Advent Day 27
Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord … (from Psalm 148)
Today is a great day to worship.
Yesterday I wrote about becoming part of a community of faith. Tonight (Christmas Eve) there will be some beautiful opportunities to participate in a community as worshipers celebrate the birth of Christ.
Actually, for me this night is bittersweet. In becoming a pastor, I’ve had to give up a cherished childhood tradition. Some of my ancestors were Moravian, and the Moravians host a moving Christmas Eve service called a “lovefeast.” For years, my family attended these services in the Winston-Salem, NC area. I don’t live anywhere near a Moravian church and I miss attending those services. If you live near one, go!
Yet tonight I get to have some fun dressing up as a shepherdess or Mary or some sort of “Bible woman” for our children’s Christmas Eve service. Instead of robes, the senior pastor and I will wear the funny little bathrobe-type costumes we keep around the church for this occasion, and the children will dress up as people or animals from the Christmas story.
For me the children’s service is a chance to reflect on the meaning of worship. By dressing down, I feel that I am putting away all my pretenses. I am humble before the manger, in which lies a King. I keep this image before me as I worship at other times during the year.
May your worship be humble and glorious tonight, and indeed every time you worship.
Today’s Scripture readings from the PC(USA): http://gamc.pcusa.org/devotion/daily/2010/12/24/
Pastor2K 