Christmas Gifts

We had over 475 people attend our two Christmas Eve services. I was amazed and thrilled by the turn out. There's nothing like seeing all those faces illuminated by candle light and hearing so many voices blended together singing "Silent Night." It absolutely never ceases to blow me away. It is one of the greatest gifts I receive for Christmas.

As is often the case, with a gift comes a responsibility. In my case, the responsibility is to make an observation and name a pressing challenge arise out of this experience. First for the observation: people came to church Christmas Eve to hear a familiar story, sing well-known hymns and receive a chunk of bread dipped in juice. Pretty routine, ordinary fare, yet they came.

Or should I say "were drawn." Sure, many were there out of habit (not necessarily a bad habit), some tagged along because they were visiting family members who wanted to come, and still others came because there was nothing else to do. But still others came because they wanted to hear about this crazy God of Love who visited his people in a new born baby. Something about that story touches people, all sorts of people.

As for the challenge, well, it arises out of the observation: people came. There were a lot of people from the congregation present Christmas Eve (which is good!) who brought visiting family and friends (which is great!). But I also saw a number of church members Christmas Eve who I don't see very often. I'm challenged to wonder what needs to happen in their lives and in the life of the congregation to increase their level of participation.

I'm also challenged to wonder about another group of folks I met Christmas Eve, people from the community who aren't a part of any church but who came Christmas Even even so. I recognized people I've talked with in line at the post office or sat next to at a school play. "Magi" types who found their way into the church Christmas Eve, responding to something (Someone) within them, people who may follow different paths but who bring wonderful gifts and who belong and are beloved of God.

I wonder what could happen this year (should we just say must must happen this year?) in order to extend God's embrace to people like that. I wonder what must change in me, in you, in our church, to allow this to happen.

I'd be grateful for you input.