Behold, I am doing a new thing in your midst. Do you not perceive of it? Isaiah 43:10
How can it be Christmas? Is yet another year actually coming to an end? Is there some unknown clock that makes the hours, days, and years go faster as we age?
Whether we like it or not life moves quickly and continues to hold lots of surprises. But a church closing? Somehow that feels as if it is against God’s plan. You would think that as we age, surprises might be fewer and acceptances easier. But the thought of God’s house, the church, being demolished?
Here we are, only a few days before Christmas. Wherever you may be spending Christmas this year, I know that God will be in your midst and perhaps doing new things. I currently find myself called out of retirement and called back into the church. But not in a usual way. Two churches in Bethlehem (Bethlehem Pennsylvania, not the one where Jesus was born) came to the prayerful conclusion that they needed to close. One church building was sold, demolished and will become condominiums. The other church building was sold and will be refurbished.
But, what happens to the people? What about the faithful? What about those who for generations celebrated baptisms, confirmations, marriages and more. What about the community who supported each other through difficult times of life: accidents, divorces, deaths and much more? Where do they go? What do they do? In this case many members from the two closing churches joined a nearby congregation and three are becoming one.
The teachings of Jesus Christ are not for the weak. In a world that promotes accumulating wealth, Christians are called to share, to love their neighbor and to be kind to all our neighbors. In the world’s view Jesus’ teachings seem radical, unreasonable. But the love of God is beyond reason.
This week the Christian Church is moving from Advent; the season of preparation to Christmas. The birth of Jesus, God’s own son, changed the world and continues to be celebrated. The Christmas celebration includes an incredible bright star that lit up the sky to lead others to find the child. Kings and shepherds and others all traveled to see God’s own son, born in a lowly barn-type setting. Gifts were given. Angels were singing. Miracles. Joy to the world … Jesus was born! God came among humanity in the form of a child. What a gift! He is a blessing for all time!
We continue to prepare for this celebration. Most of us will be buying, wrapping, cookie baking, partying and more this week. Christmas has expanded from a sacred event to a full-blown yearly celebration. It is a favorite celebration for many whether they are followers of Christ or not. It is a sacred time where we find our insides tingling as we sing carols and light candles. Only God could have touched lives then and still now in such an incredible way.
When we get tired of the world and how society is changing remember: God is doing a new thing in our midst. We might have difficulties with the current world but challenges aren’t new. We will get through.
I am in awe of the workings of God and God’s people. This year members from three congregations found a way to be the church. They come together now to celebrate Christ’s birth. They will sing the carols and blend together honored traditions. They will light candles and remember. They will remember the past and look ahead to a questionable future. Together they will seek new leadership and I’ll go back to retirement. Together, they will be stronger.
Our God is an amazing God. Society may validate sports and working on Sundays but our God is still breaking into our everyday lives. One thing we can count on: God is doing a new thing in our midst. Merry Christmas!
This is a contributed opinion column. The Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith is intentional interim pastor at St. Thomas United Church of Christ, Bethlehem.
