“..and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” –The Bible, Luke 2
Friends in faith,
I write today to invite you and ‘yours to Christmas Eve services (on December 24th).
Services are at 6:00pm and 10:00pm. The BIG one is at 6:00pm – with handbell choirs, vocal choirs and lots of people. The smaller one is at 10:00pm. Both services sing stunningly beautiful carols by candlelight and share the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born into a world with no room.
No room. We will fill a gorgeous church full of people, all gathered to celebrate Jesus being born in a barn because there was no room for him elsewhere. No room. Do you know what it is to be unwelcome? Jesus did, from the very beginning; no room for him. Maybe you know people who feel like there is no room for them- especially in church. Maybe they haven’t been with a church that welcomes “their kind,” not yet.
Please print this letter for them and point to the next paragraph:
We have room for you! Please come join us on Christmas Eve to celebrate Jesus being born on the outside of popular culture in order to welcome, teach, include and save every kind of you and me, no matter what! Please come and feel welcome to sing beautifully or badly- or not sing at all. Come and feel invited to Holy Communion even if you have never felt welcome before. Come and hold a candle and feel the warm wax. Come if you've got issues and you don't want to talk about it.. or maybe you do (!) Come and be welcome to wonder and enter a community of faith that asks really honest, really hard questions. Come and spend part of Christmas Eve with some not-entirely- perfect people who practice faith with roots deep enough to matter. Welcome!
Lots of churches today act more like the innkeeper in Luke 2 who couldn’t find room for Mary & Joseph. They specialize in helping people feel unwelcome who aren’t exactly their type, or who didn’t get it together soon enough to show up on time. We are sorry.
Our church is more like the barn. We welcome all kinds of animals: early and late, pregnant and not, married or not- (you name your fit..) to welcome and follow Jesus in our midst. Come rejoice with us!
Please give this letter away. (You can always print another anytime you need one.) Giving things away is very Christmas-like, it all begins with God giving Jesus to us in a barn. So give the letter away and keep an eye on your barn.
Merry Christmas, see you soon!
-Pastor Chris
Well said, my friend
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