December 2nd, 2024
by Pastor Nate
by Pastor Nate

"It's not the end of the world." What a great phrase. We toss these words around during those moments when things just aren't going our way.
"It's not the end of the world" is what I said when I received my summons for jury duty.
"It's not the end of the world" is what I said when accidentally booked a flight with a 15 hour layover, "Its not the end of the world" is what I said several years ago when my 2 year-old daughter put an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet.
We use this phrase at those moments if life that really annoy us but that ultimately aren't that bad. The "End of the World" is viewed as the worst thing that could possibly happen and so daylong layovers, and wasted toilet paper just aren't that bad comparatively. Reminding ourselves "it's not the end of the world" can be a very helpful mantra that allows us to keep life's annoyances in perspective.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this popular phrase because many of the Gospel readings assigned during the Advent season deal with the end of the world. During Advent we read about the sun being darkened, the moon not giving off light, and stars falling from the sky.
Obviously, these readings create a stark contrast with the commercial side of the holiday season with all its upbeat songs and twinkling lights. Long ago these merry, jolly, commercial elements of the Holiday season usurped the more subdued and contemplative nature of Advent, but that’s not the end of the world, right?
Right. The secular, commercialized understanding of this time of year does not see the upcoming holiday as the end of the world. For most people Christmas is nothing more than Santa, elves, reindeer, jingle bells and egg nog.
Unless, of course, you're a Christian.
If you're a Christian than Christmas is a holiday that's meant to celebrate God becoming human for our sake. It's a holiday that celebrates the world as we know it ending and a new way of life being born. God is coming to be with us in the person of Jesus and this is a bold, world-changing claim that is powerful enough to change our current reality.
As I think through the events of this past year I am quickly filled with despair. The political unrest, the racially fueled violence and riots; the injustice towards minorities both domestic and abroad; it all leaves me feeling hopeless. But this year, more than ever, I have embraced this Advent season and the invitation to look towards the future with hope. I’ve been looking ahead towards Christmas hoping that in some way, we (myself included) might catch a fuller picture of Christ’s incarnation and be inspired to not only bring about an end to the current ways of the world, but also to usher in a new reality where Christ’s ways of peace, acceptance, and love guide us each day.
"It's not the end of the world" is what I said when I received my summons for jury duty.
"It's not the end of the world" is what I said when accidentally booked a flight with a 15 hour layover, "Its not the end of the world" is what I said several years ago when my 2 year-old daughter put an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet.
We use this phrase at those moments if life that really annoy us but that ultimately aren't that bad. The "End of the World" is viewed as the worst thing that could possibly happen and so daylong layovers, and wasted toilet paper just aren't that bad comparatively. Reminding ourselves "it's not the end of the world" can be a very helpful mantra that allows us to keep life's annoyances in perspective.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this popular phrase because many of the Gospel readings assigned during the Advent season deal with the end of the world. During Advent we read about the sun being darkened, the moon not giving off light, and stars falling from the sky.
Obviously, these readings create a stark contrast with the commercial side of the holiday season with all its upbeat songs and twinkling lights. Long ago these merry, jolly, commercial elements of the Holiday season usurped the more subdued and contemplative nature of Advent, but that’s not the end of the world, right?
Right. The secular, commercialized understanding of this time of year does not see the upcoming holiday as the end of the world. For most people Christmas is nothing more than Santa, elves, reindeer, jingle bells and egg nog.
Unless, of course, you're a Christian.
If you're a Christian than Christmas is a holiday that's meant to celebrate God becoming human for our sake. It's a holiday that celebrates the world as we know it ending and a new way of life being born. God is coming to be with us in the person of Jesus and this is a bold, world-changing claim that is powerful enough to change our current reality.
As I think through the events of this past year I am quickly filled with despair. The political unrest, the racially fueled violence and riots; the injustice towards minorities both domestic and abroad; it all leaves me feeling hopeless. But this year, more than ever, I have embraced this Advent season and the invitation to look towards the future with hope. I’ve been looking ahead towards Christmas hoping that in some way, we (myself included) might catch a fuller picture of Christ’s incarnation and be inspired to not only bring about an end to the current ways of the world, but also to usher in a new reality where Christ’s ways of peace, acceptance, and love guide us each day.
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Pastor Nate
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Archive
2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice ResurrectionTaste - Practice ResurrectionTake a Nap - Practice ResurrectionDonate - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Chronicles - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
June
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