Pastor's Corner

The Love Story

Christmas can be a most depressing time of the year. Some people are unable to afford gifts for their children, elderly people are tucked away in nursing homes, widows and widowers are missing their spouses. Members of broken homes think of former years when the whole family celebrated together. Sadness becomes so overwhelming that some people consider suicide. In the weeks to come, here, at St. Ansgar’s, we will be filled with sounds of "Joy to the World" and "Peace on earth, good will toward all people." Doesn’t that sound good?

This world is so filled with noise, confusion and uncertainty. Truly, it is time we took a break from this turmoil. It is time we demonstrated some quiet confidence in things to come. Things can appear really bad. Surely, this is not so! Some might say, "It is self-delusional to talk about peace and quiet confidence? Dare we say 'Peace on earth,' when there is no peace? In a time when long-believed truths are attacked and chaos reigns, how can we talk of peace in a spirit of quiet confidence? How can we keep calm when, all around us, there are so many wrongs to be righted and the sufferings of so many that beg for change? Our quiet confidence does not mean to imply all is well with the world. Our quiet confidence is not an expression of satisfaction with things as they are. It is most definitely not nostalgia of the past that we hope will return.

Our confidence is in the promise of God, that He will not abandon us and has demonstrated to us what “A Love Story” should look like.

I believe we need something to push up the value of our hopes and dreams and to stop the waves of emptiness and sadness that keeps pounding on our weary souls.

We need something to give us new life. It is said ‘the season of Advent' is like a divine bridge between God and humanity. Advent is a time when we look back into our human history, into God’s history; seeing how God kept on bridging that relationship between us with loving promises even when we went astray. The birth of the Christ child became the most accessible bridge, the most intimate gift that God could give us….This is “The Love Story.”

“Once upon a Christmas Eve, a man sat in reflective silence before the fireplace, pondering the meaning of Christmas. There is no point to a God who became man, he mused. Why would an all-powerful God want to share even one of His precious moments with the likes of man? And even if He did, why would He choose to be born in an animal stall? No way! The whole thing is absurd! I’m sure that if God really wanted to come down to earth, He would have chosen some other way. Suddenly, the man was roused from his reverie by a strange sound outside. He went to the window and saw a small gaggle of blue geese frantically honking and aimlessly flopping about in the snow. They seemed dazed and confused. Apparently they had dropped out, in exhaustion, from the flight formations of a larger flock on its way from the Arctic Islands to the warmer climes of the Gulf of Mexico. Moved to compassion, the man tried to shoo the poor geese into his warm garage, but the more he shooed the more they panicked.

“If they only realized I’m only trying to do whats best for them,” he thought to himself.

“How can I make them understand my concern for their well-being?” Then, this thought came to him: If for just a minute, I could become one of them, if I could become an ordinary goose and communicate with them in their own language, they would know what I am trying to do. And suddenly... suddenly, he remembered Christmas and a smile came over his face. Suddenly, the Christmas Story no longer seemed absurd. Suddenly, he pictured that ordinary-looking Infant, lying in the creche in that stable in Bethlehem, and he knew the answer to his Christmas problem: God had become one of us to tell us, in human terms we can all understand, that He loves us.”
(story: source unknown)

Christmas comes inviting us into that loving relationship with God. During this time of Advent we reflect on the peace that the birth of Christ offers us. It is “The Love Story” from God to us. It is His offer of peace. May each and everyone of us find the way to embrace it. May all our sadness fly away, may God bless us during this season and in the upcoming New Year. Feel the joy that God brings to all!

Pastor Samuel King-Kabu

Biking with Roger (part 12)

I awoke early in the pre-dawn mist at my campsite amidst the vast complex of the Pinery Provincial Park. It was the fourth day of my bicycle ride, the day I would be leaving Lake Huron behind. My neighbours had partied well into the night and it was oh so tempting to make a lot of 5:00 racket as I packed up, but my Christian heart prevailed and I left quietly. It was nearly 5km back to the park gate, during which I met only a few other early morning souls.

The four-laned boulevard continued westward along the outside edge of the Pinery, but there were few cars. As I rode along, hungering for breakfast, the sun broke through the fog with the promise of yet another bright day.

The Pinery ended at Port Franks, as the road crossed over the second 'cut' in the Au Sable River. The first had been at Grand Bend. Each of these 'cuts' diverted water from the river directly to the lake, in order to cut down on flooding. What was left of the river formed the centerpiece of The Pinery Park. On the far side, I found a small restaurant, crowded for breakfast.

Continuing along, but now sated, I soon came upon a long stretch of fenced off forest to my right. My interest was piqued by signs warning of 'un-exploded rounds'. It was an army base from former days. As the buildings of the base came into view, I noticed old cars parked among the barracks, along with clotheslines and other signs of habitation. It was odd, for the base seemed very run down. Then, at last, the mystery was solved as I came upon a big sign announcing that this was "Indian Land" which had been "Occupied". I now knew, also, why the Ipperwash Provincial Park was marked on the map simply as "Closed". It, too, had been occupied.

I was in the middle of the Kettle Point Indian Reservation. The main road turned south at this point, to join the freeway, leaving me to continue on the much quieter and more pleasant "Lakeshore" road, though I had not yet seen the lake that day. I came upon a stretch of tree-lined road bordered by a corn field. Around each tree was finely bevelled cone of lower growth, as perfect as if a machine had trimmed it. I guess it was the shade of the trees, as the sun swung around during the day.

As Lakeshore turned south, I continued west along the tiny city streets at the beginning of the outskirts of Sarnia, and came upon an opening to the lake, my first view of the day. Edging ever westward along the tiny streets, I came out at a marvellous stretch of beach, lined with a bike path. The surf was blowing in like at the ocean. Alas, it was not to last. I was shunted inland, back to "Lakeshore". I passed through a long tree-lined stretch, bounded on the lake side by huge estates. As I got closer to town, the estates became more and more modest, until they were only fancy homes.

I got my second view of the lake at the end of Lakeshore, at a tiny sliver of a park, barely one lot wide. Looking westward, through the haze, I could make out a giant lighthouse and the American shore of Lake Huron stretching off to the north.

Residents had told me how to cut through the vast city park and by the beaches, to find the beginning of Sarnia's waterfront bike trail. I came out underneath the international bridge, right at the beginning of the Saint-Clair River. The water was crystal clear and the current strong.

Boats plied the waters in both directions, small pleasure boats and huge lake freighters. Those coming uptream had hard job! Kids were jumping off the bridge pier and letting the current carry them down. Opposing pairs of giant flags could be seen on either side of the river. It was a great place to stop for lunch!

Once past the Indian casino, the waterfront trail continued, bringing me around the beautifully-groomed Sarnia shoreline. Then it all came to an end. I followed the signs for the Saint-Clair Parkway, along which I knew there to be a bike path. I was brought into several kilometres of industrial hell, finding my way timidly along the edge of a six-laned boulevard thick with traffic and heavy trucks. I was passing by giant refineries and chemical plants. It was strange to find, amidst all this, an irrigation canal, snaking its way through to the farmland beyond. When I finally came out at the Saint Clair River again, the bike trail turned out to be quite pleasant. It led through the parkland right alongside the river and continued along for some 30 kilometres. All along the river were the floating docks of home-owners on the other side of the road. The U.S. side looked the same, some 250 metres away.

At the small town of Courtright, I was forced to wait out one of those giant mid-western thunderstorms for more than an hour. I could see and hear it coming, but seemed to take forever to arrive. Then, after ten minutes of intense rain, it was all over. I would have a fun time the next day with these storms!

The bike trail ended at the town line of Sombra, where I also found my campground. The attendant had left, but had placed the reserved sign for me on one of the best overnight campsites there. I would look upstream during the night at all the lights, including those of passing ships.

I continued on into Sombra itself for supper. It was a tiny town, next to the ferry. All major traffic had been shunted off to other highways, so the towns along the Saint-Clair Parkway were rather sleepy and quiet. There was very little traffic. I enjoyed a great meal out on the terrace, watching the tiny four-car ferry ply back and forth. I ended my evening sitting out by the water at my campsite, watching the ships on the Saint Clair River.

(The story will be continued in subsequent editions of the Messenger. Accounts of earlier bike rides can be found at http://rogerkenner.ca/Bike/Bike.html)

Roger Kenner

The REAL Night Before Christmas
(By Parents)

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house I searched for the
tools to hand to my spouse
Instructions were studied and we were inspired, in hopes we could manage "Some
Assembly Required."
The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds, while Dad and I faced the
evening with dread:
a kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's townhouse to boot! And now, thanks to Grandpa, a
train with a toot!
We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat - let no parts be missing or parts
incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement; if we can't get it right, it
goes straight to the basement!
When what to my worrying eyes should appear but 50 sheets of directions,
concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named, so if we failed, only we could be
blamed.
More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out, all over the carpet they were
scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there! Slide on the seats, and
staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand." "Honey," said hubby, "you just glued
my hand."
And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact that all the toy dealers had indeed
made a pact
to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night with "assembly required" till
morning's first light.
We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work, till our eyes, they went blurry;
our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin before we attached the last rod
and last pin.
Then laying the tools away in the chest, we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out, "This will be the best
Christmas, without any doubt.
Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring, and not run to the store for one
single thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set for the perfect, most magical,
Christmas, I bet!"
Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went, though I suppose
there's something to say for those self-deluded- I'd forgotten that BATTERIES
are never included!

(Source Unknown)

Emergency Help Numbers

When in sorrow, John 14
When men fail you, Psalm 27
If you want to be fruitful, John 15
When you have sinned, Psalm 51
When you worry, Mathew 6:19-34
When you are in danger, Psalm 91
When God seems far away, Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring, Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful, Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical, I. Corinthians 13
For Paul's secret to happiness, Colossians 3:12-17
For understanding of Christianity, II. Corinthians 5:15-19
When you feel down and out, Romans 8:31
When you want peace and rest, Mathew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God, Psalm 90
When you want Christian assurance, Romans 8:1-30
When you leave home for labor or travel, Psalm 121
When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, Psalm 67
For a great invention/opportunity, Isaiah 55
When you want courage for a task, Joshua 1
How to get along with fellow men, Romans 12
When you think of investments and returns, Mark 10
If you are depressed, Psalm 27
If your pocketbook is empty, Psalm 37
If you are losing confidence in people, I. Corinthians 13
If people seem unkind, John 15
If discouraged about your work, Psalm 126

Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner & Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2007/03/14
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal