Dear Edgeboro Family & Friends,
As many of you now know, I recently announced that I will begin a new chapter of ministry with the Board of World Mission in February. This was such a difficult announcement for me to make since I love Edgeboro dearly. I will take every opportunity I have, including this one, to thank you for the incredible amount of support I have received from you all since I made that announcement. I am incredibly humbled and grateful.
I recently realized that I only have three more newsletter issues to write, and so I thought it would be a good opportunity to revisit some of my “greatest hits” in terms of newsletter articles. I wrote the following Christmas-themed article in 2020 when it was apparent that we would worship from home for Christmas Eve during the height of the pandemic, and you’ll hear some references to that below, still, the message of hope still holds true for us today!
Like many of you, I have my list of go-to Christmas movies. If I don’t watch them, Christmas doesn’t feel complete. A Charlie Brown Christmas is on that list for me. I watched it recently and then read an online article about it shortly after which pointed out a great piece of what could be Charlie Brown trivia that made me go back and watch it again.
It was about that good ol’ beloved blanket that Linus never leaves behind. He travels with it everywhere. In this Christmas special, he took it ice skating, dancing, and Christmas tree shopping. Even when Lucy yells at him to “get rid of that stupid blanket!” (twice!), we know that wasn’t going to happen.
Trivia: How many times did Linus drop his beloved blanket in the Christmas special? (Answer: Once.)
Some might say two or three times, which I’d be fine with, but I make the distinction that for the other one or two times he placed it on the ground, it was with intention. The first time he put his blanket on the ground was so he could load it with a snowball to use it as a slingshot. The last time he put his blanket on the ground in order to prop up Charlie Brown’s sad Christmas tree.
But there was one time that the blanket hit the ground for no functional reason at all:
“Lights please. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them…”
“‘Fear not. (Blanket drop) For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory ti God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. (Luke 2:8-14 KJV) (Blanket picked up)
The only time Linus didn’t need his beloved security blanket is when he shared “what Christmas is all about.” The only thing more comforting, inspiring, joyful, and reassuring for Linus than the blanket in that moment was the promise that he need not fear because Christ and his peace was coming to the world.
We have been forced to drop way more than a blanket this year. The list is long. Unfortunately, that will continue to be the case for many of our beloved Christmas traditions in our homes, communities, and churches (see announcement regarding Christmas Eve). It has been and wlil continue to be painful for all of us. We hope that just how Linus picked up his beloved blanket again, we too can someday pick up with our beloved traditions.
As our plans and traditions and whatever else are dropped, in the meantime, cling to the hope that nothing can take away from you. Be comforted, be inspired, be filled with joy knowing that Christmas is only the beginning of the story of how Christ, the Savior of the world, came to stay with each of us for good so that he might call us to live with purpose, to make sure that hope, peace, joy, and love will never be absent from us or anyone else, ever. That, my friends, is incredibly good news for the world. Please don’t forget that you are always holding on to that.
Grace, peace, and Advent and Christmas blessings to you and your loved ones.
With hope, Pastor Dan