Christmas Morning!

Christmas has the ability to bring lots of thoughts to mind and this seems like as good a place as any to record some of this year's thoughts. One that has haunted me a little the last few days is why I did not get called to play at Saddleback Church? I'm not sure but I think I have played at one or more Christmas Eve services there for quite a few years. I have great memories of the candlelight service watching the room go from relative darkness to a blazing glow from the thousands of personal candles. This year, we only worshipped at Trinity (which is also a change from the last few years of visiting Mariners on Christmas Eve eve) and the candle lighting experience was not as moving viewed from the pews. I guess my relationship with Saddleback is slipping away (has slipped away) which makes me very sad. I have many good friends there and I miss them.

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Our pastor has been preaching a series based on Dickens "A Christmas Carol" so we watched the George C. Scott version on the 23rd. It was well worth watching, especially in light of the sermon series. What struck me in the end were the three steps Scrooge spelled out at his nephew's home on Christmas morning.

• Confession (Christmas Past) - He faced his error of commission and asked for forgiveness. This is certainly the first step in repentance. How good am I at facing my mistakes? How good am I at asking for forgiveness?
• Correction (Christmas Present) - He faced an error of omission and corrected it. He officially met his nephew's wife and they became personally acquainted for the very first time. How willing am I to step out and face my fears, take steps I've failed to take in the past, do things I've neglected to do, make acquaintances and burst bubbles of stereotype and prejudice?
• Commission (Christmas Future) - He set out on a new life course by accepting the invitation to join them for dinner. Like commissioning a group of people for a trip or venture or some special service, he set out in a new direction, one that would forever change his life and the lives of many people around him. How willing am I do turn and go a new direction? I pilot a HUGE ship. How easy is it to change the course of this ship? How supportive will the crew and passengers be? Does their support matter? In light of my Personal Mission Statement (To be a wise and faithful steward), should I even consider a change of direction?

Certainly this story and the recent sermon series has given me much to think about. As I move into 2008 I pray that God will give me a fresh gift if faith, and eyes to see His hand of providence moving in the glove of the history of my life.