이 땅에 복음이 들어온 이래로, 이번 성탄절처럼 고요한 밤이 아니라 적막한 성탄절 예배를 드린 것은 정말 처음일 것입니다. 물론 성탄의 주인공 아기 예수님은 사라지고, 루돌프 사슴 코가 등장한지도 오래 되었지만, 이번 성탄절은 코로나 19라는 전염병의 창궐로 말미암아 사회적 거리두기가 2.5단계로 격상되어서, 20명, 그것도 예배자로서가 아니라 영상예배 송출 필요 인원만이 참석하도록 하는 행정명령이 예배당을 지배하는 생소한 성탄절을 보냈습니다. 작년 이전의 성탄감사 예배의 실황이나, 어느 교회 전교인 성탄감사찬양의 영상과 비교해 보면, 오늘의 현실은 고요를 뛰어넘은 참담함을 깨닫게 될 것입니다.
비록 예배당에 모여 기쁨의 눈빛을 서로 주고 받으며, 목소리를 합하여 큰 소리로 구주 오심을 노래할 기회를 잃었지만, 그것이 사실을 변화시킬 수는 없습니다. 아기 예수로 주님은 오셨고, 우린 그날을 기억하고 방식은 달라졌지만, 영상으로나마 감사의 예배를 드렸습니다. 뿐만 아니라 오랜 약속을 지키셔서, 2천년 전에 아기 예수를 보내신 하나님 아버지께서는, 때가 되면 역사의 심판주 예수 그리스도를 보내실 것입니다. “주께서 호령과 천사장의 소리와 하나님의 나팔 소리로 친히 하늘로부터 강림”하실 날을 기다리며 사는 사람들이 신앙인들입니다. 성탄은 그 기약을 새롭게 하는 절기입니다. 그러므로 우리의 오늘과 내일은 그분을 기다리는데 중요한 의미를 갖습니다.
이번 성탄절에도 우린 고백합니다. “주는 내 주시니 주를 떠나서는 어디에도 내 행복이 없습니다. 이 세상에 있는 성도들은 고귀한 사람들입니다. 그들과 함께하는 것이 내 기쁨입니다.(시 16:2,3)” 가장 중요한 날, 의미 있는 순간에, 함께 하고 싶은 사람은 같은 신앙을 고백하는 사람들입니다. 그 가운데서도 꼭 격려와 위로가 필요한 사람이면 더 좋겠다는 생각을 하며 기다렸습니다. 그러다 보니 12월을 맞이하면서 마음에 담긴 기도는 ‘이번 성탄절에는 누구와 더불어 주님 오심을 기뻐하는 자리를 마련할까’ 였습니다. 그렇다고 내가 주도적으로 누구를 초대하려는 의도는 없었습니다. 오히려 주님이 보내시는 분들과 함께 그 기쁨을 나누고 싶었습니다.
약속을 했다가 엄중해지는 거리두기 2.5 상황으로 취소하기도 했지만 그 자리에 새로운 분들이 들어오기도 했습니다. 24일 성탄 전날은 ‘여전도사님’ 몇 분이 오후에 찾아와서, 촛불로 성탄의 장식을 한 거실에서 커피와 차를 함께 마시고, 헤어지기 전에는 함께 나누었던 대화 가운데, 우리의 기도가 필요한 분들을 위해서 돌아가며 기도하고 헤어졌습니다. 25일에는 성탄 영상예배를 드린 후에, ‘다문화가정’ 한 식구와 점심식탁을 함께 했습니다. 남아공에서 영어교사로 취업한 자매가, 영어로 의사소통이 되는 우리 교회 한 청년과 결혼해서, 그날은 6살짜리 딸과 4살짜리 아들을 데리고 왔습니다. 그리고 아이들의 미래에 영향을 줄 아름다운 꿈을 나누는 시간을 가졌습니다. 지난 몇 년동안 한국의 삭막한 교육상황을 보면서, 영어학원을 통해 돈을 버는 것을 넘어서서, 뭔가 기여할 일을 꿈꾸는 것은 바로 이 땅에 오신 주님의 사역을 계속하는 일이라는 생각이 들어서 행복했습니다.
Ever since the Gospel first reached this land, this must surely be the very first time we have held a Christmas service wrapped in desolate stillness rather than the gentle peace of a silent night. To be sure, the baby Jesus—the true protagonist of Christmas—faded from view long ago, replaced by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Yet this Christmas felt especially unfamiliar, overshadowed by administrative orders as social distancing was raised to Level 2.5 due to the rampant spread of COVID-19. Under these restrictions, sanctuary attendance was capped at only twenty individuals, and even then, only those deemed essential for broadcasting the online service were permitted to enter. When comparing this to the vibrant Christmas Thanksgiving services of past years or the joyful videos of entire congregations singing praises together, one comes to realize a heart-wrenching reality that goes far beyond mere quietness.
Yet, though we were deprived of the opportunity to gather in the sanctuary, exchange joyful glances, and raise our voices in chorus to celebrate our Savior's arrival, none of this changes the foundational truth. The Lord truly came as the baby Jesus. We remembered that sacred day, and though the manner changed, we still offered our worship of thanksgiving through the screen. What is more, our Heavenly Father, who faithfully fulfilled His ancient promise by sending the infant Jesus two thousand years ago, will in due time send Jesus Christ once again as the Judge of all history. Believers are those who live anticipating that day when "the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God." Christmas is a sacred season that renews this blessed hope. Therefore, our today and our tomorrow hold profound meaning as we await His return.
This Christmas, too, we confess: “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing. As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight (Psalm 16:2–3).” On the most important days and in the most meaningful moments, the people we long to be with are those who share this same confession of faith. Amid them, I waited with the hope of spending time especially with those in need of encouragement and comfort. Thus, as December began, the prayer deeply etched in my heart was, "With whom shall I prepare a place to rejoice in the Lord's coming this Christmas?" Yet I had no intention of orchestrating the guest list myself; rather, I wished to share that joy with whomever the Lord chose to send.
While some gatherings were scheduled and then canceled as the Level 2.5 distancing measures tightened, new faces came to fill those spaces. On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, December 24th, several female ministers (evangelists) visited. In our living room, adorned with warm candlelight for Christmas, we shared coffee and tea together. Before parting, we took turns praying for those mentioned in our conversation who were in special need of prayer. On Christmas Day, December 25th, after participating in the online Christmas service, my wife and I shared lunch with a multicultural family. A sister who had worked as an English teacher from South Africa had married a young man from our church who spoke English, and that day they came with their six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son. We spent precious time together sharing beautiful dreams that could shape the future of these children. Observing the bleak educational climate in Korea over recent years, I felt a deep joy knowing that dreaming of ways to contribute meaningfully—far beyond merely earning an income through English academies—is a true continuation of the ministry of our Lord who came into this world.
Sedert die Evangelie vir die eerste keer na hierdie land gekom het, is dit sekerlik die heel eerste keer dat ons 'n Kersdiens gehou het wat gehul was in 'n verlate, beklemmende stilte eerder as die gewyde vrede van 'n stille nag. Natuurlik het die ware Hoofkarakter van Kersfees, die Kindjie Jesus, lankal reeds uit die openbare oog verdwyn om plek te maak vir Rudolph die rooineus-takbok. Tog was hierdie Kersfees besonder vreemd en ongewoon: weens die uitbreek van die COVID-19-pandemie is maatskaplike distansiëring tot Vlak 2.5 verhoog, en 'n administratiewe bevel het bepaal dat slegs twintig persone in die kerkgebou toegelaat word—en dít nie as gewone aanbidders nie, maar slegs as die noodsaaklike personeel om die aanlyn-uitsending te behartig. Wanneer 'n mens dit vergelyk met die lewendige Kersdankseggingsdienste van vorige jare of die opnames waar die hele gemeente saam lofsange aanhef, besef jy die hartverskeurende werklikheid wat veel dieper sny as blote stilte.
Alhoewel ons die geleentheid ontneem is om in die kerkgebou bymekaar te kom, vreugdevolle blikke uit te ruil en ons stemme saam te voeg om die koms van die Verlosser luidkeels te besing, kan dit niks aan die werklikheid verander nie. Die Here het waarlik as die Kindjie Jesus gekom. Ons het daardie dag onthou, en hoewel die wyse verander het, het ons nogtans via die skerm 'n dankdiens aan Hom gebring. Nie net dit nie: ons hemelse Vader, wat twee duisend jaar gelede Sy eertydse belofte gestand gedoen het deur die Kindjie Jesus te stuur, sal op die bestemde tyd Jesus Christus weer stuur as die Regter van die geskiedenis. Gelowiges is mense wat leef in afwagting van die dag wanneer "die Here self met 'n veldroep, met die stem van 'n aartsengel en met geklank van die basuin van God sal neerdaal uit die hemel." Kersfees is die seisoen wat hierdie belofte opnuut bevestig. Daarom dra ons hede en ons toekoms 'n kosbare betekenis terwyl ons op Hom wag.
Ook hierdie Kersfees bely ons: “U is my Here; buiten U is daar vir my geen goed nie. Aangaande die heiliges wat op die aarde is, hulle is die edeles in wie al my welgevalle is (Ps. 16:2–3).” Op die belangrikste dag en tydens die mees betekenisvolle oomblikke is die mense saam met wie ons wil wees, juis dié wat dieselfde geloof bely. Te midde van hulle het ek gewag met die verlange om veral saam te wees met iemand wat bemoediging en vertroosting nodig het. So het daar met die aanbreek van Desember 'n gebed in my hart gegroei: 'Saam met wie kan ek hierdie Kersfees 'n plek voorberei om ons te verbly in die koms van die Here?' Tog was dit nie my bedoeling om self eiegeregtig 'n gastelys op te stel nie; ek wou liewer daardie vreugde deel met wie die Here ook al oor my pad sou stuur.
Hoewel sommige afsprake weens die verskerpte Vlak 2.5-inperkings gekanselleer moes word, het nuwe mense daardie leemte gevul. Op die middag van 24 Desember, Oukersaand, het 'n paar vroulike evangeliste kom kuier. In ons sitkamer, feestelik versier met kersliggies, het ons saam koffie en tee gedrink. Voordat ons gegroet het, het ons beurtelings gebid vir diegene wat tydens ons samesyn genoem is en ons voorbidding nodig gehad het. Op 25 Desember, na afloop van die aanlyn-Kersdiens, het ons 'n middagete saam met 'n multikulturele gesin geniet. 'n Suster wat vanuit Suid-Afrika gekom het om as Engelse onderwyseres te werk, is getroud met 'n jong man van ons gemeente wat vlot Engels praat, en daardie dag het hulle hul sesjarige dogtertjie en vierjarige seuntjie saamgebring. Ons het kosbare tyd deurgebring om te gesels oor pragtige drome wat die toekoms van hierdie kinders kan rig. Terwyl ek die afgelope paar jaar die kille en veeleisende onderwysomstandighede in Korea aanskou het, het dit my hart met blydskap vul om te besef dat die droom om 'n betekenisvolle bydrae te lewer—veel meer as om bloot 'n inkomste deur privaat Engelse taalskole te verdien—niks anders is nie as die voortsetting van die bediening van ons Here wat na hierdie wêreld gekom het.