Advent, Christmas and Politics

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus t

hat all the world should be registered. 

Luke 2:1

And the angel said to them, 

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

Luke 2:10-11

“It was the best of times; It was the worst of times,” declares Charles Dickens at the opening of A Tale of Two Cities. I suppose this could be said of many times and places.

Some seem to have understood the recent elections in this way. Approximately half of our population is exuberant at an unexpected victory by their candidate and approximately half of our nation is in despair at what they consider to be the disastrous defeat of their chosen candidate.

I don’t know if you prefer the evening news or the morning news, the internet or newspapers. Whatever your choice for news all the headlines imply the same message: “The future of America depends on our political leaders.” You may have been persuaded by such a message but Advent and Christmas show the folly of such thinking.

The second chapter of Luke begins with these words, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.”  If you were Herod the Great or one of the super-rich of the day, you may have considered it to be the best of all times. The Roman Emperor was in control. Trade and commerce were abundant. Roman immorality was accepted in all parts of the Empire.

If you were a religious Jew at the time, as Mary and Joseph undoubtedly were, you may have considered this to be the worst of all times. Pagan temples dotted most of the historic homeland of the Jews. Only Jerusalem was safe from idolatry.  Herod had displaced most of the legitimate religious leaders, even installing his own High Priest. The wealthy lived in the lap of luxury on the backs of the poor and their taxes.

Nevertheless, things were not as they seemed.  Although Caesar Augustus was on the throne in Rome, God was still in charge.  He directed the secular authorities to do His bidding.

Unknown to Caesar, his quest for a more thorough form of taxation was just a tool that God used to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the City of David.  There the savior of the world would be born in fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies. And so began an Advent that no one can forget. The long awaited Messiah came just as promised.

Among those who had every right to be unhappy were the shepherds. According to ancient sources, shepherds were among the poor and despised of the day. They were suspected of dishonesty.  A third-century rabbi expresses surprise at the fact that David can compare God with a shepherd (Concordia Self-study Commentary).

Yet these poor, despised shepherds would be the first to celebrate Christmas. They learned what was hidden from the influential, rich and powerful. They heard God’s own messenger declare: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”

For Christians, it is the best of times!  God is still God.  He often works in mysterious and hidden ways.  He saved you from sin, death and the devil with the despised and rejected Savior who died on the cross.

Now is not the time to put your faith in politics or to despair.  Advent and Christmas put things back in perspective for us.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Pastor Quardokus 

Worship and Children

It is fascinating for me to observe my son and daughter-in-law raise my grandson and granddaughter. They are loving and caring parents but they are also very focused on setting proper boundaries and rules. As a grandfather, I am more focused on spoiling him and being overly flexible.

They are particularly interested in teaching my grandson and granddaughter right and wrong as well as proper manners in a variety of social settings (at the dinner table, in church, etc.). I have to admit that I am proud that my son takes his parenting role so seriously.  He makes sure that my grandson and granddaughter eat healthy foods and get a proper balance of play time and sleep.  My grandson and granddaughter have a good supply of books including Bible stories.  They are learning to pray at bed time and meal time.

A very important part of parenting is helping our children learn about worship.  We need to model for them the value of worshiping every Sunday and being reverent in church.  It is also important the children learn the great hymns and liturgies of the Church.  These are great treasures that must be passed down from age to age.

Each generation has the opportunity to add their best and their finest works of creativity and devotion to the worship treasures of the Church. Jesus says in Matthew 13:52, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

May we help our children embrace the treasures of the Church from every generation so that our children’s children will clearly learn of Christ and His cross.

Pastor Quardokus

Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot, And Never Brought to Mind?

Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot,

And Never Brought to Mind?

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Luke 21:33

Once you cut through all of the partying and football, New Year’s Eve/Day is an awkward bittersweet holiday. In one sense it can be a time of rejoicing over the accomplishments and blessing that have come our way over the past year. It can also be a time of relief that a particularly bad year is over.  It can be a time of sadness when we look back at things that once were but will be no more.  It can be a time of anticipation for good things to come.  It can be a time of dread and the fearing of worse calamities to come in the future.  It can be a time of rebirth and renewal or can be a time of anxiety and doubt.

2014 will be a year to remember in my household.  Many positive things happened in the lives of my children. It is important to look back on these blessings with thankfulness in our hearts for God’s good gifts as St. Paul says, “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4–5).

For many people 2014 will be a year to remember for the loss of a job or an illness or a death or the loss of a friendship. These are hard crosses to bear but they too can remind us of the fleeting nature of our earthly existence and help us look forward to the salvation that is ours in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:18–25).

2015 may call for patience and endurance.  It will have its own share of difficulties and joys.  However, what is important for each of us to remember is that we do not go alone into this new year.  We go with Jesus at our side.  God has promised that he “will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I pray that you will have a wonderful New Year’s celebration.  I enjoy New Year’s Day because it is one of the very few holidays of the year when I don’t have to work (wink). But more than the celebration of New Years, we as Christians can celebrate every day the new life that is ours in Christ. Newness is a characteristic of life with God.  We look forward to a new heaven and a new earth because God makes all things new in Christ.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Quardokus

Shepherds, Wise Men, and Advent

Shepherds, Wise Men, and Advent

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night Luke 2:8

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, 

behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem Matthew 2:1

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be “the odd man out”?  The only single at a party full of couples; a lone student at the table in the lunch room; the only man without a suit; or the only woman without a dress; are just a few examples.

Yet sometimes being unique isn’t so disheartening. Having a winning ticket; getting a promotion at work; sinking the winning basket in the championship game; being the only grandparent who remembered to bring pictures of the grandchildren; or the only one in your neighborhood able to get the snow blower started; are examples of times it can be a joy to be odd.

You may have wondered what shepherds and wise men have to do with Advent.  After all, aren’t they more closely tied to Christmas and Epiphany? Indeed they are. But they are also all three “Blessedly Odd!”

It is hard to know exactly how many shepherds lived in and around Bethlehem. There would have been shepherds a plenty. It may be like asking, “How many fast food servers are in Berrien County?” It was a lowly profession with many practitioners.

Out of the vast number of potential people to hear the message of the angels only a few odd shepherds abiding in the field saw the awe of the angels and hastened to find Mary, and Joseph, and the babe. How blessedly odd they were!

Every nation is proud of its scholars, academics, advisers and wise men. Certainly Judea must have had more than a few learned individuals who were worthy of seeing the star announcing the birth of the king. Yet miles and miles to the east across deserts and dunes, mountains and valleys a few odd wise men packed up gold, frankincense and myrrh to kneel in joy before the new born King, the infant Savior. How blessedly odd they were!

While shoppers seek sales and grandma avoids reindeer; while atheists moan about nativities and cashiers mouth, “Happy Holidays;” while Scrooges declare “humbug” and   commentators complain about countless commercials; there will be a few who are blessedly odd!  These odd few will join a long train of faithful who will step out of the crowd.

They will light Advent wreaths and have family devotions.  They will read scriptures and teach children. They will bundle up on Wednesday nights and join other blessedly odd faithful believers in worship at midweek Advent services. They will delight in Emmanuel, who comes to ransom captive Israel.  They will worship the Rod of Jesse and the Dayspring, from on high.

To these few blessedly odd, The Key of David will open wide their heavenly home. The Wisdom from on high will grant them the wisdom of the Wise Men and with shepherds they will rejoice to see the promise of Emmanuel fulfilled.

Your Advent and Christmas season will in many ways be typical. It will reflect the busyness of your neighbors and the bustle of the season. Yet I also pray that your Advent will be “blessedly odd.”  I pray that you will be able to step away from the crowds and for the briefest of moments see what no one around you sees and hear what Isaiah long ago declared:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Pastor Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 26

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. What jumps out at you from these verses?

At the beginning of this chapter, immediately preceding these words, St. Paul writes, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Living in a broken world, you and I are called to be menders. Since God is one, since there is only one faith, only one baptism, only one Spirit, he calls upon us to be eager in maintaining the bond of peace and the unity of the spirit in the body of Christ. How can such a noble task be accomplished? Here are the ingredients: humility, gentleness, patience and love.

Are there any broken relationships around you?  Do you want them to be restored? Take Paul’s fourfold prescription. Start with humility. Often broken relationships result from stubbornness and pride. Recognize that others are hurting as well and treat them with gentleness and kindness. Pray for a generous dose of patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Surround the whole process in love. Learn to love even when love isn’t returned.

Jesus used these four ingredients in His work of salvation for us.  He humbled Himself to be born of a virgin and live in the world as one of us. He treats us with gentleness and kindness as we struggle through life’s difficulties. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. His love is the key.  It led Him to the cross on our behalf.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your humility, gentleness, patience and love. Grant me an eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 25

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure!!! How can this be true when church is so boring?  How can this be true when someone at church hurt my feelings?  How can this be true when ...?

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure---hidden!!!! Some people expect church to be like the latest block buster movie or rock star or comedian or five star restaurant or ...  If that's the kind of church you are looking for you will never find the kingdom of heaven.  The kingdom of heaven is hidden behind imperfect pastors, crying children, hard pews, unfamiliar music, sinful people ....

The kingdom of heaven is not found in flashy programs or comfortable venues.  The kingdom of heaven is found in the cross of Christ.  The Kingdom of Heaven is found where the Gospel is proclaimed and the Sacraments are properly administered.  The Kingdom of Heaven is found where there is forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. If you are looking for something else in a church, the Kingdom of Heaven will forever remain hidden from you.

But when you find these things in your church, you have found a treasure that is worth more than any earthly possession.  If you could buy it, nothing could hold you back. But almost unbelievably, this treasure is free!  You receive by grace through faith.

Prayer: Lord thank you for the greatest treasure of all, the gift of your Son, Jesus. Grant that I may always see that hidden treasure in my church. Amen.

Treasure of Villena

 The second biggest prehistoric gold finding in Europe.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus

Pentecost Season Devotion, July 24

The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. Matthew 13: 24, 25

The Hippie Movement and peace protests populate the memory of my high school and college years. John Lennon wrote and sang, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” Flower power and peace symbols decorated VW microbuses.

We all long for peace. My father was fighting in some of the fiercest battles of the Korean War when I was born. I lived through the time of the Vietnam War and saw a friend and a cousin killed there. My children’s lives have been affected by two Gulf wars and a war in Afghanistan. The horrible attack of 9/11 on the twin towers is a living memory for them.

We all long for peace. Unfortunately, peaceful people cannot create peace. We are forced to contend with an enemy who has no desire for peace. Satan’s army is in the world and unfortunately he also has agents in the visible church on earth.

Jesus won the victory of sin, death and the devil on the cross but we must still content with the weeds in amongst the wheat. Jesus will allow this to continue until the harvest at the close of the age. Then the weeds will be gathered and destroyed. Until then we are called upon to have patience to await that day.

Don’t be surprised when those inside the church are faithless, angry, hurtful or mean. There are weeds among the wheat. Don’t be surprised when evil happens. There are weeds among the wheat. Don’t be surprised when peace is beyond our grasp. There are weeds among the wheat.

May God grant you the patience and perseverance to live in peace when there are weeds among the wheat.

Prayer:  Lord thank you for granting to me the peace that passes all understanding. Grant me the faith and peace in knowing that you have won the victory on the cross and when this earthly life is ended, I will rest in the peace you have waiting for me in eternity. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus