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Out Our Way: Home for Christmas?

John Denver TV Christmas Special 1976:

"Tall in the saddle we spend Christmas Day, driving the cattle over the wide open plain. Of all of the gifts that are given today, ours is the sky and the wide-open range. Christmas for cowboys and the wide open plains."

I was in my third year of a 4-year Master's of Divinity program at Princeton when that program came on. I had been back east all that time and despite many friends and great adventures, not mention the education - I got homesick. I think they filmed some of the special at Steamboat Springs - especially that song - for there was John and a number of saddle pards riding through the snow and having a heck of a time. I don't much care for winter riding, but it sure looked good to me.

I remember the loneliness because it was my first Christmas on my own. I was serving as a student intern and Christmas was not a time to MIA. Lots of invites from folks of course - but I missed my family. That plaintive song about moving cows on Christmas day moved me. Those "cowboys" in the song were alone too - except for the great beauty of God all around them that reminded them. The song talks about the stars being their Christmas tree lights and kneeling down to pray even out there in the boondocks. "Back in the city they have different ways - football and eggnog and Christmas parades. But I'll take the saddle and I'll take the reins; Christmas for cowboys on the wide open plains."

As most of you know - this Christmas I will be alone again for the first time in many years. Except I won't be alone this time, even though my former wife will be gone and my boys are grown and on their own. Family will surround me because I will be home for Christmas.

You may recall my thoughts after all the hard times I suffered in November - how my life had turned into a bad country song - wife gone, pick up gone, dog gone - and health seemingly gone.

I was one sick hombre, and I guess it could have been a lot more serious if I hadn't gone to the ER that Sunday afternoon. Three weeks in the hospital in Great Falls and surgery that had me pretty well laid out through Thanksgiving. But you may recall that thought that was given to me that God had a plan, and was doing something in the midst of all this.

Thanksgiving Day - lots of invites - but I was too weak and feeling dizzy to accept. I stayed in bed. But the next morning, energy began to come back. The dizzy spells were done. I was hungry again and went and fixed myself a big breakfast, then a big lunch and a big dinner. I began to feel life coming back ... and above all, I felt God smiling on me. I managed to preach that Sunday - far weaker than I had realized - but the congregation breathed life and strength into me. Love filled that sanctuary. Family. I was not alone and all those prayers and kind words, cards and calls began to take effect. Each day I got a little stronger. The next Sunday the same strength flowed as the people pastored their pastor. My family. This past Sunday I was strong again, filled with joy at being home for Christmas.

This coming week more miracles are expected. I am reading a book about monks in Russia who, even in the days of the brutal repression of the church, still entered the sanctuary each day and found family there with Christ. A quote from the philosopher Pascal was in the preface to the book explaining why these Russian Christians never lost their joy.

It went something like this. "God does not hide from those who expect to find Him, but He can never be found by those who ignore or reject Him." That touched my soul and lifted my heart.

Expect God to show up and He will not disappoint. I have seen this and felt this this past few weeks. Come home for Christmas at the church you choose. God will be there waiting for you. Seek and ye shall find. Ask and it will be given. Knock and the door will be opened. God is going to show up at Christmas. Will you?

(John Bruington is pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Havre. Copies of the "Out Our Way" column and cartoon, as well as his weekly cartoon and children's message series "Bruin-Town Tales," can be viewed at the church website: http://www.havrepres.org. The book "Out Our Way: Theology Under Saddle" is also available at amazon.com.)

 

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