Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

Check out these words that God inspired the apostle John to pen in the opening of his Gospel.

So the Word became human and made his home among us.

John 1:14 (NLT)

The event to which John is referring here is the incarnation – God becoming a human being in Jesus. While there are plenty of theological concepts that I find utterly mind-boggling, the incarnation may be the most mind-boggling of them all. I simply can’t wrap my teeny tiny brain around the idea that God – motivated by love and a passionate desire to be with us – took on real flesh and blood in Jesus. But that’s exactly what happened in Bethlehem.

I hope you will join us on Friday, December 24th for one of our two Candlelight Christmas Eve Services. The first service will be at 5 pm (contemporary) and the second at 7:30 pm (traditional). If you’re not planning to attend in person – no worries. Both services will be live streamed on Facebook (facebook.com/asburyumcmaitland) and YouTube (search Asbury Maitland).

There is something about Christmas Eve worship that always touches me deeply. I look forward to sharing in this experience with you on Friday night. Until then, I leave you with these words from Christian Rosetti’s famous poem (published in 1885) titled “Love Came Down at Christmas.”

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine,

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love Incarnate, Love Divine,

Worship we our Jesus,

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all men [human beings],

Love for plea and gift and sign.

Blessings,

Chris