Immanuel!

Last night (Christmas Eve), my family worshipped with two groups of saints in Christ Jesus. Last night I was reminded once again of the unity we share in Jesus Christ. Despite the differences that will continue in the midst of Christ's body - the church - until His second coming, I was reminded again that "the kingdom of God is breaking out all around us".

Heather's parents' (Tom and Sarah Clark) congregation, West Noblesville Community Church, presented the Word of God in the format of a candlelight service at 7:30! Structured around the sequential lighting of a series of candles from a central "Christ candle", the service alternated between readings from the prophecy, birth and life of Christ and singing very familiar Christmas hymns in the musical settings you will hear frequently on Christian radio stations at this time of year. Pastor Jeff's sermon was very directly focused on the truths of the incarnation (i.e. the true God's presence with us as the true man, Jesus of Nazareth) revealed in Matthew 1:23: Jesus was God; Jesus was fully man; Jesus was God with us. Although the lights in the nave were dimmed throughout the entire service (to accent the candles being lit on the altar in the chancel), the "candle lighting" for the congregation was conducted at the end. After the sermon, the congregation gathered together to remember Christ through the breaking of bread and the fruit of the vine (1 Corinthians 11:17-26).

Later that evening, after putting the kids to bed, Heather and I joined with the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church for the Christmas Eve vigil service. Here, too, the congregation gathered around the Word exclaimed in the hymn, read from the Scriptures, and proclaimed in the sermon. Pastor Piazza's sermon pointed to Jesus' incarnation and His coming for us. We gathered together to marvel again at Christ's ongoing incarnation as we received the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament of the altar - the Lord's Supper!

Many Christians refer to the gathering of believers around Word and Sacrament as the Divine Service: God Himself draws near to us and brings His good gifts to us! He is present in His Word! He is present where He comes in Body and Blood! He is present to heal, to bind up the broken, to herald Good News, to bring salvation and the forgiveness of sins!

We receive these gifts in repentance and with thanksgiving! Our response to these good gifts extends beyond the hymns and songs of praise we offer on Christmas to the lives we lead through the power of the Holy Spirit as we wait for Jesus' second coming.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:6-21)