This morning, the story of Jesus is being told all over the world. Those who don’t usually think abut Him are doing so inside and outside of church buildings. People all over the world are suffering, are hurting, are depressed, and are angry. That is the wonderful thing about Christmastime, it is a time throughout the world that people are sensitized to Jesus, are made aware of his presence, and do submit their lives to Him.

When you think about the whole world, your mind may have gone to a foreign land, to a land torn by war, to a people without food, to a nation without God.

Although Chechnya, Kosovo, India, Africa, and China are far off, right here within out assembly today, people are experiencing the same things that those people are. Our problems may not be as transparent as those abroad, out worries and fears not so clearly articulated, but deep under the smiles and warm embraces are a people with real life problems.

This is the human condition.

I admit I have never been a cook. Some women beam with anticipation and blissfully line up to put their name on lists to secure their opportunity to provide food for the consumption of others. I, however,  am the one elbowing those zealots out of the way to make sure I procure my beloved title of “paper products supplier.” It is a job I am good at; it is a job that is safe; it is a job I have sought ever since---The Easter Bunny Incident!