own contemporary darkness now left impotent by your existential frankness, our fears mastered by our faith, our sins no longer left un-atoned, our hopes determining our lives, all of life becoming sacred, all our living devoid of hatred. What have you done in that bundle of flesh and divinity wrapped in swaddling civility?

We pause again, O God, amidst the lights and the music and the candles and the cards and the trees and the ornaments and the gifts and Santa Claus and the candy and the food and reindeer and the wrapping paper; amidst eggnog and sleigh bells, we pause to remind ourselves how it all began. And we praise you for your wisdom and we love you for your gift, your pain, your sacrifice and we ask that we may never be allowed to forget what Christmas is all about: “That little baby wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger.”

Your love reaching out to us with all you had, your willingness to trust us to see your world through its madness, your quiet determination to be patient, your irrevocable concern for all people, your gift of peace never fully believed in, waiting around for men and women of goodwill to make it a reality. We thank you, O God, for a truly Merry Christmas. Amen.