At Christmas we celebrate the wonder that the Word came to dwell and continues to dwell among us. Share this message with someone who longs to know Emmanuel – God with us.
Between Sundays for Week of December 30, 2024
This week’s reflection is drawn from a text by Michael James Peterson, which was sung as the offering of music on Sunday.
Eternity slipped into time
and drew immortal breath.
This mystery so clearly seen
the world could not forget
that in the town of Bethlehem,
in the most unlikely place,
God, the Father, wore a Child’s face.
There’s something in the heart of God
so purely meek and mild;
finds its best expression in
the longing of a child.
For ev’ry child’s heart is hungry
to be found, and loved and known
by someone who would make their heart a home.
Refrain
My heart is Bethlehem,
I will make room for Him.
This humble dwelling place
made worthy by His grace.
This Child is still adored
because He still is born
deep in the hearts of them
whose heart is Bethlehem.
I wish for you this Christmastime
that you would find true peace.
That silent nights are holy nights
and wonders never cease.
There is no remembering
the heartaches of the past,
For God’s forgiveness finds your heart at last.
Refrain
Merry Christmas!
P.S. Watch Sunday’s service of lessons and carols for Christmas to hear reflections from Martin Luther’s Christmas book. View past services on the Share in Worship page of BLC’s website!
P.P.S. The ELCA Foundation sent out a beautiful and inspiring video Christmas greeting. Take a moment to view this and extend your Christmas celebration of Emmanuel: God with us!
Faith Connection at Home
Christ is born! And Christmas is more than just one day – it’s a season of 12 days. This year, try bringing the celebration of Christmas home with you, to continue savoring over the next week. Here are several ideas to help you take Christmas home:
- Have your family select their favorite Christmas carol and sing it together in your house over the next few days.
- Pick a prayer from a Christmas service you attend to repeat several times during the 12 days. Or pick different prayers from the service and pray them over several days.
- Look up the Christmas story in Luke 2:1-20 in your Bible at home. Help a child or young person find them in their Bibles. Read them together.
- The theme of BLC’s Christmas Eve service is, “Love Knows Your Name.” Tell each other stories of the names of the people in your house. What makes them special? What is their history? End by blessing each other with these words: “(Person’s Name), God knows you and loves you.”
- Try a breath prayer. Inhale and exhale as you pray these words either silently or aloud: Inhale: Time after time; Exhale: You call me by name. Repeat a few times, until these words rest in your heart.
- If you have an Advent wreath, light all four candles at dinner or before bed. Try saying grace or bedtime prayers by candlelight.
- If you have a nativity scene, move the three wisemen far away from the manager. Every day, move them closer to the manger until the 12th day, when they reach Baby Jesus.
- If you brought home a star quilt ornament from BLC on Christmas Eve, carry it in your pocket. Touch it when you find yourself needing a reminder that God knows you completely and loves you fully.
Patty Chaffee
Family Faith Formation Coordinator
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Ponderings
A blessing for you as the year turns from Nadia Bolz-Weber.
“As you enter this new year, as you pack away the Christmas decorations and get out your stretchy pants, as you face the onslaught of false promises offered you through new disciplines and elimination diets, as you grasp for control of yourself and your life and this chaotic world – May you remember that there is no resolution that, if kept, will make you more worthy of love.”
Read (or listen to the author read) the full article here!
