Confession of the Pastor’s Wife: Miracle vs. Magic

There’s a certain glow that comes with Christmastime–a soft-focus lens on the world that is suddenly strung with warmly hued lights. The air seems suddenly scented with pine, and we all breathe a little fuller in the crisp cleanness of it. Carols ring around us, Bing Crosby’s velvety baritone proclaiming “in the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas.” People greet one another with festive good cheer, and our hearts grow with love for all of our fellow human beings.

It’s an illusion, of course–a Hollywoodesque production of a holiday season in which we aspire to something greater than ourselves. Like a child listening intently for the gentle paw of reindeer hooves on the roof, we want to believe in the magic of Christmas. And sometimes we find it. Those moments of Yuletide perfection where the world itself seems to still in its constant revolving and we feel something–some joy or love or peace or hope that has been buried deep within our souls. And we give thanks, ascribing it to some sort of ethereal holiday being–Dickens’s Ghost of Christmas Present, perhaps. But it’s not magic that brings us joy or love or peace or hope this season. It’s a miracle. And that is what we, God’s people, are called to celebrate.

There’s a big difference between magic and miracle. Magic is a practical art–a learned skill used to confound, delight, and even awe. Based in mystery, magic is illusory. And a good magician never reveals her tricks. In contrast, a miracle is a divine encounter. While it can be mysterious, it is not shrouded in mystery. A miracle is a revelation–God revealing Godself to humanity in a way that no human being could ever replicate. When we experience a miracle, we know it can only come from God. It’s not magic, it’s divine.

The Christmas story is a miracle. God sent a part of his Triune self into the world to redeem all of humanity. He sent his son, not as a mighty warrior, but as a helpless babe, to live among us. God came to experience all of humanity, from start to finish, and to gather it all back. As 1 John says, God sent his son to give us life. He used the miracle of the virgin birth to deliver a miracle to all of humanity, and he did it because he loves us. God loves us. God loves me. God loves you. So much so that he made his dwelling among us. That’s the miracle.

But there’s another miracle to the Christmas story, and it’s one that takes us beyond the cradle to the cross, as Jesus, God’s voice, the one who spoke all of creation into being, sacrifices his life so that we might live. And, oh, what life we are given! In miracle upon miracle, Jesus doesn’t stay on that cross. He doesn’t make his home in the grave. He rises from the tomb, he rolls the stone away, and in doing so, Jesus casts off the shackles of death for all of us, offering life eternal to all who call on his name! It’s not magic, it’s a miracle. God, through Jesus, triumphs over the grave. And in doing so, God makes a path for us to triumph over death, too.

As John writes:

This, then, is what we are to revel in during the Christmas season. Not magic. But miracle. How can we not share this good news? How can we not, like the shepherds, run through the streets proclaiming this miracle of all miracles? Love has come. Salvation has come. Life has come. This Christmas, as we gather with our friends and family, as we deck the halls, as we bake cookies and watch Hallmark movies, as we carol and revel, as we wrap presents and stuff stockings… let’s take some time to remember the miracle. And let’s look, really look, not for Christmas magic, but for the miracle of God With Us.

Blessings and Peace, Sara

Mission

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Vision

Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ.  We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.

Priorities

Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth

Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups

Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday in worship we will continue observing the season of Advent.  Our message series is titled “He Shall Be Called,” exploring the different titles for God in the prophesy from Isaiah chapter 9.  This week our message is on the title “Everlasting Father.”  This week our scripture reading will be from the book of Romans, chapter 8, verses 14 through 17:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

This Sunday we will begin our 8:20 service with the song – All the World Awaits – by Chris Tomlin.  Our hymns include What Child is This & O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  Our praise song at both services will be a solo of In the Bleak Midwinter provided by Elly Giroux.  

For our 10:20 service, the Praise Band will be back and lead 2 songs: Joy to the World and Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.  Our choir will sing the song When Will the Little King Come as our offertory and we will conclude the service with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. 

Virtual Worship Information

In addition to in-person worship, each Sunday we will live-stream our 10:20 worship service. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page.  The service will start approximately 10:20 with our gathering song provided by our Praise Band.  We will continue to post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon.  We are excited to be able to extend our worship services in these ways.

COVID Updates

At our most recent Administrative Board meeting, the board reviewed COVID numbers in the state and Cooper and Howard counties, and our congregation’s current practices. The Board affirmed the decision to remove the seating restrictions in the Sanctuary.  All pews are now open for seating.  Worshipers are encouraged to wear masks if they prefer or if they are not feeling well.  Masks remain optional for everyone and encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated.  The Board is committed to continuing to monitor the latest COVID conditions and will discuss any further changes at upcoming meetings.

Announcements

Christmas Eve Services December 24 – We will have two services this Christmas Eve at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  Our services this year will be heavy on music, with songs by our praise band, choir, and a couple of special pieces by Leah Gumbel and Sara Snyder.  Both services will include celebrating Holy Communion and singing Silent Night by candlelight.  The offering at these services will go towards the Boonslick Ministerial Alliance who helps those in need in our community. 

Living Nativity – Our Living Nativity Christmas Eve tradition will continue this year and your help is needed.  We are looking for people to be our “actors” in a “still scene” as part of this experience.  We are planning on have actors present from about 3:45 pm until around 5:00 pm, then another group from about 6:15 pm until our service begins at 7:00 pm, and back out there following the service for about 30 minutes.  Each group will need 6 – 10 people.  Please let Pastor Chris know if you are able to help.

2021 Angel Tree – Thank you to everyone who provided gifts for the Angel Tree.  The Angel Tree party will be Saturday, Dec. 11th at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a short message in the Sanctuary and soup and sandwiches to follow in Fellowship Hall.  Everyone is invited to join with us in fellowship with our “angels.”   Please make plans to join us in this very special ministry to our church.  We are still looking for a few more donations of cookies or brownies for this event.  As always, we are so grateful for the way in which our church family supports this Matthew 25 ministry to the children of incarcerated parents.

Christmas Program – This year’s Christmas Program, “Stories of a Savior,” will be performed on December 19th during the 10:20 service. The story of our Savior does not start with His birth…it starts back with Adam and Eve and our NEED for a Savior. Come watch Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, David, Mary, Simeon, and Anna all tell their stories of a Savior.  If you would like to share the service with family who cannot attend physically, please share our livestream information with them. 

Important dates for children involved:

12/12/21 – Dress rehearsal after 10:20 (Pizza served for lunch). 

12/19/21 – Production 

Christmas Families – Thank you to those who took the tags off the giving tree to help local families this Christmas.  Please place your item under the Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary on or by December 19^th with the tag attached.  We greatly appreciate your help and Christian Love and helping these families to have a more joyful and blessed Christmas.  If there are any questions, please feel free to call Pastor Chris.  Thank you!

Christmas Poinsettias – Orders for Christmas Poinsettias end this Sunday.  Please fill out the order form in the Sanctuary and leave it in the offering plates or boxes. The list will be in the December 19^th and Christmas Eve bulletins.  Please make checks payable in the amount of $14.00 to Nelson Memorial, UMC, and in the memo line write poinsettia.  Thank you!

Boonslick Ministerial Alliance Community Christmas Service – This coming Thursday, December 16, at 7:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Boonville (417 Vine St) will be a community Christmas Service full of music and Scripture.  If you like Christmas carols, you will not want to miss this service!  Everyone is welcome!

Christmas Cards for NMUMC Elders & Friends – We are asking the congregation to mail out Christmas cards to the following names below.  The addresses for the names listed will be located on the table in the back area of the Sanctuary.  We will also have a supply of Christmas cards for you, if you need them.    

Events this week:

Saturday, December 11: Methodist Men, 8:30 pm, Sanctuary

Salvation Army Bell Ringing, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Walmart

Angel Tree Party, 11:00 am, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 12: Christmas Program dress rehearsal, following 10:20 service, Sanctuary

Youth Christmas Party, 3:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Monday, December 13: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, December 14: NAMI, 7:00 pm, Foundations Classroom

Wednesday, December 15: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 pm, Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Thursday, December 16: Boonslick Ministerial Alliance Community Christmas Service, 7:00 pm, First Presbyterian Church

Friday, December 17: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 19: Christmas Program 10:20 service, Sanctuary

Closing Words of Wisdom:

The central miracle asserted by Christians is the incarnation. They say that God became man.” C.S. Lewis