Oh, That Christmas Season

by Terry Shanahan, Northeastern Regional Minister

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13–14)

In my position as Northeast Regional Minister for the CCCC, one aspect of my responsibility is to be pastor to the pastors. In my “congregation” I have about 270 pastors. Now we don’t meet each Sunday and worship together, but I do get to join with them in their churches for some of the special occasions, such as celebrations of many years of service, or installation of new members, or ordination of elders, and or anniversaries of the churches’ founding. I am also often there for pastors’ Ordination into the Gospel Ministry or installation into a church.  And I receive the phone calls when there is trouble, or loss or hardship in their lives. We often meet at conferences or seminars or other gatherings where we are fed by another teacher and each other. We pass books around and recommendations of other books to read. We share life on life in our experiences. Now, just like in your congregation, I have more contact with some of my flock than others. But they are all in my prayers.

So this call on my life is different in many ways from my call to a settled pastorate that I had before. As we enter the Christmas season, I am reminded of the differences. It’s been a while since I have had to call around to arrange which families were to light the advent candles. And I haven’t had to put out a fire in the advent wreath for many years now! It’s been some time since I filled food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I haven’t had to struggle with a five-part sermon series that brought a fresh perspective to the most familiar passages of Scripture. I haven’t made my famous coffee cake for the “hanging of the greens” party at the church (actually its Karlotta’s coffee cake). And I haven’t sung in a Christmas Choir in a while. I still fondly remember loading up the bus to go caroling at the nursing homes and the neighborhoods. I remember with joy the pizza and hot chocolate afterward, all the while wearing my antler ears. And the Christmas Fair; with its handmade mittens and ornaments, homemade fudge and the incredible pies, and craft tables for the kids, and a white elephant room, and  “chowdah” and lobster rolls, and lots of familiar faces we only see on that day! This season is so full of special times and special events. And it has been a very long time since I was asked to be an angel in the Christmas pageant. Now that is a fond memory! (see picture at right!)

My congregation may be a little different these days and I don’t have quite the same responsibilities I had when I pastored a church, but I want you to know, I remember these times with fondness, and I am available for the pageant!