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SojoAction - Celebrate and Act with us this Christmas!

Next month, piñatas, tamales, and holiday cheer will fill the air among Latine communities hosting Christmas celebrations known as Posadas. Posadas are a time to re-enact the migration journey of the Holy Family remembering Christ’s birth amid strife. Scripture narrates Joseph and Mary’s arduous journey to Bethlehem, the rejection they experienced, and the birth of Christ in a humble stable (Luke 2:2-7).

This Christmas season, we invite you to our very own Posada celebration taking place virtually on December 6, 2023, at 5PM PT | 7PM CT | 8PM ET. We will highlight hope and action with opportunities to advocate with our immigrant communities during a time of remembrance, reflection, and Christmas cheer.

Register Now

Sign up to receive updates on our latest campaign, Caminando Juntos, Journeying Together, as we pray, reflect, and act for a just, humane, and common-sense pathway to citizenship this Christmas Season and beyond.

In solidarity,

Vanessa 

Vanessa Martinez Soltero Immigration Narrative & Power Building Organizer

Hermit crabs, hound dogs, potatoes and the Incarnation

At a recent presbytery meeting, I witnessed a candidate’s floor exam for ordination. You might wonder why I would say so in a Christmas reflection. Presbyterian floor exams, normally, are neither unusual nor Christmassy.

But this one was both. That fact, more than anything else this month, has put me in a holiday mood.

After a number of unsurprising questions, the exam took an unusual turn. For the first time since seminary nearly 30 years ago, I heard someone utter the word “Apollinarianism.”

The challenge hinged around the following words in the candidate’s statement of faith: “Jesus Christ is God in a human body, which He inhabited…” Her word choice seemed to leave open the prospect that Christ was not fully human.

God, the language risked implying, did not assume all of human nature, but only occupied part of it, much like a hermit crab does with its shell. Had God done so, we could not hope for the salvation of our full humanity. Part of us — an essential part — would remain cut off from God’s perfection.

Such was the Apollinarian heresy. In his desire to assert Christ’s full divinity, Apollinarius characterized Jesus as body, soul and Logos (all other people are body, soul and human spirit). Part of humanity remained untouched by divine perfection, and therefore remained unredeemed.

The questioner at the presbytery meeting noticed as much. “Inhabiting a human body” triggers orthodox zealots like hound dogs on a scent.

Heresy-hunting is not popular among presbytery commissioners these days. Insisting on theological precision — and especially requiring such precision of a nervous 30-something standing in front of a room full of career ministers — is about as welcome as playing grammar police. At best, people will accuse you of being another Mr. Spock.

But many folks who find theological wordsmithing tedious at best and oppressive at worst will readily argue that language does matter. Consider the discussion around whether someone is a “homeless person” or a “person experiencing homelessness.” “Potayto, Potahto,” you may say. But I bet you know someone who doesn’t.

So, language matters. It may just be a question of which language. And when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel, some language especially matters.

You might not have heard the name Apollinarius. But you’ll recognize the importance of Christ’s full humanity. To suggest anything less, even indirectly, endangers our deepest hope.

This is what made the discussion so important to me. This is what awakened my holiday mood.

For Christians, Christmas goes beyond the spirit of giving and joyful family get-togethers. The holiday declares that God became one of us: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14, MSG).

But even more — and this may be a less commonly voiced truth — Christmas declares the event in which we might find hope for the entirety of our human selves. God, in all respects, fully took on the realities of human existence. If God hadn’t, at least part of us would still remain out in the cold.

One of Apollinarius’s most decisive opponents said it more memorably.

For that which [Christ] has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved.[1]

Just like the questioner, I hesitated over “…a human body, which He inhabited…” But I kept reading. And in the candidate’s statement, I ran across more words, words that also matter, words that spoke an orthodox Gospel Word to me as I reflect on the Incarnation.

In the person of Jesus Christ we experience perfect union with God once again. This union mends the chasm wrought between God and God’s people in the violence of the Fall.

“Perfect union.” “Mends the chasm.” Yes! Any concerns of heresy in the earlier words disappeared.

The perfectly complete God and everything about the loved-but-desperate human come together fully in one person, two natures “without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.”[2]

In all respects, the One in whom “the fulness of God was pleased to dwell” (Col. 1:20) is also fully like us — even to the point of taking upon himself our sin (2 Cor. 5:21a). And all “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5.21b).

Who Christ is, then, matters for what Christ does. The Atonement does not stand apart from the Incarnation. Holy Week and Christmas are quilted into a single cloth of healing, redeeming and saving. Though the path of the stitches between the two could occupy us for a lifetime, the thread is never cut.

It may sound odd to spend the Christmas season remembering a cluster of fourth- and fifth-century theologians from halfway around the world. But I hope you’ll indulge me. For the young woman’s statement and her floor exam gave me one of the most Christmassy moments I’ve experienced this December.

Her words and the conversation weren’t as sentimental as the songs in the shopping centers or as convenient as Amazon’s next-day delivery. But more than either of these, they brought me back to what Christmas — and the proclamation of our hope — is all about.

I think I’ll tell her.

Somewhere along the Way—

Forrest

[1] Gregory of Nazianzus. Notice that salvation here is an existential thing, not a transactional one. Our very beings, damaged by the effects of Adam’s sin, are restored through union with God—a union that can only occur through someone who is perfectly human and perfectly divine. This salvation goes much deeper than paying a debt or assuming a penalty on behalf of another.

[2] The “Four Adverbs” — a key part of how the Council of Chalcedon clarified the relationship between Christ’s divine and human nature.

Christmas worship resources for your home or church

Worship resources update Providing accessible, sound worship resources has become an essential part of Presbyterian Outlook's identity over the past several years. We often hear that these materials support small and over-extended church staff. We also frequently hear that it would be helpful to have these worship resources available earlier. Because we value our readership and desire to serve the church to the best of our ability, we're listening to you. In January 2023, we will begin releasing our worship resources two weeks in advance rather than one week in advance.

December 25, 2022 Christmas Day Matthew 1:18-25 COMMENTARY One Christmas, when I was the pastor of a small church in North Carolina, I decided to involve the whole congregation in my children’s message. We’d act out the scene where Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem. I gave the people sitting on the center aisle doors made out of posterboard. Then I led the children around the sanctuary to knock on the doors and ask if there was room for them to stay in the inn. This was a great idea in my head —but I didn’t realize how difficult it would be for my church members. Two-year-old Garrett, clutching his tattered teddy bear, knocked on Leon’s door and asked, “Do you have room for me?” and Leon – well, I could tell that Leon wanted to cave – so, I interrupted, “No, Leon, you don’t have room for Garrett. Now shut the door.” The same thing happened when sweet little Grace in her red velvet dress knocked on Sharon’s door. A grandmother who never says no to a child, Sharon looked devastated to have to turn Grace away. “I’m sorry sweetie,” she said. Finally, my own tow-headed 4-year-old Isaac, knocked on Mack’s door, with his sweet little six-inch clip-on-tie and his shirt tail untucked. Isaac and Mack looked for each other every Sunday morning and that Christmas, Mack had made Isaac a toy train out of wood. So, when Isaac asked, “Mr. Mack, do you have room for me?” it was all Mack could do to stay on script, “No, Isaac, I’m sorry, but I’ve got no room for you.” This year, Christmas uniquely falls on a Sunday. People who show up this Sunday, mere hours after Christmas Eve worship, might be the rarest of saints, or, they might be longing for a place of welcome. Too many are turned away today in our church, society and communities — people left outside to wonder, “Is there room for me? You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for Dec. 25, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. At-home Christmas liturgy by Rose Schrott Taylor God prepares the way— A Uniform Standard Lesson for Dec. 25, 2022, by Richard Boyce Playing with the Christmas story — Weekly Christian ed lesson (for home or church) by Joelle Brummit-Yale IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... When History Repeats Itself A poem on Luke 2:1–20 by Scott Barton. Decision made: No traditional exhibit hall at 2024 General Assembly Church leaders are looking for new ways to foster connection and networking at the assembly. — Leslie Scanlon Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary awarded $1 million grant to help reimagine youth ministry Lilly Endowment Inc. grant will help young people use art to express their experiences and encounters with God. — LPTS Making my kids go to church on Christmas morning Pastor/parents are faced with a conundrum this year: do they force (or strongly encourage) their children to go to Sunday worship on Christmas? Andrew Taylor Troutman has decided yes, and here’s why. Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto The “nap bishop,” as Hersey is known, insists that economic systems trick us into believing we are only worth as much as we produce, and the church is not exempt. — Amy Pagliarella Church of England bishops head for showdown on marriage for same-sex couples In the next few months, the Church of England's long-running debate on marriage for same-sex couples may come to a head. New Unification Commission begins the work of “rebuilding boldly” the structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) At its first meeting, the commission talks about tasks and timelines at its first meeting. — Leslie Scanlon Presbyterian Outlook is hiring a group of remote, paid interns for summer 2023. Learn more. After more than 20 years of service to the church, Rev. John M. Semmes has announced his retirement, effective February 2023. Alton B. Pollard, III, president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, announces retirement Diakonos Solutions Awards Four Women DMin Scholarships Make your own post for free! Click here.

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Christmas Gift Ideas from Glory to God Hymnal

Hymn-Focused Gift Ideas for Christmas Whether you’re shopping for a church leader or a fellow hymn lover, Glory to God makes the perfect gift! Look below for some suggestions from our team. Glory to God—Hymns and Songs for Children and Families Retail price: $20.00 Perfect for children, this resource features 19 songs and 4 prayers from the Glory to God hymnal. Available in a CD-format or as a download. Learn more here.   Glory to God: A Companion Retail price: $75.00  $67.50 You save 10%! Want to learn more about your favorite hymns? Glory to God: A Companion explains when and why each hymn featured in the Glory to God hymnal was written and provides biographical information about the hymn writers. Learn more here.   Glory to God: Enlarged Print, Text Edition Retail price: $30.00 Featuring all of the words from the pew edition, this enlarged version of Glory to God is ideal for those using the hymnal as a devotional or study resource. Learn more here.

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A Christmas Eve idea to use: invite and bless the animals

Capturing the spirit of the Nativity

By Donna Frischknecht Jackson | Presbyterians Today

Honor the animals that were present at that the very first nativity by offering a Blessing of the Animals on Christmas Eve — or anytime during the Christmas season. Getty Images

While working the September/October story in Presbyterians Today on ministry to animals, I learned of a tradition that Central Presbyterian Church, located at Park Avenue and 64th Street in Manhattan, had for many years. They would bless the animals on Christmas Eve.

Traditionally, a Blessing of the Animals service is done in the fall on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, which is Oct. 4, but the idea of blessing animals on such a holy night captures my imagination, conjuring images of cattle lowing that we hear about in “Away in a Manger.” It evokes images of the peaceable kingdom that the prophet of Advent, Isaiah, speaks of, telling us that the lion and the lamb will lie down together. It brings to life the old English carol “The Friendly Beasts.”

The reality, though, is that inviting animals to a Christmas Eve service is anything but peaceful. Dogs bark and cats meow (more like howl). The possible chaos shouldn’t cast a shadow on the outreach potential. What little child doesn’t want Fido to be part of Christmas celebrations? Who might be alone this holiday and would welcome the opportunity to have their only companion blessed?

When I reached out to Central Presbyterian Church and discovered that the Christmas Eve animal blessing is no longer held, I was disappointed. I really wanted to do a story on it for you the reader. As a pastor, though, it gave me the idea to offer it for my small congregation. And I pass it along now to you to offer a blessing for animals as part of the Christmas Eve service or maybe as a stand-alone service the afternoon of Dec. 24. Even consider holding it the Sunday after Christmas Eve, which is often sparsely attended. Such a service can also be done virtually. The possibilities are endless. So, this season, why not try something different? Why not bless the animals who were lowing, barking, meowing, purring by the cradle of the newborn Savior? If you do offer this service to your community, send me pictures at donna.jackson@pcusa.org.

Donna Frischknecht Jackson is editor of Presbyterians Today.