HELLO!

“The Word became flesh and lived among us, we have seen this glory, the glory of a Creator’s beloved child, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-14

Merry Christmas! Bethe and I hope to see some of you Wednesday, at the 4 pm service Bethe has birthed, led by children, youth and adults (and the two of us) and the 8 pm service I have birthed featuring Communion and a sermon, and several musical offerings from our 40+ voice choir.

We are those called to keep encouraging members of the body of Christ to honour one another with the promise of resurrection. God’s presence is not limited to the places where we extend God an invitation. It is the gospel truth, as our reading Wednesday night will proclaim, “All things came into being through God-Jesus-Spirit.” Everything begins as God’s Creation. There is no where God cannot be found. God will use whatever we offer, but also, (often overlooked) God will be present regardless.

John’s gospel does not begin with the birth story of Jesus. Instead, he opens his gospel with a song of sorts, extoling the power of God becoming flesh and celebrates the grace that comes to all through Jesus (verses 12-14). It is part song, part poetry, and part prose and it is full of biblical allusions. God choosing to put skin on and walk among us is one of the pivotal points in history, which includes the redemption of the Hebrew people and continues in the story of Jesus, his ministry with his disciples, and his death and resurrection. For me it is one of the most important tenets of faith — God loved the world so much God came to dwell among us, teach us, even die and kept loving us in spite of dangers (John 3: 16).

One of my seminary professors taught us being in ministry means being more than just a tourist. Tourists come to a place and visit, while maintaining their own unique traditions and customs. They buy trinkets and take snapshots. She taught us ministers need to be pilgrims and “pitch a tent” with the people. Pilgrim ministers learn the language of the people they are sent to serve. Pilgrims pitching tent take up the traditions and customs they encounter, but they also witness to a transforming love that knows no limits, no boundaries, and no fear.

Pitching a tent means coming to be fully part of the world in which we live. The Word in this text is doing just that — coming to pitch tent with humanity. The Word made flesh comes to be in the world and change the world. The telling of Jesus’ birth in Matthew and Luke make for powerful images and create a sense of connection we can see replayed every year in Christmas Pageants across the globe. But John goes another way. He tells us, in deep and profound ways, God pitches a tent amongst us, in the church, in the world, in you and me, in the other. This is not news to receive with sedate reserve or the filter of rules and regulations and endless details. Instead, this God has pitched a tent, is here, is changing us, where we live, how we love, how we become church. Peace, Kevin

PS In a holy conversation with Jerry today I listened as he shared a dream of those in our midst who feel “the call” to serve, become “friends of…(worship committee, outreach committee, finance committee, trustees, Council, serving the larger United Church)”. It’s an invitation to attend meetings, kick tires, listen to the Spirit, discern if this body feels like home to you. What wisdom! I pray Jerry’s dream bears fruit, if you feel this “call” please speak to Bethe, myself, or a mentor like Jerry.

PPS Today many members of our choir joined me at Glasgow Hall for a Christmas service. What a gift our choir is! They are a blessing.