Let us go to Bethlehem and see . . .

      The shepherds are terrified and unsure. The literal army of heaven just showed up and started dancing and singing and shouting and rejoicing in their quiet evening sky. While words of comfort were announced and the usual injunction to not be afraid repeated, the group watching for sheep at night were likely ready to be anywhere but those open fields. The words they share among themselves are simple and understandable, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see.” 

     We have been watching with those shepherds for 20 centuries and are still unsure of what to make of this day. Theology and statements of faith make it clear: God is with us. Emmanuel! Yet we do not know what to make of universal power, complete knowledge, and unspeakable wisdom wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a food trough. Is this a scene of family bliss on the edges of empire? Is this a grand statement of God’s priorities for the least? Is this a quiet moment in a loud world? Why are angels cheering and choirs singing and drummers making an unholy racket? “Let us go to Bethlehem and see.” 

     We are not called to understand everything. A life of faith is actually living in mystery, walking into the unknown. Just like the shepherds, all we can do is hear the words and take time to see with our eyes and our hearts. What does this mean? Is God truly with us? What wondrous love is this before me in the body of an infant? Or can I rest and just be near this mystery? Can I ignore platitudes and certainties and try to experience the mystery of a loving God drawing near? I have no words for it. All I can do is echo those shepherds and share this love and mystery with you all, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see.”

       Merry Christmas,

          

The Rev. Dr. Bill Murray, Rector

 

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ATTENTION... The Church received a stock donation through Morgan Stanley without the owner's information. Please contact Caroline Fleming if you are the donor. 

The Church office will be closed at noon on December 23 and all day on December 26 & 27. The office will close at noon December 30.

To receive a charitable tax benefit for 2022, checks must delivered to the church office by noon on December 39 or postmarked by December 31, 2022. Thank you so much for all of your generous gifts this year. 

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This hand-carved creche from Oberammergau, Germany, was given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Nellie Peters Black on November 4, 1980 by her granddaughter Nellie Peters Rucker Walter. Please come and see it in Bishop Commons.

SPECIAL THANKS... A big thank you to all at HIEC who participated in the CAC Adopt-a-Family program by purchasing gifts and/or giving their time to help organize and bundle gifts for local families in need. We also wanted to thank Bianca and the HIEC staff for their support. For the first time, family members came to Holy Innocents' to pick up their gifts. HIEC ended up distributing over 40 large bags full of gifts, 8 bicycles, and over $4,000 in gift cards to 28 families and 125 children this year. Thanks again for your tremendous support!

--Charles Crosby and Doug Peterson