T H E C R I E R

DECEMBER 2007

HURDTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.

Route 15 South,

Parsonage (973) 663-1663 Church (973) 663-1216

Website: www.hurdtownumc.org E-mail –hurdtownumc@verizon.net

Rev. Javier Olivares

From The Pastor:

Certainly Christmas is my favorite season because it brings so many great memories from my childhood. I remember, on Christmas Eve, in my hometown in Fort Worth, trying to stay as late as possible to watch Santa come in the window (we had no chimney!).

But my eyelids would not resist the sleep and I would give in. It was not until next morning that I could see the presents, but felt a void in someway that I could’ve seen Santa if I would’ve resist a little longer.

A couple of years later I would move to Mexico and over there it is The Magi the ones who bring gifts on January 6. Same routine, I would try and stay as late as possible, but same story. My Grandfather would tell us that he saw them and of course all of us brothers and cousins would surround him listening to the description of the Wise Men and their Camel, Horse and Elephant.

It seems that at this time we also wait for something. We try to stay alert and take a glimpse but it doesn’t appear to arrive. Some of you wait for healing, for peace, for an answer, for financial freedom, for love ones to return safely, for love ones to rest in the midst of suffering and the list goes on and on.

Jesus came in a time where the Jews were going under difficult circumstances. Oppressed by the Romans, they needed a sense of hope. Jesus was their Hope. Unfortunately many people didn’t see that.

I invite you so that we can await with our eyes opened and not loose the opportunity of taking a glimpse of Jesus.

I close with this story that you might have heard:

A castaway was fighting for his life in the sea, and he said: “God please save me”, So a small boat came by and offered aid but he refused saying: “No, God will save me”. After that a Ship passed by and threw him a life saver but he denied the help saying, “God will save me, thanks”. A couple of hours later came a Helicopter from the Coast Guard and two rescuers came in his aid but he again refused yelling, “God will save me”. He drowned, went to heaven and standing before God he complained, “God, what happened, why didn’t you saved me? I’m disappointed!

God replied, “I sent you a small boat, a ship and a helicopter to save you but you refused it”.

As we live during this Advent Season, let us be aware and awake of all the details God brings us. Sometimes we go through life without noticing the divine interventions.

Have a blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas

Pastor Javier Olivares