Let's face it, I am a throwback to an older generation. I like the traditional ways, at least the ways of my life in the past. I reflect on this as I ponder the Christmas Eve service in our church last night.
Where in the service did I feel closest to God? It was in singing the old carols and the lighting of the candles, things that I had done many times, but that felt right as a form of worship. As I think about this I realize that maybe I just wanted a good feeling, a quick reminder that I still realized the true meaning of Christmas, a sense, that for a few brief moments, I could forget all the tinsel and lights and concentrate on Jesus.
Then I sit here this morning, and I am struck by all of the things that I do not want out of Christmas or any service, however reverent and worshipful. Not that I do not want them per se, but that I do not want them to be my priority. Things like serving communion, like singling old carols, like candles and the soft glow in the church, things like seeing old friends and things like feeling good about myself in this season.
My Christmas Prayer to God this day is hard to put into words. I do not need my feelings stimulated, I do not need to feel good about myself, I don't even need the right conditions for worship, I just need You.
I think of the verse from Paul's letter:
Philippians 3:10
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death,
The title of our pastor's series this December has been "Heaven Came Near", but I would like to have it changed to "Heaven Came Here".
God let it be so.
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