“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!“
The words of this familiar Christmas Carol, which tell of events surrounding Jesus’ birth, rang out in song, as a group of about 60 senior saints enjoyed a time of fellowship together, Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Lively conversation, laughter, a gift exchange, and lots of love were on the menu, which also included savory oven-baked chicken, potatoes, green beans, and a variety of delicious desserts, prepared to honor these dearly loved seniors.
After the meal, the church children sang a medley of favorite Christmas carols, retelling the “wonderful story of love” in song!
This truly is the season for families to gather together, share time and meals, give gifts to one another, and reflect on the deeper meaning of this wonderful time of year. Just like our biological families gather together with one another, the church, often referred to as the “household or family of God”, also delights in gathering together.
While all of these activities might appear to be very familiar during the Christmas holiday season, this gathering was a bit different. At Christmas, people often gather together, eat, sing, and exchange gifts all over the world, however, this gathering is a foretaste of a greater, more important feast we will experience when Jesus comes back to gather his people to himself (John 14:1-3). At that great feast, there will be no lack of space, no lack of food, and no lack of joy because it is the feast that the Lamb of God, the Lord Christ, has promised his people as the ultimate gathering of his family.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” (Revelation 19:7-9)
Our hope, our desire and our prayer is that everyone would hear the invitation and accept it, so we may all be together at his feast. In fact, filling the table with guests is actually the motive that brought Jesus from the glories of heaven to the hay of a manger, to the wood of a cross, out of a borrowed tomb, to the right hand of the Father, where he waits for each of us to accept his invitation. Come and see for yourself!
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”” (Luke 2:8-14)
