Tuesday Tidings Dec 2, 2025

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.” -Ephesians 2:10

A few weeks back,

we were hosting a community event at Bethlehem when the elevator gave out.  Before we go any further, please note that those who were momentarily trapped on the elevator are just fine.

In response to this unfortunate mechanical failure the police and fire department responded.  When these first responders got to Bethlehem they broke the little protective box that holds the “key,” the only “key” that will open the elevator doors in such a situation.

After the excitement died down, I naturally engaged the friendly elevator technician in conversation.  He informed that you just can’t get those “keys” anywhere.  Those keys, “the half-moon elevator key” was invented by the Westinghouse corporation a long time ago, and it’s still successfully helping people get out of challenging situations to this day.

These artfully crafted keys got me to thinking about Saint Paul, especially at that wondrous moment in his letter to the Ephesians when Paul states that we are God’s, “handiwork.”  The Greek word is poiema (anglicized here for convenience), the same word from whence we get, “poem.”

When we put these pieces together we come to see something utterly delightful… the Word is crafting human-shaped poems to enliven and enlighten the world.

There really is a deep truth in Paul’s metaphorical rendering of God’s creative and redemptive activity.  Despite contending with our very human limitations, God is still actively shaping, uniquely equipping each of us to do the good and redemptive work in the world that only we can do.

Each of us, by the amazing grace of God, is a kind of intricately crafted key that will be able to slip into a singular set of circumstances and rescue our neighbors from the challenges with which they are contending.

Question for reflection: As we make our way through this sacred Advent season, we might ask, what gifts have I already been given that will enable me to be a blessing in this blessed season?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

Gracious Lord, your creative power is still at work in the world.  Your Word continues to shape and form each of us.  May we know the deep and lasting joy of your Being in us and us being in You in these sacred days of preparation. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.