Emmanuel Lutheran Church

December 16, 2011

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

When I first read this verse, no specific thought popped into my mind. Do you ever find that sometimes the Word of God just hits you immediately and causes a sudden reaction inyou? Well, that certainly happens to me! But that did not happen with this verse.

So for the past couple of weeks, I have continued to think on it. I read this verse each night. I talked with God about this verse. I read the verse in several different translations. I thought about this verse on the way to work and on the way home from work. I prayed on this verse. And this Word of God began to work the mystery in me that the Word works in my heart. This verse  changed me. At first I kept thinking on the thief, but slowly my heart turned not only to the “I have come,” but to the “they” of this verse.

“I have come.” Oftentimes in my life, in my journey to understand God, the magnitude of that statement has just slipped right over my head. Jesus, Son of God, “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God” came. The creator and Lord God of the vast and intricate universe entered into the sphere of human life! When I think of this, I find it remarkable, mysterious, and outlandish. Why would God bother?

Well, look at the simple answer this verse gives: “that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

But then I realized something different about this verse, something that led me to look at my family, my work, and my fellowship at Emmanuel differently. And I did a little happy dance in my heart.

The Word of God speaks to me plainly and convinces me that Jesus loves me so much he came to ransom me by his willing death on the cross; but in this verse, Jesus does not say you! Jesus came for the sheep that hear his voice; he came for the flock, the they of this verse—that they may have life . . . to the full.

Since I joined the family (flock) at Emmanuel, God has patiently changed my perspective, and this verse brought that to me so clearly and wonderfully. Through worship with they, through Bible study with they, through the summer block party with they, through communion with they, through prayer with they, God has given me more than before, more life in him and through him than before. In fellowship with the other sheep, my life with God is simply more full. Imagine that for yourself in this earthly fellowship and the future fellowship God holds for all of us, and I imagine you will join my happy dance!

Kay Craig

Las Posadas

A beloved Christmas tradition in Latin American countries, Las Posadas reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Posada is the Spanish word for “inn,” and because tradition says their search lasted 9 days, Las Posadas processions begin on December 16 and take place each night until Christmas.

The procession carries candles and the figures of Mary and Joseph through streets to friends’ homes (or from room to room in a home), seeking shelter. At the designated home/room, a carol is
sung, asking for lodging. The doors are opened, Mary and Joseph are placed in the home’s nativity set (nacimiento), and everyone sings, dances, and celebrates. On Christmas Eve, the figure of Baby Jesus is added to the final nacimiento amid a huge celebration.