Our good friend and fellow member of St. Andrew, Lyal Bauer, passed away just as Christmas was about to arrive.  He enjoyed reading and discussing the weekly devotional articles, and generously shared his thoughts in this meditation.  His messages of being ready for Christ’s return while living lives of faith and service reflect his own faith and life.  We thank God for the life and ministry of this good man.  Originally published July 16, 2017.  

CHRISTMAS I

December 31, 2023 

“Bunkers  . . . .  16 July 2017”        

North Korea has been featured in the news recently after it was learned they were test-firing missiles capable of crossing the Pacific and landing on American shores.  Considering that North Korea has been developing nuclear warheads, there is good reason to have great concern for what might happen in the future.  During the 1950s and ‘60s, the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was the source of ongoing tension and anxiety.  People went so far as to build bomb shelters in an effort to be prepared for an attack.     

A TV dramatic series, “The Twilight Zone” was popular at this same time, and intrigued viewers with some imaginative and creative storylines.  In one episode, a doctor built a shelter in his back yard, while his neighbors partied and made fun of him.  A short time later, a news bulletin was broadcast, reporting that a missile attack was imminent and advising people to take shelter.  The doctor and his family of three went to their bunker and soon the neighbors, becoming increasingly panicky, asked him to share his safe place.  He replied that there was only enough air and food to support his family and kept the door locked.     

Eventually, the neighbors fashioned a battering ram and broke down the door just as another news flash announced that a mistake had been made and the attack was not happening.  As the episode ended, the narrator wondered if the neighborly damage could be repaired.  So I wondered where Jesus would be in this story — as one of the neighbors or behind the locked door?  I think he would have forgiven the neighbors for not building a shelter and would be with them, helping and comforting them.     

Or could this be a modern analogy inspired by Matthew 25:1-13?  This parable of Jesus tells of ten bridesmaids, waiting for the bridegroom to arrive for the wedding banquet.  Five ran out of oil for their lamps, but the other five had brought enough.  Those who ran out had to go buy more, and upon returning, the banquet had started and they found the door closed.  The last verse sums up the cautionary tale:  “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”  Jesus reminds his listeners that he has promised that he will return, but the day and the time are not for them to know.  We are, then, to keep ourselves ready, living lives of faith and sharing the promise of God’s forgiveness to all through faith in Christ.          

Also in Matthew 25, beginning at verse 31, Jesus describes his return, and tells those who are on his right hand that they had fed him, welcomed, clothed, cared for and visited him. When they ask when it was that they cared for him, they are told: “As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”       

What do you ask, what do you wonder, and what do you think? 

Lyal Bauer