Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

A week ago I returned from a five day trip to Leon, Nicaragua. It had been almost four years since I’d been there so it was great to reconnect with people I’ve loved and worked with for many years. Although I’ve been there every season of the year, this was my first time there in the month December. What struck me immediately was that Christmas was everywhere! Santa’s, Christmas trees, light displays, etc. were in every store, street, and park. Some of it had a bit of a Latin American flare to it, but one could tell that much of it had been imported from the US. Nonetheless, it was Christmas wherever you looked!   Well, that was in the city. One afternoon, however, I went out of the city to the poor community of Troilo where I would visit a young man I’ve known for about 12 years, Dary. In his community, there was close to nothing that was Christmas. No Christmas trees, lights, or Santa’s. When I arrived at his home, Dary who is now almost 18, almost totally blind, and has lit...

Last night began Chanukah. It is the Jewish holiday that commemorates how it was in 164 BC, at the liberation and rededication of the Temple, one night’s worth of oil kept the Temple menorah lighted for eight days—i.e., until new oil for the Temple could be made. Thus for eight days, Jews around the world light their Chanukah menorahs. Each night they light one more candle until all eight candles are lit on the final night. Last night Kim and I lit our menorah.   For those who don’t know, there is, one candle on the menorah that is lit every night. That is the shammash or helper candle. That candle is lit by a match or other kind of lighter and is then used to light the rest. The shammash candle stands higher than all of the others or a bit separated; it is always distinct from the rest of the candles. Again, it is lit every night, burning with whatever other candles have been lit.  For me as a follower of Jesus who is also Jewish (on my mother’s side!), I can’t help but ...

This past week I was given what I would hardly consider an early Christmas present. My doctor put me in an orthopedic boot for a stress fracture on my ankle. I’m not sure how it occurred, but for the past six weeks or so I’ve had pain in the ankle to the point of limping much of the time. An MRI showed a stress fracture that is actually on the verge of a full break. Thus, the boot.   Along with the boot comes a whole lot of instructions and limitations. Of course, I haven’t been able to run. Nor, can I cycle. And now I need to stay off the foot as much as possible. If I do have to walk, it’s a slow clunky walk; it feels like it takes me forever to get anywhere. (If you know me, that in and of itself is quite frustrating!) Of course, this is the last thing I want during the Christmas season when there is so much to do: services to lead, shopping to get done, and places to be. In fact, when I woke up this morning I began thinking about all the limitations this boot has now place...