O Come, O Come Emanuel

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:47

We are once again entering Advent, the series of preparation and anticipation of the coming of the Christ-child. We also start the beginning of a new cycle of Scripture readings for the year, and this year our Gospel readings will come primarily from Luke’s Gospel. Luke’s Gospel is unique for its accounts of two angelic appearances: the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Zechariah in the Temple to announce that Zechariah’s aged wife, Elizabeth, would soon be giving birth to a son who was to be named John - and Gabriel’s appearance to Mary to announce that she would soon be bearing a Son conceived by the Holy Spirit. These angelic visits initially bring fear and confusion (and Zechariah is even struck mute for a time), but they end in great joy.

Joy is a recurring theme in Luke’s Gospel. Repeatedly in Luke’s gospel, through Jesus Christ, God’s grace reaches into unexpected places and embraces those on the margins of society, those who least expected to be remembered by God. As Jesus ministers to Jew and Gentile alike, God’s grace is understood in new ways, and confusion and uncertainty give way to great joy.

It is by God’s grace that we continue to have the joy of gathering at Emanuel each Sunday. By God’s grace this will be the third Advent season I have had the joy and privilege of sharing with Emanuel. By God’s grace we have the privilege of welcoming visitors, many of whom become friends and members of Emanuel. Through us, God’s grace continues to reach into unexpected places and light up with joy the faces of those who least expect it. As we await the coming of the Christ-child during Advent and prepare Him room at Christmas, may God surprise with joy all the members and friends of Emanuel United Church of Christ.

See you in church!