Your Tears Are Welcome Here

When people cry in Sunday School, worship, my office, or anywhere else I often say "Your tears are welcome here."  Crying is part of life, and we tear up for all sorts of reasons. It is natural the church collects so many.

Today I cried mid-sermon.  I can count on one hand the number of times this has happened.  A year ago I would have been embarrassed by my tears, but not so much any more.  Baptisms, funerals, professions of faith, silent suffering, strife in the world, sickness, prayers, weddings, worries, the return of a prodigal--these moments are the creators of waterworks, happy and sad.

I could feel a lump welling in my throat for a minute or two, but one sentence in particular was the culprit: "Jesus healed the untouchable with a touch."  That Jesus heals with what we simultaneously fear and hope for is grace.

But to be fair I think these tears had been welling all week.

Dedicating a baby to the Lord will do it.

Spending a week with Romans 8 will do it.  

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Watching a gaggle of children in biblical garb will do it.  

Making Advent wreaths with the church will do it. 

Sharing table fellowship with Buildings and Grounds will do it.  Praying with Karen will do it. Talking to our missionaries in Arizona will do it.  You never know when tears will surprise you.

So whether you are crying tears of celebration, mourning, doubt, gratitude, or conviction this season, know you have a place at Scottsville Baptist. Your tears are welcome here.

We're singing NEW Christmas carols?

One of my favorite holiday traditions is Christmas caroling with my family and childhood friends.  Since I live far from my Old Kentucky Home I can't always make it...but this year I'll be there!  I'll be fresh off the plane and under the influence of Drammamine, but I'll be there in body anyway.  

Many of the people for whom we carol were Sunday School teachers, GA leaders, Deacons, and Choir members.  Many are part of my great cloud of witnesses.  It is an evening of joy and reflection.  

Though we're happy most of the evening, there are also times of sadness.  Last year's elderly couple is this year's widower.  We swallow back the lump in our throats and sing, and even when the tears come they are a mix of mourning and gratefulness and family.  Hugs and love and support and community abound.  The whole evening is a gift.                                                                                                        

Some of our favorite carols are 'Silent Night' and 'O Come All Ye Faithful.'  The familiar tunes are nice since carol-ees can join in with the carolers.  We also remember singing these songs throughout the years with family and friends.  Singing these songs together is a gift.

I am excited to sing with my Scottsville Baptist family too.  Our choir is busily preparing for the Advent and Christmas seasons.  We have selected six new-to-us carols to share with the congregation on December 22nd.  At first I think we were hesitant to pick new songs since familiar ones are so loved, but we are trying to step out of our comfort zones!  Way to go, choir!

As we were practicing last night the lyrics to one of the songs startled me.  That's the thing about new songs:  It's difficult to miss the words because we're still stumbling over them!  With new songs, the meaning has a greater chance to grab us.  Consider the last verse of one of our new-to-us songs, 'Our Savior's Infant Cries Were Heard'

For Christ, who was a refugee
From Herod and his sword,
Is seeking now, thro' us, to be
Our children's friend and Lord

Naming Christ as refugee is powerful to me.  I have always known Mary, Joseph, and Jesus fled to Egypt, but never had I captured that imagery by naming them refugees.  Sometimes one word is all it takes to paint a picture.  My mind began racing with the vulnerability of refugees and the care of the least and lost.  It is a powerful song.

I am excited for our choir to share these new-to-us carols on December 22nd.  I am also excited to share a service of Lessons and Carols on December 29th.  We'll be sure to sing many familiar and beloved songs.  

As we sing familiar carols this holiday season, let's make room for new songs, which may have a word for us too.  Listen to the lyrics of new-to-you carols.  See the story with different eyes.  And when we do sing 'Silent Night' let us listen closely to the power of its words--not only for nostalgia's sake--but for the awesome wonder of the Christ child's coming to the world.

Scottsville Baptist Choir