Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church

     I know that Christmas is approaching. It's in the air. And, it is a time to concentrate on the blessings that "God Coming Among Us" brings into our lives. The problem is, however, I think that we forget about our blessings most of the time. We don't even know what they are. We are so used to living in a country filled with privilege that we do not understand the blessings with which we have been showered.

     I remember Jimmy Valvano running around the court looking for someone to hug after North Caroline State won the NCAA Basketball Championship in 1984. He just wanted to share the joy of the night with someone - anyone - and they were all busy with someone else. On that night one might have thought that in the long coaching life that Jimmy Valvano would have that he would have other opportunities to share his joy over winning the NCAA Tournament.

     I remember that same Jimmy Valvano on the ESPY's 12 years ago, just 9 years after his team had won, after he had contracted cancer. He said that he was going to talk longer than anyone else had on that night, because time was precious and he didn't know how much he had left. He spoke of his blessings - being able to coach, his family, things in life that brought him joy. During his speech he said: "To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." He also quoted the motto of the V Foundation, which he started to do cancer research: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up!"

     He might have been talking to his middle daughter, Jamie Valvano Howard. Jamie now has cancer, as well. Howard, a gifted writer, energetic organizer and former teacher who has also worked for the V Foundation, was diagnosed with a genetic form of breast cancer that comes from the mutation of one of two genes. She has, however, remembered the words of her father. She continues to count her blessings, in spite of her illness. She continues to laugh, think and cry and to have full days.

     What of each of us? Can we say the same? Do we look daily at the blessings that we have in our lives? Relationships that are precious. Freedom. Indoor bathrooms. Running water. Books and Music and all manner of entertainment. Health and doctors (in some proportion). Children. Churches. Cars. George Carlin. You name your own blessings, for I know that you have them.

     It is almost Christmas and once again we will be blessed with the Christ child - the one who comes to us, comes among us, to bless us and to help us to appreciate all that life presents.

     Merry Christmas!