Bishop Dee Pederson's Christmas Message
Dear Friends in Christ -
The message of the angel to Joseph is one of promise and hope today!
“Jesus,” a name that means, “God saves.” Christmas may not be a season when we want to think much about the need to be saved from sin. Yet beneath the Advent preparations and Christmas festivities, we confess our own preoccupation with ourselves, our impatience with others, our failure to respond to human need, our failure to live at peace with neighbors near and far, our reluctance to trust God’s faithfulness. Still, there is hope as we celebrate this One born as a vulnerable baby - Jesus - who saves us from the sin and brokenness of our world and of every human heart.
“Immanuel,” a name that means, “God with us.” Some days it is easy to wonder where God has gone. In times of confusion, fear, misunderstanding, illness, abuse, or grief, we wonder if God has forgotten us. Yet the promise of Immanuel is that God is here. Every human being is created in the image of God and embraced as beloved. In the promised birth of Immanuel, the Word became flesh and lived among us - fully sharing our humanity - bringing into this beloved world grace and truth, light and love that will not end.
This year, I am writing this letter from South Africa, where four of us from the Southwestern Minnesota Synod have the honor and privilege of getting to know our global partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (“ELCSA”). The relationship we share is one of ‘accompaniment’, walking with each other in relationship. Even though our churches face similar challenges, we are discovering the greater unity of the hope and joy we share in Jesus Christ. In the opening worship of our Consultation, Presiding Bishop Myaka of ELCSA, taught us the Zulu saying, “The road to heaven goes by your neighbor’s house.” It is a powerful reminder that Jesus, Immanuel, is present not only with me, but with my neighbors, and therefore, I am to be present with my neighbors, as well.
Wherever you are this Christmas - at home or far away - I pray that you know the grace and truth, light and love of Jesus - Immanuel - God with you. Merry Christmas!
+ Bishop Dee Pederson