December 29, 2024 - First Sunday of Christmas - Where God Dwells

“Jesus among the teachers” by JESUS MAFA

The first Sunday of Christmas and songs about Noel rang out in the service. 

Today was a day for a children's sermon. Pastor Emillie made a comparison to the colors of Skittles collectively melting together and combining into something beautiful to God.

She also gave a helpful PRAY. acronym to use in Christian prayer to guide the process of connecting with God. Here's what each step represents: : Praise, Repent, Ask and Yield.  

Here's what each step represents:

1. Praise
   Beginning prayer by acknowledging and worshiping God's greatness, thanking God for blessings, and focusing on God's character.

   Example: "Lord, You are mighty and loving. I praise You for Your faithfulness and the beauty of Your creation."

2. Repent
   Confessing sins and ask for forgiveness. This step helps to clear any barriers in a relationship with God.

   Example: "Lord, I confess my impatience today and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to show more grace."

3. Ask
   Presenting requests to God, whether they are yours or for others, trusting God to meet your needs according to God's will.

   Example: "Lord, I ask for Your guidance in my decisions and healing for my friend who is unwell."

4. Yield
   Surrender to God's will, expressing trust in God's plan and committing to follow the guidance.

   Example: "Lord, I surrender my plans to You and trust that You will lead me in the right direction."

The Gospel was Luke's account of Jesus remaining in the Temple at Jerusalem. Pastor Emillie highlighted in her sermon the Greek phrase in Luke 2:49, " Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” could also be translated as "Why did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" Pastor Emillie said in her sermon that the words used are somewhat obscure, but most translators use the phrase "in my Father's house" because that's where Jesus was when he said it. Other possible translations include "I must be occupied with my Father's things".

The ambiguity is illuminating in it's own way. Unlike the Jewish thought in Jesus' time, we don't believe that God dwells only in the temple.(although it is probably a useful exercise to contemplate where, exactly, we do think God dwells). Yet where are we directing our prayers to God. A specific place or direction? To the holy spirit within us? To a created universe in general?