As One We Glorify God

Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga, Russian Karelia 

May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
   and sing praises to your name”;

and again he says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people”;

and again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

   and let all the peoples praise him”;

                                       (Rom 15:5-11 NRSV)

Soon and very soon (like tomorrow night, Christmas Eve) our sanctuaries will be filled with people who have come to praise God. It is always a pleasure to see so many "Gentiles" gathered together to glorify His Holy Name.

St. Paul encouraged the followers to praise God and to rejoice in Him as we welcome one another. We are to welcome all people even as Christ welcomed us. It does not matter whether one is Jew or Gentile, young or old, or where they are from. Their ancestry nor their station in life matters. We are to praise God together, with one voice, so that others might hear and also glorify God.

There is no room for "me" and especially not "poor me" in the Body of Christ. We are one in Christ Jesus and are to live in harmony; lifting one another up with endurance; that all would hear what the scriptures would teach us. Paul's hope was that God would give us all "the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we might glorify God." 

We are given the scriptures so that we might learn who this Jesus is. Hear them. Read them. Study them. We are given the Holy Spirit that we might understand and be empowered to follow this one who came down to earth to save us from ourselves (and each other). Have mercy on one another, as Christ has mercy. Love one another, as Christ loves. Enter this Christmas season with a desire to do go to our neighbors; to live in unity and peace that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ might be glorified in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J