The name gives it away to an extent—Christmas is about Christ! But that answer alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Jesus Christ is fully God, the One who was in the beginning before anything was created. In fact, He’s the One through whom all things were made (John 1:1–3). But He’s also fully man—the One who was miraculously conceived in the womb of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–38) and took on human flesh (John 1:14).

     He did this to be our Savior; not just a great teacher or prophet or miracle worker, although He was definitely those things, too. Thirty-three years after His birth in Bethlehem, Jesus would die to take away the sins of the world (Matthew 1:21; Romans 5:6–11). Yes, Christmas is about the birth of Christ (Luke 2:1–20), but what many people don’t realize is that it’s ultimately about the death of Christ (Matthew 26:36–27:61; Mark 14:32–15:47; Luke 22:39–23:56; John 18:1–19:42)...the death of our Lord so that sinners like us might have eternal life.

Our pastor(s) greet(s) attendees in the narthex (i.e., entryway) as they arrive. If you’re new to Our Redeemer, Pastor Baker will speak with you briefly and provide you with information about our congregation and services. Next, you’ll be given a candle (Christmas Eve only) and a bulletin with the entire service printed inside, including hymns. If you’d like, we can seat you near someone who can help you follow along during the service.

     Since the Nativity of Our Lord is a high point of the Church year, these services take on a celebratory character. In addition to our usual service music, you’ll have the opportunity to sing seven congregational hymns and hear choral selections and brass accompaniment. Scripture readings are drawn from the prophet Isaiah and the holy evangelists, Luke and John. As always, the service centers around the Sacrament of the Altar whereby we receive the body and blood of Christ—the One born as our Redeemer—for the forgiveness of our sins. (*Visitors, please see our communion statement above.) In keeping with tradition, our Christmas Eve service ends with the gentle singing of “Silent Night” to candlelight, and our Christmas Day service concludes with the triumphant hymn, “Joy to the World.” We invite you to join us on Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m. and Christmas Day at 9:00 a.m.

Christmas is too important to let it stand in isolation. For centuries, the Christian Church has observed the season of Advent leading up to Christmas. Advent comes from the Latin word (adventus) for “arrival.” For four weeks, we anticipate the arrival of the Lord. We do this in three distinct ways. First is the most obvious: the remembrance of Christ’s presence on earth as an infant two millennia ago. The second is His coming again in His resurrected body on the Day of Judgment—a day in the future we cannot predict. The third is His coming to us bodily in the Sacrament of the Altar in these days between His ascension into heaven and His return.

You probably won’t find Advent services at many churches, so these may be unfamiliar to most. They follow a shorter order of service which includes responses, a Psalm and one other reading from Scripture, a sermon, prayers, and two hymns. Since they’re offered twice daily in the middle of the week, they tend to be more sparsely attended and provide a more intimate and meditative experience. Yet, because of their brevity and omission of the Sacrament of the Altar, they can serve as a simpler entry into the worship life of Our Redeemer if you’re new to traditional Lutheran liturgy.

     Given their slightly relaxed tone and the fact that Pastor Baker has teaching obligations immediately beforehand, you won’t receive a formal welcome. Make your way into the sanctuary at your leisure, take a bulletin from the pedestal in the middle of the aisle, find a seat, and maybe mark the hymns in the hymnal found in the rack on the pew backs. If you have a question, any of the members present will be happy to assist you. Pastor Baker will be sure to introduce himself to you after the service. Our Advent services take place at noon and 6:30 p.m. on the four Wednesdays before Christmas. This year, that’s December 2, 9, 16, and 23.