The Sign of the Star by St Matthew Rocklin

Permanence. It seems that at most it is simply an illusion. But tonight is different. Tonight, we remember the ONE who NEVER changes, the ONE who is a LIGHT that no darkness can overcome. What darkness do you carry? His Light is greater!

I never thought it was so special and maybe it’s not: When my children were in high school (and anytime, really) the commitment I made to them was that if they were in a situation they didn’t like and they called me, I would come and get them, no questions asked. Recently, one of my (now grown) children has become friends with a Christian Counselor. He shared with me how his friend told him that many, many children do not live with this comfort that anyone cares enough -loves them enough - to come after them, no matter what. Did you know that God cares about you enough to do exactly this? It is what Christmas love is all about. It is at the very heart of Christmas and it is a gift to you! For finally, every single one of us needs someone who will come after us, no matter what!

A friend of mine in college was in a play entitled, “Whatever Happened on the Way to the Forum.” In this play is the phrase, “Have a happy!” Do you ever feel – especially during this time of the year – that people just want you to “have a happy” and put on a smiling face? And if so, how is that working for you? (It sure doesn’t work for me!) Christmas joy is about a “happy” that touches us down in the very essence of our being, as far as you can get from “putting on a smiling face.” It is at the heart of Christmas and it is a gift to each of us. For finally, “have a happy” leaves us all empty!

I once had a young mother come and see me who had inoperable cancer who had been given 6 weeks to live. She forcefully told me that she was sure she was going to be ok because her positive attitude would cure her. She died in 6 weeks. There are many times and situations in our lives when, no matter what, it seems that it will never get better and the struggle will never go away. I think in some way each of us experiences this – right? THIS is where Christmas hope enters the picture! It is at the heart of Christmas and it is a gift to each of us. For finally, each of us have those things that will seemingly never be “ok!”

I never seem to have it all together. As most of you know, I do have a hair or two out of place…in more ways than one. And when you add all the extra things of Christmas to it, I REALLY have a few hairs out of place. How about you? Today we look at how we can “have it all together.” It is called Christmas peace. It is at the heart of Christmas and it is a gift to each of us. For finally, none of us has every hair in place!

Three Strands are not Easily Broken- Thanksgiving Celebration by St Matthew Rocklin

In the last movie in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Elrond, an elf, smells the sea breeze and says, “the sea is calling us home.” Where – or what – is home for you? Does the sea breeze call you to the ocean? Do the Mountain winds beckon? Or perhaps another place tied to sights, scenes, smells, and places of your life? But when we go to these places, are they the answer? Are we truly home? Or does the emptiness and longing still remain?...a soft, still voice saying, there has to be another place for me to be happy and whole and complete…for me to be home. Today, we talk about why we have these longings and about being home at last.

My brother and I were once caught in a blizzard (that had not been forecast) on a backpacking trip. We soon got out the maps and

determined the quickest and safest way out. Maybe thirty minutes down the trail we met a couple who refused to come out with us even though we showed them on the map that what they were planning was not wise. But they refused to listen. They refused to admit they were lost, going the wrong way, even when shown on the map. When we got back home, we saw in the Newspaper that they had died. Today, we will view “lostness” from a different perspective as it is redefined in the story for each of us, no matter who we are.  It will challenge each of us. We can take it to heart and see another way…or not.

I love this insight into the story. It is awesome! It brings everything together! We’re going to talk about it this weekend. I can’t wait!