RECTOR'S MESSAGE

Rev. Debra Vanover

As I mentioned in the sermon a couple a weeks ago, we were made for joy. That is what God desires for us, that we live in His Joy. Now, that does not mean we will always live in happiness, for this world has its share of heartache. The joy God is speaking of is tightly linked to the hope that we have in Christ; hope not that we will get a new car, a good job, or never face heartache and hardship, but the hope that because of Christ's death on the cross, the ultimate death, that of our Spirit, has been defeated and that though this body will die, we will not.

This is the focal point of our hope, eternal life. To not grasp that is to be a slumbering Christian. To think that faith is just for the betterment of our life here is to miss the point. Christianity declares that we were created in the image of God and as such are precious and loved and God longs to commune with us and be known to us for all time. Our faith declares that we are not body with a spirit but we are Spirit and Body and it is our Spirit with a new body that will live forever in the presence of God. For Christians the flesh is made holy in the incarnation, God in the flesh. When we think we are merely flesh and bones and blood then our focus gets misplaced and we forget to nurture and feed the true self, our Spirit created in the image of God. It is in rightly appreciating this truth that we can live in joy and take heart that our lives are indeed "Hid in Christ" and secure for all eternity.

Do you know this? I do so hope so! This is indeed the gift of grace, nothing we can or have earned of ourselves, for it came to all who would but receive it when Jesus took the brokenness and sin of the world upon himself at Calvary. If we truly get this we will be like kids in a candy story with unlimited access and then, we will live our lives in the joy, delight, hope, gratitude and the excitement of knowing and being known by our gift-giving Father God.

So during this Lenten time, remember that the disciplines of the season are to bring you into Joy and profound gratitude for the gift of Christ to you yourself. Remember: "God danced the day you were born."

Blessings,

Rev. Deb 

Afternoon Tea

Father Charlie Crane, Holy Nativity Rector from 1966 to 1988, is visiting Oahu this spring and we are pleased to host a gathering at the church for him and his wife. 

Please RSVP to the Church Office at 808-373-2131 or holynativity@gmail.com by March 27. (If you would like to contribute tea sandwiches, cookies, or other goodies for the tea, please let us know.)