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Dearest Church Family,
Christmas Eve is this Wednesday. I hope you can come. The Birthday Party for Jesus will include sandwiches and cupcakes at 4:00 in Fellowship Hall, and then we will worship at 5:30. There will be no Bible Study on Thursday.
This Sunday, we light the candle of Love. When we hear “let loving hearts enthrone him” in our theme carol, we are encountering the “essence of the message.” Love is at the heart of this beloved story of the birth of Christ. It is love that is the true definition of “kingdom,” of “kinship.” No one exemplifies this more than Joseph’s love for Mary and for the child. He is a protector of Love; he is hospitality incarnated. Not only was the very life of Jesus in his hands, but his own character and sacrifice influenced how Jesus went on to live his life and center “love for all” as his message.
I've included a poem in my sermon, and I'd like to share it with you here.
Who put Joseph in the back of the stable?
Who dressed him in brown, put a staff in his hand,
and told him to stand in the back of the crèche,
background for the magnificent light of the Madonna?
God-chosen, this man Joseph was faithful
in spite of the gossip in Nazareth,
in spite of the danger from Herod.
This man, Joseph, listened to angels
and it was he who named the Child
Emmanuel.
Is this a man to be stuck for centuries
in the back of the stable?
Actually, Joseph probably stood in the doorway
guarding the mother and child
or greeting shepherds and kings.
When he wasn’t in the doorway,
he was probably urging Mary to get some rest,
gently covering her with his cloak,
assuring her that he would watch the Child.
Actually, he probably picked the Child up in his arms
and walked him in the night,
patting him lovingly
until he closed his eyes.
This Christmas, let us give thanks to God
for this man of incredible faith
into whose care God placed the Christ Child.
As a gesture of gratitude,
let’s put Joseph in the front of the stable
where he can guard and greet
and cast an occasional glance
at this Child
who brought us life.
Ann Weems, Presbyterian Poet
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday, as we encounter love together.
My prayers are with you always,
May "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Pastor Kim
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