Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
After our surprising snowfall a couple of weeks ago, lots of folks shared their beautiful pictures of the campus covered in such a rare snow. One posted this picture, with the caption, “Me, at my favorite place in the world ever. Isn’t she pretty?” Most certainly. All of the images were spectacular.
We are all blessed to worship in such a beautiful place, and with such beautiful people. And we are blessed to worship a God who so beautifully loved us that he became human in Jesus, and through Jesus, God taught us to do His beautiful work in the world.
Perhaps I used the word beautiful too much in last paragraph, but you get my meaning.
During my Christmas Eve sermon, I quoted a poem, “The House of Christmas,” by Gilbert Keith Chesterton, a 20th century English writer. One stanza reads,
“A Child in a foul stable,
Where the beasts feed and foam,
Only where He was homeless
Are you and I at home;
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost – how long ago!
In a place no chart nor ship can show
Under the sky’s dome.”
As sacramental and sentimental people, we love places, like the Chapel, the beach, camp, Grandmother’s kitchen, and so many others. At Christmas, we remember that our most favorite place is with God and God made that eternal relationship (our home, as Chesterton described it) possible through Christ.
I am grateful to call the Chapel home and I am blessed to serve God with each and every one of you. May you know the beautiful joy of our Christmas home this day and forevermore. See you at the Chapel.
Keep the faith,
Ben+