Pastor Larson’s Corner: Staying in touch
This Christmas I enjoyed receiving many Christmas cards and letters from family and friends. Often there was a personal note attached to a family photo or a newsy letter. Reading these notes had the effect of reconnecting me to their love and concern. It was a very good feeling. Often, I was able to return my own personal note which further heightened the sense of connectedness with loved ones. Connecting with the people who care about us warms our hearts and strengthens us as we live out each day.
In a similar way, many people often feel the need to be reconnected to God. They have a tendency to gradually drift away from God and the message of the Gospel. They get busy living their lives and neglect their connection to God. The season of Christmas often helps bring people back into contact with God. This happens as they hear the story of the child born in a manger and the promise of peace on earth. Just hearing this great good news and remembering the breadth of God’s love helps reconnect them with God.
Staying in touch stands at the heart of relationships in this life. By exchanging notes this Christmas I was able to reestablish some connections with friends who had nearly disappeared from my life. Staying connected to God also means staying in touch. It involves staying in touch with the stories and message of the Bible, a message that gives us so much joy and peace. I hope this Christmas you had a chance to connect with friends and family in new and powerful ways. I also hope that the message of Christmas helped you connect anew to God and to God’s boundless love.
Pastor Larson’s Corner is written by Jerry Larson and appears weekly in the Norwegian American Weekly.
Pastor Jerry Larson retired to his cabin in Zimmerman, Minn., after 39 years in parish ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 2011 he published a book entitled “Speaking the Word Freely: Writing with purpose, preaching with power.” Contact him at jerlarson@visi.com
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 25, 2015, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
