I once had a conversation with a friend regarding prayer: "What effect does prayer really have," he wondered, "on a world that seems unphased by our repeated pleas for peace on earth and good will to humanity? Day after day, our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling with no effect. Does God really answer prayer?"

"Well," I responded, "if God did decide to answer your prayer, what do you think that answer would look like? In what form are you expecting the answer to appear?" Many of us give little thought to how our prayers might be answered because we are so focused on achieving the end result of our prayers. We pray for world peace and get disheartened when the world's problems don't vanish with the snap of a finger. But to understand the mysteries of God and the miracle of Christmas, we would do well to shift our focus from the "what" of prayer in order to ponder the "how."

At the time of the first Christmas, the Jewish people had been praying for centuries for a savior to deliver them from the hands of their oppressors.

"How" the fulfillment of these prayers were envisioned featured a character like King David, or a prophet like Elijah, or even judges like Gideon and Samson: a holy hero who would vanquish foreign armies and restore Jerusalem to its full glory. But what the people got was a seemingly illegitimate child born to a poor carpenter; a total contradiction of what they expected their salvation to look like.

This is danger we all face; being sensitive enough to articulate what we need, but blind to God's provision on our behalf. It seems that even when God announces things in the most direct and attention-grabbing means possible, we often fail to recognize his answers to our prayers. In the case of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, the answer to decades of prayer was literally announced to him from the lips of an angel, but he still couldn't believe it! (Lk1:8-23)

Another danger we face is being able to recognize the work of God and willfully opposing it. King Herod recognized the work of God when he learned from the Magi that one had been born "King of the Jews." As that was Herod's own title, he responded by slaughtering every baby boy in Bethlehem and the surrounding countryside in the hopes of eliminating any competition to his throne. (Mat 2:16-18)

Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us. It is at Christmas that we are reminded that God answers our prayers, but not always in the way we expect. Just as Christ's first appearance on earth caught many, especially those in the religious establishment, by surprise, so we too are challenged to look afresh at the world around us to see where God's kingdom is being "birthed" in the world around us. Where can you point as an example of God at work in the world? How are you expecting the kingdom of God and its king to appear; in power and glory at the snap of a finger, or as a tiny child born in the 1st century equivalent of a cold and filthy parking ramp?

Christ's first coming slipped past many who were waiting for something bigger. May God grant us hearts to recognize our Lord and his work when we see it.

Rev. Jaron Burdick

Jaron Burdick is a recent graduate of North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. Both Jaron and his wife Kirsten grew up in the Evangelical Covenant Church as pastor's children serving in Minnesota and California, respectively. Jaron attended college at Bethl University in St. Paul, MN where he received a BA in theatre arts. Following graduation, he pursued a career in theatre, ultimately resulting in the creation of a playwriting circle and a community children's theatre. He also worked part time at his local church as the interim director of Children and Family Ministries. In 2007, he felt the call of God to begin seminary studies at North Park. At North Park, he found not only a challenging degree program but also his future wife. Jaron and Kirsten were married in August of 2009 in Santa Barbara, CA where Jaron was serving as a pastoral intern and Kirsten was serving on staff as the pastoral associate of college ministry and community outreach. In 2010, they were invited to guest preach at St. Paul's UCC. They are delighted to be joining the St. Paul's family and look forward to joining the work God is already doing in and around St. Paul's.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! 2011 has been a great year for St. Paul's. We have done many wonderful things. I would like to concentrate this letter around all of the mission work we did in 2011.

Each month, and lately every Sunday, we have supported the Resurrection Lutheran Church food pantry. They have expressed their joy with our generosity toward their mission. We will continue this throughout 2012.

We have done GREAT work for the Wounded Warrior's Project. We were able to purchase 30 $25.00 gift cards, purchased 15 bibles and wrote letters of encouragement to the soldiers in need. In addition, we will purchase 2 Wounded Warrior backpacks (at $99 each) containing essential care and comfort items for returning wounded soldiers.

We continue to support the Night Ministry through monetary donations and our annual Mitten Tree participation. Rev. Weasley stated his appreciation for our donations and said they will always be needed. We will continue this mission as well.

We gave a donation to support the tornado relief fund for Joplin, Missouri school system.

Our Spring Mission included collecting diapers to support Leyden Family Services.

As you can see, we have done a great job giving to others. We, as members of St. Paul's, all share the same ideals: Giving to others is joyful. The Council would like to thank everyone who has participated in any way with our missions for 2011. Please continue the support.

God's Blessings to All,
Debbie Wisowaty
Council President