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I was attempting to retrieve a tape series called “Jesus of Nazareth” from someone I deeply love when they said, “Oh, here He is, way in back; I think I can reach Him. I think He’s OK, just very dusty!” After some shared and good-natured chuckles, I remarked to them that for many of us, “Jesus of Nazareth is way back in the back, and is OK, just very dusty.”
During these past 12 days of Christ-mass, many of us have gotten Jesus out, dusted Him off, and celebrated again His coming among us. We’ve shared a glorious celebration of Immanuel: God with us. We’ve feasted with family and friends, given wonderful remembrances to others and received equal expressions of love from kith and kin.
It surely was for most Americans the happiest time of the year. I’m very thankful for that experience and hope and pray that all of you share my gratitude.
Of course, as with other years, there were those whose days were not filled with joy and laughter. There were those physically ill or emotionally wounded; those in poverty or want that could barely survive, much less celebrate the days.
And this year there were homes that had an empty chair at the family table, vacated by a warrior who returned home in a flag-draped casket. With the war in Iraq finally ended, what a poignant and painful memory that vacancy, that emptiness, must have been. Now that the 12 days of Christ-mass have past, let us always remember those for whom the “days of joy and gladness” were for them “days of pain and sadness.”
Also as in past years, once the annual celebration is concluded, most of us put Jesus and His joy back in his place way in the back of a box, bin, or storage closet and for another twelve months He and His memory gather a lot of dust. Then next winter, we again dig deep into the recesses of life and bring Him to the forefront for a very short 12 days (or, if you’re not liturgical, at least for the month of December). Either way Jesus gathers dust through most of our days.
For this year, clean-up time is again here. The presents have been put away or returned, the tree and other decorations taken down, and the crèche set put in storage. I would like to suggest, however, that this year we not put Jesus so far in the back. Instead why not consciously keep the Lord Jesus front and center every day? In 2012, could we not put Jesus back in storage, but keep Him as the warmth of our souls, the beat of our hearts, and the motion of our minds? What a difference our daily lives would be if Jesus remained our center, our focus, and our destination. With Jesus as our “live in” Lord, life would have a color, an abundance, and an energy that only divine love and power can bring. And His presence could daily remind those of us with so much of everything to live “in an attitude of gratitude” for all our many blessings. And in His healing power, He could bind up the wounds of those who suffer and heal the broken hearts of those who grieve.
Then in 2012 Jesus would never gather dust, and of course, neither would we. How’s that for an exciting and hope filled future? 2012 is here; have a wonderful New Year.
Robert Layne is a retired Episcopal priest living in McPherson.
I was attempting to retrieve a tape series called “Jesus of Nazareth” from someone I deeply love when they said, “Oh, here He is, way in back; I think I can reach Him. I think He’s OK, just very dusty!” After some shared and good-natured chuckles, I remarked to them that for many of us, “Jesus of Nazareth is way back in the back, and is OK, just very dusty.”
During these past 12 days of Christ-mass, many of us have gotten Jesus out, dusted Him off, and celebrated again His coming among us. We’ve shared a glorious celebration of Immanuel: God with us. We’ve feasted with family and friends, given wonderful remembrances to others and received equal expressions of love from kith and kin.
It surely was for most Americans the happiest time of the year. I’m very thankful for that experience and hope and pray that all of you share my gratitude.
Of course, as with other years, there were those whose days were not filled with joy and laughter. There were those physically ill or emotionally wounded; those in poverty or want that could barely survive, much less celebrate the days.
And this year there were homes that had an empty chair at the family table, vacated by a warrior who returned home in a flag-draped casket. With the war in Iraq finally ended, what a poignant and painful memory that vacancy, that emptiness, must have been. Now that the 12 days of Christ-mass have past, let us always remember those for whom the “days of joy and gladness” were for them “days of pain and sadness.”
Also as in past years, once the annual celebration is concluded, most of us put Jesus and His joy back in his place way in the back of a box, bin, or storage closet and for another twelve months He and His memory gather a lot of dust. Then next winter, we again dig deep into the recesses of life and bring Him to the forefront for a very short 12 days (or, if you’re not liturgical, at least for the month of December). Either way Jesus gathers dust through most of our days.
For this year, clean-up time is again here. The presents have been put away or returned, the tree and other decorations taken down, and the crèche set put in storage. I would like to suggest, however, that this year we not put Jesus so far in the back. Instead why not consciously keep the Lord Jesus front and center every day? In 2012, could we not put Jesus back in storage, but keep Him as the warmth of our souls, the beat of our hearts, and the motion of our minds? What a difference our daily lives would be if Jesus remained our center, our focus, and our destination. With Jesus as our “live in” Lord, life would have a color, an abundance, and an energy that only divine love and power can bring. And His presence could daily remind those of us with so much of everything to live “in an attitude of gratitude” for all our many blessings. And in His healing power, He could bind up the wounds of those who suffer and heal the broken hearts of those who grieve.
Then in 2012 Jesus would never gather dust, and of course, neither would we. How’s that for an exciting and hope filled future? 2012 is here; have a wonderful New Year.
Robert Layne is a retired Episcopal priest living in McPherson.
