Younger people and those new to the Lutheran church have never known any “bursting to the seams” attendance numbers, nor have they experienced the church in any heyday. To hear our church described as dying can be perplexing to imagine. Especially when there are people in our neighbourhoods and in our midst who are still drawn to the promise of God’s incarnation for this weary world.
How do we recall God’s promises? Our God, Emmanuel, continues to draw people by God’s Holy Spirit into the Body anew. Contrary to death, our small-to-medium-sized church is as much filled with the promises of new life as it ever has been. Perhaps in our smallness, even more so!
God has made promises to God’s people that aren’t a long-forgotten history, and even when memory lapses, we are reminded by the faithful prophets among us who refuse to keep silent about how God is still revealing God’s self in our midst. Perhaps in this season of Advent, you are one such prophet who has seen God revealed in your life? In your neighbourhood? In the church, even? O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
God, Emmanuel, we long to know you in our midst and are humbled when we find you right here with us. Give us the words to proclaim you without ceasing. In Jesus, we pray. Amen. —