Emmanuel Lutheran Church

December 21

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18

As I reflect upon this reading, it occurs to me that our inheritance is truly glorious. We are to spend eternity with God in a perfect place, ourselves having been made clean. No pain, no discomfort, no fear.

I can catch glimpses of our inheritance in my day-to-day life. Nearly every day my children interact in some wild way, bouncing against each other on the trampoline or wrestling around the living room. Their unburdened laughter lightens my heart and fills me with joy.

I was working in Elkhart a few months ago and was burdened by the prospect of a long drive home. I went outside to see an amazing purple and red sunset. I was awestruck by God's gift. I have moments when a friend shows me understanding, and I am grateful for the love of the people in my life. When Paula's mother was dying in August, the unbelievable compassion and devotion of our church family moved me very much.

Too often I make my way through my day without taking special note of the wonder of God's creation. G.K. Chesterton pointed out that an eclipse is not nearly as impressive as the fact of the sun, rising and falling every day, providing our world with warmth and energy. I often consider that I have to drive 70 miles to Logansport for work most days, without considering the intricate and wondrous miracle of Indiana corn fields. Small birds chase hawks away from their nests, corn blows in the breeze, clouds form mind-blowing patterns across the sky.

Brothers and Sisters! Let us open the eyes of our hearts and see that these moments of joy are mere glimpses of the amazing promise of the glory of our eternal inheritance! All that we see, feel, and hear in this life that is good comes from God, and is a piece of the hope to which he has called us. Let us dance and sing, for the promise is great.

I ask for God, the God of glory, to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do and grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers. Oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him— endless energy, boundless strength! Amen.

Contributed by Spencer Booth

Darkness and Light

The winter solstice, on December 21, 22, or 23, is the longest night and shortest day of the year, the time winter begins to die and summer is reborn. To

ancient pagans, this was cause for celebration. Their solstice observances lasted 12 days and included feasting, pranks, gift-giving, visiting, costuming— anything to offset the darkness of winter.

They decorated homes with evergreens (holly, mistletoe, and ivy brought luck) and wreaths, symbols of rebirth and life.  The lighting of bonfires and candles were important to the celebrations as the ancients sought to imitate and encourage the sun in its return.

To Christians, this struggle between darkness and light holds a more profound meaning. As we light candles of Advent and Christmas, we mark the birth of a Light that dispels a far greater darkness and brings life that never ends.