Light of the World

A special installment for a special day. Yesterday was Christmas Day and I feel for the first time I was able to really appreicate and understand 'the reason for the season'. Never before have I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends -- really understanding that this blessing comes from God.

I was fortunate enough to spend this Christmas with my Dad, step-mom and little brother in St. Louis. We went to church at Manchester United Methodist Church for the 7:00p.m. Christmas Eve service. The service was beautiful -- wonderful music by the choir (in which my dad sings), handbells, and organ. Dr. Carl Schenck gave a wonderful sermon about the Christmas story, reminding us all that this is a day that is for everyone -- reminding us that the birth of Jesus was something that came about for every single person in this world.

The most awesome point in the night for me, though, came by the power of sitting between my two brothers, and seeing my Dad sit ahead of me up in the choir loft. "Oh Little Town of Bethleham" was one of the carols that we sang, and one of the verses they just had the women sing, and the other just the men. Hearing my little brother Evan and older brother Ryan sing next to me was enough to bring me to tears. How blessed was I to be sitting between these two awesome people - also participating, remembering and rejoycing the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. This is a memory that I will cherish forever.

I would like to share the Christmas Creed that was spoken together at the end of the worship service. Let this be a reminder of what and why we believe in the power of Jesus Christ and let us never forget that He is the Light of the World.

"I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beatuy of the Gospel that began in Bethlehem.
I believe in Him whose spirit glorified a little town;
of whose coming only sheperds saw the sign,
but for whom the crowded inn could find no room.
I believe in Him whom kings of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand;
whose welcome came from them of hungry hearts.
I believe in Him who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible.
I confess our everlasting need of God;
the need of forgiveness for our greed and selfishness,
the need of life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.
I acknowledge the glory of all that is like Christ;
the steadfastness of friends, the blessedness of homes,
the beauty of compassion, the courage of those who dare to resist all hate and war.
I believe that only by love expressed shall the earth at length be purified."

My prayer is that we will all confess and understand our everlasting need of God, and continue to praise and worship him with as much focus and intention as we have during this blessed time of year.