Drawing on our Service of 9 Lessons and Carols, Pastor Chris asks "What is Christmas" for those who are hurting and suffering, and "What is Christmas" for all of us in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty?

Spoiler Alert: Christmas is Good News for all!

An angel appeared to Joseph to tell him of Mary's divine pregnancy. Joseph had a choice to make: Quietly dismiss Mary to save face, or stay with her to support her and help fulfill their mission together -- but the angel could sense that Joseph was afraid. (Matthew 1:18-25)It takes love to overcome fear.

Paul encouraged the Romans to turn to scripture as source of hope in times if suffering and uncertainty. More importantly, Paul reminded the believers that this Spirit of Hope was not simply for their personal prosperity, but was meant to widen their hearts so that they might invite, welcome, and include others. (Romans 15:4-13)

Fear plays a complicated role in our lives -- and in the lives of some more than others. Fear can both motivate us toward courageous action and prevent us from taking action.

What would our lives as disciples look like if we lived and served without fear? (Luke 1:68-79)

Writing under the Apostle Paul's name, an evangelist both admonishes and encourages believers not to be "idle" -- going as far as to say that believers should not associate with people who are idle, and idle people shouldn't get to eat! (2 Thess 3:6-13)Like so many passages, this one has been used to criticize social safety nets -- but that's not at all the topic! But what do we make of these words, and what does it mean to be idle? Are faithful disciples supposed to be perfectionists and over-workers? How do we know when we've done enough?

When the Sadducees try to trip up Jesus and make him look foolish by asking him about marriage in the new life of the resurrection, Jesus proclaims that God is not God of the dead, but of the living (Luke 20:27-38). Perhaps there are some similarities between the Sadducees' logic and 20th century "Death of God" theology -- both of which call us to seek out and serve a "Living God."

Each one of us carries traits from our ancestors: Perhaps the way we walk, our voice, the color of our eyes, the texture of our hair. But sometimes we inherit traits that would've been better left in the past. It's true for individuals, and it's true for communities.On All Saints Sunday (11/3 at 10a), we will take time to honor the Saints in our lives who make the Great Cloud of Witnesses, and we'll consider the traits we've inherited -- for better or worse -- and what we want to pass forward. (Romans 6:1-11 and Hebrews 12:1-2).

Scripture tells us that God would often speak to prophets and ordinary people in dreams and visions -- and would refuse to enter dreams when the people strayed or rebelled! What is the difference between a dream and a vision? Can we experience dream or vision visits from God that could help guide us on our way? (Joel 2:23, 26-29; Daniel 7:1-16)

Widows were among the most vulnerable people in society in ancient times. Jesus tells the story of one particularly "Persistent Widow" who did not give up until she was granted Justice. (Luke 18:1-8)Perhaps this widow's persistence is a model for us as we seek to be heard and have others heard.

The Prophet Jeremiah spoke the word of God to the people in exile: God said, "Take up residence, make a home for yourself, prosper, and grow!" But this land was not a home -- it was hostile territory, far removed from the holy homeland. How could the people live out God's word in a foreign land?Jeremiah speaks a word to us as well: Make your way where you are, and use where you are to work toward the Kin-dom of God. (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7)