I took advantage of a good friends bring a friend to church day. It was about an hour away in Wilmington Delaware, but it was well worth the journey. I was introduced to a few people upon entering; some just came up and welcomed me. The look of the church gave me a good feeling inside. The outside of the church having a siding of wood that reminded me of the old country churches back in the day. Sitting at atop of the hill, it stands as a beacon to those that journey inside.
The chapel itself is just so natural. The wooden ceiling of the church is a design all on its own, along with the wooden pews. They seemed to have a shine to them, almost like they were new. If you can imagine a soft wood to sit upon this would be it. The atmosphere was warm and cozy on this windy day and I observed families and friends gathering in and all around me.
We began by singing songs. I love to hear the voices as they rise and lower. How the men sing really deep and low as the women sing crisp soprano notes. The music leader, his hands and arms intermingled with his voice leading us in song so beautifully.
The minister talks of the Great Event. The night our savior came and how we marvel at that. They bring the Golden ciborium’s up to the front to prepare for the Lord’s Supper we will share with one another later in the service. They inform us to fill out the prayer requests. The minister tells us to look to the East, the star in the sky is getting closer and closer over Bethlehem. He talks about the birth of the King, and what if Christmas was in February.
We sing some more songs to praise God and he mentions John 1:1-14. We sing a few more songs and he then shows us a very heart inspiring film called Birth of a King. This film made me quiver and tremble a little. It makes you see Mary’s strength in a whole different light. The minister reiterated the words to the song that went along with the video. “I will hold you in the beginning; you will hold me in the end.” Stories have been told of Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloth and Mary looking vibrant, but this film sort of shows the deep dedication Mary had for her Lord to follow what he told her to do, and the life she had to leave behind to birth give to the savior. The minister, Brad Carman, goes into details about the birth of Jesus, and how Christmas has become surrounded around pageantry instead of truth. He mentions if we have ever been to the Middle East where Jesus was born, that the barn was more like a cave. Bethlehem was Joseph’s hometown, why didn’t family give him a place to stay? There was no room for “Them” because of Mary and her immaculate conception she and Joseph were not welcome. He also said that Mary couldn’t have been riding a donkey, because only wealthy people had donkeys in Canaan. Mary had walked to Bethlehem, pregnant and alone only with her companion Joseph. Could it be that the birth of Jesus is not quite as we have told it? He emphasizes that we must be honest with ourselves when comparing our sentiment of retelling the birth of our king. Retelling stories so many times reminds me of the game whisper down the lane. He goes on to provide examples of why he feels the way he does. He told us that the time of year was more like September or October versus the 12-25 that we celebrate each year. He advised that all the Sheppard’s were out tending their sheep in the fields. This explains why the manger was empty and not full of livestock. Like I mentioned earlier the barn was probably more like a cave, and instead of swaddling blanket, Mary had wrapped Jesus in strips of cloth. The reason Jesus was born where he was born was because there was a census being taken and Jospeh returned home. Though Mary and him were not welcomed by family. This makes me really look at all those stories I grew up hearing. It sounds like such a struggle and a burden, and even after Jesus was born he was shunned. Both Joseph and Mary had no explanation regarding her conception. Both of them were alone in this world with only one another to lean upon. Because Mary had the unexplained pregnancy and because Joseph was associated with her, they both were shunned. The Magi that gathered around after the birth of Jesus probably didn’t show up until after many months, due to tending to their flocks. The three kings of orient probably were not kings at all. They were probably astrologers. The astrologers were from Iran which brought gifts to a family who had nothing and no one else supporting them. He mentioned the fact that after Mary conceived she went to stay with Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea. He said he remembers a time when someone would accidently pregnant they would be sent away and when they came back there would be no signs of the baby. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to be with child, to know that God’s son was residing himself in my womb. That I carried him around, knowing I should feel proud, yet lost all relations, all life as I had known it. What a hardship Mary must have endured. Thinking that once the child is born that he will be the savior, only to have people just mark him and not have anything to do with him. Denying him all the time as the messiah as the savior. He goes on to say that being born of the Holy Spirit is the power of the Testament of two simple people who risk everything to honor God. The birth of Jesus is also a powerful testimony to the love of God for us and the trust he places in us.
The birth of Jesus was recognized, but it was feared. God’s plan included everybody that all roads lead to Jesus. This story compels us to ask: “Do I have room for Jesus to be born in me?” The more church services I attend, the more I am learning about the bible and those who wrote the words and how everyone has been touched one or another by the words and the story surrounding this child that was born a savior.
A member of the church had been having some very tough times within his life. The minister shared his story with us and shared with us his shame and his loss, and how he has recently given himself to Jesus. Members of the congregation came up to this man, held him prayed with him and for him. This made tears well up in my eyes. To have such courage to ask for the help, to ask for Jesus to come into your life, to be welcomed within this community that during the service this time was for this one man. My heart prayed for this man, that he receive the healing that he needs. I have had moments where I too felt like I have lost everything, but never is everything lost. It’s like when you shut off a TV, there is still that little speck of white light that lingers. Even in true darkness there will still be a light. Even though this man has fallen on hard times, he has the support of his whole congregation to lift him up, to pray for him and to be there if he so needs someone to help get his life in order and in that process the path of recovery can begin.
The Golden ciborium’s were passed around. One held the Body of Christ and we broke of it shared it and ate of it in remembrance of him. The other was filled with many tiny transparent cups holding grape juice symbolizing the Blood that Christ had shed for us. Many blessings and we pray for them, and they handed out another ciboriums in which we could share our abundance with the church and it was our turn to give back to God.
After the final prayer, I went to visit my friend in the nursery. I had never seen such a beautiful nursery in a church before. It was like stepping into a small version of Heaven for little kids. In it there sat my friend in a comfortable rocking chair. She could watch the whole service through a window, and there were speakers set up in there so that she could listen to the service. The great added feature was the room was soundproofed. Those in the pews couldn’t hear in and those within could still feel they were a part of this holy day. Being a mother, this was just a blessed room that any parent looking for a good congregation should visit.
Cedar’s Church of Christ is an inspiring place, and a congregation that has made me think and ponder on more stories of the bible that have been retold many times causing a ripple of the whisper down the lane game. My son and I have begun reading “The Story” in hopes of finding our own mysteries within the bible. Thank you Cedars, your community was welcoming and very inspiring!
Things to Reflect On:
Cedars Church of Christ
Here I Am To Worship
God is Good All the Time
All Hail King Jesus
I worship you, Almightly God
Highest Place
John 1:1-14
Jesus-Name above all Names
Birth of a King
Be Born in Me
The Story
Mark 14:14
Luke 22:11
Luke 2:4-7
Luke 2:15-20
Matthew 2:1-11
Luke 2:8-14
Why Did My Savior Come to Earth
Great detail here...I don't know how you can remember so much that you experience...I am amazed...keep up the good work...adding the pictures and all the links are super!
ReplyDeleteLisa C