Sonoma Valley religious leaders weigh in at Christmas
Top, Left to Right: Rev. Nancy Taylor, Dr. James Hill, Pastor Jim Fish, Pastor Steven Reyes. Bottom, Left to Right: Pastor Ted Virts, Pastor Tim Arensmeier, Father Alvin Villaruel, Rector Hugh Stevenson.
By SUZIE RODRIGUEZ/SONOMA VALLEY CORRESPONDENT
During a season infused with religious meaning, we invited Sonoma Valley’s religious leaders to share the word today. Here’s how they answered the following three questions:
If you had your way, how would you change the way Americans celebrate Christmas?
Rev. Nancy Taylor, First Congregational Church of Sonoma: The Christmas story points to the power and presence of unexpected, unrestrained and unquenchable love, and I experience Christmas as a call to make room in my life for that kind of love.
I like to imagine the difference it would make if Christmas became a season of unrestrained kindness instead of frenzied buying and a time of unexpected forgiveness instead of unending parties.
I try to imagine being someone who keeps choosing love, especially in the face of hatred, violence, indifference and greed — whether mine or someone else’s — and I hope that the imagining turns into reality.
For all of us, I long for more of Mary’s wild courage, more of Joseph’s kindness and trust, and more of the shepherds’ willingness to believe that God is still at work, blessing us all with vulnerable love.
Tim Arensmeier, Pastor of Sonoma Valley Community Church, Sonoma: I believe the Christmas story. I accept that Jesus was born in a borrowed donkey’s feed box, due to the taxation policy of the Caesar.
The biblical record tells of magi from the East who showed up later and visited the house where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were living. That they brought gifts was God’s way to finance the family venture into Egypt until the king trying to kill Jesus had died.
The idea of sharing gifts at a time of celebration comes from the Book of Esther, and was far simpler than our custom today. I’d like to see a change to a far less commercial celebration of “the season,” to a celebration of Christ’s birth.
Steven Reyes, Pastor of Lighthouse Christian Church, Sonoma: I’d like everyone to read the whole story. It’s amazing; full of “royal beauty bright.” There are shepherds, wise men, a star, all for the baby in a manger.
But the story uniquely defines Christianity among world religions because of the reason God sent His Son to be born in a humble manger. If you’ll look closely, you’ll see that “God so loved, that He gave.”
My friends, no one can stop God’s love! We can learn and adopt this powerful principle for our lives: Love always finds a way to give. So this Christmas, find a way to love. Merry Christmas
How can Americans find hope in such a challenging economic environment?
Dr. James Hill, Glen Ellen Community Church: The joys and wonders of Christmas can elude those who find themselves challenged by the economic uncertainties around us. However, the story of the Manger Babe at Christmas can reignite our hope because it draws our hearts heavenward to the God of the universe who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to the Earth He created in order to bring eternal salvation to all who would worship Him as Savior and Lord.
And with His salvation comes our continued hope in Him — for He, Himself knows “the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11) Merry Christmas as you look heavenward.
Father Alvin Villaruel, St. Leo’s Catholic Church: I believe that Americans have always adapted well to challenging circumstances. The mercurial socio-economic landscape and the astringent polarization of the political life might be jarring, but the bottom line: in dealing with difficult economic problems, Americans are not without hope. The real challenge is patience.
The country’s history has proven that Americans believe they can transform unjust laws and poor economic decisions for the better to serve the common good. But history has also shown that loss of patience has resulted in widespread violence and the violation of human rights.
Hope can be found in young people who have true courage and integrity. They are in our midst, needing to be empowered and inspired!
Jim Fish, pastor of Kenwood Community Church: I am privileged to visit regularly with Americans who are at both ends of the economic spectrum. Both are good people, have a conscience and love our country. Both extremes hold out hope that America can once again be a place where the “common good” is what we believe in.
Patriotic Americans find hope in believing the growing gulf between the rich and poor will be stopped, not only for the sake of those in poverty, but for those with wealth as well. Hope stays alive where there is righteous anger (not violence or self destruction) about a government that seems to be for sale to the highest bidder.
Hope stays alive when, however poor or rich you may be, you refuse to forget what our country once was and can be again. Never give up. Stay close to your family. However destitute you are, find something to give away. Be good to yourself and those around you. Pet your dog.
Ted Virts, Pastor of Sonoma United Methodist Church: In many Christian churches, the season leading to Christmas prepares for God to come to fix things. Prophets are quoted as shouting to God to do mighty deeds to save us, to make us whole once again.
We haven’t changed much. Humans still look for someone bigger, smarter, stronger to come fix things. The surprising answer of Christmas is in the form of an infant. An infant demands that we provide care.
The cause for hope is that we are capable of helping each other. Salvation lies close and is revealed when we stop waiting for the hero and become heroes ourselves. As Jewish tradition says, the Messiah will come when we all do Messiah-like deeds.
How do you celebrate the holiday with your own family?
Hugh Stevenson, Rector of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Kenwood: How one celebrates the holidays is very personal. What works for me will not work for someone else. My family is scattered across continents, though I will be with my dearest on Christmas Day. I have adopted many people locally. For instance, I find joy in bringing Christmas communion to house-bound friends.
I don’t get the Christmas spirit if I do not sing the Sing-along Messiah with friends from the SR Symphonic chorus. As the Grinch discovered when he stole Christmas from the Whos of Whoville: “Maybe Christmas, he thought…, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps…means a little bit more!”
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