Christmas Message from Pastor Dan Martian

PONDERING 

ON THIS HOLY NIGHT I PONDER ON THE SIMPLE THINGS. THINGS THAT ARE
SMALL IN COMPARISON BUT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. THINGS LIKE A CANDLE BURNING. IT STARTS OUT SMALL THEN THE FLAME STARTS TO CLIMB HIGHER AND HIGHER UNTIL IT IS DANCING THE DANCE OF LIFE. AND I
PONDER.

ON THIS HOLY NIGHT I PONDER THE MAGNIFICENT SCORES OF MUSIC. EACH STRING, BRASS, VOCALS HARMONIOUSLY WORKING TOGETHER TO PROCLAIM THE MESSIAH’S BIRTH AND I PONDER.

ON THIS HOLY NIGHT I PONDER THE QUIET. THE COMFORTABLE HUSH THAT EMBASSES US. A PEACE THAT ONLY CALM BRINGS. STILLNESS . . .
. SILENCE . . .  SLOWNESS AND I PONDER.

ON THIS HOLY  NIGHT I PONDER THE TWIKLING LIGHTS. HOW THEY DANCE
SO FREELY WITHOUT CARE OR DEMANDS --THEY JUST ARE-- LIGHTING THE
WAY FOR THE CHRIST CHILD BORN THIS NIGHT. IN THEIR BEAUTY BRINGS TRANQUILTY TO REFLECT ON WHY THIS NIGHT IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE REST. AND I PONDER.

ON THIS HOLY NIGHT I PONDER FACES YOUNG AND OLD WRINKLED . . . SMOOTH DIFFERENT SHADES OF COLOR EXPRESSIONS OF JOY, SORROW, ANTICIPATION, PEACE, LOVE WHAT IS THE STORY THAT IS TOLD WITH EACH SMILE, WEATHERED-WORN LOOK, PAIN TOO MUCH TO BARE AND I
PONDER.

ON THIS HOLY NIGHT I PONDER THE CHRIST CHILD BORN IN AN OBSCURE
VILLAGE IN A STABLE AND NOT IN AN INN SURROUNDED BY GOATS, SHEEP,
COWS, CAMALS SHEPHEARDS FROM THEIR FIELDS, A FEW DAYS LATER WISE SAGES FROM THE EAST FOR THE CHRIST CHILD BORN THIS NIGHT IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD. LIKE MARY, I TOO PONDER, I PONDER HOW GOD WORKS WITH THE SIMPLE TO SHOW HIS TREMENDOUS SPECTULAR LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU AND ME EACH AND EVERY DAY.

AND I PONDER AND I INVITE YOU TO PONDER TOO. AMEN

Merry Christmas to all and a most joyous New Year,

Pastor Dan Martian and The Presbyterian Church of Livingston