Christmas Letter 2018

For those who didn't get my 2018 Christmas letter, here it is!

The stereotypical Christmas letter is filled with pictures and descriptions of summer vacations, family reunions, weddings and sporting events. These are all wonderful things that happen in our lives but they are not really about Christmas. So, I am not going to write about any of those. I dislike the “typical” or “expected” things in life. Why? Because Jesus is seldom found in places like that. Jesus is atypical and a Messiah’s birth to human parents is hardly what was expected. So, instead I will offer you an atypical Christmas story for your consideration. This story is true and it happened this past summer.

This past July I officiated at a wedding. I tell you that only for you to visualize the wedding from the point of view I had. It was literally the best seat in the house. After the guests were seated I walked up front along with the groom and we waited for the bride to present herself. And when she did all heads turned and watched as this bride came forward and joined hands with her bridegroom. She was absolutely beautiful.

Previously I had only seen the bride wearing blue jeans and a sweatshirt. What a change I saw that day, standing up front of everything. This bride had changed from the typical to the atypical. From the norm to something set apart and beautiful.

In the Bible Jesus is referred to as “the Bridegroom” and the church, those who believe in Him, are called “the bride”. It is written that one day the bride will join the bridegroom. There will be an amazing wedding feast in heaven on that day.

"6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” - Revelation 19:6-9

What a beautiful picture of a wedding! But consider this. Read verse eight again. “It was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.” It goes on to say that the fine linen is actually “the righteous deeds of the saints.” That’s you and me, the bride! How can our deeds be made righteous? Isaiah 64:6 says “all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags.” How can we be made bright and pure?

Enter Jesus, the Lamb, the Bridegroom. Jesus was born into the world, fully God and fully man, to live a sinless life and to be sacrificed for OUR sins. His righteousness imputed to us, thereby making us bright and pure in God’s eyes. People who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus are “the bride”  – made bright and pure by Jesus. It is nothing we have done.

God gave us Jesus. We celebrate His birth because it is only through Him and His sacrifice, that we have been made ready for that wedding day with Jesus. This Christmas, when you look at a nativity scene, look at the baby Jesus in an atypical way. See Him as the first gift given for OUR wedding day with Jesus. Jesus Himself - born in manger – as a wedding gift. It was His sacrifice that made us bright and pure. And THAT is why we celebrate. We celebrate The Gift.

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the gift of Jesus. You knew exactly what we needed and you provided that for us. Although Jesus was born in a lowly manger, He is now seated at Your right hand – King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May everyone who reads this letter be blessed and give You thanks for the most perfect Christmas gift, and wedding gift, ever given. It is in the beautiful name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

And now, the family news:

Probably the most significant thing that happened in our family this year was the death of my mom back in June. I retired back in March and officiated at a wedding in July (see pictures above). In August Bev and I attended the annual Johnson family reunion in Michigan. Then we took a two-week trip at the end of September and visited St. Louis, Pawhuska Oklahoma, Dallas, Waco, South Padre Island and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Thank you, Susan, for your amazing southern hospitality.

Tiny house construction continues, slower now with the colder temperatures. I continue to minister to young adults in Central Wisconsin and volunteer at the local food pantry. Bev still works at Waupaca County WIC (two more years), coordinates the layette ministry at church and also volunteers at the Waupaca Community Garden.

Our two children are healthy, employed, married and in love with their kids, our grandchildren. We enjoy spoiling all of them as often as we can.

May this Christmas bring you love, peace and joy as we remember our most prefect Christmas gift – Jesus.