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December Pastor’s Pen

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The Pastor’s Pen

As many of you know, in early November I had the opportunity to participate in a Thrivent Builds/Habitat for Humanity trip to the Central American country of El Salvador.  Along with eighteen other Lutherans from Lake County, I spent a week experiencing a culture quite different from my own.  Different food, a different language, different living conditions – all of that, and more, made the nine-day trip a challenging, but at the same time, enriching and uplifting experience.  I’d love to be able to go back – especially if I could get some other members of St. Andrew to join me!

One of our main reasons for going to El Salvador, of course, was to help build houses.  That’s at the heart of what Habitat for Humanity does.  Our group helped with the construction of two brick houses.  Both of them were quite small and simple by American standards (they were each about 450 square feet, with one larger room and two smaller rooms).  But compared to the tin shanties that the families who will occupy the new homes were currently living in, they will be a huge improvement.  It was a privilege to be able to participate, even in a small way, in making the new homes possible.

As we prepare, later this month, to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I find that my experience in El Salvador has given me a deeper appreciation for what it means that God, at Christmas, came into our world.  For one thing, it has reminded me, in a very profound way, that Jesus was born, not just for those of us in North America, but for all the people of the earth.  As you probably know, El Salvador means “The Savior.”  The people of El Salvador, along with billions of people around the world, will join you and me at Christmas in worshiping Jesus as the Savior.  The people of that developing country, even with all of the differences between us, are our sisters and brothers in Christ.

And secondly, what we saw happening through the ministry of Habitat for Humanity – people being enabled to move into better and more adequate housing – is, in a sense, the exact opposite of what Jesus did for us by being born in a stable.  As Paul says in his letter to the Philippians, Jesus humbled himself.  He left the glory of his heavenly home and took up residence in an earthly home.  He came into our world to experience all of the pains and struggles of being human – including the pain of being nailed to a cross.  As a result, Jesus has opened for us our heavenly home.  Jesus allowed himself to be humbled so that you and I can be exalted.

I invite you to join us for our services of worship during Advent and Christmas – on Sunday mornings, on Wednesday evenings, and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Our worship will unite us with people around the world in celebrating the most precious gift of all – the gift of “El Salvador,” the Savior.

A blessed Advent and Christmas to all of you!

Pastor Selbo


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