Pastor Roggelin's Newsletter at Zion Church of Baltimore

Pastor’s Message

„Als aber die Zeit erfüllet war, sandte Gott seinen Sohn, geboren von einer Frau
und unter das Gesetz getan, damit er die, die unter dem Gesetz waren, erlöste,
damit wir die Kindschaft empfingen.“

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman,
born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as children.”

(Galater/Galatians 4:4+5)

Dear members and friends of Zion,

As much as we are sometimes amazed that it is really already this time of year again (and especially this anniversary year at Zion seems to have gone by in no time…), Christmas does not come as a surprise, it is no accident. Christmas is not a once in a life time thing either. The miracle of God’s birth in the Christchild Jesus occurred a long time ago - and yet, it is like it happens time and again, not even just “alle Jahre wieder” (every year again), but each time we allow it to, in our hearts.

Have you ever made a pilgrimage to Baltimore’s own annual miracle on 34^th street, the Christmas decoration on 34^th street in Hampden? It is quite a cultural journey from the German Christmas Markets of my youth; a sweet performance in plastic and glimmer that does radiate some kind of warmth and light and hope. It really is a labor of love, and worth to be seen and admired.

However, in order to get into a deeper mood of adoration and faith, in order to really experience the true miracle of Christmas in our hearts, one simply has to dive deeper into a state of simplicity and receptiveness that cannot be achieved by solely looking at a nativity scene.

What is unique about our celebrating Christmas in a time where people have incredibly many choices in terms of trusting and believing in God? How can we continue to believe in God throughout a lifetime that may well shake our faith? Well, with the gift of Jesus’ birth to us, God gave us himself, and this his gift is always with us in faith. It comes to life in our relationships, it happens when we pass on what we have received from others, from loved ones and from God.

God has blessed us through his love that we are celebrating this Christmas. It is a personal love, giving us a hand and guiding us through life and nurturing us with what we need and cannot give ourselves.
I was glad when I finally found an English translation of a favorite German Christmas song this year.
It is not a hymnal’s hymn; just a children’s song, written by Johann Wilhelm Hey in 1833 (he also wrote the equally popular Weisst du wieviel Sternlein stehen), but for me, it contains one of the deepest messages of Christmas:

Alle Jahre wieder
Kommt das Christuskind
Auf die Erde nieder,
Wo wir Menschen sind

Kehrt mit seinem Segen
Ein in jedes Haus
Geht auf allen Wegen
Mit uns ein und aus.

Steht auch mir zur Seite
Still und unerkannt,
Daß es treu mich leite
An der lieben Hand.

As each happy Christmas
Dawns on earth again,
Comes the holy Christ Child
To the hearts of men.

Enters with His blessing
Into every home,
Guides and guards our footsteps,
As we go and come.

All unknown, beside me,
He will ever stand,
And will safely lead me
With His own right hand.

Translated by Harriet R. Spaeth, Little Children’s Book. Philadelphia, PA: 1885, found on www.cyberhymnal.org

Once a year we remember and celebrate, but we are actually “ever” remembered, each day of the year by God who knows us intimately, who knows our destiny and who leads and carries us through each day. “God came to us”, Henry Nouwen writes, “because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and to help us realize that we are not walking in circles but moving towards the house of peace and joy.”

Therefore, let us go to Bethlehem – see you at Zion!

Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Ein gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und ein gutes Neues Jahr wünscht Ihnen

Pastor Dr Holger Roggelin

	CONTACTING ZION: PASTOR'S PAGE - Winter 2005
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