Christmas on Colfax

I asked my daughter Sarah to share some reflections with you from a Christmas party we had recently on Colfax street.

“The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

This Word is among us. Because of Jesus we get to experience light, hope, life, and love. Jesus says to each of us….Come, come and sit with me. Sit around a table; a table set for you my children. This table is set in the presence of your enemies, in the midst of your hurt, brokenness, pain, loss, chaos, your storm. The table is set and it is glorious table.

Over the last several months I’ve had the unique opportunity to enter into relationship with many who live off Colfax. Recently I witnessed The Word becoming flesh and dwelling in of all places a motel storage room. With some scrubbing this room was transformed into a beautiful Christmas gathering amongst friends. A delicious meal was shared with those who call motel rooms home and a few volunteers who weekly step into this world.

After putting the finishing touches on each table I walked around to welcome the guests- many who I recognized from knocking on their doors. Wilma* joyfully greeted me with a great big hug. She told me that she was feeling much better and couldn’t wait to eat the turkey and ham, which was about to be served. I turned around and saw Mary* who asked me how my final tests and exams went. She grabbed my hands, looked me right in the eye and said, “Sarah, the Lord is asking you to be present with Him here today.” She talked briefly about her day and said she was grateful to be celebrating Christmas and eating together tonight.

As I made my way to my seat there was a sense of acceptance, grace, and love in the room. We ate around the table. We shared around the table. Some shared about desiring permanent housing, finding a job or a better job, about family dysfunctions, and losses in their lives. I was struck by how many shared how grateful they were for being here tonight, for food, for life, for family, and then all of a sudden Mary broke out singing, Lord I Lift Your Name on High!

At our table of eight I shared how grad school had left me empty, how I desired to rest, felt I needed a breakthrough and time to sit with Jesus, to return to my childlike faith. At this moment Mary had another song. Most of us weren’t familiar with this gospel spiritual, nonetheless it was beautiful and revealed powerful truths! Mary smiled at me as she sang from the heart. As dessert was served and leftovers divvied up Mark,* an older gentlemen called me over to sit down next to him. He said, “young woman you have a call on your life, we all have a call on our life, but time is short. Sit with your Abba Father. Study His word. His word is alive and the powers of darkness cannot prevail. Hide His word in your heart.”

After a busy season of tests and papers, I needed to hear Mary’s singing and Mark’s words of encouragement. Here I was thinking that I was ministering to those I’ve met on Tuesday nights. But here I was receiving! Receiving His Word. This Word that is relevant for us as we pause and remember Jesus, the One who became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word is alive. Jesus calls us daily to His table. He prepares it for us. Do we come and enter in?

Jesus sets a table that will fill our cups to overflowing and give each of us the ability to take our next breath. He says….Come my child, come and spend time with Me around this table. This is the Lord’s Table, I am your Father, I am your Savior, and the Word of Life. Come and enter in.`

*names changed