Elk River Lutheran Church-ELCA
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Lisa Sampson

12/14/2020

 
One of my most vivid memories of Christmas was from the first year that my mom’s circle at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, MN served dinner on Christmas Eve at the Union Gospel Mission. Most of the ladies brought their husbands and a few brought their kids. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I didn’t anticipate making a memory that would stay with me and change me the way it did.  
 
In the mid-70’s the people the mission served were mostly men and everyone called them “bums” or “winos.” No one really talked about where they lived, just that they could be found downtown in the alleys around 1st Street. They were the lowly of our society. As the adults got the food prepared, we youth set up the dining room then scurried back to the kitchen when it was time for the people to come in. Our pastor gave a Christmas message, then the most frightening bunch of men I had ever seen got to their feet to retrieve their plate of food from the window. It was also the youth’s job to go out and fill coffee and water pitchers, and bus abandoned plates. I remember the smell. I remember the eerie quiet noise of silverware on plates as the room ate their food. Then someone began to play carols on the old piano and the quiet was replaced by singing. This wasn’t a Hallmark movie so the voices were off key and the smell of unwashed bodies hung in the room, but the spirit of Christmas was present. A man approached me and thanked me for the food then said, “God bless you.” I wished him a Merry Christmas. Emboldened, I spoke to a few more. They no longer looked frightful, just haunted and sad. But there were a few smiles and more “God bless you’s” as they returned to the cold December night. We went home after that to our own dinner, gifts and the candlelight service at church. I don’t remember what gifts I received that year or even who was gathered at my house.  
 
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
Luke 1:52-53 
 
These lines from the Magnificat tell us that the lowly are blessed and the hungry will be filled. Jesus himself entered the world in the lowliest of places and spent most of his ministry hanging out with the “bums” and “winos” of his time. In the midst of Advent, this time of waiting, in the midst of a pandemic, of separation, I hope to keep the memory of the Union Gospel Mission to help me appreciate all that I have rather than what I can’t have, this year.  
 
Holy God, Word made flesh, we pray that your joyous light touch our lives this Christmas season. Amen. ​
Aimee E link
6/11/2022 12:29:35 am

Thank you for writing tthis


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    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy