Author: jeremiahtan963404

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update
February 2nd, 2022

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40

In my devotional times recently, I’ve been reading the latter part of Genesis, and early Psalms. I have, as a result, gotten to thinking about the lives of two of the significant characters there: Joseph and David. Though of course they didn’t know each-other personally, they were both striking examples of fidelity during hugely trying times: the one being sold into slavery and falsely accused and imprisoned, and the other being a fugitive on the lam from an irate king, despite having done nothing wrong.

I was thinking of how commendable and steadfast their faith was, and then realized how relatively little scriptural substance they had to work with, compared to us. At the time of Joseph, none of the scriptures were written down, stories were just told orally from one generation to the next. Joseph would’ve grown-up hearing stories of “Great grand-father Abraham”, “Grandfather Isaac”, and the first part of “Father Jacob’s” life. These stories were no doubt remarkable, and were surely told in greater detail than we have accounted in our book of Genesis, but the material is so relatively little compared to the “feast” we have with the whole Bible! Yet it was enough substance to fortify Joseph through being carried to a strange land with strange language, customs, and gods, and more than a dozen years of alienation from all that he was familiar with.

King David would’ve had more substance: by the time he lived there would’ve been written accounts of the plagues of Egypt, the Red Sea crossing, the giving of the 10 commandments, the building of the desert sanctuary & development of the priestly services in the sanctuary system, and the full Law of Moses, etc. But even that which he had is less than a third of our Biblical content today, and far less than that if you count other church history, testimonies, and Spirit of Prophecy input we now have.

Though he likely saw some things in vision,* David didn’t see Jesus’ life, didn’t know the particularities of his death & resurrection, the apostles & the early church, and the later spreading of Christianity across the globe. He didn’t even know about the splitting of Israel into two kingdoms, the downward moral slide, the Babylonian captivity, Daniel’s faithfulness & prophesying, nor any of the minor prophets.

Yet both these men lived lives of inspirational fidelity, and now each compose significant portions of the scriptures we possess. Though we often look to them for inspiration, let’s think how truly remarkable and impressive it is that they were so faithful and steadfast, with so much less ‘input’ than we have today.

In fact, given that David died before any of those above-listed things happened (and hasn’t ascended into heaven – Acts 2:34), this means that he’s going to learn about them from the other side of eternity! Maybe we’ll even get to observe him as he learns the history of the kingdom of Israel, either from reading the Biblical accounts, or hearing the stories live from faithful people who experienced them! Wouldn’t you love to observe Biblical heroes learning more of the history that followed them? Not to mention the huge advances in the plan of salvation and the culminating and closing of the Great Controversy?!

Jesus said in Matthew 8:11 “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven”. Don’t you want to be in that scenario? In addition to what will no-doubt be fabulous feasting, can you imagine the conversations that will take place around that table?! We will get to hear added details to the patriarchs’ stories! We will get to hear the significance they feel to see the great promises realized! And most importantly, we will get to see them thank their God and savior for having led them, and them being commended by Jesus & the Father for their faithfulness & inspiration that they provided for future generations. It is truly the most beautiful & climactic meal I can conceive of being at!

Friends, I often come to the conclusion that there is nothing in this world; no vice, no amount of money, power, fame, etc. that is worth trading in for “the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has mind conceived the things God has in store for those who love him” 1st Corinthians 2:9. To live to see that glory is our highest calling, purpose, and fulfillment.

I pray that we will be faithful for our generation, not only because of the great inspirational accounts we have of those who have gone before, but because of the great vision & destiny God has put ahead of us. May that hope, that eventual reality ever live in our hearts, and motivate all we do.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

* I don’t think David ever claimed to have seen a vision, but he wrote some Messianic prophecies so specifically, I don’t think it a stretch to consider he may have been shown some stuff. At the very least, he was writing under strong inspiration of the Holy Spirit to prophesy particularities of Jesus’ life, ministry, and death.

Be sure to read (or at least scroll) all the way to the bottom of this email to see important prayer requests and announcements, including a new online video series getting started by Pr. Mark, and a Young Adult lunch/planning session on the courtyard this coming Sabbath!

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

January 26th, 2022

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

Earlier this week, in order to alleviate some clutter build-up, I took a load of oversize waste to the CVT disposal center (right in the ‘armpit’ of the curve on the northeast side of the 91/57 fwy interchange). As I was driving with my window down, the first thing I noticed, when I was still about a block and a half away was – pshew! A pungent and rancid smell from all the waste piled-up and decaying there. It practically smacked me in the face! It reminded me of when I’d studied in Spain, and the school was located just over a hill from a landfill, which, when the wind blew in the right (er, ‘wrong’) direction, could make your eyes water.

Soon I was in the vehicle line with large dump trucks and trailers surrounding me. After checking in at the entrance, I was directed where to go to leave my load, and saw huge, 2-3 story tall stacks of different kinds of waste: wood, rubble, metal, cardboard, green waste, etc. and massive, impending machines lifting and moving garbage to process it. “What a huge undertaking!” I thought, “Just to deal with the waste, the byproducts, of our community’s use”. There were workers actively occupied everywhere, and I thought of the financial cost of all those workers and heavy machinery purchase, maintenance, and usage – all paid for by our trash collection bills.

And that site isn’t even the ‘dump’ itself! It simply gets sorted there and sent elsewhere (perhaps the landfill over the hills north on the 57?). The scope of the operation impressed me.

Having recently read through the Bible last year, the Old Testament sacrificial system of taking care of peoples’ sin came to mind. For all sins confessed, sacrifice would have to be made, and blood collected and sprinkled in the sanctuary’s holy place. Given that that sanctuary was called God’s dwelling place (See Exodus 25:8), this meant that God was willing to bring the ‘junk’ of sin into his own living room! Both the literal blood (which must’ve gotten putrid and attracted flies out there in the wilderness) and the sin it represented, built-up throughout the year, before the annual “Day of Atonement” process would empty it out and expunge it from the camp (see Leviticus 16).

Knowing that the earthly sanctuary was just a terrenal copy of the greater reality in heaven (Hebrews 8:5), that means that God is willing to let our sin go up into his house until it all is processed by Jesus (the fulfillment of the OT High priest – Hebrews 4:14 etc.), and similarly expunged when He comes out of that phase of ministry, fulfilling the symbol.

This fact shocks me all the more, having seen the garbage disposal site recently. “God brings this into his house?! Out of love for me? And half the time I half-hazardly add to the volume of it by considering sin minor?” I feel ashamed and humbled to consider such a reality. But also an overwhelming endearment and appreciation for God (and a new repulsion for sin, knowing how he sees it).

How can I produce something better? In my own power, I cannot (as affirmed by our focus verse from Isaiah, above). I need Jesus! I need Jesus to give me a new heart to produce righteousness in me (Psalm 51:10, 2 Cor. 5:17). He alone can turn toxic waste into renewable resources. He alone can uproot the source of sin, oust it, and convert it into a fount of pure water (John 7:38)

I pray that God would be conforming my, and all of our, hearts to align with His more and more fully. Let’s remember: the victorious life is not simply about avoiding sin, but producing righteousness (Matthew 3:8, John 15:4).

So let’s ask God to give us the true Joy of Salvation (Ps. 51:12), that it will be a pleasure to serve Him rightly, rather than being a toilsome effort, just to produce chaff.

Blessings to you and your families from ours.

Sincerely,

Pastor Mark Tatum

Please read (or at least scroll) to the bottom of this update to see important prayer requests and announcements, including movement of our Kids’ Sabbath School to outdoors, and adding a day of free Covid testing at our church parking lot!

Anaheim SDA church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

January 19th, 2022

“Do not give dogs what is holy; do not cast your pearls before swine” Matthew 7:6

While driving to the Anaheim church last week, I noticed one of the billboards near my exit had been changed to advertise Rolex watches. I was surprised to see such a luxury item advertised in such a way and place – usually I only see ads for them when watching Wimbledon or something! But I guess the company figures there are people driving in this area who can drop between $7,000 and $75,000 on a watch that basically does the same functions a $30 or $50 version would. I figured someone thought that there was more to gain than to lose in investing the money for the billboard (around $3,000/month I learned – I guess selling a single watch could pay for it!).

A basic rule in advertising, or any industry of capitalism for that matter, is ‘get more out of it than you put into it’. All factories and business have to estimate what costs will be incurred for raw materials, labor, shipping, advertising, and renting/buying/building the place to make/sell it in. All those costs are built into the retail prices we pay! I remember once seeing a semi truck for Pepsi unloading at a gas station, and thought “Boy, fizzy sugar water pays for that truck, its maintenance, the driver, the gas, the tires, the factory, everything!” I marveled that such businesses could be viable at a buck a pop (literally!).

Does God’s love, and the plan of salvation, fit the economic mantra of ‘get out more than you put in’? Think of it: according to John 3:16, God the Father, in so much love for our fallen and pitiable planet, gave up His most precious, valuable, and irreplaceable resource, His only begotten Son, for the chance* to save us. Did God stand to gain from this transaction? Certainly not financially – but what other marker is there? For a chance to save a portion of a fallen race that had rebelled against Him? You could easily make the case (even from here on earth) that it’s not worth it! Just let humanity go! It’d be so much easier to!

This whole thing makes us consider our worth in God’s sight. We are made in His image, yet fallen into corruption. So are we great? Or terrible? I guess the answer is: some of both! But God evidently believes that the ‘terrible’ in us is resolvable, redeemable enough to make this great exchange worth it.

So, what is Jesus meaning in the verse quoted above, to not give dogs or pigs what is sacred or valuable? Is he simply talking literally? We believe that, no, he is not. He continues “lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” But isn’t that exactly what the majority of humanity did, and continues to do, with God’s salvation?

I, for one, continue to marvel that God and Jesus would choose to implement and follow-through on the plan of salvation. From our estimation, we are not worth it. But from His (far greater) estimation, we apparently are! While this boggles the mind to behold, our correct, and even necessary response, is one of continued gratitude.

We constantly spend our days briefly evaluating what is worth spending time and money on. God, in His great consideration, finds us worthy of investment, of time, attention, resources, you name it! Simultaneously considering our paradoxical worth is something that’s built into Christianity, I guess.

God has not given me a Rolex thus far, but he has described us as jewels! (Malachi 3:17 KJV/NKJV). We are most precious in His sight. I pray you’ll take that great truth with you wherever you go this week. And don’t let any beloved children of God forget it! I’d put it on a billboard if I could afford it. :-p

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

* Whether or not there was an actual risk involved in God sending Jesus to earth is subject to some theological debate. Could Jesus have possibly failed? Ellen White has some comments on the matter, I preached on them in a sermon a while back called “Our Sacrificial God”, which is on our sister church’s, the (Orange SDA Church’s) YouTube page. See the 35-minute mark for some of those quotes.

Be sure to read to the bottom of this update to see important announcements, such as the continuation of nightly “10 days of Prayer” meetings, and suspension of indoor children’s Sabbath School. 😦

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

January 12th, 2022

“For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face” 1st Corinthians 13:12

One morning last week my family and I experienced a strange phenomenon on the way to school. We exited our house to get in the car, with the sun shining on us, and the skies clear. Then, a couple of exits down the freeway, we entered a fog bank, in which all was socked-in and drizzly. Then, a couple exits later, the sun came out again, and we could see blue sky. But as we exited and pulled closer to the school, yep: the dense grayness crowded in again, limiting our ability to see things in the distance.

What we were observing was obviously “patchy fog”, which you’ve no doubt experienced as well. But it was amusing, and led to an interesting discussion with my kids about what fog is and how weather works (I told my kids that the easiest way to think of fog was as “clouds on the ground”).

But then, inevitably, my thoughts turned to spiritual things, and I realized that I, as well as many of you I’m sure, go through periods of “patchy fog” in our spiritual life. We have those times (and praise the Lord for them) when things appear bright, crisp, and clear, and we feel like we can see the ‘goal’ of life in the distance. But then there are other times that those oppressive, drizzly fog banks roll in, and we feel we can hardly navigate for the loss of vision we’re experiencing. While we’re in those times, we may wonder which way we’re to turn for clarity, or whether there is a ‘goal line’ or ‘finish line’ at all.

Praise the Lord, most days, the sun ‘burns through’ the fog, and frequently times of clarity and vision return. Just as we don’t get too distressed about fog in the mornings, being confident that the weather will improve, I hope we don’t get too panicked about times of discouragement or melancholy in our lives. Perhaps we’re feeling a bit like this in the re-worsening pandemic trends currently – but let’s take heart – the numbers will come down again, and the ‘sun will shine’ again soon.

This is a good place to talk about Jesus! “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5 Praise the Lord, we have One who came to pierce through the gloom and permanently defeat it! It will never enshroud us if we cling to Jesus. “God is light, in him there is no darkness at all” 1st John 1:5 Praise the Lord, we have a future ahead of us that is pure brightness: no compromise with darkness or lingering shadows. Though we may not always see it with our physical eyes, with our spiritual eyes, let that great vision be always before us. “We walk by faith and not by sight” 2nd Corinthians 5:7. “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” Micah 4:8

Dear friends, I hope these verses (and many others) can comfort, inspire, and give you confidence through potentially gloomy days. This is a big part of why we need each-other, to mutually encourage each-other in times of discouragement. “Do not neglect meeting together, as many are in the habit of doing, but encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” Hebrews 10:25. Let’s be there for each other to ‘hold their hand’ through their dark or gloomy times.

As it so happened on that foggy day last week, the sun broke through, and the rest of the day was lovely and clear (albeit crisp!). May it be so with our spiritual walk as well.

May God bless you and your families the remainder of this week and beyond.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this update, in order to see important announcements, including 10 days of prayer effort beginning this evening, and a hike to a waterfall on Sabbath afternoon!

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

The intangible, invisible concepts of hope vs. despair have a tremendous effect on our lives: whichever we bring to the forefront of our minds will determine whether we look to the future with confidence and optimism or angst & gloom, expecting defeat. Some would say that, to lose everything, but still have hope, means one is not defeated yet. On the other hand, someone having hope in something practically impossible (such as winning the lottery to solve one’s debt problems) could be called one of the most pitiable (or, alternatively, repugnant) situations to be in, and philosophy to deal with it.

Having just come through New Year’s day, we have seen our society swell with hope & optimism. It is undoubtedly a good feeling to have! But how much does it jive with reality? Inevitably, those hopes have to come into line with our actual situation: which is still much as it was in 2020 & 2021. We still have our same health issues, relationship issues, money issues, political issues, etc. We’ve got to deal with them: and the empty prospect of “the new year’s gonna be great!” won’t get us there.

So, is despair the only alternative? What a gloomy prospect that is! Just looking over into the abyss of cynicism & pessimism makes me shudder. I don’t want naïve, cock-eyed optimism or defeat and despair! We need a third option.

I would argue that more important than the feeling/optimism of hope is the object of that hope. I can put my hope in a grilled-cheese sandwich, but if there’s no chance it can improve my circumstance (other than experiencing a delicious moment) that hope isn’t worth much.

That’s why, rather than clinging to ‘hope’ for ‘hope’s sake, we cling to Jesus, the one who has already shown us by overcoming all obstacles beyond the fathomable, that He is worthy of having our hope placed in Him!

Jesus is the One who is able to make any circumstance, no matter how seemingly impossible, resolve in a remarkable, surprising way! Though obviously not a ‘genie’ who simply grants us our wishes, Jesus is much better than that: giving us that which we would ask for ourselves if we could see from His perspective: the end from the beginning (see Steps to Christ p. 96 for some more development on this concept).

Dear friends: if our hope is rooted in Jesus: if our identity is founded in Him, and our future is united in Him, then there is no earthly circumstance that can rob that fundamental optimism that comes from that! As the Apostle Paul says in 2nd Corinthians ch. 4: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—" (vv. 8-9)

Just think of how hard a time the apostles had, friends. Furthermore, consider the hardships of the prophets before them, the Protestant reformers after them, and persecuted Christians in various places around the world today. Yet God/Christ is their refuge! Their fortress! Day-in and day-out they did/do not give up hope. For, as the Psalmist says: You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:104.

Friends, I hope and pray for a wonderful year 2022 for you and your families. But I know that, externally, it will continue to be affected by this sinful world. My central prayer is that internally you would know & be known by the One from whom we have all things, and to whom we are destined to be with in glory. May that hope, centrally locked in the core of your outlook, buoy and motivate us through any and all of life’s storms.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

12-29-2021

Dear Anaheim Church Family,

It’s cold now. That’s what the winter season brings. Stepping outside to feel the frosty sharp air scrape your cheeks, as it sends chills down your arms, as it reaches your feet and tickles your toes. Yes, the cold can be uncomfortable but it can also bring an awakening like no other.

The coldness of life has hit our country, county, community, and clans hard during this covid conundrum we call a pandemic. Yet in the midst of chaos, we find calm in the celebration of Christmas. It’s not a physical place, but a spiritual one.

“8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” – Luke 2:8-9

I’m sure in the coldness of the night the Shepherds also found comfort. Yet, when the angel appeared it brought much fear, yet, it didn’t last because celebration soon followed. Jesus, the King, the Promised Messiah is now here! Hosanna in the Highest Heaven! Salvation, yes! Hope is now here!

You see, it’s not just during the physical seasons or hours of the cold that we can find awakening and celebration, but also in the spiritual ones.

Throughout Scripture we find celebration amongst the chaos. After the fall of the Israelite Kingdom, the prophet Jeremiah looked around and saw the city in ruins and lamented so grievously it become known as the Book of Lamentations. Yes, in the midst of the chaos, he paused to find reason to celebrate. It was not a physical but spiritual reality.

“22The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

This is what knowing the Lord brings! He brought newness as a babe to the lives of Mary and Joseph, he brought newness of life to this dark and hopeless world, he brought a newness of life in the awareness of Jeremiah that hope is not lost as long as life persists in the LORD, and despite all the chaos we still experience today from an overbearing cold chill of calamity of covid…Jesus still brings newness of life because the New Year Reminds us that His mercies are New Every Morning. Great is His Faithfulness!

As you ponder the past, I invite you to plan anew the New Year ahead with Christ as your hope, anchor, and celebration amid the chaos. He still brings new mercies every day. Great is His faithfulness.

Merry Christmas 2021

And

Happy New Year 2022

-Church Pastors

Mark T. and Nathaniel S.

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 22nd, 2021

“[He who
follows in the precepts of the Lord] is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalms 1:2-3

Earlier this week, while driving past a shopping plaza, I saw a Christmas tree lot, still about half-full with Christmas trees. “I wonder how many of those will sell in this last week before Christmas?” I thought. “And do they discount them more and more deeply each day until Christmas?”

I’ve heard some say that we should have nothing to do with Christmas trees, that they are of ‘pagan origins’. But I’ve heard a story from Reformation history that is much cheerier.

Martin Luther, the German monk who in the 16th century broke away from the church of Rome, suffered greatly. Being summoned to various counsels, being criticized and spied on, with threat of kidnapping…

But Martin Luther recounts in his journal traveling between one town and another on a winter night. As he looked up, he saw the trees above him, with the stars behind them, twinkling as he moved under them. He thought this very beautiful and comforting, and glorified God for sharing this with him in the midst of his angst.

We, too, through any anxieties, perplexities, struggles, can “look up” to God to receive comfort and solace. 1st Peter 5:7 says “Cast your burdens on Him, for He cares for you”. What a sweet thing, yes?, that Jesus has come to walk the hard road, and become our sympathetic high priest, and to give us mercy & grace in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

It is said that Martin Luther originated putting lights in Christmas trees to remember that symbol of God’s love & comfort. Of course, at the time, they used little candles, very dangerous in a flammable tree! But we have a safer way to do it now. 🙂

He also said “The candles remind us of the star that led Wise Men to the Christ child.”

I pray that you and your families feel God’s love & provision, particularly over this Christmas time. Let us remember to depend on him for all we need.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

P.S.: To read more of the history of Christmas trees, including Martin Luther’s contribution of putting lights in them, see https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees and https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/martin-luther-loved-christmas-he-might-even-have-popularised-having-a-christmas-tree/875.article

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this update to read important prayer requests and announcements, including our Church Christmas Party this Saturday evening!

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 15th, 2021

“From the mouths of children and infants, you have ordained praise”

– Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:16

Earlier this week, I attended a Christmas piano recital my son was playing in, along with about 20 other students from Orangewood Christian school. They ranged from 1st – 4th grade, and, understandably, the pieces were very simple, with most of the kids plunking out Christmas carols with individual notes or parallel octaves.

On one hand, it would be very easy to disregard these piano pieces as basic, and barely worthy of attention (except for my own son, of course). But as kid after kid got up there and played, I considered what a profound thing was happening: to get even such simple, basic songs picked out on a keyboard, it took years of investing: feeding them, clothing them, loving them, caring for them, sending them to school and piano lessons, etc. And these many months and years later we get an “O little town of Bethlehem” or “Silent Night” melody in return. Though basic, though simple: it represents so much investment!

And then, of course, I couldn’t help but think of what all our praise means to God and the broader universe: Here we are; born in corruption and depravity, yet through years & generations of investment, we get a dim concept of God’s glory and worthiness to praise, and He gets the little promising firstfruits of basic praise from our lips.

Though the kids’ music is so simple, and though our best efforts to praise and speak about God are so rudimentary, they portend something so much greater! As parents rejoice over their kids’ first melodies, so God must rejoice over our meager affirmations, knowing that much greater things are in store. And the devil and his minions must shudder!

Like the first plant buds sprouting out of the ground, small indications herald so much more! I pray that our praise, elementary though it may be, would fill God’s heart with joy for all the investment he’s given to us and this world in general. Nothing less than His best attentions, utmost care, and irreplaceable only Son.

May God bless you and your families the remainder of this week.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum

Anaheim SDA Church

Mid-week Pastor’s Update

December 8th, 2021

“For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given!” Isaiah 9:6

Well, we are unquestionably in the Christmas season now: everywhere you go, you see festive lights, hear merry music, and see retailers vying for your holiday dollars. 🙂

A phrase I’ve heard a few times so far this season is “the perfect gift”. “Get her the perfect gift this Christmas.” “Still searching for the perfect gift?”, and, one I heard on the radio a couple of days ago: “Don’t let trying to find the perfect gift stress you out.”

Now: I am familiar with that feeling: the desire to get someone you love something thoughtful, useful, practical, yet sentimental… and as often as not you don’t know quite what it is. These companies are so happy to help! I for one find it amazing that they know the intimate details of my friendships and family relationships, that they would know just what I should get them! (cue a sarcastic tone here, if it wasn’t already obvious).

And I thought, Wow: nearly the entire society is preoccupied with getting something just right, and doing so quickly and conveniently – ideally, delivered right to your door. Minimum effort, maximum impact. Isn’t that the height of efficiency – something very desired in our society? Should it be applied to gift-giving?

But this elusive concept of the perfect gift seems to continue vexing us year after year. I believe the reason why the perfect gift is so elusive is because it doesn’t truly exist! Sure, many gifts are kind, thoughtful, do fill a real need in someone’s lives, but… perfect?

You may be able to sense where I am going with this: I find it ironic that we scurrying ants on this ball of a planet stress ourselves out trying to seek perfection in gift-giving, while lovingly overseeing it all is God, knowing that we cannot acquire the perfect gift for ourselves.

I see God saying “Don’t stress: I know just what you need! Let me provide you The Perfect Gift which will bring everything else into alignment & harmony.”

I hope that we as Christians don’t forget that we give in the understanding of having been given the greatest Gift of all: Jesus Christ, come to humanity, to love, serve & save. We are but imitating God’s generosity & love as we give to others during this season.

When society seeks to give without first pausing to be thankful to God for His greatest Gift, then the whole equation changes, and I believe stress is so much more easily attached to it, when it’s just “I need to give”, rather than “I’ve been given so much, how can I appreciate that, reflect that, pay it forward a bit?”

Obviously, all expressions of love, all generosity is good, but it’s only as we do it in the shadow of God’s much bigger Gift, that the whole Christmas holiday, and all its trappings, fall into place as a harmonious whole. That is what I pray for your and your families during this gift-buying season.

In these next few weeks, let’s focus first on having received so much more than we could ever give, and giving lovingly in the consequence of that. The love is far more important that the actual ‘things’ we exchange anyway. 🙂

May God bless you and your families the remainder of this week and beyond.

Sincerely,

Pr. Mark Tatum