Advent IV/Christmas Eve - Rector's Rambling for December 24, 2017

After what was a shortened Advent because it started in December, and the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve, we have felt rushed as we have gone along.  But I hope and pray that despite its brevity, this Advent has been a great opportunity to be refreshed and renewed in preparation of Jesus’ return in glorious majesty, as well as His birth in Bethlehem.

In some ways having Advent IV and Christmas Eve on the same day shows us the sharp contrast that God could become a child, and that the one who is Lord of Heaven and Earth would deign to be born to a poor family and in a manger, literally a feedbox, in a small village.  Although we believe when the Scriptures describe Jesus’ return with power and majesty, and we recite every time we say the Nicene Creed that His return will be to judge the quick and the dead, today we are also faced with the even more awesome reality that He loves us so much that He would come into the world as a little child to begin the work of our salvation.

How awesome it is when we think that the Lord of heaven and earth would become vulnerable enough to have to be cared for and raised by Mary and Joseph as he grew into physical adulthood, and did so in order to walk among us, minister to us, and ultimately die and rise again for us that we may have everlasting life.

Today we welcome our many friends who have made St. John’s their “high holy day” destination.  We are grateful that you consider us that special, go-to place for this wonderful service tonight.  And if you haven't been here since last Easter or Christmas, the changes to the neighborhood, the new church entryway from the garden, and being able to park in our new parking structure shared with the stadiums may have come as a surprise to you.  And in the coming months even more updates are in store!  Beginning in January the rear office building is being completely renovated into a fantastic ministry annex, and then the undercroft (basement) and kitchen will be updated to better equip us for ministry to the parish and to our growing neighborhood community.

This is a wonderful time to be at St. John’s in the midst of the renewal of Detroit.  I hope that you will feel at home tonight, come back again frequently, and even consider making this your regular parish home!  We would love to have you join our happy throng!