Merry Christmas! The week is upon us which we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Messiah. I find it interesting that our culture still celebrates Christmas even though so many of us have moved away from the “Jesus” part of the story. Think of the proliferation of Christmas music that has become so culturally dear to our hearts. My family and I were listening to Bing Crosby and James Taylor, two of my favorite voices to sing Christmas songs. I’m reminded that so many of these talented singers and artist do not even believe in the Savior they sing about. We gather to eat, yet dismiss the banquet of our Lord. We give gifts, but do not find value in the greatest gift of Jesus. We sing songs, yet do not sing them to the Maker of Music. Yet, most of our society is gearing up for this holiday in which even the god of our country, the economic machine, takes a day off in honor of the God of the universe. It seems there is a residue of Christianity that still resides. A pesky smell remains of that manger so long ago which hosted the presence of people and animals gathered to welcome the Redeemer of all creation. So, is there an opportunity here to show our culture how this sacred holiday, drained of its purpose by sentimentality, consumerism, and flashy lights, actually can have meaning in the birth of Immanuel?

I believe there is. What is that opportunity? Gathering together to worship the Triune God, to proclaim His excellencies, to identify as His Bride, and to exult the resurrected Jesus by the power of The Spirit is the greatest gift we can offer the world and everyone in it. I know you are making plans to be with family, friends, or take time off, but as people of hope, peace, joy and love use this time of year to proclaim these truths in public worship. Invite those people around you to witness the worship of His people. This good news of Jesus is what will satisfy their souls, as it satisfies our own. The focus of our church is on Christ and Him crucified so that we are bound up by the Spirit in our return to the Father as we await our permanent return. To that end, we worship loud and proud, with great expense and giving up of our time and comfort as a willing sacrifice for the one who abides with us. O Come let us adore Him!

Ben Melli