Saturday's thoughts

The sermon has come together finally. I am looking at what makes Christmas so important to us and why we will come to church in record numbers. Our church is so full of people we have to set up projectors and a screen in the Fellowship Hall. Why is Christmas Eve so important?

I am looking at three things that determine the meaning of Christmas for us:
1. There is a universal need, shared by God, to have a home and to come back to it. It is the warmth of home that draws us. It is the memory of other occasions when we were together that calls us to seek out this time and place. The warmth of home, and the church is our spiritual home, calls us to come on Christmas Eve.
2. Once we arrive we are required to shine. Our candle lighting service provides a metaphor of self-discovery and expression. We light our candles and others light theirs. The darkness is defeated by the light that we shine. We could reject the idea and not light our candle but the darkness would increase. Each light has its own value as each of us makes a difference. We are compelled to shine.
3. Finally, we are given the opportunity to bask in the glow of those who have gone before us. They have established the path we are on. They have been with us in other years and when we leave the House of God on Christmas we will have thought about those who have been models for us of the Christian life; parents who showed us our values; teachers who tried to help us along the way; friends who believed in us; loved ones who brought out the best in us.

It is the warmth that brings us to church on Christmas; it is the imperative to shine that gives us our assignment; and it is the glow of the love we have known that sends us out into the world energized.

Why do you come to church on Christmas Eve? What did I miss? If you have thoughts about this important subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster