Blessed Christmas
Dec 24, 2017 22:58:06 #
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary
... the obedience of Joseph
... the joy of the angels
... the eagerness of the shepherds
... the determination of the magi
... and the peace of the Christ child
... the obedience of Joseph
... the joy of the angels
... the eagerness of the shepherds
... the determination of the magi
... and the peace of the Christ child
Dec 25, 2017 08:31:37 #
Dec 25, 2017 11:16:09 #
CSand wrote:
And Blessing back to you and yours. And Praise to the LORD!
Thank you.
I should have mentioned that the image is our church just after the congregation had left last night - you might notice the only thing on the altar is an open Bible.
The words are the beginning of the benediction from that service.
Dec 25, 2017 12:35:46 #
Merry Christmas to you as well ....
I sat here looking at the picture you posted and really took it in and wanted to say something about how it made me feel. Do I say something or keep my mouth shut? Hummm ....
We can agree that Christmas is so special to all who know the Lord ....
Now my take on your picture. I shoot weddings and so often I see an alter area similar to the picture you posted. The great joy of Christmas was God not only came to earth as a man but with humble beginnings, as a baby, in a barn ... laying in a manger. God took it upon Himself to find a way for us not be be separated from a very intimate relationship with Him. This was done through the Son of which Christmas is the beginning of that new special relationship.
When I look at so many churches I see separation between man and God. A fenced off area where man can not approach the 'alter'. Christ was so much different. He was approachable, loving and intimate. He touched all, even the untouchable men and women. He broke the separation between man and God.
I also find symbolism in many churches where the Pastor is similar to the Priest of old, the only one who could approach the 'alter'. A separation between leadership and the common man. Again Christ broke those barriers between man and God ....
Take my words in love .... enough said
I sat here looking at the picture you posted and really took it in and wanted to say something about how it made me feel. Do I say something or keep my mouth shut? Hummm ....
We can agree that Christmas is so special to all who know the Lord ....
Now my take on your picture. I shoot weddings and so often I see an alter area similar to the picture you posted. The great joy of Christmas was God not only came to earth as a man but with humble beginnings, as a baby, in a barn ... laying in a manger. God took it upon Himself to find a way for us not be be separated from a very intimate relationship with Him. This was done through the Son of which Christmas is the beginning of that new special relationship.
When I look at so many churches I see separation between man and God. A fenced off area where man can not approach the 'alter'. Christ was so much different. He was approachable, loving and intimate. He touched all, even the untouchable men and women. He broke the separation between man and God.
I also find symbolism in many churches where the Pastor is similar to the Priest of old, the only one who could approach the 'alter'. A separation between leadership and the common man. Again Christ broke those barriers between man and God ....
Take my words in love .... enough said
Dec 25, 2017 12:48:26 #
Beercat wrote:
Merry Christmas to you as well .... br br I sat h... (show quote)
This is a Lutheran Church; the railing provides a place for us to kneel weekly when we receive Communion, and weekly are touched by God when we approach him, still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in that manner. You might notice there are no chairs within the rails; the pastors sit with the congregation. Those are our customs, but having been raised in other churches with other customs, I understand what you have to say.
Dec 25, 2017 13:58:08 #
Hummm ..... you mean 'customs' of man because it was not this way in the Bible.
Communion ....
Matthew 26:20 - When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
Matthew 26:26-28 - While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
So in reality Jesus (God in the flesh) is having dinner with the 12, they are probably all sitting. No one was kneeling waiting for a piece of bread to be stuck into his mouth, Christ was being very personal, intimate and at eye level. Again we see Jesus as being very humble and approachable.
There are two 'models' in scripture for the church. One in Jerusalem for primarily the converted Jews. This church ministered to people who came out of the ornate temple and a hierarchy. Then we have the model of Paul, primarily to the gentile and supported a much more intimate setting. I believe most current churches glean to much from the church model of Jerusalem at the expense of the model for the gentile ...
I know you love the Lord, that is without question. Just my personal take on typical church 'customs' which to an outsider may look like God is not personal but remains distant .... this is contrary to the way it really is ;)
Communion ....
Matthew 26:20 - When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
Matthew 26:26-28 - While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
So in reality Jesus (God in the flesh) is having dinner with the 12, they are probably all sitting. No one was kneeling waiting for a piece of bread to be stuck into his mouth, Christ was being very personal, intimate and at eye level. Again we see Jesus as being very humble and approachable.
There are two 'models' in scripture for the church. One in Jerusalem for primarily the converted Jews. This church ministered to people who came out of the ornate temple and a hierarchy. Then we have the model of Paul, primarily to the gentile and supported a much more intimate setting. I believe most current churches glean to much from the church model of Jerusalem at the expense of the model for the gentile ...
I know you love the Lord, that is without question. Just my personal take on typical church 'customs' which to an outsider may look like God is not personal but remains distant .... this is contrary to the way it really is ;)
Dec 25, 2017 16:01:58 #
Beercat wrote:
So, in your church, people sit around a table when they receive Communion - that is really nice - the small nondenominational church we were members of in New England did that. The God we worship is a multi-dimensional Being, way beyond the ability of our three-dimensional minds to comprehend - those who had a vision of Him and wrote down what they saw had to use imagery everyone understood as being just the best they could. Jesus shed His mortal flesh and now is truly God in a way we simply are not fully capable of understanding. Some churches, like ours, do their best to show the majesty of God's power - the best analog we have being an earthly emperor - and downplay His soft side; others major in His soft side, but perhaps downplay His majesty. Earthly three-dimensional models are largely unable to present His multi-dimensional truth. I'm glad what your church does works for you; what mine does works for me.Hummm ..... you mean 'customs' of man because it w... (show quote)
Dec 25, 2017 20:30:07 #
Refreshing that y'all shared your views in peace. More of this is needed in this crazy world. God bless you both.
Dec 25, 2017 20:30:08 #
Refreshing that y'all shared your views in peace. More of this is needed in this crazy world. God bless you both.
Dec 25, 2017 20:30:10 #
Refreshing that y'all shared your views in peace. More of this is needed in this crazy world. God bless you both.
Dec 25, 2017 20:30:11 #
Refreshing that y'all shared your views in peace. More of this is needed in this crazy world. God bless you both.
Dec 25, 2017 20:38:25 #
CSand wrote:
Refreshing that y'all shared your views in peace. More of this is needed in this crazy world. God bless you both.
Sorry for repeats! Holding grandchild at the moment of responding and she is so active.
Dec 26, 2017 12:43:28 #
Fully get it that some prefer something different and I respect that. I guess my point was/is that if Constantine hadn't gravitated toward the Jerusalem model the church as we know today would be set up way different and probably have more of a 'Paul' church model to the gentiles.
Much of the 'tradition' in Catholic and Protestant churches today stems from the 4th century when Constantine 'forced' things to be a certain way and much of it had to do with control and had political implications.
Much of the 'tradition' in Catholic and Protestant churches today stems from the 4th century when Constantine 'forced' things to be a certain way and much of it had to do with control and had political implications.
Dec 26, 2017 16:45:29 #
rehess wrote:
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary
... the obedience of Joseph
... the joy of the angels
... the eagerness of the shepherds
... the determination of the magi
... and the peace of the Christ child
... the obedience of Joseph
... the joy of the angels
... the eagerness of the shepherds
... the determination of the magi
... and the peace of the Christ child
Beautiful thought!
Dec 26, 2017 19:53:03 #
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