By Mary C. Lindberg
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! ... At that time I will bring you home … (Zephaniah 3:14-20).
M
y church hosted an encampment of homeless people called Tent City during December some years back. When parishioners exited the Christ-
mas Eve service that year, they encountered tents, chairs, sleeping bags and duffle bags covering the front lawn. In addition to the hundred men and women living in front of the church, the nativity scene, with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, took up a little corner of the lawn. The year before a prankster had stolen baby Jesus from the nativity set, so a replacement was added to the scene. When my family walked out of church that Christmas Eve, my 6-year-old said: “It’s good that the people on the lawn will keep Jesus safe.” A powerful endeavor—keeping Jesus safe. Loving Jesus as a kindred homeless spirit who found no room at the inn. Trusting in the one who chose to live with little yet possessed enormous inner wealth. Knowing that Jesus found more safety on the outside of society than on the inside of tradition. Keeping him near, so others could hear his message of justice. Keeping Jesus safe, so others might understand his promise to bring both housing and a spiritual home.
Safety for God’s people Long before we felt the call to keep Jesus safe, God envi- sioned safety for God’s people. The prophet Zephaniah declares God’s vision for people to have a home. Now Christmas nears and God prepares to make a home in our midst. God challenges us to clear out space in our hearts to welcome the baby, and his people, home. Zephaniah foretold that God would bring us home, but he didn’t declare a specific address that God had in mind. God’s people have found a home in all sorts of environments. At one point in their story, their home was addressed “Promised Land.” At another point it was “Manger Stall, Bethlehem.” Today, for more than 3,000 of God’s people in Seattle, home is addressed 77 S. Washington St., the office of Compass Housing Alliance. At 77 S. Washington St., thousands of Seattle folks
facing homelessness find precious signs of home: mail, clean clothes, meals and someone who cares.
Lindberg is a Seattle-area pastor and community engagement coordina- tor for Compass Housing Alliance.
Nearly 100 years ago in 1920, Swedish immigrants Otto (a Lutheran pastor) and Alma Karlstrom dared to believe and notice that other newcomers needed the things they did: a chapel, a community space, a post office and a library. So they started a mission in Pioneer
14 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
Keeping Jesus safe
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