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December 9, 2024 – 15 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matthew 15:24

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

As you know, the theme for my devotions right now is “__ Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming”. This image is how Cranky Reverend (CR) will look on December 24 – right on the edge of his head exploding. That muffled explosion you will hear on Christmas morning will either be my head exploding, or the rapture – and friends, I know for a fact it will not be the rapture.

Cranky Reverend really doesn’t have a good reason for CR’s Scrooge-mood except for things like rampant materialism, traffic, crowds and overindulgence. Too many children today believe more in Santa Claus than a G-d who loves them so much G-d became human by being born as a child. Why else does CR experience the blahs of except for the fact that so many people and children worship a jolly guy who flies with reindeer and delivers toys – instead of Jesus who does not fly, but still gives us a great gift.

Jesus says, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24) Isaiah 53:6 says: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” CR used to go to the farm show every year. CR would enjoy seeing the cows, the horses, and of course, the sheep exhibit. CR doesn’t know much about sheep, but CR thought it odd they were dressed in something akin to a flight suit. They looked like they were ready to join a fighter pilot instead of getting in line for the “sheep to shawl” event. On the outside they looked like they were ready for battle, but on the inside, they were still just sheep.

Cranky Reverend thinks this is a good metaphor for those in our society whom we might consider “lost sheep”. Lost sheep are people who do not know the Lord but are so much a part of this world and so content in their “lost-ness” they could care less about the “good news” of Jesus Christ. Like sheep with blinders, they continue in their “own way” and end up going further and further astray. It is to these that Jesus has come, and to these we are called to profess our faith in Jesus. As such, Cranky Reverend will continue to battle against the secular side of life that seeks to diminish the Christian celebrations. CR will share the true meaning of Christmas – no matter how much of a “Scrooge” CR feels like.

Pastor Dave

16 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

December 8, 2024 – 16 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

Cranky Reverend has had a lot of fun scouring the internet looking for strange and unusual Christmas decorations and ornaments. And if you look hard enough, the internet does not disappoint. So, I present to you the “Banana Santa”. If you look really hard at the tag – you might be able to see that this ornament costs $33.00. CR would not pay $33.00 for a Christmas ornament that most people would say “I can’t believe what I just saw” – aka Jack Buck, 1988…(look it up). CR says if you have more money than you know what to do with, then the Banana Santa Christmas Ornament is just up your alley. And hey, Cranky Reverend is just trying to plant the seed and “peel” away your efforts for an unusual Christmas holiday.

In Matthew’s text, we hear the parable of the Mustard Seed. This parable occurs in three of the Gospels. In Matthew’s version, the seed in planted in a…field… and becomes the greatest of shrubs and a tree – in Mark’s version (Mark 4:30 – 32) the seed is planted in the…ground…and becomes the greatest of all shrubs – and in Luke’s version (Luke 13:18 – 19) the seed is sowed in the…garden…and becomes a tree. What can we discern from these differences, if anything? Does it matter to us that the seed is sown in three different places? Or, should we focus more on the aspect that great things can come from even the smallest of items so as not to dismiss those around us who seem to have little or the smallest of faith? Or is it more intriguing to consider that even those around us who might act like weeds (like pests who are not easily dismissed) can still be sources of hope, safety and comfort for those in need of such care? Whatever we decide, this parable can teach us important lessons – even weeds can become tools to teach – even the discarded of our society can grow to become teachers of the faith – and sources of comfort and peace. And even a “Banana Santa” can help us celebrate the birth of the Christ Child (I guess).

Pastor Dave