<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder No questions this week, because it's time for my Second Annual Christmas Card to the readers. Don't worry, though. We'll quickly be getting back to the Q & A. I invite you to stop to consider the magnitude of the event we call Christmas. The Feast of the Nativity celebrates something we can't understand (the transcendent God, Creator of the universe taking on human flesh). It celebrates a purpose that we would not be willing or able to take upon ourselves (self-sacrifice and painful death for the sake of people who don't deserve it). In this spirit, stop with me to ponder the first and last stanzas of a favorite carol. "Oh, come, all ye faithful," beckons those who believe in Jesus Christ, his Word, and all that the Word says he is. The "faithful" are not so because of themselves, but because the Holy Spirit has created faith in them through Baptism and the Gospel. This faith is part of the gift of Christmas. We don't come grudgingly or in doubt, but "joyful and triumphant." The joy is in knowing that our sins are forgiven. The triumph is ours not because we hav defeated the sins that stain us. It is because this Baby came to earth, taking our sins upon himself, so that he might offer himself as payment for our debt. He gave us his triumph of Calvary and the resurrection - another part of the gift of Christmas. "Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the King of angels." Don't come to see a cute child born in a weird spot. Come look in wonder at God in a feed trough. Be amazed at this love, this humility, this Gift. Consider that although he is on the animals' "plate," they do not eat him. No, he reserves this for those who believe in him, as he gives his body and blood in his supper for our forgiveness and our oneness with himself, with the Father, and with each other. "Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!" What else can we do? "Amen and thank-you," are on our lips. Adoration is not putting a plastic Jesus in a little manger under the tree. It's not buying out the stores to give things to people who already have more things than they'll ever use. We adore him as we strive to live as he did, to love as he does, to serve others as he served us. We adore him when we speak his truth lovingly but without compromise. We adore him when we give our tithes and offerings in thankfulness. We adore him when we lead decent, honorable, and God-pleasing lives. We adore him when we regularly go to church to attend his services. We adore him when we baptize as he commanded, in the Name of the Triune God and for the forgiveness of sins. We adore him when we confess our sins and receive the absolution he has commanded his pastors to speak. We adore him when we receive him, God-become-flesh, in his Supper. "Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing!" Greet him where he makes his presence known. Go to church, join with those he has made your brothers and sisters. Presents will wait. Dinners can be scheduled around the services. If you would give him the glory due his Name, come to where that Name is proclaimed. Come adore Christ the Lord. He came in flesh to save sinners born flesh. He came in flesh to be tempted as we are, to feel our pain, to carry our sins, and to die. He came in flesh so his flesh could rise again, and so he could then raise up all who believe in Him to live forever with him in heaven. If you haven't yet decided upon where you will greet him, I invite you to Christmas Eve candlelight services at St. Paul, Jasper (Highway 190 across from Wal-Mart; 384-8317) at 7:00 p.m. on the 24th or at Faith, Woodville (704 West Holly; 283-7171) at 11:00 p.m. On Christmas Day, I'll leave my bed with joy to greet him in the 10:00 a.m. Carol Communion Service at St. Paul. All are invited to attend, and Lutherans with whom we are in fellowship are invited to speak with me about communion. If your own church does not celebrate the Word Become Flesh, or if you have stayed away too long from the gathering of the saints, honor him by going to meet him where he makes his presence known and where he gives his gifts. Until next week, Lord willing, when we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 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.