Ignore Seasonal Distractions!

Our pastors often begin worship services with this phrase that calls the congregation to worship, “Let’s quiet our minds and center our thoughts.” Although it is unusual, there are still times when an occasional distraction occurs. Such was the case, during a recent sermon, when the ring tone of a congregant’s cell phone startled us by repeatedly playing the theme song from Gilligan’s Island. I was not alone in chuckling about the obvious distraction.😊

Ringtone Surprise!
Image: dreamstime.com

During the final week of Advent, there is a hectic rush up to the “Big Day!” In these days, I find myself stressed and more in need of “quieting and centering” to protect my emotional and spiritual well-being. As many of us know, hosting a family gathering means that there are many necessary tasks that can potentially bring distractions from the blessed spirit of the Christmas season.

These family gatherings require numerous tasks to be performed. For me, there are still several boxes to check off on my responsibility list! Planning and preparation are a team effort between Monique and me. She cooks and I clean up! She does the gift shopping, wrapping, and serves as our general supervisor. My job is to resource and comply. “Yes, mam!” Some of my job involves the toting of tables, chairs, paper goods, and food items up from downstairs.

My coping strategy during this hectic season involves a daily regimen of Bible reading, prayer, and quiet times of reflection and mindfulness. I know that, as an introvert, I need to build intentional downtimes in my schedule for replenishment. At this season, Monique and I try to “shut our day down” during the evening to watch wholesome and entertaining television movies on the Christian channel.

I am especially thankful that our church provides so many uplifting experiences throughout the year that draw us away from worldly distractions and into edifying opportunities of worship and inspiration. At my advancing age, I find myself more attentive to spiritual things and more willing to show all ranges of emotion with each passing year.

Just a few days ago, God used our sanctuary choir in a unique way to stir my spirit and bring tears of joy to my eyes. This occurred during the annual Christmas cantata program accompanied by a full orchestra of musicians. The choir was singing the English Christmas carol, “See, Amid the Winter’s Snow,” written by Edward Caswal (1858) with hymn tune, “Humility,” by Sir John Goss (1871).

The stanzas were powerfully imaginative and biblically compelling. The phrasing of the lyrics and chorus tugged at my heart as I imagined the implications of Incarnation for my own salvation, “Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine, thus to come from highest bliss down to such a world as this. Hail, thou ever blessed morn, hail redemptions happy dawn, sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.”  2025 Christmas Cantata

I thought of two Scriptures in that moment as I felt so unworthy of God’s great gift of His Son. The Psalmist exclaimed, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou are mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). And, I also thought of the Apostle John’s declaration of Incarnation in his prologue, “The Word was made flesh, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, KJV).

I am still choked up as I consider how the “sacred infant, all divine has come from highest bliss to such a world as this.” At this season, don’t be distracted by all the noise out there. Instead, let’s, with focused attention, thank God for the indescribable gift of His One and Only Son, Jesus, our Lord, and Savior! Merry Christmas!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
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