O Come Emmanuel

We’ve had great services so far.  Full auditoriums even in the ice and junk.  The service is incredible. If you don’t get to one live – watch it on the net at Parkview Media.

I had a friend in the church send me this note:

“Have you ever really interpreted the exquisite poetry in the song “O Come O Come Emmanuel?”
 
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
 
This is probably the greatest poetry in any carol ever.
 
“It says, interpreted (and not in linear fashion):

God, please be here
Pay for whatever has ensnared me and people like me
Because we are distraught over our impending death and dejected by how alone we are
Until some meaning in our life rescues us, some promise made comes due…
Yes! Awesome! God IS coming to me and people like me.
I wonder how many people hear that melody and those lyrics and are totally oblivious…”

That’s absolutely the meaning of Christmas folks. He hit it on the head. Don’t sing the songs and read the story and remain oblivious!  

God is here.

I was just so struck by the scene of the real baby in the manger with the angel at our services that I was compelled to go back there and be with them for the end of the service.  It wasn’t planned; I just wanted to put myself in that scene.  Somehow, looking at that baby lying there in the straw helped me realize how far down God had to bend to scoop me up.

Merry Christmas to you all.  From the staff, and from the Harlow family – we can’t say enough about how great it is to worship God along side of you.

Emmanuel has come, and may he come again quickly!

Tim

Comments

[Paula]

AMEN! GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. REJOICE! COME ONE and ALL to JESUS...HERE for ALL!!!

[Linda]

Christmas Eve at Parkview was AWESOME! The 3pm service was wonderful. Pastor Tim was AMAZING! My 23 year old son came with me to this service, it was his first time. GOD is touching lives at Parkview!
God Bless All the Parkview staff and their families!

Merry Christmas!