Sunday was a beautiful day in worship. The children presented Follow the Star, retelling the account of Jesus’ birth and the visit of the Magi. There were so many children on the altar, all singing and sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth!
Getting to remind people of what Jesus did and sharing Him
with others is such a privilege. I am so
glad that our children got to do that very thing. Some of those children will
remember that day for the rest of their lives.
In my opinion, that is so cool.
Parents, thank you for your commitment to raising your
children in the Faith and for allowing them to be present at both
services. I know that it is hard sometimes,
especially for younger children, to have such a full morning. However, I have heard so many comments of
appreciation from the folks who attend early service. Your children touched the lives of all our
members who attended Sunday with the good news of Jesus’ birth. I hope you are very proud of them.
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| Thanks, Jen, for designing our theme logo! |
As we walked through
Advent, we went through a series of sermons entitled, “Baby Makes Three.” We made the comparison between when we had
babies in our families, and when Mary and Joseph had their first Child. We talked about announcing the pregnancy,
choosing the name, and preparing the room.
Finally there comes a day to welcome the child home.
Just like all the themes, there is
a twist here in that we not only welcome Jesus into our homes at Christmas (and
beyond!), but Jesus welcomes us into His eternal home; the home that He
prepares for us. It is here that we feel
the two pronged theme of Advent: We want
Jesus to come to us as the child in the manger that we might worship Him and we
long for the day when He will return and raise us up to live with him in
everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness.
Christians have desired this double coming for
centuries. Indeed, one of the hymns we
sang leads us in the prayer, “Savior of the nations, come, Virgin’s Son, make
here Your home! Marvel now, O heav’n and
earth, That the Lord chose such a birth.”
That hymn was written in the late 300’s AD by St. Ambrose. (One of the Praise Team leaders commented, “We
sang a 1700 year old praise song today!”)
We are no different. In the
hustle and bustle of the season, we know that what we need, what we desire as
Children of God, is for Jesus to come.
Wednesday will find us gathered preparing to celebrate Jesus’
birth in a service of prayer, quiet music and meditation. Then on Saturday we will worship at 4:30, 7,
and 9:30 p.m., all with candlelight, to celebrate Christmas Eve. (The latter two services have communion,
too.) Then on Sunday we will gather for
one worship service at 10 a.m. to celebrate Christmas Day, as, “Then stepped
for the Lord of all From His pure and kingly hall; God of God, yet fully man,
His heroic course began.” We will, of
course, have the Lord’s Supper then as well.
God’s blessings of peace and joy to you and yours!
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