Last Advent, we faced the season knowing we wouldn’t be able to gather for in-person worship. It seemed inconceivable to me to not meet for Christmas after having already experienced that at Easter earlier in the year.
We pre-recorded the Christmas Eve Worship Service to ensure that it would be ready for television broadcast on December 24. That meant we would all spend Christmas Eve at home worshiping via the television or online services. I found that Christmas Eve became a multitude of juxtapositions. Our small family of four joined the thousands worshiping through the broadcast service. We felt a sense of isolation due to the pandemic; yet the very same pandemic created a global connection because everyone around the world was facing the same struggles. I felt a twinge of sadness for missing the Traditional Service with the family of faith; but the intimate setting with my family was a special memory I’ll never forget.
An event from more than 2,000 years ago was also full of its own contrasts. When Mary and Joseph gave birth, they were isolated in the stable of an overcrowded inn; but the baby would connect people throughout history to God’s love. Their helpless newborn would be the One to help the world. The lowly child placed in an animal trough was the King of Kings.
You can hear the contrasts in the traditional Christmas carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem:
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
In the darkness – an everlasting light was shining, and that Light continues to shine in the darkest areas of our lives. When we’re alone, He is with us. When we despair, He gives us hope. When we are bound by fear or guilt, He sets us free. It is why our greatest times and our lowest moments can all be taken to Jesus. We celebrate the birth of the Christ Child because “the hopes and fears of all the years” continue to be met in Him.
Rev. Wendy Lambert, Senior Executive Pastor
