December 25 – “Super Hero”

The day started calmly enough.  Our Christmas Eve service at the church had a relatively tiny crowd.  I think Chris counted nineteen total.  Hey, it only takes two or three to gather, right?  It was a nice time.  Felt a lot like the family just getting together for Christmas.  We sang a ton of Christmas carols.  I read a Christmas parable I wrote.  Linus recited the Christmas story from Luke 2 (that would be in the film clip from A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Definitely a classic).    When we got home my younger brother who is considerably taller than me and can whip me easily with one hand tied behind his back because he's a black belt time 24 or something like that and his family came over.  My nephew is in college in Pennsylvania and my niece works for the Department of Justice in Phoenix.  I think the FBI is planning something big, and where better to hide it than … the desert?  It was great to see them, and they came bearing gifts.  It was obvious that I was their favorite, because I got the best gifts.  One of them was a plutonium rocket ship that can mix its own fuel.  And it can also be used to mix milk shakes and cherry limeade slushes.  But the other gift was … well, super.  They gave me a red superhero cape.  Yes, it was actually a cape.  Now there were several disclaimers on the box that it didn't actually provide superpowers to the wearer.  But it also said, and I quote: "Because there is never an inappropriate time to wear a cape.  Plus, you're totally popular enough to be different."  And there was even a picture of me printed on the box.  Of course it was in black and white and the face was whited out to protect my secret identity and it was an inverted negative image.  But it was me.  I'm sure of it.  But don't tell anyone my secret identity.   When Stan and his crew left we went to see Nathan at the fire station.  He was on duty until this morning, so we took him and his coworkers some of the Christmas Eve donuts that we give away every year after the candlelight service at church.  By that time it was raining pretty hard.  But I was not worried.  I had a cape.  And I wore it to the fire station.  I figured if I needed to hide, I could blend in with the red trucks and no one would see me.  We got turned around in the rain, and couldn't find the station, but a quick phone call to Nathan gave us the directions we needed.  Of course, I could have used my new superpowers, but it was too soon.  I need to become better accustomed to them first.  Nathan was impressed with my new look.  One of his co-workers came out to greet us.  Nathan introduced us, and the guy was pretty sure we had met before.  He did have a quizzical look on his face as he shook my hand.  So I decided to answer his query even before he could form it in his mind.  I said, "Yes, we have met, but that was … before, and I wasn't wearing my cape.  See, I was in my secret identity."  If you can't trust a public servant, who can you trust?  Perhaps some day he will be my own personal Commissioner Gordon.    It is becoming obvious that my tales of Christmas in 2010 may take more than one day to communicate, so for now, have a great Christmas Day.  Ho ho hoooo and bah humbug and Happy birthday, Jesus.   Luke 2:25-35 says, "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss  your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.'  The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'"   Father, a birth with a purpose.  Thank you.  And Happy Birthday.  Amen.