Noel

I get emotional every time I hear Lauren Daigle and Chris Tomlin’s version of “Noel.”  It’s not just the lyrics and the beautiful music that cause me to tear up. It’s the message of the song: “Noel, Noel, come and see what God has done!” Those words remind me that God is working at all times, in all things: joy and sorrow, beginnings and endings, gain and loss. But to really see what God has done, we need to join Him in His work.  

God gave us Jesus so we can be a light to others. Who needs your light this Christmas season? Who needs to feel the love of Jesus through you? Christmas is, after all, the season of GIVING. Not just monetary giving but the giving of love, help, and the light of the world to others. THIS is the story of Christ, of the “First Noel.” He is the “light of the world given to us.” And “us” means everyone. 

It’s the mama who sits in the back of the worship center with her child who has Down Syndrome because the Kids Ministry “can't handle him.” What would happen if that Children’s Ministry gave the light of the world to that mama and her child? What if, instead of dismissing someone who is “different,” they were creative and found ways to share love and light in a way that brings that child joy. (See “Jesus Speaks” article for encouragement).

Or the older gentleman who is affected by special needs and rides his bike to church every Sunday. It's not okay for congregants to simply feel pity for him. Instead, share that light, the love of the world, and create a carpool schedule for this man.  

Or the family who goes to church in shifts because there's not a place for their son who has Autism. We don’t just go to church to learn about Jesus. We go to church to BECOME like Jesus (Romans 12:1-2). What if the church commits to sharing the love and light of the world with this family by creating a fun space for the child to learn in while his parents worship TOGETHER?  

The song “Noel” is more than a song; it’s a promise of God’s goodness through his son Jesus Christ. People need to feel that promise through us. It is not just a message that we need to hear this Christmas season; it’s a message we need to act on throughout the year. That night, when God sent our Savior to be born in a manger, and the angels found the shepherds and proclaimed “Noel, Noel,” they weren’t just sharing the message of hope to a handful of random people. They were sharing it so the shepherds would put that message into action. 

Who needs to receive the light of the world through you this Christmas season? Who needs to be reminded of the goodness and the love of the Savior? The hope and prayer of The Banquet Network is that you will not just read these words and nod your head in agreement, but that you will challenge yourself and those around you, the body of believers you gather with, to share the light of the world with others who are so often overlooked...especially within the Church. When they do feel that light of the world through you, they too will proclaim “Noel, Noel, come and see what God has done!” 

To learn more about showing those who are affected by disabilities the light of the world, contact us at info@thebanquetnetwork.com.

Allison Fournier is the Coaching and Programs Manager for The Banquet Network. For more stories like this one, go to our blog page, or click to connect, learn or donate to the mission of The Banquet Network.