It is no coincidence, I think, that some of my best Christmas memories are those associated with being in church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Morning. So many sparkling memories and so much meaning are attached to events that happen in the local churches.
It's almost Christmas again, and I remember . . . The 11:00 o'clock Candlelight and Communion services at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Old Monroe. The Sunday School Program in the new Friendship Hall at California. Spending Christmas Eve with Debby's brother David, who drove all the way from St. Louis to visit and worship with us. The Christmas Eve at St. John's United Church of Christ in Chesterfield with my good friend, Pastor Dale Bartels.
I remember a particular Christmas Eve when cousins, Charles and Herb, came to church at 11:00 o'clock. Herb wasn't known as a fastidious dresser, but on this Christmas Eve he was dressed very well, including a little beret atop his balding head as he entered the dimly-lit sanctuary. He was not a church-going member. In fact, this was the only time I saw Herb in church. We had Communion by intinction just before the candles were lit and we sang Silent Night. Herb was the last one up the aisle. He took the bread and ate. Then, he grabbed the chalice from my hands and tipped it up, drinking deeply. Some were horrified at the sight of this outsider, who did not follow the ritual. They were worried, perhaps, about getting germs in the blood of Christ. Maybe Jesus would catch something from Herb. Well, I think it went the other way that night. Every time we commune, we catch something from Jesus. We catch the hope of heaven, the courage to live life to the fullest, the faith to transcend earth's troubles, and the assurance of God's salvation that will see us through everything that comes. It was truly a memorable and meaningful moment. Thank you, Herb. Thank you, Jesus.
And tonight, as we go to worship anew on Christmas Eve, may you and I be ready to experience the great gift of God in Jesus Christ, the Holy Child of Bethlehem, the Light of the World, our Savior. May yours be a memorable and meaningful celebration. Drink deeply, receiving the Gift that God gives you. Drink deeply of the love of God for you and for many - for all.
With Phillip Brooks, we pray:
"O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord, Emmanuel!"
~Phillip Brooks, O Little Town of Bethlehem, 1868.
It's almost Christmas again, and I remember . . . The 11:00 o'clock Candlelight and Communion services at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Old Monroe. The Sunday School Program in the new Friendship Hall at California. Spending Christmas Eve with Debby's brother David, who drove all the way from St. Louis to visit and worship with us. The Christmas Eve at St. John's United Church of Christ in Chesterfield with my good friend, Pastor Dale Bartels.
I remember a particular Christmas Eve when cousins, Charles and Herb, came to church at 11:00 o'clock. Herb wasn't known as a fastidious dresser, but on this Christmas Eve he was dressed very well, including a little beret atop his balding head as he entered the dimly-lit sanctuary. He was not a church-going member. In fact, this was the only time I saw Herb in church. We had Communion by intinction just before the candles were lit and we sang Silent Night. Herb was the last one up the aisle. He took the bread and ate. Then, he grabbed the chalice from my hands and tipped it up, drinking deeply. Some were horrified at the sight of this outsider, who did not follow the ritual. They were worried, perhaps, about getting germs in the blood of Christ. Maybe Jesus would catch something from Herb. Well, I think it went the other way that night. Every time we commune, we catch something from Jesus. We catch the hope of heaven, the courage to live life to the fullest, the faith to transcend earth's troubles, and the assurance of God's salvation that will see us through everything that comes. It was truly a memorable and meaningful moment. Thank you, Herb. Thank you, Jesus.
And tonight, as we go to worship anew on Christmas Eve, may you and I be ready to experience the great gift of God in Jesus Christ, the Holy Child of Bethlehem, the Light of the World, our Savior. May yours be a memorable and meaningful celebration. Drink deeply, receiving the Gift that God gives you. Drink deeply of the love of God for you and for many - for all.
With Phillip Brooks, we pray:
"O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord, Emmanuel!"
~Phillip Brooks, O Little Town of Bethlehem, 1868.
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