Church newsletter pastoral column for St. Peter Lutheran Church, Greene, Iowa, for December, 2020.
Faith, Fear, and Hope
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
– 1 Timothy 2:7
I’ve recently seen two memes floating around on social media. One says, “Skipping large family gatherings for the holiday season of 2020 might just ensure you get to see those family members in 2021.”
The other reads, “Before you cancel Thanksgiving and Christmas with your loved ones, remember that this may be the last holiday you have. We are not guaranteed a single minute on this earth. Stop living in fear and embrace life to its fullest!”
There’s truth in both of these statements, yet both of them make me uncomfortable. I think it’s because both of them are based on fear and threats. The first one threatens that if you dare risk spending time with your loved ones, you might be responsible for killing them. The second one threatens the “cancellation” of holidays out of fear. Both of them are intended to shame people into acting a certain way and providing an excuse to judge those who decide differently. Neither of them, I suspect, reflect how Jesus wants his followers to act.
The reality is that we are currently in the midst of a pandemic, and the choices we make as individuals and as a society will help determine how long the pandemic lasts. Changing some of our behaviors in light of that reality is a responsible act of love. At the same time, it’s also true that life is uncertain. Every day is a gift. Nothing you do can guarantee everyone will be here next year.
So, what do we do as Christians? We do what Jesus told us to do: We love our neighbors as ourselves. We are called to value and protect life and to serve our neighbors, even (perhaps especially!) when doing so costs us something. The way we love our neighbors in this difficult time will look different for each person and each family. I hope you’ll take some time to consider what it looks like for you.
And as you consider what love looks like right now, rest assured Christmas will not be “cancelled” because we do things differently. Instead, this is an opportunity to find new ways of celebrating the good news of God’s love for us revealed in Jesus’ birth. The good news is still true no matter how we celebrate it. The light of the world has come to dwell with us.
Maybe you’ve also seen the slogan “Faith not fear.” To that, I say: “Absolutely!” Have faith. Thank God for creating us with a biological fear response so that we can protect ourselves and those we love in order to live another day. In the midst of fear, trust that God is still at work, and that God is still good. And be a part of the work God is doing. Live out your faith by loving your neighbors. Wear a mask. Care for family. Consider that perhaps the most faithful thing to do is to avoid unnecessary risks.
I pray that in this Christmas season, all of us can practice empathy for one another. Remember, we’re all in this together. Have patience with each other (and with me too – Christmas during a pandemic is new to me as well!). Take advantage of all the ways to spread the joy of the season through technology. Write a Christmas letter. Pray for each other. Reach out to your neighbors. And in the midst of this year’s chaos and disruption, remember the reason for the season: Jesus is born. God has come to us.
In Christ,
-Pastor Daniel Flucke