Show Commentary Family rituals evoke the past imply a future Each of us is born into one family not of our choosing Most of us have also joined or created another family as we commit ourselves to friends churches and communities Whether it is our biological family or adopted one according to author Jane Howard in “Families’' all families have the following earmarks: Good families have a chief or a heroine or a founder someone around whom others cluster whose achievements as the Yiddish word has it let them kvell and whose example spurs them on to like feats Good families have a switchboard operator — someone who cannot help but keep track of what all the others are up to and pass on this information This one is often also the historian the keeper of scrap-booand photo albums 3 Good families are much to all their members but everything to none Good families are fortresses with many windows and doors to the outer world 4 Good families are hospitable Knowing that hosts need guests as much as guests need hosts they are generous with honorary memberships 5 Good families deaf squarely with direness Pity the tribe that doesn’t have and cherish at least one eccentric Pity too the one that supposes it can avoid for long the woes to which all flesh is heir 2 ks 6 Good families prize their rituals Nothing welds a family more than these Rituals are vital especially for clans without 'siories because they evoke a r ist imply a future and hint at continuity 7 Good families are affection Doctrine From Page 4 oeraphics have been made possible by an attitude of openness a id sharing what the archives contain” they said Bnnghurst said that the “Camelot” years created an openness that helped to encourage “a flowering of scholarship” While the restrictions may still be there he noted “a glimmer of hope" during a recent visit in October to the Archives Rev Connie Dorn Community Presbyterian Church Brigham City ate Of course this is a matter of style but it is essential 8 Good families have a sense of place which in these days is not easily achieved The ancient saying is still true “Extinguish hearth extinguish family” 9 Good families not just the blood kin find some way to connect with posterity It is a sadly impoverished tribe that does not allow access to and make much of some children 10 Good families also honor their elders The wider the age range the stronger the tribe On Sunday the season of Advent begins It is a ritual a time to reflect and prepare A time to look back and look ahead We prepare for Christmas the celebration of the birth of Jesus almost 2000 years ago As we prepare we look ahead to the second coming of Christ In Advent and Christmas all of the elements which make up and reinforce being a family come together We welcome share pass on to the next generation that which is eternal We receive even as we give There are rituals to be done: the lighting of the Advent wreath the decorating of the tree the singing of the ageless songs Stories will be swapped as we decorate The sense of place will There wifi be be reinforced touching hugging — a time for children a time to listen to the elders tell “how it used to be” And the founder and head our God around whom we gather will also be there Come join with us! to do some research He said he was treated “very courteously” and that personnel were open and receptive about allowing him to look at historical documents he requested “I find that as kind of an encouraging sign” he said “When there’s an action then there’s a reaction” church Bringhurst said that members studying their history should do so openly and objectively “Be aware when studying peo- - “We’re going to play ‘Mormon Trivia’ Let’s have the careful church historians play against the reckless church historians” Advent a time of growth EDITOR ’S NOTE: This commentary is the first Richard D of five by local clergy members based on the appropriate Gospel reading for each of the four Sundays of Advent and for Christmas Sunday A song which is sung by children at this time of the year with the goal of helping them to prepare for Christmas goes like this: “He knows if you’ve been sleeping he knows if you’re awake He knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!” The song is supposed to encourage children to practice good behavior in the anticipation of the coming of Santa Claus Now I know that this is not a religious song and therefore has nothing to add to our belief in God but I do believe that there is a hint within it concerning one of the meanings of Advent I grew up in a very traditional Baptist Church Part of that tradition was the ability to celebrate the major events of the calendar within the church structure We were very good at celebrating Christmas Easter Pentecost Thanksgiving etc Not only do I still have some very fond memories from those days but much of my faith is built upon those early traditions But over the years I have greatly appreciated what other Christian Church traditions have taught me I have gained much by learning about the Christian year and its seasons My faith is much richer these days as I have learned how to celebrate Advent Epiphany Lent etc Advent is a time to remember that “Emanuel” is indeed a great which means “Godwithus-now- ” so we reminded that are And wonderful truth and we have hope when there seems to be so much despair and that there is light where there seems to be so much darkness in our personal lives The pie and situations” he said “They have their strengths but they also have weaknesses Don’t look at them as a cardboard fig- ure” James B Allen professor of history at Brigham Young University and assistant church historian until 979 said church teachers should concentrate on the scriptures and church manuals when presenting their lessons but for their own benefit they “ought to study as broadly 1 as (they) Reese fT" - '$ I (ikI 8dpftf Church at Oqcten children’s song “You Better Watch Out” is a reminder to me that one of the aspects of the Season of Advent is the waiting on the return of Jesus the Christ to this world Advent is a time to recognize that “ready or not” Jesus will come again Should one be worried about the return of the Christ? Well if you worry about your dental checkup or a job review or a tax audit you might be at least as concerned about the one who gave you life who knows your very word and deed and w ho knows — yes! — if you have been bad or good The first coming of Christ to this earth in the form of man tells us of God’s great gift of unconditional love for all of creation The second coming of Christ to this earth deals with the issue of how we have practiced that unconditional love in God’s world My personal prayer for each of you comes from the two traditions in my life I do hope and pray that Christmas will be a great day of joy for your family as you celebrate Cod’s gift The second part of my prayer comes from the Season of Advent Take some time to look at your life and commitment to God Ask yourself the question “How am I demonstrating the unconditional love of God to this world 1 live in?” asking yourself that question may you find that this time of Advent is a time of personal growth in your relationship with our God By can” While all church history may not be positive church teachers “ought to accentuate the positive but at the same time (they) ought not shy away from questions brought up by (their) class members” Allen said church members should “be wise” when reading church histories “Some sources deliberately intend to move your mind one way or the other” that raise questions and draw conclusions without sufficient information adding that historians cannot pretend to have all of the answers Arrington and Bitton wrote that there is much more to Mormon history than Joseph Smith or the basic claims of the church’s establishment “Most topics treated fairly letting the chips fall where they may simply do not impinge on the basic truth claims of Mor-monis- He said to be leery of histories they said- Standard-Examin- er Church New 5 |