<> Ask the Pastor Rev. Walter Snyder Did everyone have a good Christmas? I certainly hope so. I'm one of those fortunate enough to have Christmas continue. My dad and youngest brother are coming in later today, Lord willing, and we'll let the celebration continue. Actually, Christmas continues every day, anyhow, as far as I'm concerned, for each day the Father continues to send his Son to us. It's been a slow week for questions, what with shopping and eating and going to church and all, so we'll take a quick side trip to the Church calendar before looking at the week's only question. Tomorrow is, of course, New Year's Day. It's also the Church holiday commemorating the Circumcision and Name of Jesus. Some churches celebrate one or the other of these, some both, and some neither. The date is chosen because it is the eighth day of Christmas, and Old Testament Law required the circumcision of all males in order to bring them into the covenant. Normally, this was done on the eighth day. Since the date of Christmas has been arbitrarily set, the date of His circumcision is based on the same figuring. Remembering this day reminds us that Christ fulfilled all the Law, even that specific only to Israel. As far as we know, it's the first time He felt pain on our behalf, the first blood He shed. The Name of Jesus is also important. As the angel told Joseph, "You shall call Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." The name means, "He saves." So as you plan your new year and make resolutions, remember the One who resolved to set you free from your sins and give thanks that He came to fulfill the Law for us who couldn't and who has, indeed, saved us. Q: The churches I've known most about normally allow most anyone to take communion. I went to one where only people who belonged to that church or who talked to the minister were allowed. Why? A: If you've been following this column, you've discovered differences among various church bodies in their practice of Baptism and in other areas. We've seen that these differences usually come from interpretation of Scripture. So it is with Communion. Some treat Communion as strictly a memorial meal. They will focus on Jesus' words, "Do this in remembrance of Me." The Supper instituted by the Savior is considered to be an act of worship or response. In many of these churches, anyone who desires to respond is allowed to do so. If any guests at least, any baptized Christians are present in church, they are automatically included in participation. Overall, the Supper is considered to be something which encourages Christian unity. Other churches concentrate especially on Jesus' words, "This is My body...this is my blood." They consider the Lord's Supper to be done in remembrance, but the emphasis is that Holy Communion is a gift of Christ to His Church. In various interpretations, these churches generally teach that the body and blood of Christ are actually present in the Supper. Some attempt in greater degree to explain this, others merely accept the words of Christ at face value and allow Him to make Himself present as He will. Reading the warnings against communing without discerning the body and blood of Christ, and the commands for self-examination, these churches have some form of instruction before admission to the altar. For these bodies, the Supper is not seen as a means of increasing unity, but its final earthly expression. Sadly, the exclusion sometimes is done in a seemingly loveless manner, even if the reason lies in concern for the spiritual well- being of others. These churches treat seriously passages like "Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord." Their concern is that no one who eating and drinking the body and the blood of the Lord "eats and drinks judgment on himself." (Quotes are from 1 Corinthians 11.) Hopefully, churches practicing instruction, teaching the need for understanding of the Lord's Supper (see 1 Cor. 10 and 11) and for unity in belief before Communion (Acts 2:42; Romans 16:17) will carefully and lovingly explain their positions. That's it for now. Next week, I'll be writing from my new home-- I sincerely hope and pray! Until then, God bless you. Should you wish to "Ask the Pastor," write P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951, e-mail xrysostom@aol.com, or stop me on the street to chat. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jasper and Faith Lutheran Church, Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe." Copyright (c) 1995 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.