2017 Worship Guide

Page 18 2017 WORSHIP GUIDE Wednesday, December 6, 2017 LINCOLN DAILY NEWS PUBLICATION packages under the tree or in all that wonderful food that gets served every holiday season. But, rather it is when our hearts are gathered together in song and praise, prayer and worship and the candles are lit and we realize that God has come into our lives and our souls. Singing “Silent Night” in German, hearing the Gospel of Luke being read and watching the kids struggle for their lines in the pageant, it all transforms me into a wide-eyed child again and brings me hope in our busy and troubled world. It is the hope of all the ages, that we are not left to our devices. That in the midst of our troubles and pain, and sin and darkness, God sends a light of hope and salvation. In the midst of fear there is faith, in the midst of sadness there is joy, in the midst of pain there is healing, and in the midst of hopelessness there is hope. It is the comforting knowledge that God has come to rule our lives and produce order out of chaos, and that God is in charge no matter what the rulers and leaders of this world may say or do. It is the promise of everlasting life when our days on earth are over and it is the knowing God’s promises are true and can be trusted. Especially in the Christmas season, you and I both know that we do not deserve such a wonderful gift, as Jesus our Lord, and yet God gives Him to us without question or reserve. Because of the cross, the manger becomes a place of worship and because of God’s grace, the gift is free and all we have to do is accept it. Many a Christmas has passed since that night in a small church in Jamestown, Illinois and many wonderful experiences of Christmas have come and gone since then, and each year my faith is reaffirmed by the one born in Bethlehem. I look forward to it happening again this year. Perhaps more than ever, I seek the Christ in the lives of the family and friends and fellow believers, for it is in their eyes that I see this wonder of the great mystery of Christmas. Join me and all of us as we journey one more time to Bethlehem where we will hear angels sing and hear the good news, “That unto us, is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Rev. Ken Kramer Pastor at St. John United Church of Christ