<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Christmas isn't the Christian's only season of giving. With the time of Lent preparing us for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and for our own resurrections to life eternal, I offer this letter from a reader as food for thought (and possible action). How do we observe Christmas, Easter, and life itself? "Thanks again for Ask the Pastor, especially for ATP #73 [the revealed and veiled power of God], which I found to be a perfect response to the question. Your lucid writing and gentle but firm style of response is much needed in a world that shouts 'I'm right, you're wrong, and here's why!' "Some thoughts on your column on making Christmas last: My wife and I have struggled with this, particularly for our two young sons who are the only grandchildren on both sides of our family. As I told a friend, the only appropriate word to describe Christmas morning was orgy.' We have tried to focus our celebration on three things: "1. Worship. We made a commitment this year that if the church was open during the Christmas season, we would be there. That would be the center of our season. "2. Family Activities. Spending time in the usual traditions, including an advent calendar and devotions. "3. Giving non-material gifts. Giving each other gifts of time or things that are made. "Most of this is planned well before Christmas (late October). Some ideas came from your writings! "We were also prompted by your comments and by a local paper article to make part of our celebration a donation of time to a local soup kitchen. We decided to do it the week after Christmas and New Years, because the article in the paper said most of the kitchens are in need of help then: They have to turn people away before Christmas because so many want to help. "Hope that you have a great week, and that the blessings of Christ on his way to the Cross enrich your life in innumerable ways this Lent." Q: What do you think of the hype and hysteria being generated as the millennium ends? It seems like eschatology [the study of the end times] may be doing harm by dividing and separating Christians. The expectations of a rapture and the attitudes of "why bother, the end is near" seem counterproductive. The wild, conspiratorial mindsets of some Christians seem to discredit them and make them look insane. Do you think it is possible that some or most prophesy could have been fulfilled in the first century? The message I seem to find in the Bible is that Jesus will return sometime but we can't be certain of the time. I feel it could happen while I'm writing this or possibly not for thousands of years. Or anytime in between. A: Thank you for writing most of the rest of my column. You've done a good basic summary of a lot that I also believe concerning eschatology. Consider, for instance, some signs of the times: There will be "wars and rumors of war," while "nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes...." These are the signs of a decaying, dying world. Yet it will finally meet its end not due to human efforts, nor to slowly falling apart, but because God will call it to an end. As for the symbolic language in the Revelation, much of it appears to be veiled references to events current in the time of John. Indeed, some of it was probably already "history" by the time John recorded it. Believers don't play guessing games with all the symbolism. We concentrate on the Author of this splendid and sometimes terrifying vision. He turns our eyes away from this world and its signs and toward himself, the Fulfillment of prophecy and the Keeper of the divine promises. Attention to Scripture, faithfulness in attending a church that proclaims the Gospel truth in love, and receiving the Absolution and the Lord's Supper will bring far more blessing than will playing guessing games with God. He doesn't only command us to be faithful until the end (instead of saying, "Why bother?"). He also enables us to remain faithful, strengthening us through his Church, his Gospel and his Supper until the Day of the Lord is revealed. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.