|
|
|
| God Is with UsGod IS with us. Otherwise, how could we have accomplished all that we did in December? Due to God's graciousness, we were able to present special musicals, host extra worship services, offer hospitality to many guests, provide gifts for people who would otherwise have had nothing, serve all the regular meals and more (when the Shelter guests moved in), send tokens of our love and care to people experiencing hard times, and even proclaim the good news of Christ's birth through the lights on our outdoor Christmas tree!Among the highlights of our Christmas season was the fact that each time we presented "An Unexpected Christmas," Louis and Stephanie (portraying Joseph and Mary) concluded the story by coming down the center aisle holding a baby. As "O Holy Night" was sung, the congregation had the opportunity to visualize what "Emmanuel, God with us" might have looked like in the flesh. We presented the story four times, and each time we used a different baby. Always, the baby was a son or daughter of a parent or parents who worship regularly at our church. Each baby gave him or herself completely to the role, and each was unique. Jules, the oldest, was also the most nervous. Amanda was tranquil, and Ava was especially interested in seeing all the lights and faces. The youngest baby was the son of Su Yen and David K., only about three weeks old at the time the Christmas musical was presented. Some people in the audience did not realize at first that he was an actual baby, not a doll! Studying the program on the night of his son's "performance," this tiny baby's father commented, "Oh, look. He's playing himself!" Indeed, we will know the child as Andrew, but his Hebrew name (chosen by his father) is Emmanuel Jacob. Originally, the Hebrew name was going to be something different, but David changed it to Emmanuel, which still means "God is with us," after witnessing his son's birth. Andrew was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck three times. Needless to say, it is easy for a situation like this to lead to a severe lack of oxygen for the baby. Su Yen, buoyed up by a combination of faith and medication, and not really in a position to see what was happening, never doubted that everything would be all right. But David saw how the baby looked at the moment of arrival, and he watched the reaction of the doctors and nurses in the delivery room. Thankfully, the tiny boy was quickly stabilized, and the amount of time spent in intensive care was minimal. And David knew exactly who he wanted to thank. "God was with us and brought us through," he said. "The baby's name will be Emmanuel." As we begin a new year, I give thanks for all the times and ways that God is with us. God's presence becomes real to us in ways that are deeply personal, and also quite universal. May the world come to know what each of us is learning to trust: that God cares and is at work for our salvation. The peace of Christ be with you! Pastor April |
|
|