I realize that no one is reading this on the day I type it [Monday, December 7th]. But, early this morning, I received a message from a good friend, Larry Mudd [whom some of you will remember from his visit to our church several years ago when he presented for us two performance lessons - one as "The Sower" from the parable of Jesus, and one as Adam from the Story of Creation in Genesis]. Larry reminded me that today is The Feast of St. Ambrose! What an exciting way to start the day, right? Maybe this information is arriving a day too late for you, but I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful feast on Monday. I know I'm going to later tonight! And, since St. Ambrose is the patron saint of bees and beekeepers, I think I'll add a little honey to our feast. Maybe you can still celebrate this wonderful day, even if you're a day or two late. At this time of year, we don't really need too much of an excuse for a good feast!
Or maybe, just think back to your supper on Monday night and say that that was your St. Ambrose Feast.
But wait a minute - how does that work? How can a regular meal be called a "feast"? How can you have a feast without lots of preparation? And lots of shopping? And lots of dishes? Most of us enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day feast a couple of weeks ago that someone [or several someones] spent much time planning and cooking and serving. Now, that's what we mean by a "feast", right? Without huge quantities of planning and preparation and food and calories, how can just any old meal be a "feast"?
Perhaps, once again, a little "perspective" is all that is needed to "magically" turn a simple meal into a feast. Do you know how many people in this world, and even in this Nation, and even in our own community are actually, seriously, dangerously hungry right now? Do you know how many people there are to whom a left-over turkey sandwich would be the equivalent of a mighty feast? Do you know how many people would be so thankful to eat the food we scrape off our plates into the trash, and would say, in their native language, "This is a feast!", and would call us blessed for granting them such a privilege?
I don't know either. But I know that, because of the ravages of the Pandemic, Community Food Banks all over this Nation, including right here in our upscale Community, are struggling to meet the needs of our fellow citizens. And that doesn't begin to take into account the huge numbers of hungry people in Nations around the world where there are no such things as Community Food Banks. Few of us have any idea of what it means to go to bed hungry and fearful of what the morning will bring.
So, yes, with a little perspective, whatever you ate Monday night, even if you are into a pre-Holiday diet, was a "feast" when pictured beside whatever passed for a meal that night for countless thousands of our fellow citizens of this earth - our brothers and sisters, created, just like you and me, in the very image of God. Happy St. Ambrose Feast Day to you!
So, here we are, with only 17 shopping days left until Christmas by the time you read this. With all that's been going on this year, who'd have thought we'd ever really get here? Maybe you'd better stop reading right now and head out to hit the malls with all the rest of the hustling and bustling shoppers, rubbing shoulders with them, fighting over parking spaces, stuffing everything into the trunk and rushing back for more. Isn't that the true meaning of Christmas? Whoever buys the most wins?
Oh wait. That can't be right. I remember now. There's nobody at the malls. The stores are all closed. And you shouldn't get close enough to rub shoulders with anybody like we used to do in the olden days of Christmas shopping anyway.
But wait! I remember now. You don't actually have to leave your house, and fight for a parking space, and rub shoulders with potentially dangerous people to go Christmas shopping. It's so much better now! All you have to do is just open up another window on your computer, and you can shop the whole world, and even have everything delivered right to your door! Wow! Isn't our world grand?
Why leave the safety of our castles and run the risks that lurk outside our walls? Why subject ourselves to reading the pitiful, hand-printed signs of those who [probably through their own bad choices, right?] claim to be in need? Why subject ourselves to hearing their pleas? Or smelling their strange odors? Why suffer the misfortune of seeing the fear in their eyes, or sensing their hunger? Why take the chance of touching our fellow citizens, our fellow bearers of the image of God?
Well, "A Merry Christmas to you too, Ambrose!"
I know. But the truth is I'm not fussing at anybody other than myself today. Nobody, other than myself and Ebenezer Scrooge, has ever raised questions like those above - at least, not out loud.
I am well-acquainted with the generous hearts that are reading this. I know the depths of your compassion. I have seen you in action. I have witnessed the lengths you will go to serve and lift up those who are struggling in our world. I know that you know the true meaning of Christmas.
The Christmas Season is no time to be compared to Ebenezer Scrooge. But, until I recognize, and DO SOMETHING about the needs of my fellow Image Bearers, until I recognize and appreciate the great blessings I have received through the grace of God, the resemblance is difficult to deny.
The magic of Christmas can, through gratitude and perspective, change a small, simple meal into a beautiful feast. I pray that our St. Ambrose feasts have brought us all some much-needed perspective. The magic of Christmas can change fearful, ungrateful "Scrooges" into people who love, and serve, and touch their fellow Image Bearers; into people who look a lot like Jesus. I pray that the grace of Jesus will flow through all of us throughout this Holy Season.
~Shepherd Ambrose Ramsey
