Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with
joy.
Why? Because they were with their Dad. Nothing else meant as much.
That is the way believers feel in the presence of Jesus. His coming means unutterable
joy for those who call him Lord. And that is what Christmas is about. Christ has come to
our world in the form of a tiny babe. No wonder we sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord is
come."
(Matthew 2:10
NRSV)
The coming of Jesus brings joy. Pastor Don Aycock tells about his father who is an old
oil field hand. This job meant that he was on twenty-four-hour call. He would often be
gone from home for days at a time when trouble at the rig necessitated his being there.
He was always busy, but in his crazy schedule Don says he seldom felt cheated or
deprived of time with his Dad. During the summers and holidays their family would
often go to the rig location where his father worked. They lived in Louisiana, and his
Dad often had to work in Texas, so they would rent some little low-cost house wherever
his Dad was assigned. Don and his older brother Glenn would go to the drilling site with
their father. If the rig were near a body of water, they would fish. If they were near a
marsh, they would duck hunt. They never went on a "vacation" in the usual sense.
Their father never had that kind of time or money, but he did know how to give attention
to his children. One of the best Christmas dinners Don ever had was at the rig. The rig
was "stacked"---which means it was not operating---for the holidays, and Don's Dad
had to stay with it to prevent thefts. Don, his mother, sister Linda, and brother Glenn,
stayed with their Dad in the bunk house for several days during the Christmas break at
school. On Christmas Day they ate Spam and crackers and drank Pepsi. Don says it
was wonderful!
God of peace, guide me through this great season as I share your joy. Amen.
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