Doors
During the meeting on Thursday, Bob M included the phrase “we come to adore” in one of his prayers. In my mind I heard “come to a door”. I saw the church door open and new people coming to the carol service. As they crossed the threshold they were welcomed not only into NMEFC but also the Kingdom of Heaven. I told Bob and he said, “There you go girl, the subject for Sunday’s leaflet”. So here I am considering the meaning of it all.
Substitute gate for door and we have one of the things of which Jesus said “I am” (John 10:7). Are we willing to go through that gate and enter into a relationship with God or are we like sheep who dash around madly refusing to use the gate, trying to find alternative routes to life and salvation? (Did anyone else watch “One man and his dog” this week? – I love it.) In the same chapter, Jesus also said He was the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). In Biblical times the shepherd would lead, not drive, his sheep to safe pasture and would lie across the entrance, in place of a gate, to protect them and prevent them from wandering off. To the farmer in those days a lost sheep meant lost wool, milk and meat, a lost ewe meant fewer lambs next year. When Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep he was speaking of a disaster not a mishap (Luke 15:3-7). To Him losing one of us is the same.
Yet another of Jesus’ “I am’s” was “the light” and in Holman Hunts famous picture of Jesus as “The light of the world”, He is shown as standing at a door with no handle on His side, only we can open it from the other side and let Him in, or alternatively go through and join Him. In Revelation 3:20, the Lord tells the church in Laodicea that He is standing at the door and knocking, all they have to do is let Him in and they will be saved. Note it is up to them to admit Him, He will not force a way in.
So where am I going with all this? The actual date of Christmas is open to conjecture and dispute but it really does not matter. What is important is that as Christians we unite to declare the fact that Our Lord took on human form and came to earth to give His blood to save us. All we are told to do in response is believe and to make disciples throughout the nations (Matt. 28:19-20). I am sure this can also mean “attract in”, therefore, at this time, which is becoming, more and more a secular event, we have the chance to claim back those people who are lost but recall with nostalgia past Christmases and encourage those to whom the events and ideas are new. Let us proclaim our faith and tell the wonderful story; let us draw people through our door and His.
