Matthew 25 gives us the Parable of the Talents, wherein a master entrusts his servants with various gifts and judges what they do with them. The servant who buried his resources and failed to bring new good from it famously gets in trouble. The message to the other servants who multiplied their gifts was clear and concise: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
The latter message is one I'm repeating to you today, members and friends of the Genesee Lutheran Parish. Deciphering God's will is a complex endeavor and I'm sure we have our faults, but I don't think God would mind if we shared a little "Well done, good and faithful servants" among each other this day.
First of all, that request we talked about on Sunday? The anonymous letter? We responded with everything needed and more. Think about this as you gather around for Christmas. Somebody, somewhere will get a completely unexpected and redeeming answer to their cry because of you and your friends. Everything dreamed about and yearned for, at least in this one case, will be theirs and their child's. We already have four boxes of baby stuff to send and gift cards on top. Can you imagine watching such grace unfold before you, unexpectedly? Box after box delivered, prayer after prayer answered with more than you asked for when you expected nothing at all? I think each of us can add that to the list of giving we've done this season. Plus your gifts have allowed us to help even more people in the local community than you know. Plus you've given generously with the giving tree. Plus you've given your time to us and shared cookies (over 150 dozen!) with Genesee. You've worked hard to make our Advent season special and then participated in it together, glorying in its awesome moments and laughing with us in those times we were stumbling along together. You've supported our children, buoyed the spirits of our long-term members, clapped for our musicians, gathered for Bible Studies like never before, given freedom to our leaders to enact bold new visions.
As I look back on the sum total of all of this that hearty, "Well done, good and faithful servants!" resounds and rebounds in my head again and again. I wish I could fittingly convey how miraculous all this has been and give back in kind. As with most good things, the work must be its own reward. Except we have one, besides this "thank you", that is. Christmas Eve service at 7:00 is always breathtaking with its candles and carols and special music. This year when you come, you can truly be at peace knowing you and your church have done everything conceivable, everything we were called to do, in order to bring meaning and joy to this season. When you come, be at peace. Rest, celebrate, enjoy. For an hour be relieved of the burden of wondering what needs to be done next and who is depending upon you to do it. What we could do, we have done...cheerfully and well. Take heart in that knowledge and come with your souls shining and the expectation that beauty will live in and through you that night because of what you have given and the work you have done.
Well done, good and faithful servants. Now let's enjoy the party together!
--Pastor Dave
P.S. Biblically speaking "party" in that last sentence was supposed to be "feast", but you know what I mean!
P.P.S. If you want to start early, we're showing The Nativity Story at the parsonage at 6:30 tonight (Tuesday the 20th). Craft ladies, Thursday Bible Study-ers, and all others are welcome! If you've never been to a movie at the parsonage, it's a nice experience! (Unless you're allergic to cats...sorry.)
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