Most of my blog messages are written well in advance of their posting date. Today’s is no exception. I am writing weeks before this is scheduled but I know it will post on Christmas Eve. It might not seem “christmasy” to you but I think it very much feels like the true meaning of Christmas…..
Over the past few weeks, four of my friends have watched one of their loved ones complete their earthly race. The circumstances of each departure were all different - one was a young child, one was an octogenarian, and the other two were closer to my age. Two were dramatically unexpected and two were sad but not shocking. While the circumstances were varied, the thing that was consistent is the subject of this message.
In each case, in the midst of pain and grief and sorrow, I saw THE CHURCH in action.
THE CHURCH. The BRIDE of CHRIST. The PEOPLE of GOD. came alongside by friends in each of these situations. They prayed and cried and fed and grieved and served and did all the things that needed to be done. Not just for a day but for weeks. Each of these situations were different circles of friends but they each one functioned the same. Because each circle was the BODY of Christ. Each different group somehow knew what was needed and they met those needs. With hearts to ease the burdens, to share the grief, to support and love and minister.
In the midst of brokenness and pain…there was beauty. Each of the times. Beauty delivered by THE CHURCH.
What does that have to do with Christmas?
Everything.
Because this is what Jesus came to earth and died for. To create and establish and grow His BRIDE. And when one member of the Body is hurting, it is a glorious sight to see the other parts surround the wound and pour out love. It is beautiful.
I am so thankful to be part of THE CHURCH. The Church universal….and the local church. I love being part of it and participating in the beautiful fleshing out of Christ’s plan for us. Christmas is when we celebrate the gift of Jesus coming to earth. But while we celebrate, let’s remember what He came to redeem us, to give Himself up for us, and to make us holy, blameless, and His Beautiful Bride. As we minister to one another, we see Ephesians 4:15,16 in real life: we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
I love THE CHURCH universal as well as the local Church. Even though it gets messy sometimes ( we are all still human on this side of Eternity, after all!) and yes, there are failures and disappointments and mistakes. But it’s also beautiful. The different parts working together. The fitting together under the head of Christ. The growth and the building of in love. I get to see it all the time. I get to be part of it. I am so thankful.
I hope you love the church too. I hope you are part of it and that you participate in this fitting together. If you’ve been hurt or disappointed, I am sorry. Church hurt is hard. But, this Christmas, for the sake of what Jesus came for, give it another chance.
It really can be a beautiful and glorious thing. Merry Christmas.