Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

Bishop, welcome to the podcast and let's talk about Christmas a little bit.

Thank you, Brandon, my friend and Merry Christmas to those who will be hearing this podcast. And looking forward to conversation about Christmas. We often we think of it as a day, but it's really a season bread. It's the season of praise and thanksgiving where we give thanks for the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. You the story of the baby born in a manger, the baby born in Bethlehem is literally as John's gospel teaches us. The Word of God becoming flesh, God becoming human. Or as Eugene Peterson says, I believe I'm paraphrasing, God comes and sets up 10 in our neighborhood. So Christmas is certainly about the ultimate gift of love from God, through Jesus Christ. Well, that absolutely the God incarnate indeed.

And let's talk a little bit about your personal life a little bit in terms of Christmas, Dan, we I know that there's just a lot to say about Christmas. And I really want to kind of juxtapose this Christmas to what we experienced the last year or so with a lot of people live in all kinds of things. But I just be interested to Bishop a little bit but what some of your Christmas traditions How's Christmas made real for you and First Lady in your family? How's it made real for you?

I have many memories of Christmas growing up as a child. I'm a middle child of the fourth of six children. And I remember worship being associated with Christmas, Christmas Eve services, Christmas programs. And when we were growing in, in our Sunday school classes, participating in some kind of a Christmas program or the children's choir, participating in that. And of course, growing up and watching our own children, as a pastor myself, you know, watching our own children participate in the Christmas festivities, and often, leading worship for Christmas Eve service. I often think of Christmas really beginning with Christmas even and Silent night, holy night, and then waiting anxiously for the earliest time my parents would let us get up to go see what was under the Christmas tree.

Well, that's a it's a wonderful experience of family to be sure, but certainly in the life of the Church of Boy, I tell you why Bishop, for me, at least and I think you touched on as well. There's very few Higher Holy moments than a Christmas Eve candlelight singing Silent Night, Would you not agree?

I agree. I agree. And I think that when people talk about what we've missed in this long, protracted pandemic season, some of what we missed is lighting the candle. Whether it's a real candle, or it's one of those battery operated candles, singing Silent Night on Christmas Eve service, gathered, whether we're in a small membership, church or, or large sanctuary, making a big circle around the pews, singing Silent night, holy night. And let's

live in joy now help us to make this transition help us to get to a place of joy.

Well, Paul says we ought to give thanks and all the things it's it hasn't been easy, though, because Christmas is a reminder for many people, it's a it's a solemn time and can be a somber and solemn time because there are people missing at the table brand. And I think we can still carve out room to say, I think this is a good good reason to light candles, we like candles for the birth of Christ, we like candles in memory of those who are no longer able to sit at the table and break bread or carved turkey or, or have ham and, and all of the fixings with us. So it has been a season to remember. But this is, this is a year in which we can really celebrate Christmas as the ultimate gift of God's love for us. God has seen us through to this point. And so we have no other reason than the fact that Jesus Christ is born, then to give thanks for that.

We do have always the opportunity to experience joy even in the midst of of difficult circumstances which many people have had the last year or so. And so let's talk about that a little bit about the meaningfulness of fellowship and community is

where we are satisfying a deep needed a deep seated hunger and a deep need that we all have bred and that is the need to be in relationship with other people. I think God actually for the technology and the platforms that have allowed us to see each other or hear each other. But I do think people are giving thanks for the ability to actually common look across the table or look across the pews and see see other people that they have missed being in the same space with often say whenever we whenever we gather in the name of Jesus Christ to worship or to break bread, it's a unique and unrepeatable moment, it's a gift of God. Some might even some might even claim it as the sacrament of presence, the presence of being with other people. So that's a deep seated need that we have for the presence of God.

Absolutely. And that's a good thing. And yet we have the opportunities to be transformed ourselves. And there's nothing more really no more transformational for a Christian, United Methodist, Christian than understanding that Jesus Christ was born. And that made all the difference in the world. Tell us a little bit about just that fact. You know, I know that you've also been privileged to travel to the Holy Land and see some of the sights there. But tell us a bit about the impact for you personally, but you know, Jesus Christ is a real he's a real human being a real human child. And you're totally, totally divine, totally God incarnate. Speak to us a little bit preach to us a little bit, my friend.

Well, well, I've been to the bend to Bethlehem, as you have on a number of occasions. And there's nothing like being in the place being in a place where Jesus was born and walked in was raised. Being on the Sea of Galilee, where he called people to put down their nets and to come follow and become fishers of men, women, boys and girl, girls, but But Jesus can actually be felt in a real way, even when we share, for example, the sacrament of Holy Communion. When we share the Gospel reading, when we sing Christmas, we call them Christmas carols and Christmas hymns. But I actually feel a connection with, with the living Christ when we when we sing when we sing our theology, Brad, as well.

You said earlier that Christmas is not just a day, it's not just a birth date, so to speak, but it's a season. And so it is with all of us. We all have birthdays, you know, we all have, you know, I have my birthday, and you have yours and and that's a day to be marked as special for every one of us personally. For all of us, though, we have Christians have this date as a special day kind of transformation between what was and what is. And I'd just like to speak a little bit now about, about that transformation about Jesus makes for us when we allow that, Him to come into our hearts that transformation.

That is that's that's a great question. I think one of the books that has been helpful for me is a book by Kyle Idleman, not just a fan, and where he talks about, there's a difference between being a fan and a follower of Jesus. I think the difference for me was, even though I was raised in the church as a child and baptized as a child, that came a point where Jesus became so real to me, this was long before I ever even knew I would go to the Holy Land. But Jesus became so real to me, understanding that Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. And not only does Jesus love me, but Jesus is proof of God's love for us. Because as we know, God so loved the world. And it wasn't just some neighborhoods in the world. So that translation to God so loved the world from John 316. Jesus didn't die first, he was born first. And born of a Virgin Mary, a mother, born of the Virgin Mary, meaning that God so loved us that God made possible what others would say is impossible, in order to forgive our sins and to give us life with full meaning. I was I was a teenager, when I really accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. And I continue to accept Jesus as a new gift, every Christmas bread. Mike slaughter Pastor Mike slaughter some years ago wrote a book, little book and title, Christmas is not your birthday. And I think he wrote the book that really encourage people to remember that it's Jesus's birthday. And so we think about the wise men or the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. When we give gifts and I'm looking for putting lots of gifts under the tree for our granddaughter this year.

Now, better than that is they're giving gifts this year.

She really knows about Christmas. He's already talking about it. So but the greatest gift we have received is indeed love that cannot be snatched away for from a sprint. Nor does anybody have to vote on it at their conference or in the Congress. We don't need Republicans and Democrats to agree on it. God has already stamped with approval, our gift, and everybody receives a gift you remember that Oprah show when you get a car you get oh, yeah, okay. Yeah, every everybody receives the gift of Jesus Christ, if we received Jesus in our hearts.

And that's a gift that is sustained. If if we allow that to be sustained any other gift we get, you know, sweater in your under your tree is going to wear out eventually that toy, you get a bicycle you get is going to go to wear out, this is the gift that keeps on going, as you said earlier, it's about the season, that keeps on keeps on giving here. Speak to us for just a minute though Bishop here about the people who are hurting this Christmas time, the people who are really broken, you know, and how, you know, how can we share those who have the joy of Christmas share that joy in their life? Because there are people who have been really beat up, you know, just really beat up this Christmas time? And how can we be the church, you know, how can be the church and share the joy of Jesus to people whose lives are a little bit messed up and broken this year.

I think we best do that, Brad by by pausing, and saying and then I see you and literally seen people and not rushing past, the hurt and the pain, the sorrow, the sadness, but but carving out space for that. Because that to that too is part of the gift of community. Part of the gift of community, according to the Bible in Galatians, six and two, I believe it is, is that we are to bear each other's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ and I would, this is my paraphrase. We bear each other's burdens, and so fulfill the love of Christ. So I cannot really celebrate Christmas, and not acknowledged when we raised asked the question, is it well with your soul? Some answers are it's not? Well, it's not my soul is hurting. My heart is hurting. Someone I love is not with us. I'm estranged from a child who has who has gone astray. I'm caught up in an addiction that I can't get free from. I'm homeless without a place to call home. I'm visiting a shelter to get my holiday meal. We have to not just see people but acknowledge them and sit with each other. And indeed, that way we are sharing I believe the greatest gift. And that is the gift of Christ with

us that appreciate that so much in terms of those hurting people. And let's address somebody you and I are. So people you and I are quite close to let's talk about pastors and pastors families at Christmas. What I mean by that bishop is that you we've already talked a minute ago about how bald you and I have led on many occasions Christmas Eve services for instance. And sometimes that means kind of balancing, you know church activities and family life and things like that. But pastors and pastors family spouses and children are often under a lot of stress or under the spotlight at Christmas time and need a little joy in their life as well. Sometimes it gets a little a little crazy what kind of a word of encouragement you know you you'd love to your your phrase you'd love to say and you're all about us be encouraged what word of encouragement this Christmas, which you give to clergy and clergy families who have dealt with an awful lot for you know, for a long time, but especially the last year or so

I would say to to our clergy and clergy families, we love you. I think my wife and I first lady race elder, she is quick to say, you know, we need to love the people love the people but also love the pastors and love to pastoral families and be unapologetic about it. So we're praying for you this season. Sometimes you can be leading and be lonely at the same time. I know as a pastor, you know, sometimes I was leading worship services, and yet there was a sense that even amidst your responsibility that you were standing alone and we are all called not just to our congregations and to our jobs, but to our families. And I would say to during this this Christmas season, that a special shout out of love and appreciation to pastoral families, in Indiana and across the globe, you are a treasure, you are a blessing. You are the source of encouragement for so many others, how I've often says that we can't feed others unless we are eating ourselves. So I would just say, Brad, if you and I even in this podcast broadcast, that we sent a blessing out a shout out to every pastor and a pastor's home those who are living in parsonages, or in your own residence, those who are in appointments outside the local church chaplains and hospital workers and counselors and all kinds of persons but particularly pastors who will be leading who are leading churches and your I hope you find reason and find time to be unavailable. We're so often expected to be available. And I say this without apology, and I'll take on any flack that's coming my way. be unavailable, so that you might be available to your family might be fully available to God. And you know, that's why I say Christmas is a season, if we only celebrated as Christmas Eve and Christmas, I say celebrated as a season and part of that season includes when if you have children in school while they're out of school, making sure we carve out time for that. That was always a challenge. But we always made it happen. We had three children as I was pastoring local congregations, they were small and then get get get get older and older. Now they're adults. So thanks be to God for our pastors a shout out to you. This Christmas, make sure you you exercise your soul and and exercise your bodies as

well appreciate that. And let's just encourage our lay folk who may be listening to us to maybe just give a good word to your pastor or your past

spouse or kids for that matter. And whatever that means, you know, hey, whatever Christmas cookies, any number of things could be just a small token of appreciation. It is appreciate I know it is for for me. Well, Bishop what one more thing I know every year you give a very impassioned Christmas message to folks who who want to hear what you have to say. And I would just like to give you an opportunity to share anything you'd like to share about the power of Christmas in in your life and how you share that with others. And then after that, maybe we can we can pray together and ask God's blessing to be with us for this Christmas season.

Well, this year, my focus was on Christmas love is a gift to share. It's not something just for one single household, or one single congregation. Christmas love is a gift to share. I think I think the baby born in Bethlehem is a confirmation that God's love for us cannot be interrupted. It cannot be denied. And it is indeed comes to us as both insurance as well as assurance. The baby born in Bethlehem who brought us insurance for us all also brought us assurance. Well, what do I mean by that? Well, Isaiah says that a child will be born and that child, the government will rest upon the child's shoulders in that child shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. I remember a few weeks ago, President Biden was saying that he talked to the CEOs of Walmart and Target. And they promised that the shelves would be full. And you didn't have to worry about a shortage on any toys or things you were looking for. Where there's a gift that everybody can receive, and not worry about going to Walmart or Target and that is the gift of Jesus Christ and His love. I am here to tell you that we need in today's world, that wonderful counselor that mighty God, that Prince of Peace, or Emanuel, which means God is with us. So if you're listening to this podcast, don't give up. Don't give out. Don't fret. Don't forget that the love of Jesus Christ is for you. And for me because of the manger comes because of the baby born in a manger, your insurance of salvation has been adopted. Your assurance of love has been grant, because the baby was born in Bethlehem, you have insurance of forgiveness, and you have assurance of grace. You have insurance of possibilities. And you have your assurance of hope. And One writer says, hope comes bread when you invite the God who made you, the Christ who redeemed you, the Holy Spirit that infos you to grant you Christmas Joy. Not only Christmas joy when I said it's the season, but New Year's mercy, and something we can all use every day gratitude. So that's why we sing. I don't know what your favorite hymn is, but I don't know if you can you have Christmas without singing Joy to the world.

I was gonna ask what exactly I was gonna say.

Yeah, let Let earth receive her King, Let every heart prepare Him room. And I like the refrain and heaven and nature sing and heaven and nature sing. We need bread for heaven and nature to sing. To sing that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and all who dwell they're in. If we're committed to climate, creation, care and climate crisis response, we need heaven in nature to sing. We need heaven in nature to sing, let the weak say I am strong, that the poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has done. We need heaven and earth to sing. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be praised. We need heaven and earth to sing. Oh, come, O come, Emmanuel, the little child of Bethlehem God with us. We need heaven and earth to sing in order to purify our hearts, discipline our tongues, sanctify our souls, liberate our love, and connect our minds and we'll with the will of God, in obedience and love to Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas. And God bless you

sure that they're just reminded back home but they incarnate God about the words of Wesley I believe who is the best news of all this one God is God is with us. God is with us. And that's a that's kind of a Christmas message as well. And we thank you for your Christmas message. Vishva tremble and how about having a prayer for us to close our time together? It's a blessing when all who hear our voices