The lights were dimmed and the candles gave off a warn and welcoming glow. My fellow students and I were positioned on the steps leading up to the chancel area of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tucson, telling in Scripture and song the story of the birth of the Christ child. We sang with all the faith and joy our hearts could muster:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today.
I didn't appreciate then what I do now - we kids were given the opportunity to proclaim a message that provides hope in the best and worse of times. God is with us!
We need not be afraid - God is with us!
We can live each day with courage - God is with us!
We can trust even in the face of adversity - God is with us!
Let this truth plant its roots deep in your heart this Advent - God is with us!
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Immanuel!
