Christmas Cross
The Cross gets in the way. This is especially true at Christmas. In a church in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, the cross gets in the way every Christmas. In his book, On a Hill Too Far Away, John Fischer describes how this particular cross is positioned in a peculiar place. Instead of being mounted on the front wall, like in most respectable churches, this one is bolted to the concrete floor, dead center in front of the platform and not three feet from where the preacher stands. Most architects and interior designers would be offended.It obstructs. The preacher has to preach through it and the people have to perceive through it. Nativity scenes and Christmas choirs have to work around it. It's in the way! Exactly!
The cross is supposed to get in our way. If it didn't get in our way, there would be no forgiveness of sin, no hope of a better day, let alone an eternal day. This Christmas season, the cross will obstruct at Trinity. I love the prominent and beautifully constructed cross that hangs on the front wall of our sanctuary. It is a constant reminder of why Christ came to earth. It will always be front and center. Given the events of our fall, however, this Christmas the cross will obstruct and get in our way.
The national tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001 sobered all of us and reminded not a few of the cosmic battle of good and evil and our need to be vigilant soldiers of Christ.
The untimely resignation of a beloved staff member shocked and saddened many of us personally and all of us as a congregation. It served as a wake-up call to many who have been spiritually slipshod.
Our continuing inability to find the associate pastor of God's choosing has left many of us thinking that God may be waiting on something before He reveals the man. Perhaps that is confession of sin.
A word of prophecy this fall indicated a need for purifying in our leadership. This has begun! The men's retreat found many ready to repent at the Spirit's prompting. Late one evening 34 men pounded a nail each into a rough cross, confessing sin to God and to their brothers. Fifty men left the retreat committed to keeping themselves free of sin. Accountability groups have been organized to insure ongoing impact. The cross got in their way. Let it get in your way - even this Christmas.
© 12/2001 Don Reigstad