As we continue our Wesley Bros Christmas special, Wesley the Warm-Hearted Waindeer, we meet John’s brother Charles Wesley, dressed as Hermey the Dentist Elf. John Wesley has been teased by all of the other Waindeer for insisting on receiving Holy Communion as frequently as possible.  They laughed and called him names like, “Sacramentarian” and “Super-erogationist”.  So hurtful.

In real history, the First Rise of Methodism began at Oxford in the 1720s when Charles Wesley assembled a small group of friends to attempt to grow in faith by strictly following the discipline of the University for academic and spiritual rigor.  Charles was actually the first to be called a “Methodist” as others teased him for sticking so closely to the school’s “method.” Charles had felt a spiritual drought in his soul, and hoped that regular scripture, prayer, fasting, and communion would help him connect once more to God.  Charles welcomed brother John’s organizational leadership, and several similar small groups formed across campus.  They soaked up the scriptures and the spiritual classics.  They were inspired to become a community that literally embodied Acts 2:42-47, not only through works of piety (devotional acts focused on loving God, such as constant communion), but also through works or mercy, particularly giving their money to the poor, taking time to educate and provide for those in need, and thanks to one of their members, William Morgan, regularly visiting prisoners.

This goofy little holiday special will continue to explore the characters in the First Rise of Methodism, so come back next week, folks!  And it’s not too late to order your Wesley Bros Liturgical Calendar from Cokesbury.com!