The sceptre shall not pass from Judah, nor the mace from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, to whom the peoples shall render obedience.
I am not sure your about your household in this week of ‘Joy” the third week in Advent. Mine is a buzz with activity. Three of our four children are coming for Christmas along with their respective spouses and significant others. Gifts are practical like socks and underwear. My wife, Anna, and myself are going to Church on Christmas Eve. Christmas Morning will be brunch at our house. I have a nap planned for later in the day, but it may not happen. Christmas is a little over a week away. Relax! It will come whether we are totally ready or not.
That is the message of today’s readings. Please get ready. You have a sceptre to pass on.
In this process I have been thinking of many Christmases of the past when my Mom and Dad, Grandparents and Uncles and Aunts would get together. So many good memories and so many memories when I was alone and not near any of them. Life seemed so much simpler then. However, I know it was not. Time seems to rough out the edges of our memories. Yes we have soldiers, nurses, doctors and first responders all working on our behalf.
I remember in 1973 when I was working at the Denver Dry Goods in downtown Denver. I was out of the Army and had graduated college thanks to the GI bill. My roommate went home for Christmas. Work was a zoo in retail at this time of the year. Be patient with your salesclerk today. Anyway, I was alone that Christmas and as I was closing the store on Christmas Eve, I came out to my car and found that I had a flat tire. It was dark and cold. Alone and depressed were two of my emotions. The streets were almost deserted. So, I started to get the spare tire out of the boot of my 66 VW, when my boss walked by me and helped me change the tire. His name was Daryl Zogg. What a blessing. It was one simple act of kindness that I never forgot. It made my Christmas. Mr Zogg helped me because of his ancestors and the Christmas spirit in his heart.
Just like Jesus our ancestors helped form us and it was the same for Jesus. He was and is the Son of God but He is a product of those generations from Abraham on down. So are we. We in turn will help form our grandchildren and future generations.
Now let’s not go too “pie in the sky” about our future generations. Not all are headed on the right path. All we as a people can do is try to show future generations the path to richeousness. Myself, I have not made it yet but I am working on it. Don’t give up on them or yourself.
Just like the Christmas of 1973 you may be alone this Christmas, but the love of Christ is with you and the love that inspired Christ, Our Savior, is there with you. You are not alone. He may send someone like Daryl Zogg or you may be Daryl Zogg to share to someone who needs it this Christmas. You heve the sceptre to pass.
Pray for the lonely. Pray for those who are not on the right path. Pray for those who are suffering from Cancer and other illnesses. Also pray for my sister, Patti, who has a Birthday tomorrow. She would always say that there are three great holidays at the end of the year and all a week apart. Her Birthday 18th, Christmas 25th and New Years 1st are those days.
I’ll see you Christmas Eve. The sceptre is yours today.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
Picture Credit: “Christmas tree close-up” by HawkXP is licensed under CC PDM 1.0
