Caroling was not on our ministry calendar just some 2-3 weeks ago. Having looked at that calendar in the middle of Fall, caroling just didn’t seem like something we could squeeze in. There simply seemed to be too much else going on! Besides, who would really miss caroling anyway?
On Tuesday, as we gathered in a circle to introduce ourselves, John Keck reminded us that going caroling was an anniversary of sorts for him. It was through caroling – and what he experienced while caroling – that he got connected to CCUMC. Many of you know the rest of the story: how John started coming regularly to Sunday worship, and later, on a fine Spring day, while wandering from church through Oakland, experienced the irrefutable presence of God. John has since participated in worship (just like he is doing today), pitched in over the summer with Adventures in Faith, attended Asian American Summer Camp, and most recently, become a tutor in our Homework Club ministry. Indeed, who would miss caroling?! John would! It was through his urging that caroling was organized in a jiffy thanks to the speedy and responsive organizing of Charlie Ho. (Thanks much, John and Charlie!)
This whole experience prompted me to reflect on the many doorways that open onto an experience of God and the community of faith. Traditionally, we have thought of that doorway being worship. John (and others) have reminded me that sometimes it is through service, sometimes through fellowship, or music, or study. There really are a million and one possible doorways to encounter Love, Grace, Justice, Hope, Joy, and Wonder. Sometimes, the question is: how far out of the box are we willing to go to enable a new (or old) doorway to be available for others for that incredible encounter to happen?
I wonder if that’s what God was thinking when She sent the angel Gabriel to Mary with a new plan: God-with-us, Emmanuel. I wonder if the birth of Jesus wasn’t God’s way of dreaming up yet another possibility for how the Holy One could be available to and experienced by the world. I wonder if the birth of Jesus wasn’t God going all the way to make a new doorway possible.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, I pray that the utter incredibleness of God’s love will be experienced richly in your life and the life of the world. I pray that you’ll find many doorways to walk through in the coming year that will bring you into the presence of God and community once again. And I pray that the One who came to be with us, Jesus the Christ, will lead you to more life, more joy, and more hope than ever before. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Peace & Grace, Emily