From the Desk of Pr. Dan Forsgren
January 2016
Blessed is the Ordinary
Sarah and I once saw an ad on television for a party
store. They were busy telling us that they had all the things
that you would need to host the greatest New Year’s party
in town; then the news show that was on did a segment
about how to make your New Years’ Eve party extra special with some low cost glam!
Sarah and I looked at each other…do people really host parties like these?
I have never been to a party on New Years’ Eve where the host bought special plates
or decorated champagne flutes with ribbon the same color scheme as the rest of the
dinner table…let’s face it, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a New Years’ Eve party!
When I was growing up, we used to go over to my Aunt Susan’s house each New
Years’ Eve. It would be a potluck event where each person would bring a dish to put out
on the buffet, and we would play cards or games and bring in the New Year together as a
family. There was no grandeur, nothing over-the-top; games would be played up until the
time when Dick Clark would get all excited about the ball dropping. Then, with the final
two minutes of the old year, everyone would raise a glass and wait until that lighted ball
reached the base lighting up the 198_ or 199_, or whatever year just happened to start. It
was pretty simple and laid-back. I think fondly of those memories.
And really, in our relationship together, that is all Sarah and I have done on New
Year’s also; though not to the numbers that Aunt Susan hosted. Sarah and I have had
friends over for games and snacks to help usher in the New Year. Nothing glamorous,
just a few people playing some games and laughing together.
It seems to me that so often we (people) seem to think that bigger is better; that we
need glitz and glam to make an occasion. But it is difficult for me not to think of the
nativity in all of its beautiful simplicity. No glam, no glitz, not the party of the century;
but more ordinary…okay except for angels and a host of heavenly beings appearing to
some shepherds - but on the whole, nothing over the top. Most people never knew it even
happened.
That’s why I like it. It is simple. It is every day. It is ordinary. That was the time that
God chose to break into the world, in the ordinary; and that is how God continues to work
in the world. Through ordinary people doing ordinary things that to someone, is
extraordinary! Beautiful!
If you host the party of the century for the New Year, kudos to you! If that is your
thing, I would never want to say or do anything to diminish that for you. But for me, I
like the ordinary. I look forward to the ordinary and the great things that God can do with
it!
Peace and blessings in the New Year!
In Christ,
Pastor Dan