Come and Dwell with God: A Message for Christmas

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-6, 14

A few Wednesday evenings ago I went to church and we engaged in an Advent study written by one of the members of my church.  I had met with the pastor earlier that day to talk about anything and everything really, but we both recognized the urgency of getting people to come back to church after the pandemic and pondered how you get back in the habit.  That evening after the Bible study we prayed for our church budget and that people would return to church.  I feel like a hypocrite volunteering to pray specifically for that in the closing prayer as I too have strayed away from church, but have been fighting myself and the devil to get back and get involved again.  

These past couple of years have left us broken, hopeless, and sad as we have endured death and sickness, our lives being turned upside down.  There is so much in our World right now that discourages us leaving us asking more questions.  There is tension in the air.  Everything seems in decline.  

This is nothing new under this Sun, and such was the state of events leading to the birth of Jesus.  

The Hope of the birth of Jesus is in the verse above that Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us.  He tabernacled among us.  The Tabernacle that began with Moses in the wilderness was a shadow of Jesus.  In His flesh housed the very glory of God!  I believe this Christmas God is wanting us to return to His presence and be healed of all the world has thrown at us.  Church is a sacred place to behold Christ.  

Can we be honest with ourselves, do we really worship God when we are alone?  Or does the TV and phone distract?  Can we be honest about the lies we tell ourselves and others when we turn down church?  Speaking in general terms.  I know I don't do well. Maybe for a few Sundays then other things come up. There is something special about approaching a holy place in expectation to meet with God and be surrounded by others.  It is a picture of Heaven in my mind.  When we come to church we commune with God, we are lead in worship through scripture, song, and liturgy to speak to God, and He speak back to us.  What is better than to meet with our Savior?  The most sweetest and highest friend of all.  

Church reminds us of our Salvation and offers the pattern of remembrance of His sacrifice for us.  Did you know the Tabernacle's furniture was laid out to form a cross?  

With that picture in our mind, those who would enter the Tabernacle would enter through the foot of the cross to the alter where the offering was given.  Then the washing bowl, we are cleansed and forgiven by the blood of Jesus.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the Word, so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish." (5:26-27)  Jesus referred to Himself as His body being the "bread of life."  He is our sustenance at the table of the showbread.  In our churches we take communion remembering His body broken for us, and blood spilled for us.  The only light in the room was the light that came from the Menorah.  Christ is our vision and light.  Jesus would reveal in His ministry that He is "The Light of the World."  Isaiah called Him the "bright and morning star."  When Jesus was born, wise men were lead by a bright star shining in the east resting over the place that Jesus was laid.  It is fitting that the wise men brought Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.  Everything in the tabernacle was gold plated, and before the entrance into the Holy of Holies, was an alter of incense in which frankincense and myrrh both were used symbolizing the sweet prayers  that rise up continually to God.  We pray through Christ, and Christ prays for us to His Father.  Blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat which sat on top of the ark.  This was to atone for sins.  We no longer have to sprinkle blood, Christ Jesus once and for all shed His own blood and put it on the mercy seat.  When we learn the pattern of Worship in meeting with God by the way of the Cross in His tabernacle we truly learn communion with God.   

We've entered the gates with Thanksgiving, this Christmas return fully to church and be healed in the presence of Christ.  Listen to His Word spoken to you and be cleansed, sing His songs to each other, throw incense of prayer up to the One who hears you.  The veil has been torn top to bottom, and God has invited you in to gaze on His glory and be in relationship with Him.

"What gift of grace is Jesus, my Redeemer, there is no more for Heaven now to give.  He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom; my steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.  To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus.  For my life is wholly bound to His.  Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing, "All is mine."  Yet not I, but through Christ in me."  -City Alight