A Word From the Pastor (December 2006)

“Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
for with blessings in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.”
UM Hymnal #626

Dear Friends,

Strangely enough, I woke this morning with the words of a 4th century chant running through my head, words from the Liturgy of St. James. “Let all mortal flesh keep silence and with fear and trembling stand …” The words are such a contrast to the refrains of “Have a holly, jolly Christmas” that have been crowding the airwaves since before Advent’s arrival. In this ancient hymn, we are invited to stand in awe and reverence as we ponder God’s inconceivable choice, God’s choice to come to earth in human form. In our own world in this season, people often seem fixated on pondering lights and decorations, holiday parties with munchies and eggnog, the whirl of shopping and wrapping gifts, but this 4th century verse invites us to ponder a great mystery, to turn our minds from the business and busyness of earth to the wonders of heaven. We are invited to consider the miracle of God’s Son, born of Mary, in human vesture to offer his body and blood for the health and hope of the world. We are encouraged to stand breathless with amazement at the news that the one who came as a child so long ago will come again as the Light of light and Lord of lords to vanquish the powers of darkness forever. While popular Christmas favorites wax eloquent about snowy weather and “chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” about Rudolph and Frosty and our beloved Santa Claus, this ancient verse urges us instead to look beyond the pleasantries of earth to embrace the wonder of heaven, to embrace the gift of God’s eternal power and love made known in Jesus Christ.

“Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.” This Advent/Christmas season is full of happy traditions that bring joy to the heart. Surely we love our earthly rituals. They are part of what helps to “make the season bright.” However we miss the point of this holy season if we don’t experience anew a sense of awe and wonder at what God has done in Jesus Christ. We miss the miracle if we are not astounded afresh at the news that God became flesh and dwelt among us. We miss the miracle if we enjoy our “merry Christmas” without celebrating the good news that Christ who is now enthroned in glory will come again to transform the earth.

May we, in this holy season, take time to recognize the awesome hand of God in the wonder of the incarnation, God made flesh. May we, in this holy season, stand in awe, as we commit ourselves anew to serving our Christ now and always, waiting with breathless anticipation for the day when he will come to bring a new heaven and a new earth, waiting in reverence and devotion for that new day of light and hope and peace to dawn. “Let all mortal flesh keep silence …”

God bless you in this holy season,
Rev. Peggy Ann Sauerhoff