CandE Christians

TITLE: CandE Christians
DATE: January 7, 2019
TEXT: Matthew 12: 20 – 21- ESV - a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Have you ever heard of a CandE Christian?

A long time ago I heard of a family who went to church on Resurrection Sunday. As they were driving home, the father began to complain, ‘I REALLY THINK THE PASTOR NEEDS TO GET A NEW MESSAGE. He’s like a broken record., One Sunday He preaches on the resurrection, the next Sunday he talks about Jesus’ birth., Resurrection, Christmas, Resurrection, Christmas, Resurrection, Christmas. I have to say, it’s getting monotonous. Maybe we ought to try going to another church? There was a long pause Then, from the back seat, came his six-year-old daughter’s voice who innocently suggested :Why don’t we try going to church not just on Christmas and Easter?”

Have you ever heard of a CandE Christian? Well, now you have.

A CandE Christian is sort of an abbreviation for a Christmas-and-Easter worshipper.

CandE Christians, along with some other special guests, are the folks who  are responsible for those record attendances we have on those festival days. They are the folks who, with their cameras, cell phones and video machines, guarantee the Children’s Christmas Service will be the best attended worship of all the year.

Now this is the point in the devotion when I am supposed to get upset with CandE Christians.

This is the location where I’m supposed to complain about them, berate them, and ruminate on what great things the church might do if these people were there every Sunday. What might happen if every week our collection looked like it did on Christmas Eve? What a positive witness they would be making to the community by bring present in church with their car parked in the church lot. What fun it would be if the ushers had to set up folding chairs every Sunday.
It makes me giddy almost thinking about it.

But I’m not going to complain about those CandE Christians. And there’s a reason for that.

The reason is simple: for many of those folks to be seen in church on Christmas and Easter is a very big battle for them. There are a number of reason for that:

• They know what the sermon is going to be on,.
• They may get teased by their more faithful friends, neighbors and family.
• They aren’t sure what changes have taken place since they were there last.
• The devil is urging them to stay away, telling them, “It’s just not necessary for them to worship the Christ-Child, the risen Redeemer.

Which maybe explains why, this year, I am going to give thanks for every CandE Christian Who made it to worship. I am going to give thanks the message of the Savior His life, death, suffering and resurrection still has a hold upon their hearts. I am going to give thanks that the Holy Spirit has won this battle.

And I am going to pray this smoldering wick of faith will someday burst into a bright fire.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, this day I give thanks that the story of the Savior’s birth, life of sacrifice and resurrection continues to be told and heard by so many. Grant that this story of forgiveness and salvation may continue to shine in this dark world of sin. In the Savior’s Name I pray. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html