The Who, What and Where Challenge

Those three words keep popping into my head.

It started when I was watching our playhouse production of “Damn Yankees.” I kept thinking of the Abbot-Costello classic baseball routine.

Now I am in the cast of “Scrooge, the Musical” and three words keep coming to mind regarding old Scrooge.

So I have decided that for this Advent season, I will focus on those words.

WHO - for Scrooge, there is only one WHO of importance in his consciousness - and that is Scrooge. He hordes everything for himself and himself alone. Family relationships mean nothing. Employees are tools that are used for his own end. Neighbors and towns people are a bother. He curls himself up in his own little world, isolated by the fact he has no other outside WHO to challenge and model what he could be.

Advent is a time to focus on the source of our strength and seek direction from a WHO that is worthy of our commitment and dedication.

As a pastor, I turn my attention to Jesus. I see in his temptation experience a kind of advent - a time to prepare and anticipate the mission ahead. And his focus is on his WHO- a God of love and grace to whom he is attached.

His WHO conclusion?

“Nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done.”

For Scrooge, the WHAT is clear. In “Scrooge the Musical” he sings the song, “M. O. N. E. Y.”

His WHAT could do a great deal of good, but it is dormant of value beyond his own small needs.

Advent is a time to consider our various assets, called gifts Biblically, and the way in which they can be of use beyond ourselves. As Dolly of the musical “Hello Dolly” would say, “Find a way to spread them around.”

This year, I have discovered an outlet for some of my gifts. I will use this season to seek other opportunities in my future journey.

Finally the WHERE for Scrooge is realized when his eyes are finally opened. All around him are possibilities to spread the gifts that can bring about positive change and help to create a world in which community and graciousness is a reality.

I happen to be writing this blog on “Giving Tuesday.” which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a day designated to encourage us to give to others at a time when we usually only give to those we know.

Too bad we need to be reminded of the challenge to give.

My WHERE this Advent season is to consider how I can help others to believe in their worthiness and value. Too many place their importance on what they have accumulated in worldly terms. What we need is to see our worth in the unique gifts we can share with those we are privileged to experience - at home, work, play and beyond. - gifts of the heart and spirit.

Our advent challenge, I believe, is to rediscover that attitude of togetherness and kinship that can so easily get lost in our hyper-media kind of world, and check-out line madness. And to have the courage to believe that creation is not complete until we find the joy of peace and good will.