Christmas Is Coming!
We did a whirlwind tour of New York City last week. The six-month cohort we’re part of met there (who gets a group of pastors together the week before Christmas?!). Well, they promised Christmas magic, and New York City delivered. I don’t just mean Rockefeller Center or the Disneyland-style presentation on Saks 5th Ave.
The true Christmas magic was a true, glory-filled time of worship spent in the very presence of Jesus. Christmas promises to deliver us Immanuel, God with us. And God did. And we were wrecked and filled and transported all at the same time.
I could tell you the song set, but the songs alone aren’t the magic sauce. (Though, sing the chorus of “Is He Worthy?” with “O Praise the Name” and, whoa.)
I could tell you the location, a historic church with cathedral ceilings etched with Alpha and Omega and trailing vines to the heavens, but the space alone does not transport.
I could tell you we opened with the prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit,” but these words are not an incantation that promises magical deliverance of God’s presence.
So what was it? How do we find words for that experience, when experiencing God is such a mystery?
I can only go to Scriptures and say what is true of worshipping Jesus, “We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father… he has made him known.” (John 1:14,18)
Our prayer is that we can create space to know both in spirit and in truth that Jesus is Immanuel (John 4:23). This is the season we get to press in extra because even the mall culture of our world is crying out, “Believe!” “Hope!” “Give.” Let’s display the glory of God this Christmas by speaking what is true of Jesus.
“To us a child is born. To us a Son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Come and worship him, and invite a friend to come experience the true “magic” of Christmas, Jesus with us.
Tuesday, December 21st 4:30pm Darkest Night of the Year
Thursday, December 24th 5 and 7pm Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 26th 10am Family-Style Worship
All the details are here.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Megan