This Christmas season has been good for us at the church. It has been sweet. We have 2 services this weekend. In the recent past we haven't been here for Christmas but in FL with family. Since Christmas is on Sunday, I thought it would be good to stick around and worship here. I am excited about both the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Christmas Eve is going to be contemplative as we go from the Manger to the Cross and share Communion together. Christmas Day is going to be celebrative as we talk about the gifts of Christmas. If you're in the Moberly area, join us at Carpenter Street Baptist Church at 6 pm on Christmas Eve and 10 am on Christmas morning.
One of the names for Jesus that is in the forefront in this season is Emmanuel...God with us. This is a very significant name and very precious to me. God...the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty One, the Giver of Life came to earth. Don't ask me to explain the Incarnation because I can't. It is beyond my brain's capacity. But I believe with all my heart that God in His perfect way and perfect time entered this world one not so silent night through a virgin. The Creator became the Created. He became one of us. Why? Because of His immeasurable love for us. Emmanuel...God with us. He is not God ahead of us pulling us toward Him. He is not God behind us pushing us toward Him. He is not God above us lording Himself over us and taunting us with His greatness compared to our insignificance. He is not God below us begging us to give Him our leftovers. He is God with us. God beside us. Listening, guiding, sharing, caring, loving, comforting, befriending, walking and living life with us. But this amazing companionship is not automatic. Just like accepting and unwrapping our Christmas presents, we have to accept Him and His gift of salvation. It is given to us unconditionally just like the gifts we give each other...out of His great love.
