Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

  • Events
  • News
  • Videos
  • Contact
Menu
  • Home
  • What We Believe
  • Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Annual Meeting Resources
    • Budget Resources
    • Call Process
    • Compensation Guidelines
    • Congregational Resource Team
    • Constitution Resources
    • Generosity
    • Grants
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Portico Benefits Services
    • Close
  • Rostered Ministers
    • Call Process
    • Interim Ministry
    • Congregations Calling
    • Compensation Guidelines
    • Congregational Resource Team
    • Grants
    • Online Directory / ACS
    • Rostered Leaders’ Report to the Bishop
    • Gifts of Grace
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Portico Benefits Services
    • Faithful Innovation
    • Close
  • Who We Are
    • Churches & Pastors
    • Synod Staff
    • Synod Governance
    • Synod Assembly
    • Close
  • Youth / Young Adults
    • Lutheran Youth Organization
    • Youth Resources
    • Youth Gathering
    • Campus Ministry
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Alternative Ideas for Youth Ministry – Summer 2022
    • Young Adults in Global Mission
    • Close
  • Embrace God’s Mission
    • Companion Synod- South Africa / Partner Synod- Virginia Synod, ELCA
    • Racial Justice Network
    • Shared Ministry Partners
    • Responding to God’s World
    • Close
  • Rostered Ministry

“In a Far-Off Place, Jesus Comes” 

December 21, 2022 by SW MN Synod

+Bishop Dee Pederson’s Message for Christmas


In a Far-Off Place, Jesus Comes
 

1     In a far-off place, Jesus comes to earth. 
      Sheep and cattle grace the site. 
     
As the angel songs begin,
     
like the whisper of the wind,
     
nature’s hope awakes again; 
     
Jesus comes. 

2     For the poor in heart, Jesus comes to earth. 
      Humble shepherds start the news.
     
For each homeless infant born, 
     
for the meek and those who mourn, 
     
for the weary and the worn, 
     
Jesus comes. 

3     In our deepest night, Jesus comes to earth:
      radiant star to light our way. 
     
Summer’s heat or winter’s chill, 
     
with a warm and loving will, 
     
to a world that needs him still, 
     
Jesus comes. 

Text: Mary Louise Bringle, b. 1953
Text © 2009 GIA Publications, Inc., giamusic.com.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #737666-A All rights reserved.

This has been a year when the Advent message of “Immanuel” – “God with us” – has been especially meaningful; powerful, in a gentle sort of way. We each can name the far-off places we’ve been, the fears, the losses, the roadblocks that suddenly appear, the continual pivoting to adapt to each new change, and the weariness of it all. In these moments, we often wonder where God is in the mix of it all. We feel we’re too far-off from the reach of God, can’t quite fathom that the Almighty God could be there in the messiness of life. Our lives.  

And yet God is. In the story of Jesus’ birth this promise is made known: Jesus comes. 

In this cold December, may you know that Jesus comes to you in your far-off place,  
wherever that may be. 
May you know again that this Child, Jesus, was born for you, dear child of God. 
May the good news of the Word-made-flesh bring you joy and peace.  
May the knowledge of the cross bring you comfort and strength. 
May your heart be lifted up by song and prayer and sacrament. 
May your eyes be opened to see the needs of our world. 
And may you go to far-off places and bring acts of love. 

+ Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas, 
Rev. Dee Pederson  
Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA 

Share

Filed Under: Special Messages

Video Library

Your Stories
Equipping Videos
Sermons / Worship Services

Synod News Categories

  • Administration (12)
  • Assembly (30)
  • Congregation Vitality (16)
  • COVID-19 Resources (55)
  • E-Newsletter (35)
  • ELCA Foundation (4)
  • Equipping Congregations Day (6)
  • Faith Practices (4)
  • Fall Theological Conference (7)
  • Generosity (34)
  • Lilly Project (14)
  • Local and Global Mission (5)
  • Past Events (4)
  • Presentation (11)
  • Rostered Ministers (10)
  • Servant Leaders (20)
  • Special Messages (90)
  • Synod News (516)
  • Worship (11)
  • Youth / Young Adults (15)

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Vimeo

Phone: 507-637-3904

Fax: 507-637-2809

Southwest Minnesota Synod
175 E Bridge St.
PO Box 499
Redwood Falls MN 56283

© 2023 · Southwestern Minnesota Synod · 175 E Bridge St · Redwood Falls MN · Website by RV Tech Solutions

MENU
  • Home
  • What We Believe
  • Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Annual Meeting Resources
    • Budget Resources
    • Call Process
    • Compensation Guidelines
    • Congregational Resource Team
    • Constitution Resources
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Generosity
    • Grants
    • Portico Benefits Services
  • Rostered Ministers
    • Call Process
    • Interim Ministry
    • Congregations Calling
    • Compensation Guidelines
    • Congregational Resource Team
    • Grants
    • Online Directory / ACS
    • Rostered Leaders’ Report to the Bishop
    • Gifts of Grace
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Portico Benefits Services
    • Faithful Innovation
  • Who We Are
    • Churches & Pastors
    • Synod Staff
    • Synod Governance
    • Synod Assembly
  • Youth / Young Adults
    • Lutheran Youth Organization
    • Youth Resources
    • Youth Gathering
    • Campus Ministry
    • Preventing & Responding to Abuse in Ministry
    • Young Adults in Global Mission
    • Alternative Ideas for Youth Ministry – Summer 2022
  • Embrace God’s Mission
    • Companion Synod- South Africa / Partner Synod- Virginia Synod, ELCA
    • Shared Ministry Partners
    • Responding to God’s World
  • Rostered Minstry
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Contact
    • Map & Directions