July 30th is Christmas in July … Really.

“But why?” you ask. “Is this some kind of summer slump gimmick, Mark?”

Well, kind of. I mean if the Hallmark Channel can use the theme to boost ratings, why can’t we? So, yes, it’s a LITTLE gimmicky, but I promise you there’s much more to it than that. First, as we wrap up our summer series on familiar Bible stories, Luke 2 seems like an awfully good one to end with. Will it speak to us differently in the Dog Days of summer?

What if, just this once, we remove the story of Christ’s birth from all the hullaballoo of December? No commercials, no frantic shopping, no whirlwind gatherings, no forced holiday smiles when our hearts are aching, no silly arguments over “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”—just the story—shepherds surprised in the field, the glorious song of angels, an exhausted couple, and the baby asleep in a feed trough. That story lives at the heart of our faith as Christians. It’s the Incarnation, God with us in a helpless baby born into poverty, God with us in all the realities of the world. Christ. Messiah. Savior. Hope of the World.

Don’t get me wrong. Advent-Christmas is my favorite time of year in the church and the world, but it’s also one of the most hectic and demanding of seasons for all of us, even those of us who work in the church. I think it will do us good to pause as July nears August and simply hear the story and sing the carols. It might even take our minds off the heat.

So, be here this Sunday, July 30. I thought about inviting you to wear your favorite Christmas sweater, but I don’t want to be responsible for your fainting on the doorstep. Still, if you’d like to wear something Christmasy, feel free … then go out to lunch and watch people’s reactions.

Good Christian friends, rejoice! Praise God with people you love, with people who love you. There’s Good News, and we need to tell it on the mountain, over the hills, and everywhere—in December, July, and all the days between. God so loved the world …

And by the way, I checked the forecast. There is verrrry little chance of snow and ice on July 30, so the roads should be clear.

Merry Christmas!

Mark

P.S. A few words on our sanctuary sound:

First, Emory is conducting a study of the space in preparation for an all-new sound system, most likely to be installed this fall. Wherever you are, pause for a moment and cheer.

In the meantime, we suggest you sit a few rows back from the front but avoid the rows under the balcony.

Also, hearing assistance headsets are available from the ushers. I’m told these make an amazing difference. Don’t be shy about asking for one.