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And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49

This week, many congregations took time to decorate their churches for the coming Christmas celebration. These symbols of Christmas bring us joy and delight as the Church waits in hopefulness and prepares to receive the good news yet again. Through the birth of the Christ child, God fulfilled his promise of the long-awaited Messiah. Ever[1]greens, poinsettias, wreaths in the windows and even trees filled with Christian symbols help us to proclaim this good news. Their symbolism reminds us of God’s long ago promise and opens our eyes and our hearts to God’s perfect and unconditional love. When connected to God’s Word in Holy Scripture, these symbols, in their own way, share the good news of Christ Jesus with us. Yet, these decorations are not the object of our focus. However pleasing it may be, the beauty of our churches during Advent and at Christmas, the music of beloved songs and the joy that tradition brings, are not the good news. For Christian joy and celebration is not rooted in decoration, rather, it is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel literally means, “good news.”

In the first chapter of Luke, the evangelist tells us of a young girl receiving good news from the angel Gabriel. The good news of Christ is first brought to Mary, and upon receiving it, her heart’s desire becomes doing as the Lord commands. Later in Luke’s gospel, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who is also expecting a child and shares this good news with her. The sharing of good news leads to even greater joy and celebration. As Mary sings her “Magnificat,” this humble young woman from Nazareth sings praises to God as his promise for salvation begins to unfold. Mary’s song speaks of how God’s grace and mercy will bring joy and celebration to even the most lowly on earth.

Mary sings, “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” Luke 1: 50-53

Mary sings as if God has already done these things, because in her heart, she knows God will keep his promise. So, she celebrates this good and wonderful news. So too, the Church celebrates with joy and thanks[1]giving. But it doesn’t stop there. As the good news is to be shared and celebrated, it is also to be lived out in the mission of the Church.

The good news of Christ comes with blessing and the promise that wrong will be made right, and oppression will give way to compassion. The outcast will be made welcome, and the hungry will be fed. The joy of Mary and her beautiful Magnificat is a joy meant for all people; the joy of a young unwed mother to be, whose heart’s desire is to do as God wills.

Mary’s journey began in earnest when she embraced the promise of God as brought to her by Gabriel, the promise that says “…nothing is impossible with God.” In joyous refrain Mary answers, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:37-38.

Throughout our Advent journey, may our hearts also be drawn to the day God came with blessing unto Mary and shared with her the good news of Christ Jesus. An angel brought the good news to Mary, who in turn shared it with the Church for all time. Today this good news comes to us once again; the good news of a young woman suddenly expecting a child, who is Christ the Lord. As Mary heard the good news from Gabriele, her heart was drawn to God’s message of hope, and she gave of herself according to God’s call.

I pray that during this season of Advent, as our churches are beautifully decorated and we take delight in the long-standing traditions of our congregations, we do not lose our focus on what God wills us to do. May our hearts be drawn to give something of ourselves according to God’s call. May we continue to serve our neighbors and welcome the strangers among us.

Good news is news to be celebrated with great joy. Yet it is also to be lived out through the lives of God’s faithful people. As we welcome others into our churches, I pray that the beauty of these decorations is pleasing in their sight, and that their symbolism of God’s love and grace for all people is proclaimed, so that all may experience the joy and celebration at Christmas.

Most Holy God, we thank you for the beauty of the world which you have created. We give you thanks and praise for the beauty of your Church on earth, especially as churches are adorned with symbol of our faith during this holy time of year. Continue to grace with your presence, lead us and inspire us to go into the world and share the truth of your Gospel, the saving power of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. For it is in his name we pray. Amen.

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

It’s almost comical when one thinks about it, writing next month’s newsletter article about things yet to come, while at the same time significant dates that belong to the previous month have yet to happen. Such is the case as I write this installment. November is a month during which the Christian church marks three important occasions: All Saint’s Day, Christ the King Sunday, and Thanksgiving. This year we also begin the season of Advent before the month of November concludes. And here I am writing about these before October’s big event…Reformation Sunday. As I study the texts for Reformation Sunday, I’m trying to iron out how to talk about All Saint’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Advent while still in the shadow of October.

There is a beloved hymn that is most often sung at the Reformation celebration that sums up the challenge well. “God’s Word is Our Great Heritage” (LBW 239). It is but one verse, albeit an important one. Many of you will recognize this hymn as I share it with you.

(To the tune of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”)

God’s Word is our great heritage,

and shall be ours forever.

To Spread its light from age to age,

shall be our chief endeavor.

Through life it guides our way;

in death it is our stay.

Lord, grant while time shall last,

your church may hold it fast;

Throughout all generations.

Indeed, God’s Word is our great heritage. We are all people who have been brought up in the truth of God’s Law and Gospel. We cannot deny that we depend on God’s mercy and grace for for[1]giveness of our sins and life in God’s kingdom. God’s Word for us stands forever. It is the strong, undeniable saving Word that comes from the very God we worship and glorify. Ah…there is the rub. How is it that we hear the Word and respond by glorifying God through the way we live our life?

God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever. If it is to be ours forever, well then, we should know and understand it. So much so, that it shall be our chief endeavor to spread its light from age to age so that all generations of people may claim possession of it and have the Word as their great heritage also. So how do I fit this in with All Saint’s, Thanksgiving, and Advent? Well, here goes.

As we pause to remember those church family members who passed away in the last twelve months, we take great comfort in knowing the truth of God’s salvation. Truly, we believe we will dwell with God and be reunited with all who have gone before us in faith. Those who cling to God’s promise of salvation for believers have the assurance of faith. As so many who have gone before us, our lives are to be shaped by faith – the faith we receive from God in our hearing the Gospel and abiding in Christ. If we live a life shaped by cultural norms, we cannot claim this great heritage as being ours forever. Worldly endeavors simply cannot fulfill that which God promises in the Scriptures. So many of our predecessors understood this and now rest in the love of Christ our Lord. For the fulfillment of this promise, we can and surely ought to give thanks.

As we journey to the beginning of Advent, we do so along our life’s pathway illuminated by the Word of God. Through life it guides our way; in death it is our stay. The promise of Advent is that Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. And his kingdom will have no end. How wonderful to be among those whose great heritage is the promise of everlasting life through Christ Jesus!

Lord, grant while time shall last, your church may hold it fast; Throughout all generations. Are you holding fast to your great heritage? Are you daily pondering, meditating, and dwelling in the Word of God? If not, why not? As a child of God, saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, God’s Word is your great heritage, your promise from the God whose Son has purchased and won you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Hold fast to this promise. Hold fast to your great heritage.

Grace to you and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila